GB2567494A

GB2567494A - Surgical instruments

Info

Publication number: GB2567494A
Application number: GB1716968.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nagtegaal Marno
Original assignee: Gyrus Medical Ltd
Current assignee: Gyrus Medical Ltd
Priority date: 2017-10-16
Filing date: 2017-10-16
Publication date: 2019-04-17
Anticipated expiration: 2037-10-16
Also published as: GB2567494B; GB201716968D0

Abstract

Surgical tweezers 1 having first and second elongate arms 10,14 which are biased open. The distal end of each arm defines a hook portion 13,17 which extends transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the arm. Preferably the hook portions extend parallel to each other and narrow to pointed tips. A proximal portion 11,15 of each arm may be made from a dielectric whilst distal parts 12,16 may be electrically conductive and define electrodes. Each electrode may be controlled independently. A power supply and control unit 7 may be connected to a body 2 of the tweezers via a cable 8 and connection 6; an electrically insulating hand grip 3 may be mounted on the body.

Description

SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS

The present invention relates to surgical instruments, and, in particular, to surgical tweezers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Surgical tweezers are well known and commonly used surgical instruments used for various surgical tasks. For example, surgical tweezers may be used for gripping and removing tissue during surgery. Another use of surgical tweezers is to provide a pair of electrodes for the supply of radio frequency energy to tissue for coagulation of that tissue.

However, existing designs of surgical tweezers are not particularly suitable for removing tough tissue, and so other instruments must be used for such tissue removal. The need to change instrument during a procedure reduces the efficiency of the procedure and can introduce complications.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a surgical instrument that addresses the drawbacks of the previously-considered designs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention are set out in the attached claims.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a surgical instrument comprising first and second elongate arms which extend from a proximal end of the instrument to respective distal end regions of the arms and which define respective longitudinal axes, the arms having an open position in which the distal end regions are separated from one another, and a closed position in which the distal end regions are substantially adjacent one another, the arms being biased towards the open position, wherein the distal end region of each arm defines a hook portion which extends transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the arm concerned.

In one example, each such hook portion narrows from a first length to a substantially pointed hook tip.

In one example, the hook portions extend substantially parallel to one another.

In one example, the distal end region of each arm defines an electrode. In such an example, the electrode of the first arm may be electrically controllable independently of the electrode of the second arm. In such an example, each of the first and second elongate arms may comprise a first portion which extends from the proximal end of the instrument, and which is of an electrically insulating material, and a second portion which extends from a distal end region of the first portion and which is of an electrically conductive material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a surgical instrument embodying an aspect of the present invention in use;

Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the instrument of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the instrument of Figures 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a surgical instrument, also known as surgical tweezers, 1 in use, and Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the instrument. Figure 3 illustrates a close-up perspective view of a part of the instrument of Figures 1 and 2. The

The instrument comprises a body 2, around which is mounted a hand grip 3. In Figure 1, the hand 4 of a user is shown holding the instrument 1 using the hand grip 3. The hand grip 3 is preferably of an electrically insulating material. In this example, the instrument 1 includes an electrical connection 6 located, in this example, at a rear end of the body 2. An electrical power supply and control unit 7 is connected to the instrument via a cable 8 and the connection 6. The power and control unit 7 supplies electrical power to the instrument, as will be described in more detail below.

First and second arms 10, 14 extend from a front end of the body 2 to respective distal ends, and define respective longitudinal axes. Each arm 10, 14 includes a first arm portion 11,15 that extends from the body 2, and a second arm portion 12, 16 that extends from the first arm portion 11,15 to the distal end of the instrument 1. The first arm portion 11, 15 of each arm 10, 14 is preferably of an electrically insulating material. In this example, the second arm portions 12, 16 are of an electrically conductive material, so that the second arm portions 12, 16 provide respective electrodes for each of the first and second arms 10, 14. The first arm portions 11,15 insulate the second arm portions 12,16 from the body 2 of the instrument 1 and from the user. The electrodes provided by the second arm portions 12,16 are connected electrically to the electrical power supply and control unit 7 by way of electrical conductors that run through the arms 10, 14 and body 2, to the electrical connection 6 and cable 8.

The electrical power supply and control unit 7 supplies radio frequency energy to the electrodes in order to provide the instrument 1 with a coagulation function. As is well known, supplying radio frequency energy to tissue can result in coagulation of any bleeding from that tissue. Providing electrodes on the arms (10, 14) of the instrument 1 enables the user to perform gripping and coagulation without the need to change instruments during a procedure or part of a procedure.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, each of the second arm portions 12, 16 has a hook portion extending from a distal end region. The hook portion 13 of the second arm portion 12 of the first arm 10 extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the first arm 10. The hook portion 13 narrows from a first length to a substantially pointed hook tip. The second arm portion 17 of the second arm 14 extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the second arm 10, and, similarly to the first arm, the hook portion 17 of the second arm 14 narrows from a first length to a substantially pointed hook tip.

The hook portions 13 and 17 enable the user of the instrument to hold onto and pull tissue, as such, the design of surgical instrument embodying the present invention enable a use to remove tough tissue without the need to swap instruments. It will be readily appreciated that a pair of surgical tweezers in accordance with the principles of the present invention do not require the provision of the electrode on each arm.

The description above relates to one particularly advantageous design including the electrodes which provides an instrument that serves more than one purpose - gripping and removing tissue, in combination with coagulation of tissue using radio frequency energy supplied to the electrodes.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A surgical instrument comprising first and second elongate arms which extend from a proximal end of the instrument to respective distal end regions of the arms and which define respective longitudinal axes, the arms having an open position in which the distal end regions are separated from one another, and a closed position in which the distal end regions are substantially adjacent one another, the arms being biased towards the open position, wherein the distal end region of each arm defines a hook portion which extends transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the arm concerned.

2. A surgical instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein each such hook portion narrows from a first length to a substantially pointed hook tip.

3. A surgical instrument as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the hook portions extend substantially parallel to one another.

4. A surgical instrument as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the distal end region of each arm defines an electrode.

5. A surgical instrument as claimed in claim 4, wherein the electrode of the first arm is electrically controllable independently of the electrode of the second arm.

6. A surgical instrument as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein each of the first and second elongate arms comprises a first portion which extends from the proximal end of the instrument, and which is of an electrically insulating material, and a second portion which extends from a distal end region of the first portion and which is of an electrically conductive material.