Device for dissecting, grasping, or cutting an object
AssigneeRaychem Corporation
InventorsLee M. Middleman, Walter R. Pyka
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device for dissecting, grasping and/or cutting an object has at least two elongate elements at least a portion of at least one of the elements is formed from a pseudoelastic material, preferably a pseudoelastic shape memory alloy. End portions of the elements can be moved away from one another and then toward one another to dissect, grasp and/or cut an object with the elements. In certain embodiments, the device further comprises an actuating means and at least a portion of the elements and/or the actuating means is formed from a pseudoelastic material. The device is particularly useful in dissecting, grasping and/or cutting objects located in difficult to reach areas, for example within the body during surgery.
Claims21
A device for dissecting an object which comprises at least two elongate elements, positioned alongside one another, each having a body portion and an end portion, the end portions of the elements including means for:
- i. being capable of being splayed apart from one another when free of transverse constraint to dissect said object from surrounding material;
- and
- ii. being capable of being moved toward one another;
- wherein a portion of at least one of the elements is formed from a pseudoelastic material.
A device for manipulating an object which comprises at least two elongate elements, positioned alongside one another, each having a body portion and an end portion, the end portions of the elements including means for:
- i. being capable of being splayed apart from one another when free of transverse constraint and presenting manipulating surfaces to an object to be manipulated that is placed between them;
- and
- ii. being capable of being moved toward one another to manipulate said object;
- wherein a portion of at least one of the elements is formed from a pseudoelastic material.
A device for dissecting an object which comprises
- a. a hollow elongate component;
- and
- b. at least two elongate elements, at least part of which are positioned within said component, said elements being positioned alongside one another, each having a body portion and an end portion, the end portions of the elements including means for:
- i. being capable of being splayed apart from one another when free of transverse constraint to dissect said object from surrounding material;
- and
- ii. being capable of being moved toward one another;
- wherein the elements and the component are longitudinally slideable relative to one another so that at least a portion of the elements can be slide into and out of said component and wherein a portion of at least one of the elements is formed from a pseudoelastic material.
A device for manipulating an object which comprises
- a. a hollow elongate component;
- and
- b. at least two elongate elements, at least part of which are positioned within said component, said elements being positioned alongside one another, each having a body portion and an end portion, the end portions of the elements including means for:
- i. being capable of being splayed apart from one another when free of transverse constraint and presenting manipulating surfaces to an object to be manipulated that is placed between them;
- and
- ii. being capable of being moved towards one another to manipulate said object;
- wherein the elements and the component are longitudinally slideable relative to one another so that at least a portion of the elements can be slid into and out of said component and wherein a portion of at least one of the elements is formed from a pseudoelastic material.
A device for manipulating an object which comprises at least two elongate elements positioned alongside one another, each having a body portion and an end portion, at least a portion of at least one of the elongate elements including a manipulating edge constructed of a material other than a shape memory alloy, the end portions of the elements including means for:
- i. being capable of being splayed apart from one another when free of transverse constraint and presenting manipulating surfaces to an object to be manipulated that is placed between them;
- and
- ii. being capable of being moved toward one another to manipulate said object;
- wherein a portion of at least one of the elements is formed from a pseudoelastic material.
A method of manipulating an object, which comprises:
- A. providing a device which comprises
- a. at least two elongate elements, positioned alongside one another, each having a body portion and an end portion, the end portions of the elements:
- i. being capable of being splayed apart from one another when free of transverse constraint and presenting manipulating surfaces to an object to be manipulated that is placed between them;
- and
- ii. being capable of being moved toward one another to manipulate said object;
- wherein at least a portion of at least one of the elements is formed from a pseudoelastic material;
- B. positioning the object between the splayed apart end portions of the elements;
- and
- C. causing said end portions to move toward one another so as to manipulate said object.
A method of manipulating an object, which comprises:
- A. providing a device which comprises:
- a. a hollow elongate component;
- and
- b. at least two elongate elements, at least part of which are positioned within said component, said elements being positioned alongside one another, each having a body portion and an end portion, the end portions of the elements:
- i. being capable of being splayed apart from one another when free of transverse constraint and presenting manipulating surfaces to an object to be manipulated that is placed between them;
- and
- ii. being capable of being moved toward one another to manipulate said object;
- wherein the elements and the component are longitudinally slideable relative to one another so that at least a portion of the elements can be slid into and out of said component and wherein at least a portion of at least one of the elements is formed from a pseudoelastic material;
- B. positioning said object between the splayed apart end portions of the elements;
- and
- C. causing said end portions to move toward one another so as to manipulate said object.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.