US 5,104,397 AGranted

Multi-position latching mechanism for forceps

AssigneeCodman & Shurtleff, Inc.

InventorsGilson S. Vasconcelos, John A. Santangelo

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Abstract

A latching mechanism for forceps including first latch portion on one forcep handle and a second latch portion on the other forceps handle and a bias spring for placing the handles, and thus the jaws, in a first predetermined spacing. The first latch portion has a cam surface, a shelf and a slot. The second latch portion has a transverse projection which engages the cam surface as the handles close and then engages the shelf and upon further closing of the handles and then springs through the slot to disengage the latching mechanism and return the handles to the original position controlled by the bias spring. The first position allows a surgical assistant to load an aneurysm clip into the jaws of the forceps. The second predetermined position allows the surgical assistant to partially close the handles sufficient to hold the aneurysm clip firmly in place. The surgeon then takes the forcep and inserts the aneurysm clip by further closing the handles and releases the latching mechanism by relaxing the grip.

Claims7

Dependent claims

In a forceps-types surgical instrument having first and second members each having a jaw disposed in opposing relationship on a distal portion thereof and each having a handle disposed in opposing relationship on a proximal portion thereof said members pivotably connected together so that as said handles are closed toward one another said jaws close toward one another, the improvement comprising:

a first resilient latch portion attached adjacent the proximal end portion of said first member and having an engaging surface, resiliently flexible in a plane said engaging surface including;
a generally planar cam surface at its free end aligned at an angle to the direction of closure of said handles;
and,
a stop formation spaced from said free end of said engaging surface;
a second resilient latch portion attached adjacent the proximal portion of said second member, said second latch portion including a projection at its free end extending transversely therefrom and adapted to deflect against said cam surface and to be received and resiliently held on said stop formation against said engaging surface;
when said handles are in a second predetermined position;
a slot in said first latch portion engaging surface extending from a side of said latch portion transversely thereinto for permitting said projection at said free end of said second resilient latch portion to resiliently move through said slot out of engagement with said engaging surface upon further movement of said handles toward one another;
and,
biasing means for biasing said handles apart at a first predetermined position integral with at least a part of one of said first and second latching member.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.