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:
Jul. 01, 1997
Filed:
Apr. 19, 1995
Larry R Kaiser, Wynnewood, PA (US);
William H Pilling, North Wales, PA (US);
The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (US);
Pilling Co., Fort Washington, PA (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for thoracoscopic surgery uses a hinged, ring-handled forceps having a length of approximately 12-13 inches inserted through a small incision without a cannula. Portions of the forceps extending from the hinge are straight and substantially parallel to each other when the jaws are closed. The forceps is then inserted into the patient's thoracic cavity through the incision until the hinge axis is approximately at the location of the incision. The jaws are then spread apart without significantly expanding the incision. Straight, side-curved, C-shaped and S-shaped instruments are described. Ratchet teeth disposed at a pitch of less than 0.1 inch are used to achieve small steps in jaw positioning.