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US 2014/0371785 A1Published application
Laparoscopic devices and methods of using
AssigneeBoard of Regents of the University of Nebraska
InventorsM. Susan Hallbeck, Jakeb Riggle, Adam de Laveaga, Jake Kaufman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A number of improvements to laparoscopic devices are described herein, primarily to improve the ergonomic functionality of the devices. For example, an articulating rod system is described, a gripping mechanism is described, and an end effector is described.
Claims23
An articulating rod system, comprising:
- an articulation control member comprising a receiving annulus;
- a plurality of connection rods;
- and
- at least one rod guide.
1 more element
A gripping mechanism in a laparoscopic handle, comprising:
- a hand grip having an open and closed position;
- a force controller comprising a first and a second position;
- a rocker arm that is pivotable about a rocker arm pivot point;
- and
- a link arm attached to the rocker arm at a link arm pivot point;
- wherein the first and second position of the force controller corresponds to a first and a second position of the rocker arm, respectively, such that, when the hand grip is in the closed position, the directional force applied on the link arm in the first position is the opposite of the directional force applied on the link arm in the second position.
3 more elements
A grasper-type end effector assembly for a laparoscopic device, comprising:
- a first and a second arm, each of the first and the second arm having a proximal and a distal end, the proximal end of each of the first and the second arms comprising a curved slotted opening for receiving a pin;
- and
- a base comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the base having a pin mechanism that reciprocates along a longitudinal axis of the end effector assembly, the proximal end of the base comprising means for attachment to a laparoscopic instrument,
- wherein a pin on the pin mechanism is moveably translatable within the curved slotted opening on the proximal ends of each of the first and the second arms,
- wherein the proximal ends of the first and the second arms are attached to the base at a first pivot point and a second pivot point, respectively,
- such that reciprocation of the pin mechanism causes a corresponding opening and closing of the distal ends of the first and the second arms via moveable translation of the pin within the curved slotted opening.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.