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:
Aug. 02, 1994
Filed:
Oct. 09, 1992
Rickey D Hart, North Attleboro, MA (US);
Richard M Winters, Cary, NC (US);
John T Rice, Lincoln, MA (US);
James E Nicholson, Lincoln, MA (US);
Innovasive Devices, Inc., Hopkinton, MA (US);
Abstract
An improved surgical tool of the type comprising a handle assembly having a movable tool-operating handle member, a tool head having first and second tissue-engaging members movable between open and closed positions relative to one another, and a mechanism coupling the tool head to the handle assembly for causing opening and closing movement of the tissue-engaging members in response to manipulation of the movable tool-operating handle member. The improved tool is characterized by an inner shaft secured to a stationary part of the handle assembly, and a hollow outer shaft disposed in telescoping relation to the inner shaft, with the tool head being secured to the inner shaft and the outer shaft being movable axially relative to the inner shaft by manipulation of the movable tool-operating handle member, with the outer shaft causing opening and closing of the tissue-engaging members as it undergoes telescoping movement. Preferably an opaque tubular member surrounds the hollow outer shaft so as to conceal movement of the outer shaft. The tool also may include a manually-operated mechanism for selectively rotating the tool head relative to the handle assembly.