Hydraulically operated surgical instrument

Claims

We claim:

1. A hydraulically operated surgical instrument comprising:

a frame;

a jaw assembly including an hollow tubular outer elongate member having a central axis, first and second opposite ends, and a first jaw member fixed to and generally radially projecting from said first end; and

an inner elongate member within and extending from the first end of said outer elongate member and having a second jaw member fixed to and generally radially projecting from its end adjacent said first jaw member;

means for mounting said jaw assembly on said frame with said first and second jaw members in opposed relationship while affording manual rotation of said jaw assembly about said axis relative to said frame; and

manually actuatable hydraulic means for causing relative movement between said outer and inner elongate members between an open position with said jaw members spaced from each other, and a closed position with said jaw members closely adjacent each other including reusable force-limiting means for preventing hydraulic pressure from exceeding a predetermined pressure to limit the force that can be applied between said jaw members when said jaw members are moved toward said closed position by manual activation of said hydraulic means, the reusable force-limiting means comprising a spring-biased pressure relief piston closing a portion of the hydraulic means, and movable at the predetermined hydraulic pressure against the spring-bias from a normal position to a relief position for relieving hydraulic pressure to limit the force applied between the jaw members.

2. A hydraulically operated surgical instrument according to claim 1 wherein said means for mounting said jaw assembly on said frame with said first and second jaw members in opposed relationship while affording manual rotation of said jaw assembly about said axis relative to said frame comprises:

said frame having a socket with portions of said outer and inner elongate members adjacent the second end of said outer member located within said socket;

bearing means between the portion of said outer elongate member in said socket and said frame for affording rotation of said jaw assembly about said axis relative to said frame;

a wheel about the portion of said outer hollow tubular member in said socket, said frame having a through opening intersecting said socket in which opening said wheel is positioned, and said wheel having a periphery having portions projections from said opening beyond the outer surface of said frame; and

a pin having its ends fixed in said wheel and having a central portion extending radially through and fixed to said inner elongate member;

said outer hollow tubular elongate member having axially extending slots through which said pin extends affording axial movement of said outer elongate member relative to said inner elongate member between said open and closed positions, and said slots being defined by side walls in engagement with said pin so that said outer elongate member will be rotated with said inner elongate member upon manual rotation of said wheel relative to said frame.

3. A hydraulically operated surgical instrument according to claim 2 further including manually actuatable means for releasably locking said wheel against rotation at a predetermined position relative to said frame.

4. A hydraulically operated surgical instrument according to claim 3 wherein said means for releasably locking is provided by said wheel having a circular array of axially extending sockets, and said instrument further including a locking pun mounted on said frame for movement between a release position spaced from said wheel, and an engage position engaged in one of said sockets in said wheel.

5. A hydraulically operated surgical instrument according to claim 1 wherein said manually actuatable hydraulic means for causing relative movement between said outer and inner elongate members includes manually actuatable means for preventing movement of said jaw members from said closed position toward said open position.

6. A hydraulically operated surgical instrument according to claim 5 wherein said manually actuatable means for preventing movement of said jaw members from said closed position toward said open position includes one way valve means for affording actuation of said manually actuatable hydraulic means to move said jaw members from said open position toward said closed position when said means for preventing movement is actuated.

7. A hydraulically operated surgical instrument according to claim 1 wherein the reusable force-limiting means provides means for maintaining force between the jaw members to prevent movement of the jaw members when the limiting force is reached until the manually actuatable hydraulic means is manually deactivated.

8. A hydraulically operated surgical instrument comprising:

a frame;

a jaw assembly including an hollow tubular outer elongate member having a central axis, first and second opposite ends, and a first jaw member fixed to and generally radially projecting from said first end; and

an inner elongate member within and extending from the first end of said outer elongate member and having a second jaw member fixed to and generally radially projecting from its end adjacent said first jaw member;

means for mounting said jaw assembly on said frame with said first and second jaw members in opposed relationship while affording manual rotation of said jaw assembly about said axis relative to said frame; and

manually actuatable hydraulic means for causing relative movement between said outer and inner elongate members between an open position with said jaw members spaced from each other, and a closed position with said jaw members closely adjacent each other including means for limiting the force that can be applied between said jaw members when said jaw members are moved toward said closed position by manual activation of said hydraulic means;

said manually actuatable hydraulic means for causing relative movement between said outer and inner elongate members including:

said frame having a passageway including first and second passageway portions;

a driven piston sealably mounted in said first passageway portion for movement along said first passageway portion and coupled to one of said elongate members;

a drive piston sealably mounted in said second passageway portion for movement along said second passageway portion;

pressure transfer means comprising hydraulic fluid in said passageway between said drive and driven pistons for transferring pressure applied to said pressure transfer means by said drive piston to said driven piston to move said driven piston along said first passageway portion in response to movement of said drive piston along said second passageway portion; and

means adapted for manual activation to apply pressure to move said drive piston; and

manually actuatable means for preventing movement of said jaw members from said closed position toward said open position, said manually actuatable means for preventing movement of said jaw members from said closed position toward said open position including one way valve means for affording actuation of said manually actuatable hydraulic means to move said jaw members from said open position toward said closed position when said means for preventing movement is actuated;

said manually actuatable means for preventing movement of said jaw members from said closed position toward said open position and said means for affording actuation of said manually actuatable hydraulic means to move said jaw members from said open position toward said closed position when said means for preventing movement is actuated comprising:

a check valve assembly defining a portion of said passageway between said first and second passageway portions comprising:

a plug having a sealing surface transverse of said passageway and adjacent said driven plunger and having a through opening defining a portion of said passageway opening through only a portion of said sealing surface;

a valve having a valve surface adjacent and adapted for sealing engagement with said sealing surface, said valve having a through opening defining a portion of said passageway opening through only a portion of said valve surface;

manually activatable means for affording movement of said valve between a release position with said openings in said sealing surface and said valve surface in alignment and a seal position with said openings in said sealing surface and said valve surface out o alignment; and

means for biasing said valve toward said plug to bias said valve and sealing surfaces into sealing engagement when said valve is moved to its release position to prevent movement of hydraulic fluid toward said drive piston while affording movement of hydraulic fluid toward said driven piston through said plug and said valve by separation of said valve surface from said sealing surface in opposition to said means for biasing.

9. A hydraulically operated surgical instrument comprising:

a frame;

a jaw assembly including an hollow tubular outer elongate member having a central axis, first and second opposite ends, and a first jaw member fixed to and generally radially projecting from said first end; and

an inner elongate member within and extending from the first end of said outer elongate member and having a second jaw member fixed to and generally radially projecting from its end adjacent said first jaw member;

means for mounting said jaw assembly on said frame with said first and second jaw members in opposed relationship while affording manual rotation of said jaw assembly about said axis relative to said frame; and

manually actuatable hydraulic means for causing relative movement between said outer and inner elongate members between an open position with said jaw members spaced from each other, and a closed position with said jaw members closely adjacent each other including means for limiting the force that can be applied between said jaw members when said jaw members are moved toward said closed position by manual activation of said hydraulic means;

said means for mounting said jaw assembly on said frame with said first and second jaw members in opposed relationship while affording manual rotation of said jaw assembly about said axis relative to said frame comprising:

said frame having a socket with portions of said outer and inner elongate members adjacent the second end of said outer member located within said socket;

bearing means between the portion of said outer elongate member in said socket and said frame for affording rotation if said jaw assembly about said axis relative to said frame;

a wheel about the portion of said outer hollow tubular member in said socket, said frame having a through opening intersecting said socket in which opening said wheel is positioned, and said wheel having a periphery having portions projecting from said opening beyond the outer surface of said frame; and

a pin having its ends fixed in said wheel and having a central portion extending radially through and fixed to said inner elongate member;

said outer hollow tubular elongate member having axially extending slots through which said pin extends affording axial movement of said outer elongate member relative to said inner elongate member between said open and closed positions, and said slots being defined by side walls in engagement with said pin so that said outer elongate member will be rotated with said inner elongate member upon manual rotation of said wheel relative to said frame;

said manually actuatable hydraulic means for causing relative movement between said outer and inner elongate members including:

said frame having a passageway including first and second passageway portions;

a driven piston assembly sealably mounted in said first passageway portion for movement along said first passageway portion and coupled to one of said tubular members;

a drive piston sealably mounted in said second passageway portion for movement along said second passageway portion;

pressure transfer means comprising hydraulic fluid in said passageway between said drive and driven pistons for transferring pressure applied to said pressure transfer means by said drive piston to said driven piston to move said driven piston along said first passageway portion in response to movement of said drive piston along said second passageway portion; and

means adapted for manual activation to apply pressure to move said drive piston; and

said instrument further including manually actuatable means for preventing movement of said jaw members from said closed position toward said open position and means for affording actuation of said manually actuatable hydraulic means to move said jaw members from said open position toward said closed position when said means for preventing movement is actuated comprising:

a check valve assembly defining a portion of said passageway between said first and second passageway portions comprising:

a plug having a sealing surface transverse of said passageway and adjacent said driven piston and having a through opening defining a portion of said passageway opening through only a portion of said sealing surface;

a valve having a valve surface adjacent and adapted for sealing engagement with said sealing surface, said valve having a through opening defining a portion of said passageway opening through only a portion of said valve surface;

manually activatable means for affording rotary movement of said valve between a release position with said openings in said sealing surface and said valve surface in alignment and a seal position with said openings in said sealing surface and said valve surface out of alignment; and

means for biasing said valve toward said plug to bias said valve and sealing surfaces into sealing engagement when said valve is rotated to its release position to prevent movement of hydraulic fluid toward said drive piston while affording movement of hydraulic fluid toward said driven piston through said plug and said valve by separation of said valve surface from said sealing surface in opposition to said means for biasing.

10. A hydraulically operated surgical instrument according to claim 9 wherein:

said frame comprises a handle portion elongate in a first direction, having first and second ends, and adapted from manual engagement;

said second passageway portion is disposed generally centrally along said handle portion with its central axis generally at a right angle to said first direction;

said means adapted for manual activation to apply pressure to move said drive piston comprises:

a trigger having one end pivotably attached at one end of said handle portion and having a part overlying the end of said drive piston opposite said pressure transfer means; and

means in engagement between said trigger and said drive piston to move said drive piston along said first passageway portion toward said pressure transfer means when said trigger is moved toward said handle portion; and

said frame further includes a projecting portion at the first end of said handle portion, said projecting portion having said socket in which said portions of said outer and inner elongate members are located with the central axis of said outer elongate member disposed at about a 60 degree included angle with respect to said first direction, the opening of said socket from which said elongate members project being on the side of said frame on which said trigger is mounted, and said periphery of said wheel projecting from opposite side surfaces of said projecting frame portion flanking said trigger; and

said manually activatable means for affording movement of said valve between said release and sealing positions is located adjacent the juncture between said handle and projecting portions on the side of said handle portion opposite said trigger.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to fluid activated surgical instruments, and particularly to such instruments used in arthroscopic surgery.

BACKGROUND ART

Various surgical instruments have been developed, particularly for use in arthroscopic surgery, which include a jaw assembly including two elongate members each having opposed jaw members fixed to and projecting generally radially in opposed relationship from adjacent ends; and include manually actuatable means for moving the elongate members relative to each other between an open position with the jaw members spaced from each other, and a closed position with the jaw members closely adjacent each other, such as the instrument described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,752,161.

Known instruments of this type have several disadvantages when used, including a fixed relationship between the direction the jaw members project from the elongate members and a hand grip on the frame of the instrument by which the instrument is handled, which can make the instrument inconvenient to use in certain circumstances; and mechanical or high pressure gas assisted operating mechanisms which respectively limit the smoothness of operation of the operating mechanism or limit the portability of the instrument.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention provides a surgical instrument of the type described above that is particularly useful for arthroscopic surgery which allows the jaw members to project in any direction with respect to the frame of the device on which the instrument is grasped, provides both smoothness of operation and portability during use, and can limit the force that can be applied between the jaw members.

According to the present invention there is provided a hydraulically operated surgical instrument comprising a jaw assembly including an outer hollow tubular elongate member having a central axis and a first jaw member fixed to and generally radially projecting from a first end of the outer elongate member; and an inner elongate member within and extending from the first end of the outer elongate member and having a second jaw member fixed to and generally radially projecting from its end adjacent the first jaw member; means for mounting the jaw assembly on a frame of the instrument with the first and second jaw members in opposed relationship while affording manual rotation of the jaw assembly about the axis of the outer elongate member relative to the frame; and manually actuatable hydraulic means for moving the outer and inner elongate members relative to each other between an open position with the jaw members spaced from each other, and a closed position with the jaw members closely adjacent each other.

Preferably the means for mounting the jaw assembly on the frame with its first and second jaw members in opposed relationship while affording manual rotation of the jaw assembly relative to the frame about the axis of the outer elongate member comprises the fame having a socket with portions of the outer and inner elongate members adjacent a second end of the outer elongate member located within the socket; bearing means between the portion of the outer elongate member in the socket and the frame for affording rotation of the jaw assembly about said axis relative to the frame; a wheel about the portion of the outer elongate member in the socket, the wheel having a periphery having portions projecting beyond the outer surface of the frame; and a pin having its ends fixed in the wheel and having a central portion extending radially through and fixed to the inner elongate member; the hollow tubular outer elongate member having axially extending slots through which the pin extends affording axial movement of the outer elongate member relative to the inner elongate member between its open and closed positions, and the slots being defined by side walls in engagement with the pin so that the outer elongate member will be rotated with the inner elongate member upon manual rotation of the wheel relative to the frame.

Also, preferably, in the hydraulically operated surgical instrument according to the present invention the manually actuatable hydraulic means for moving the outer and inner elongate members includes manually actuatable means for preventing movement of the jaw members from their closed position toward their open position which includes one way valve means for affording actuation of the manually actuatable hydraulic means to move the jaw members from their open position toward their closed position when said means for preventing movement is actuated; the manually actuatable hydraulic means for moving the outer and inner elongate members includes means for limiting the force that can be applied between the jaw members when the jaw members are moved toward their closed position; and manually actuatable means are provided for releasably locking the wheel against rotation at a predetermined position relative to the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

The present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein like numbers refer to like parts in the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hydraulically operated instrument according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the instrument of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the instrument of FIG. 1 having parts broken away to show details; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken approximately along line 4--4 of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawing there is shown a hydraulically operated surgical instrument according to the present invention generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

Generally the instrument 10 comprises a jaw assembly 12 including a hollow cylindrically tubular outer elongate member 13 having a central axis 14, and a first jaw member 15 fixed to and generally radially projecting from a first end 16 of the outer elongate member 13; and an inner elongate member 18 within and extending from the first end 16 of the outer elongate member 13 and having a second jaw member 19 fixed to and generally radially projecting from its end adjacent the first jaw member 15. Means are provided for mounting the jaw assembly 12 on a frame 20 of the instrument 10 with the first and second jaw members 15 and 19 in opposed generally parallel relationship while affording manual rotation of the jaw assembly 12 about the axis 14 relative to the frame 20; as are manually actuatable hydraulic means for moving the outer and inner elongate members 13 and 18 relative to each other from an open position with the jaw members 15 and 17 spaced from each other to a closed position with the jaw members 15 and 17 closely adjacent each other, and means in the form of a return spring 21 for biasing the jaw members 15 and 17 toward their open position to move the jaw members 15 and 16 from their closed position to their open position.

The manually actuatable hydraulic means for moving the outer and inner elongate members 13 and 18 includes (1) the frame 20 having a passageway 23 including first and second passageway portions 24 and 25; (2) a driven piston 27 having spaced flanges with an O-ring seal 26 therebetween sealably mounted in the first passageway portion 24 for movement along the first passageway portion 24 and fixed to the outer elongate member 13; (3) a drive piston 28 having spaced flanges with an O-ring seal 29 therebetween sealably mounted in the second passageway portion 25 for movement along the second passageway portion 25; (4) pressure transfer means comprising hydraulic fluid in the passageway 23 between the drive and driven pistons 28 and 27 for transferring pressure applied to the pressure transfer means by the drive piston 28 to the driven piston 27 to move the driven piston 27 along the first passageway portion 24 (and thereby the outer elongate member 13) in response to movement of the drive piston 28 along the second passageway portion 25; and (5) means including a trigger 30 adapted for manual activation to apply pressure to move the drive piston 28, and thereby the driven piston 27 and the first jaw member 15.

As illustrated, the means for mounting the jaw assembly 12 on the frame 20 with the first and second jaw members 15 and 17 in opposed relationship while affording manual rotation of the jaw assembly 12 about the axis 14 relative to the frame 20 comprises (1) the frame 20 having a socket 31 with portions of the outer and inner elongate members 13 and 18 adjacent a second nd 32 of the outer elongate member 13 located within the socket 31; (2) bearing means between the portion of the outer elongate member 13 in the socket 31 and the frame 20 including a bearing 33 at an opening to the socket 31 and the second end 32 of the outer elongate member 13 fixed to the driven piston 27 for affording rotation of the jaw assembly 12 about the axis 14 relative to the frame 20; (3) a wheel 36 about the portion of the outer elongate member 13 in the socket 31, the wheel 36 being located in a through opening in the frame 20 which communicates with the socket 31 and having a knurled periphery projecting beyond the outer surface of the frame 20 where said periphery can be manually engaged to rotate the wheel 36; and (4) a pin 38 having its ends fixed in the wheel 36 and havin