Endius, Inc.

Interscope, Inc.

William R Rebh

Christopher T Zirps

Stephen C Evans

Richard Stephen Wisdom

Cosme Furlong

Michael W Marcoux

Evan Costa

Matthew Emans

A coupling for releasably connecting first and second parts of an apparatus such as a surgical instrument. The coupling comprises a socket member on the first part of the apparatus, the socket member having an axially extending central opening, and a plug member on the second part of the apparatus. The socket member includes a first manually depressible release button and a first locking element spaced apart from each other on opposite sides of the central opening and movable radially with each other relative to the central opening when the plug member is received in the central opening in the socket member. The first locking element moves away from the central opening when the first release button is depressed. The socket member also includes a second manually depressible release button and a second locking element spaced apart from each other on opposite sides of the central opening and movable radially with each other relative to the central opening when the plug member is received in the central opening in the socket member. The second locking element moves away from the central opening when the second release button is depressed. The first and second locking elements are engageable with the plug member to block axial movement between the plug member and the socket member when the plug member is received in the central opening in the socket member.

Quick disconnect coupling for surgical instrument

A surgical instrument (10) includes a handle (12), a rigid stem section (20) extending from the handle, and a flexible stem section (24) extending from the rigid stem section. A surgical tool (30) connected with a distal end of the flexible stem section (24) includes a movable part (34). The flexible stem section (24) comprises a plurality of relatively pivotable vertebrae (120-129) extending along the flexible stem section and an extension spring (150) extending axially through the plurality of vertebrae for transmitting axial load between the surgical tool (30) and the rigid stem section (20). An actuator cable (180) extends through the extension spring (150) and is connected with the movable tool part (34) for applying force to the movable tool part to move the movable tool part relative to the flexible stem section (24). The extension spring (150) carries the axial load on the flexible stem section (24).

Surgical instrument

A surgical instrument (10) includes a handle (12), a rigid stem section (20) extending from the handle, and a flexible stem section (24) extending from the rigid stem section. A surgical tool (30) connected with a distal end of the flexible stem section (24) includes a fixed part (32) fixed for movement with the distal end of the flexible stem section (24) and a movable part (34) supported on the fixed part for pivotal movement. The instrument (10) includes a flexible actuator cable (180) having a first end portion (184) movable by an actuator member on the handle, an intermediate portion extending through the flexible stem section, and a second end portion (182) extending through a passage (248) in the movable part (34) and soldered in the passage. The flexible actuator cable (180) transmits force from the actuator member to the movable part (34) to effect pivotal movement of the movable part.

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Shrewsbury, MA, United States of America

William R Rebh