University of South Florida

Joseph Constantino

Stuart Richard Hart

Susana Lai-Yuen

A laparoscopic tool includes a base having a bore that receives the proximal end of an elongate outer tube having a lumen in axial alignment with the bore. An elongate inner rod is slideably mounted in the lumen and the bore. A clamp is detachably secured to a distal end of the elongate inner rod. A handle controlled by a user advances and retracts the inner rod. A nitinol clamp is connected to the distal end of the inner rod and an electrically conductive suture thread holds the clamp to the inner rod. A wedge block positioned at the proximal end of the inner rod has a slit that releasably engages the suture thread so that the suture thread is pulled until it is taut and wedged into the slit. The clamp closes when heated by an electrical current flowing through the suture thread and opens when the current stops.

Growing community of inventors

Bradenton, FL, United States of America

Joseph Constantino