Ergonomic surgical instrument handle
AssigneeMedicinelodge, Inc. Dba Imds Co-Innovation
InventorsDaniel E. Gerbec, Joseph Q. Marietta, Brandon T. Walker, E. Marlowe Goble
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Instrument handles isolate the functions of supporting the instrument and actuating controls on the instrument. An instrument handle may be grasped and supported by the less dexterous digits and palm of a human hand, and controls mounted on the instrument handle may be actuated by the more dexterous digits. The instrument handle may couple to an end effector so that the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder remain in a comfortable position when the end effector is positioned to act effectively on a selected portion of a workpiece, such as a surgical site.
Claims20
An instrument adapted for use by a human hand, the instrument comprising:
- an end effector, wherein the end effector comprises a working segment and a connection segment opposite the working segment;
- and
- a handle extending from the connection segment of the end effector, the handle comprising:
- a first control;
- wherein the handle is configured to be supported by a palm of the hand and at least one support digit of the hand, wherein the at least one support digit is selected from the group consisting of a middle finger, a ring finger, and a little finger;
- wherein the first control is configured to be actuated by a first actuation digit of the hand while the handle is supported by the palm and the at least one support digit, wherein the first actuation digit is selected from the group consisting of an index finger and a thumb;
- wherein the working segment of the end effector is positioned and oriented to perform a first action on a selected portion of a workpiece when the first control is actuated while a wrist, an elbow, and a shoulder corresponding to the hand are all in neutral positions.
An instrument adapted for use by a human hand, the instrument comprising:
- an end effector, wherein the end effector comprises a working segment and a connection segment opposite the working segment;
- and
- a handle extending from the connection segment of the end effector, the handle comprising:
- a fitting, wherein the fitting carries the connection segment of the end effector;
- a first control;
- and
- a frame, wherein the frame carries the fitting and the first control;
- wherein the handle is configured to be supported by a palm of the hand and at least one support digit of the hand, wherein the at least one support digit is selected from the group consisting of a middle finger, a ring finger, and a little finger;
- wherein the first control is configured to be actuated by a first actuation digit of the hand while the handle is supported by the palm and the at least one support digit, wherein the first actuation digit is selected from the group consisting of an index finger and a thumb;
- wherein the working segment of the end effector performs a first action when the first control is actuated.
An instrument handle adapted for use by a human hand, the handle comprising:
- a fitting, wherein the fitting is configured to connect the handle to an end effector;
- a body portion, wherein the body portion comprises a first control and a second control, wherein the first and second controls are configured to be actuated by first and second actuation digits of the hand, respectively, wherein the first and second actuation digits are selected from the group consisting of the index finger and the thumb;
- a palm portion extending transversely from the body portion, wherein the palm portion is configured to be supported by a palm of the hand;
- and
- a finger portion spaced apart from the palm portion, wherein the finger portion is configured to be supported by a plurality of support digits of the hand, wherein the support digits are selected from the group consisting of a middle finger, a ring finger, and a little finger;
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.