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:
Mar. 19, 1996
Filed:
Mar. 10, 1995
John C Meade, Walpole, MA (US);
Microsurge, Inc., Needham, MA (US);
Abstract
A surgical instrument comprising a handle assembly with a detachable tool assembly is disclosed. The tool assembly comprises rotatable jaws having arc defining portions near their proximal ends which define arcs having arc centers displaced from the jaws. The jaws are coupled to the distal end of an inner rod which is longitudinally translatable within an outer sleeve. When the inner rod is translated, a guide member at the distal end of the outer sleeve contacts the arc defining portion of the jaws such that each jaw rotates about the center of its arc. The handle assembly comprises a trigger which engages a translation member on the inner rod. As the trigger is rotated, the translation member carries the inner rod back and forth to actuate the jaws. The translation member is coupled to the inner rod via a coupler having a spring which limits the closing force applied to the jaws. The instrument also includes a ratchet feature function which allows closing force to be applied to the jaws in increments and also allows the jaws to be held in a closed position at a desired closing force.