Forceps
AssigneeDuke University
InventorMark Goerlitz-Jessen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure describes a three-pronged forceps. The forceps are particularly useful for removing an intraocular lens from an eye.
Claims22
A grasping device comprising:
- a first prong including a proximal end and a distal end;
- a second prong including a proximal end and a distal end;
- and
- a third prong including a proximal end and a distal end, the third prong being positioned between the first prong and the second prong,
- wherein the proximal end of the first prong, the proximal end of the second prong, and the proximal end of the third prong are coupled to one another, and
- wherein the first prong and the second prong are movable substantially parallel to a first plane and wherein, in response to movement of the first prong and the second prong, the third prong is movable substantially parallel to a second plane that is substantially perpendicular to the first plane.
The grasping device of claim 5, wherein the angle is greater than ninety degrees.
A grasping device, comprising:
- a first prong including a proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and an outer surface opposite the inner surface and extending between the proximal end and the distal end;
- a second prong including a proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and an outer surface opposite the inner surface and extending between the proximal end and the distal end;
- and
- a third prong including a proximal end and a distal end, the third prong being positioned between the first prong and the second prong;
- wherein the proximal end of the first prong, the proximal end of the second prong, and the proximal end of the third prong are coupled to one another, and wherein the distal end of the first prong, the distal end of the second prong, and the distal end of the third prong are movable relative to one another between a first position and a second position,
- wherein in the first position, the outer surface at the distal end of the first prong and the outer surface at the distal end of the second prong are spaced apart from one another by a first distance and the distal end of the third prong is positioned below the distal ends of the first prong and the second prong;
- and
- wherein in the second position, the outer surface at the distal end of the first prong and the outer surface at the distal end of the second prong are spaced apart from one another by a second distance that is smaller than the first distance and the distal end of the third prong is positioned above the distal ends of the first prong and the second prong.
A method of removing an object from a cavity with a grasping device, the grasping device including a first prong including a proximal end and a distal end, a second prong including a proximal end and a distal end, and a third prong including a proximal end and a distal end, the third prong being positioned between the first prong and the second prong, wherein the proximal end of the first prong, the proximal end of the second prong, and the proximal end of the third prong are coupled to one another, and the distal end of the first prong, the distal end of the second prong, and the distal end of the third prong are movable relative to one another, the method comprising:
- positioning the first and second prongs adjacent a first side of the object;
- positioning the third prong adjacent a second, opposite side of the object;
- and
- moving the first and second prongs toward each other substantially parallel to a first plane thereby causing the third prong to move substantially parallel to a second plane that is substantially perpendicular to the first plane to fold the object.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.