The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 01, 1994
Filed:
Jan. 26, 1993
John R Donahue, Pottstown, PA (US);
Other;
Abstract
An adjustable surgical instrument is provided in which adjustment of curvature may be provided during the surgical procedure while the instrument is within a body cavity. The adjustment of curvature may be made from no curvature, that is, straight, to ninety degrees or more. A surgical instrument is provided with an outer, intermediate and inner hollow member. The hollow intermediate member is mounted within the outer hollow member, and is provided with a preformed curvature, preferably in its distal region. The intermediate member is provided with a preformed curvature, preferably in its distal region, which curvature may be reduced or eliminated by longitudinally moving the outer hollow member over the curvature in the hollow intermediate member. The intermediate member has memory such that the initial curvature is recovered upon removal of the hollow outer member from the area of curvature of the intermediate hollow member. An inner member having flexibility at least in the area of curvature is provided with a cutting implement on its distal end. A drive is provided for displacing the hollow outer member with respect to the hollow intermediate member in a longitudinal direction.