Laproscopic instrument depth stop
AssigneeEthicon, Inc.
InventorsROBERT NERING, Elias N. Shalhoub
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is an infinitely adjustable depth stop for a laparoscopic instrument having a shaft, the depth stop including a first component having a first annular space adapted to allow the shaft to be fitted therethrough. The first annular space has a reducible diameter and an interference surface against which the shaft may be fitted. Upon reduction of the reducible diameter, the interference surface frictionally engages the shaft to arrest relative movement of the depth stop along the shaft. The frictional engagement may be along a curve, a spiral curve, or an area. Means are also provided to reopen the reducible diameter to release the depth stop.
Claims20
A depth stop for a laparoscopic instrument having a shaft, where the depth stop comprises:
- a first component having a first annular space adapted to allow the shaft to be fitted therethrough;
- a second component adapted to be connected to the first component, the second component having a second annular space adapted to allow the shaft to be fitted therethrough;
- the first annular space and the second annular space forming a combined annular space having a first cross sectional area;
- wherein when the first component is moved relative to the second component the combined annular space reduces to a second cross sectional area less than the first cross sectional area to impart a force on the shaft, the force capable of arresting relative movement of the depth stop along the shaft.
A depth stop for a laparoscopic instrument having a shaft, where the depth stop comprises:
- a first component having a first annular space with a first cross sectional area adapted to allow the shaft to be fitted therethrough;
- a second component adapted to be fitted over portions of the first component to reduce the first annular space to a second cross sectional area less than the first cross sectional area.
A depth stop for a laparoscopic instrument having a shaft, where the depth stop comprises:
- a first component having a first annular space adapted to allow the shaft to be fitted therethrough;
- the first annular space having a reducible diameter and an interference surface against which the shaft may be fitted;
- wherein, upon reduction of the reducible diameter, the interference surface frictionally engages the shaft to arrest relative movement of the depth stop along the shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.