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US 5,549,637 AGranted
Articulated medical instrument
OwnerLawrence Crainichinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A medical instrument includes a handle; an elongate body member having a first end and a second end and at least one joint disposed therebetween dividing the body member into a plurality of segments including a first segment and a second segment, the first segment being connected to the handle and the second segment terminating in a tool head receiver; a member for pivoting the second segment relative to the first segment at the at least one joint between; a member for rotating the tool head receiver relative to the body member; and a member for rotating the body member relative to the handle.
Claims39
A medical instrument, comprising:
- a handle;
- an elongate body member having a first end and a second end and at least one joint disposed therebetween dividing the body member into a plurality of segments including a first segment and a second segment, the first segment being connected to the handle and the second segment terminating in a tool head receiving means;
- and
- means for pivoting the second segment relative to the first segment at the at least one joint, wherein the means for pivoting comprises two elongate members fixed relative to the second segment of the body member, one positioned pivotally inside of the at least one joint and one positioned pivotally outside of the at least one joint, whereby tensioning the pivotally inside elongate member pivots the second segment toward a pivoted position, and whereby tensioning the pivotally outside elongate member pivots the second segment toward a straight position.
1 more element
A medical instrument, comprising:
- a handle;
- an elongate body member having a first end and a second end and at least one joint disposed therebetween dividing the body member into a plurality of segments including a first segment and a second segment, the first segment being connected to the handle and the second segment terminating in a tool head receiving means;
- and
- means associated with the handle for remotely rotating the tool head receiving means relative to the body member, wherein each segment of the first segment and the second segment comprises an inner portion and an outer portion, wherein the inner portion is rotatable relative to the outer portion, and wherein the tool head receiving means is positioned on the inner portion of the second segment.
1 more element
A medical instrument, comprising:
- a handle;
- an elongate body member having a first end and a second end and at least one joint disposed therebetween dividing the body member into a plurality of segments including a first segment and a second segment, the first segment being connected to the handle and the second segment terminating in a tool head receiving means;
- and
- a push member longitudinally slidably disposed within the body member for operating a tool received by the tool head receiving means and including means for hinging the push member arranged substantially adjacent to the at least one joint whereby the push member is longitudinally slidable relative to the body member when the second segment is pivoted relative to the first segment, wherein the means for hinging comprise at least one link member positioned along the push member and overlapping the at least one joint, and wherein the length of the at least one link member is selected to provide a desired range of longitudinal sliding of the push member relative to the body member when the second segment is pivoted relative to the first segment.
1 more element
A medical instrument, comprising:
- a handle;
- an elongate body member having a first end and a second end and at least one joint disposed therebetween dividing the body member into a plurality of segments including a first segment and a second segment, the first segment being connected to the handle and the second segment terminating in a tool head receiving means;
- means for pivoting the second segment relative to the first segment at the at least one joint;
- means for rotating the tool head receiving means relative to the body member;
- means for rotating the body member relative to the handle;
- and
- control means associated with the handle for controlling pivot of the plurality of segments of the body member, rotation of the body member relative to the handle, and rotation of the tool head receiving means relative tot he body member.
4 more elements
A medical instrument, comprising:
- a handle;
- an elongate body member having a first end and a second end and at least one joint disposed therebetween dividing the body member into a plurality of segments including a first segment and a second segment, the first segment being connected to the handle and the second segment terminating in a tool head receiving means, wherein the at least one joint comprises three joints disposed along the body member, and the segments are pivotable at each joint to an angle of between about 0.degree. in a straight position and about 60.degree. in a fully pivoted position, whereby the second segment is pivotable up to about 180.degree. relative to the first segment in the fully pivoted position;
- and
- means for pivoting the second segment relative to the first segment at the at least one joint.
1 more element
A medical instrument, comprising:
- a handle;
- an elongate body member having a first end and a second end and at least one joint disposed therebetween dividing the body member into a plurality of segments including a first segment and a second segment, the first segment being connected to the handle and the second segment terminating in a tool head receiving means;
- and
- means for pivoting the second segment relative to the first segment at the at least one joint, wherein the means for pivoting comprises at least one elongate member fixed relative to the second segment of the body member whereby longitudinal tensioning of the at least one elongate member pivots the second segment relative to the first segment at the at least one joint, wherein the means for pivoting further comprises a control member movably associated with the handle and having a cam surface, and wherein the at least one elongate member is engaged by the cam surface whereby movement of the control member relative to the handle selectively tensions and relaxes the at least one elongate member, wherein the at least one elongate member has a first end connected to the second segment and a second end connected to the control member.
1 more element
A medical instrument, comprising:
- a handle;
- an elongate body member having a first end and a second end and at least one joint disposed therebetween dividing the body member into a plurality of segments including a first segment and a second segment, the first segment being connected to the handle and the second segment terminating in a tool head receiving means, wherein each segment of the first segment and the second segment comprises an inner portion and an outer portion, wherein the inner portion is rotatable relative to the outer portion, and wherein the tool head receiving means is positioned on the inner portion of the second segment;
- and
- means for rotating the tool head receiving means relative to the body member.
1 more element
A medical instrument, comprising:
- a handle;
- an elongate body member having a first end and a second end and at least one joint disposed therebetween dividing the body member into a plurality of segments including a first segment and a second segment, the first segment being connected to the handle and the second segment terminating in a tool head receiving means;
- means for pivoting the second segment relative to the first segment at the at least one joint;
- and
- a push member longitudinally slidably disposed within the body member for operating a tool received by the tool head receiving means and including means for hinging the push member arranged substantially adjacent to the at least one joint whereby the push member is longitudinally slidable relative to the body member when the second segment is pivoted relative to the first segment.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.