Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080234725 | END EFFECTOR MECHANISM FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT - Improved end effector mechanisms for a surgical instrument used in minimally invasive surgical instruments as well as instruments for general surgery or as part of robotically controlled end effectors. These end effector mechanisms include multiple grasping elements paired with drive links. Each grasping element also serves as a stabilizing link for the next most distal grasping element, forcing it to maintain its relative angle with respect to the opposing grasping elements. | 09-25-2008 |
20080255590 | Apparatus and method for minimally invasive suturing - An apparatus and method for minimally invasive suturing is disclosed. A suturing device for minimally invasive suturing includes an elongated barrel having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween; a suture head assembly extending from the distal end of the elongated barrel; a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongated barrel, wherein the pointed end of the suturing needle is positioned within the suture head assembly prior to and after rotation of the suturing needle; and an actuator extending from the proximal end of the elongated barrel to actuate a drive mechanism having a needle driver for engaging and rotating the suturing needle. | 10-16-2008 |
20090157104 | SURGICAL ROTARY CAPTURE INSTRUMENT FOR GASTRIC BAND CLOSING - An endoscopic surgical rotary capture instrument is used in minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery for closing a gastric band having a buckle end a free end. The rotary capture instrument includes a pusher end that has a stationary jaw and a movable jaw. The movable jaw is actuated by rotary motion of an inner shaft. The jaws are used to gasp securely and push the tube end of the gastric band after it has been threaded through the buckle end of the band. A hook instrument is used to hold the buckle end securely while the rotary capture instrument is used to push the free end of the gastric band. | 06-18-2009 |
20100152751 | Apparatus and method for minimally invasive suturing - An apparatus and method for minimally invasive suturing is disclosed. A suturing device for minimally invasive suturing includes proximal section having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween; a suture head assembly extending from the distal end of the proximal section; a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the proximal section, wherein the pointed end of the suturing needle is positioned within the suture head assembly prior to and after rotation of the suturing needle; and an actuator extending from the proximal end of the proximal section to actuate a drive mechanism having a needle driver for engaging and rotating the suturing needle. | 06-17-2010 |
20100249803 | GASTRIC BAND INSERTION INSTRUMENT - An endoscopic surgical instrument is used in minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery for inserting a gastric band into a patient's abdomen through a laparoscopic port. The gastric band insertion instrument includes a handle, an elongated shaft and a distal end assembly. The elongated shaft includes an actuator rod that opens and closes a movable jaw at the distal end. A pin at the distal end assembly engages a hole in the front of the gastric band, and the movable jaw is closed thereby securely capturing the front end of the gastric band. The shaft and the captured gastric band are inserted through a laparoscopic port into the patient's abdomen. | 09-30-2010 |
20120130404 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE SUTURING - An apparatus and method for minimally invasive suturing is disclosed. A suturing device for minimally invasive suturing includes proximal section having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween; a suture head assembly extending from the distal end of the proximal section; a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the proximal section, wherein the pointed end of the suturing needle is positioned within the suture head assembly prior to and after rotation of the suturing needle; and an actuator extending from the proximal end of the proximal section to actuate a drive mechanism having a needle driver for engaging and rotating the suturing needle. | 05-24-2012 |
20130150831 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AN ARTICULATING DISTAL END OF AN ENDOSCOPIC MEDICAL DEVICE - An endoscopic medical device system includes an elongated shaft assembly and an articulating distal end assembly. The elongated shaft assembly extends along a main axis and includes an outer tube, an inner tube, and an actuator rod. The outer tube is slidably disposed around the inner tube and the actuator rod is slidably disposed within the inner tube. The articulating distal end assembly extends from the inner tube and is configured to be oriented longitudinally along the main axis when disposed within the outer tube and angularly from the main axis as it slides out of the outer tube. The articulating distal end assembly includes a tubular body having equally spaced apart slots separated by solid segments and terminates in a distal segment. Each slot is configured to collapse individually and to form a known angle relative to the main axis as it slides out of the outer tube. | 06-13-2013 |
20130165907 | INSTRUMENT WITH REMOVABLE TIP - A laparoscopic instrument is disclosed, including an elongated tube defining a proximal portion and a distal portion; an end effector removably coupled to the distal portion, the end effector including first and second elements pivotably coupled to one another; an anchor coupled to the tube and a pivot point of the end effector to restrict axial movement of the end effector; and a sleeve movably coupled to the tube, where the sleeve is slidable across at least a portion of the end effector to secure the end effector to the tube. | 06-27-2013 |
20130165935 | EXPANDABLE RETROGRADE DRILL - An orthopedic reamer, including a first shaft; a second shaft movably disposed within at least a portion of the first shaft; a handle movably coupled to at least one of the first or second shafts; a drilling element coupled to a distal portion of the second shaft; and a plurality of cutting elements, each cutting element having a first portion connected to the first shaft and a second portion connected to the second shaft. The plurality of cutting elements are controllably transitionable from i) a substantially linear configuration parallel to the first and second shafts to ii) an angled configuration with respect to the first and second shafts. | 06-27-2013 |
20150057683 | Apparatus and Method for Minimally Invasive Suturing - An apparatus and method for minimally invasive suturing is disclosed. A suturing device for minimally invasive suturing includes proximal section having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween; a suture head assembly extending from the distal end of the proximal section; a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the proximal section, wherein the pointed end of the suturing needle is positioned within the suture head assembly prior to and after rotation of the suturing needle; and an actuator extending from the proximal end of the proximal section to actuate a drive mechanism having a needle driver for engaging and rotating the suturing needle. | 02-26-2015 |