US 8,888,688 B2Granted

Connector device for a controllable instrument

AssigneeIntuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.

InventorsChristopher A. Julian, Amir Belson, Aaron W. Brown, Mark Harasym, Marc S. Kreidler, Robert M. Ohline, Scott J. Reiner, Enrique Romo, Charles E. Swinehart, Katherine Whitin

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A connector assembly for controllable articles is described herein. The connector assembly engages force transmission elements used to transmit force from one or more force generators with the force transmission elements used to manipulate a controllable article. Additionally, the connector assembly provides organization thereby simplifying the process of connecting a plurality of elements, usually with a quick, single movement.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A connector assembly for a controllable medical instrument, the connector assembly comprising:

a first connector portion, wherein the first connector portion comprises first force transmission elements, and wherein each of the first force transmission elements comprises a connecting element;
and
a second connector portion, wherein the second connector portion releasably mates with the first connector portion, wherein the second connector portion comprises second force transmission elements, and wherein each of the second force transmission elements comprises a connecting element;
wherein the connecting elements of the first and second first force transmission elements are configured for interlocking engagement with each other,
wherein, in a mated configuration of the first connector portion with the second connector portion, the connecting elements of the first and second force transmission elements are moveable relative to each other from a disengaged configuration in which the first and second force transmission elements are uncoupled into a releasable, interlocking engagement in which the first and second force transmission elements are coupled.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/988,212Filed 12 Nov 2004 · continuation in part
Priority: 3 Apr 2000
Published: US 2006/0052664 A19 Mar 2006
Granted: 18 Nov 2014
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

A61B 34/71
Manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery: manipulators operated by drive cable mechanisms
A61B 1/00128
Connectors, fasteners and adapters, e.g. on the endoscope handle: mechanical, e.g. for tubes or pipes
A61B 1/0016
Holding or positioning arrangements: using motor drive units
A61B 1/0053
Constructional details of control elements, e.g. handles: using distributed actuators, e.g. artificial muscles

Family

Application60/194,140Us provisional application · filed 3 Apr 2000
Application09/790,204Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 20 Feb 2001
Application10/229,577Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 27 Aug 2002
US 2006/0052664 A1Pre-grant publication · published 9 Mar 2006
US 6,858,005 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 6,468,203 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 2002/0022765 A1Published application
US 2003/0045778 A1Published application
US 8,888,688 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.