Laparoscopic handpiece for waveguides
AssigneeOmniGuide, Inc.
InventorsMarc Graham, Arnaz Singh Malhi, Vladimir Fuflyigin, Courtney Manthei, Flora Liu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An articulating instrument including a distal assembly having first and second configurations and intermediate configurations between them. At least one of the first and second configurations is substantially stable such that the distal assembly of the instrument has a tendency to remain in the stable configuration when placed in that configuration by a user of the instrument. Preferably, the distal assembly terminates in a distal tip unit defining at least one distal feature that is useful for manipulating tissue.
Claims15
An articulating instrument, comprising:
- a handle with an articulation actuator that is capable of being manipulated by a user;
- a distal assembly terminating in a distal tip unit and having a first configuration, a second configuration that is curved at a maximum articulation angle, and a plurality of intermediate configurations between the first and second configurations having lesser articulation angles;
- a cannula portion connecting the distal assembly with the handle and containing at least one actuation member having a proximal end connected to the actuator and having a distal portion associated with the distal tip unit;
- wherein at least one of the first and second configurations is substantially stable such that the distal assembly has a tendency to remain in the stable configuration when placed in that configuration by a user of the instrument;
- and
- wherein the distal assembly defines at least one distal feature that is useful for manipulating tissue.
The instrument of claim I wherein the distal assembly includes a plurality of pivotally interconnected links that connect the cannula portion to the distal tip unit.
The instrument of claim I wherein the actuation member has first and second legs extending through the cannula portion and through the distal assembly.
The instrument according to any preceding claim wherein the actuation member is a cable having a central portion passing through the distal tip unit and having first and second cable legs that extend proximally through the distal assembly and through the cannula portion, each leg terminating in a proximal end connected to the actuator.
The instrument according to any preceding claim further including a conduit extending through the handle, the cannula portion, and the distal assembly to emit surgical energy through the distal tip unit to a target location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.