US2442416A - Surgical instrument - Google Patents

Description

June 1, 1948. F. w. KULlcKE, JR., ETAL 2,442,416

SURGICAL INSTRUMENT Filed Jan. 21, 1947 ywgww,

Patented June 1, 1948 um TED s rare s flnfreNfr for-FF ica 2,442,416 VsUneIoaL INSTRMET Frederick W. Kulicke, Jr., Media, and Grald Transue, Havertown, Pa.; said `KulicliefJn, as-

signor tosaid Transue -Applicatien January 21, 1947, seriarnofraeevb 14 claims. (m5128414) This invention relates generally to surgical instruments and more vparticularly to improvements lin the construction of a surgical lancet wherein a plunger type blade orthe like is operative to be instantaneously released from a cocked position to penetrate the'body to be pierced to a-predeterminedly fixed depth.

Among theprincipal objects of the present invention is to Vprovide a lancet which is constructed of a minimum number of readilyjassembled parts, which is ,cfa design adapted tobe manufactured economically and with facility, which is adapted to betaken apart readily to facilitate its cleaning and sterilization, andwhich is exceedingly simple vand Veffective in its operation.

More specifically, it is 'an object of the present invention to provide a lancet wherein readily rele'asable means in the form of a pair of balls is employed to frictlonally retain the plunger type blade thereof in retracted or cocked position ready to be released for the piercing. operation instantly upon contact of the instrument with the body to be pierced, the piercing operation being thus expeditiously elected by the operator while holding the instrumentin one hand.

Other objects and advantages 'of the invention will appear more 'fully hereinafter, it being understood that the same consists in the combination,

construction, location and relative 'arrangement 3 of parts, allas described in detail hereinafter, as shown in the accompanying drawings and as nally pointed outin the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a 'preferred construction embodying the principles ofthe-present invention;

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a lancet `@mb@dyingthe present invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinalsectional view there- 'Figure 3. is a View similar to Figure 2 showing the plunger blade thereof in retracted or cocked pQSitlOn.

' Figure 4 Vis alongitulinal Vs ectionalyiew of the carrier or cooking sleeve for the ball-like detainer elements;

Figure 5 is an elevational view of said carrier S1eeve; and

`lvigures-6 and `'l are enlargedfragmentaryviews respectively showing the relative arrangement of operative parts of the instrument when the blade is released for the piercing operation and when lt is held in retracted or 'cocked position prior to itszrelease.

Referring new more particularly to tlfe drawings, .it will 'be observed Vthat `the present invention isshown embodiedinfthattype of surgical instrun1-ent known as alancas'aidinstrument consistingessentially of an,elolga'ted plunger element VI@ having formed at its forwardend a piercing blade l l., theA tip ci which 'is sharpened, as at l2, to readily penetrate thebody to be pierced. The plunger element 4l!) is further characterized in thatvit is provided intermediate its length with an enlarged body portion |`3 of cylindrical form .from which rearwardly extends the coaxial shank M ofthe plunger element. An .operating knob i5 is threadedly secured, as at I6, to the rear end of the shank i4 of theplunlger element. Preferably, but not necessarily, theplllnger element maybe formed with a second enlarged cylindrical portion Il spaced anially forwardly of the enlarged body portion 3, it beingfnted in this connection that regardless ofthe ypreserice"or absence of the enlarged portion ILwthe plunger element l is provided witnashankuportion I8 immediately in advance of the enlarged portion i3 which is of such reducedrdiarneter as to provide an annular shoulder i9 `between, the forward end of said enlargedportion l 3 and the rear end of said reduced diameter shankportion i8. A similar annular shoulder 2Q is provided at the rear end of the 'enlarged portion 43;. l n

Surrounding the major length of the plunger element [D is a cooking sleeve 2l, the rear end `of which' yis closed except for a small aperture 22 sulilcient4 to .permit freeprojection therethrough ofl the shank i4 as shovvn, said shank l being adapted for axial movement relatively to its embracing sleeve 2|.,1itted more orless loosely upon the forward end( of the sleeve '2i is a ballretaining sleeve 23, the latter being provided in the rear portion ,thereof which overlaps the cocking sleeve 2l ywith anHi-nternal annular groove 2t of Circular shapein transverse cross sections Immediately adjacent this annular groove 24of`circular cross section is a second annular groove 25 of a circular c ross section corresponding` to that ofthe groove 24, the grooves 24 and 25 being so relatively disposedwthat the transverselycurved wall portion `of `the groove 25 isolseta-Xially rearwardly and radially inwardly with respect tothe correspondingly curved wall portion of the groove 24, the two grooves 24and25 being interconnected by an intervening yal'inular passage 25, the peripheral Wall of whichris of cylindrical shape. Thus, the two grooves 24 and .25 and their communicating passage '28 form,l in eft'echwithin the ball-'retainngsleeve 2 3, Vsingle internal groove ci an irregular shape transverse cross section braces the blade portion of the plunger element I and which is axially adjustable relatively to the sleeve 23 t0 expose more or less of the blade when released for the piercing operation.

Formed in the forward end of the cocking sleeve 2| are a pair of diametrically opposed apertures 3 |-3I adapted to be disposed approximately in registry with the internal groove of the.

ball-retaining sleeve 23 when the latter is tted upon the sleeve 2|, as shown. Adapted for op- `erative association with the cocking sleeve 2| are a pair of detaining balls 32-32, these latter being respectively received within the apertures 3|-3I of the sleeve 2| in such manner that upon retraction of the plunger element Iii-from its position shown in Figure 2 into that shown in Figure 3, the balls 32-32 become wedged between the sleeve 23 and the plunger element Il! to frictionally retain the latter in a cocked position ready for immediate piercing release thereof instantly as desired. To effect both the cocking and the instantaneous release of the plunger element I0, there is employed a compression spring 33 which embraces the shank I4 of the plunger element with its opposite ends respectively abutting the closed end of the cocking sleeve 2| and the annular'shoulder 20 formed at the rear end of the enlarged intermediate portion I3 of the plunger element.

It will be observed, as shown in Figure 2, that said enlarged intermediate portion I3 of the plunger element ID is of such diameter relatively to the overall diameter of the annular groove 24 and the diameters of the balls 32-32 as to permit said portion I3 to be freely centered between the balls while the latter are seated in the groove 24. In this condition of the parts, upon removal cf the extension tip member 38 from the sleeve 23 and the operating knob I5 from the rear end of the plunger element, the latter is free to be entirely withdrawn from the assembly. Also, in this condition of the assembled parts, as shown in Figures 2 and 6, the plunger element lo, through the intervention of the coiled compression spring 33, is in its fully extended condition, as when the piercing'operation has been completed.

To cock the instrument into condition ready for use., as shown in Figures 3 and 7, the ballretaining sleeve 23 is held in one hand While the knob I5 of the plunger element is grasped by the other hand and pulled outwardly of the sleeve 2|. Upon so pulling the plunger element relatively to the sleeve 23, the compression spring 33 exerts a thrust against the rear end of the sleeve 2| and so causes the latter to rearwardly shift axially with respect to the sleeve 23, thereby tending to shift the balls 32-32 from the groove 24 into the adjoining groove 25. However, such shifting of the balls 32-32 is prevented until the instant that the enlarged portion .I3 of the plunger element clears the groove 25, whereupon the balls 32-32 are cammed, by the cocking sleeve 2|, from their original position shown in Figures 2 and 6 into their position shown in Figures 3 and 7. In this latter position, the balls 32-32 are wedged between the reduced shank portion I8 of the plunger and the fiat wall of the passage 26 between the grooves 24 and 25, and so frictionally retain the plunger element in its retracted or cocked position.

To release the plunger element for its piercing operation, it is merely necessary for the operator to grasp the sleeve 2| and press the tip of the instrument against the body to be pierced, whereupon, due to the slight relative movement 'which thus ensues between the sleeves 2| and 23, theplunger is freed of its frictional ,retention by the'balls 32-32 and is instantly forced by the kineticA energy of the compressed spring 33, axially of the sleeves 2| and 23 into its outwardly extending body-piercing position as shown in Figure 2.` As will be apparent from a study of Figures 3 and '7, the release of the balls 32-32 from their frictional retention between the sleeve 23 and the plunger element is instantly effected upon such relative shifting ofthe sleeves 2| and 23 as will cause the balls to be freed for radial displacement into the groove 24, such displacement being obtained by the forward shoulder I9 as the enlarged portion I3 of the plunger is thrust forwardly between the balls by the action of the spring 33. In order to obviate any possibility for the plunger to be retracted rearwardly beyond its normal cocked position, shown 'in Figure 2, it is preferred to provide the plunger element with the additional enlarged portion I1, previously mentioned, to thereby form a shoulder 34 which limits movement of the plunger rearwardly of the balls 32-32. Forward movement of the plunger is, of course, limited by interengagement of the operating knob |5 with the rear end of the cocking sleeve 2| By adjusting the extension tip member 30 axially of the sleeve 23, the depth of the piercing cut may be controlled as desired.

It will be understood, of course, that the present invention is susceptible of various changes and modiiications which may be made from time to time without departing from the real spirit or general principles thereof, and it is accordingly intended to claim the same broadly, as well as specifically, as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and useful is:

1. In a surgical instrument of the character described, a spring-pressed plunger element having a sharpened body-piercing terminal end, a cylindrical casing for said plunger element including a pair of relatively shiftable telescopically associated tubular members, and means disposed within the telescoped portions of said tubular members and positively engageable with said plunger to releasably retain the latter in retracted condition.

2. In a surgical instrument of the character described, a plunger element having a bodypiercing terminal end, said plunger element being provided intermediate its length with adjoining sections of relatively different diameters, a casing for said plunger element including a 'pair of relatively shiftable telescopically lassociated sleeve members, one of said members being provided with a lateral opening in the Wall thereof and the other of said members being provided with an internal annular groove in substantial registry with said opening, said groove being of asymmetric form in transverse section to provide a pair of axially spaced, radially offset annular seats, and a ball detent interposed betweensaid groove and; said. plungerV signent. and coni-'med withiitrsaiddaterakopening,.saidibalrdetentbeing adaptedfor.v disposition.:in:4 one orfthe. other of joining sections of relativelyfdierent-g diameter-a` a casingfor. said.- plunger element. includingza pair of. relatively. shiftable: telescopicaily associated. sleeve members-, l oner ofy said; members: beingpro-- vided wit-hf a lateralopening; inthe wallthereof and the other.v ofsaid-.members being provided with anl internal annular'groovein substantial. registry Wit-lry saldi` opening,.said groove being of.

asymmetric form in.- transverse section.- to provide a pair of axially spacedl. radiallyoffset annular seats; and aballdetent'. interposed between vsaid groove and said? plunger element. and confined within said-lateral-` opening, said ball. detentbeing adapted for disposition in-onelor the other. off said.. annular seats accordingly. as said plunger element. is shifted topresent` onet or the? other of its intermediate sections aforesaidK inY registry with said lateralopening, said ball. detent` being operative whenf. disposed: between the plunger. section aforesaid of. smallest diameter'andl the inner. one. of. saidf radially offset annular seats to frictionallyretain the' plunger element. inI retracted positioni within itscasing..

4..In a surgical instrumentA of. the. characterdescribed, a plunger element having a bodypiercing terminal end",4 said plunger` element being provided intermediateits length with adjoining. sections. ofv relatively different diameters; a casing for. said plunger element. including a. pair. of relatively shiftable. telescopically associated sleeveV members. one: ot said. members. being provided with alateraly opening in the wail thereof andY the` other of said membersbeing providedwith. an. internalVN annular groove in, substantial. registry with` said opening-g. said groove beingI of. asymmetric form. in transverse. section tolprovidea pair of axially. spaced., radially oiset annular seats. and ar ball.4 detent interposed betweeni said. groove. and said. plunger element',A and. confined. Within. said. lateral. opening. said ball detent being adapted for disposition in one or the other of saidl annular. seats accordingly as said plunger element is shifted to present one or the other of its-'intermediate-sections aforesaid in registry with said lateral opening,y said ball detent being operative when .disposed between the plunger section aforesaid ofE greatest'diameter and the outer: one of saidradi'ally'oiset annular seats to. permit free movement of said plunger element axially of its casing;

5. In a surgical instrument of the character described, a plunger element having a bodypiercing terminal end, said plunger element being provided intermediate its length with adjoining sections of relatively different diameters, a casing for said plunger element including a pair of relatively shiftable telescopically associated sleeve members, one of said members being provided with a lateral opening in the wall thereof and the other of said members being provided with an internal annular groove in substantial registry with said opening, said groove being of asymmetric form in transverse section to provide a pair of axially spaced, radially offset annular seats and a balll detent, interposedY between said.V groove. and; said-y plunger element. and confined.,A within said lateral-opening; said-ball. detent being adapted for disposition` in: one orl the.y otherv of said annular seats accordingly. as said. plunger elementis-shifted-.toj present-one or the other off its! intermediate sections aforesaid. in registry with saidlateral.opening,Y and a coiled compression; spring, operatively associated with said. plunger. element and. its1casingfor imparting. to

the, plunger-- elementl a normal bias tending to.

shift it axially of the` casing.

6; In. asurgical instrument.. of. the.. character described, a4A plunger element. having. a bodypiercingterminal endsaid plunger element being, provided; intermediate its.- length= with a.. limited saidlateral openingsland adapted. to beshifted intoradialfregistry with-one or. the other of said annular seats accordingly as lsaid-plunger element is shiftedv axially of. itscasing topresentone or the. other of. the. aforesaid` intermediate sections of= said plunger element centrally. between. said balldetents.

7. In a4 surgical; instrument. of.` the character described, a. plunger element having a: bodypi-ercing, terminal. end, said. plunger element being. provided intermediate its, length With a limited. section. of.l uniformvr diameter. and with. an immediately adjoining. section of. diierent. diameter, a casing for said. plunger element including a. pair of relatively shiftable, telescopically assoelated.- sleeve members; the.. telescoped. portions of said sleeve members being; respectively provided with an internal annular groove andwith a. plurality of circumferentially spacedf lateral openings,..said groove, being of asymmetrical. form in transverse section.. to.. provide. apair of axially spaced, radially oiset annular Seatsand a plurality. oi. ball detente respectively c'lisfposed` Within said lateral openings and.- adapted4 to be shifted into. radial registry Withone-or the other of. said annular seats accordingly assaidplunger element issliifted axially. of its easing to. present one-or the other ofthe aforesaid intermediate sections of. said. plunger element centrally between said,

balli detente,v andr a coiled-*compression spring operatively associated with said plunger element auditsA casing. for. impartingz to the plunger element a normal bias.. tending. to. shift4 it. axially of theeasing.

8, In av surgical. instrument of. thev character described, a plunger element. having aVv bodypiercing terminal end;V said plunger element being provided intermediate its length with a limited section of uniform diameter and with an immediately adjoining section of different diameter, a casing for said plunger element including a pair of relatively shiftable telescopically associated sleeve members being respectively provided with an internal annular groove and with a plurality of circumferentially spaced lateral openings, said groove being of asymmetrical form in transverse section to provide a pair of axially spaced, radially offset annular seats, and a pluralityY of ball detents respectively disposed within said lateral openings and adapted to be shifted into radial registry with one or the other of said annular seats accordingly as said plunger element is shifted axially of its casing to present one`or the other of the aforesaid intermediate sections of said plunger element centrally between said ball detents, and a coiled compression spring operatively associated with said plunger element and its casing for imparting to the plunger element a normal bias tending to shift it axially of the casing, said ball detents being operative when disposed between the reduced diameter intermediate section of the plunger element and the inner one of said radially oiset annular seats to frictionally retain the plunger element in retracted or cocked position against the compressive force exerted by said coiled compression spring.

9. In a surgical instrument of the character described, a plunger element having a bodypiercing terminal end, said plunger element being provided intermediate its length with a limited section of uniform diameter and with an immediately adjoining section of different diameter, a casing for said plunger element including a pair of relatively shiftable, telescopically associated sleeve members, the telescoped portions of said sleeve members being respectively provided with an internal annular groove and with a plurality of circumferentially spaced lateral openings, said groove being of asymmetrical form in transverse section to provide a pair of axially spaced, radially offset annular seats, and a plurality of ball detents respectively disposed within said lateral openings and adapted to be shifted into radial registry with one or the other of said annular seat-s accordingly as said plunger element is shifted axially of its casing to present one or the other of the aforesaid intermediate sections of said plunger element centrally between said ball detents, and a coiled compression spring operatively associated with said plunger element and its casing for imparting to the plunger element a normal bias tending to shift it axially of the casing, said compression spring being operative upon retraction of said plunger element to exert a rearward thrust against the sleeve member having said lateral openings whereby to shift said last-mentioned sleeve member relatively to the other and so effect frictional retention of the ball detents between the inner one of said radially offset annular seats and the reduced diameter intermediate section of the plunger element.

10. In a surgical instrument of the character dened in claim 9 wherein said frictional retention of the ball detents is automatically and instantaneously released upon axial movement of said sleeve members toward each other with resultant thrust of the plunger element axially of its casing under the compressive force of said coiled compression spring.

cally associated tubular members, and meansl disposed between said plunger element and said cylindrical casing operative to positively retain the plunger in retracted position and to release said plunger element from its retracted position' automatically upon relative axial movement .of said tubular members. y

12. In a surgical instrument of the character described, a spring-pressed plunger element having a sharpened body-piercing terminal end, a cylindrical casing for said plunger element' including apair of relatively shiftable telescopically associated tubular members, and means disposed within the telescoped portions of said tubular members and positively engageable with said plunger to releasably retain the latter in retracted condition, said means being operable to release the plunger for body-piercing operation automatically upon relative axial movement of said tubular members.

13. Ina surgical instrument of the character described, a spring-pressed plunger element having a sharpened body-piercing terminal end, a. cylindrical casing for said plunger element including a pair of relatively shiftable telescopically associated tubular members, and means disposed between said plunger element andY said cylindrical casing operative to positively retain the plunger in spring-biased retracted position and to release said plunger element from its-re tracted position for spring-pressed axial movement automatically upon relative axial movement of said tubular members.

14. In' a surgical instrument of the character described, a spring-pressed plunger element having a sharpened body-piercing terminal end, a cylindrical casing for said plunger element including a pair of relatively shiftable telescopi.. cally associated tubular members, and means disposed within the telescoped portions of said tubular members and positively engageable with said plunger to releasably retain the latterin spring-biased retracted condition, said means being operable to release the plunger for bodypiercing operation automatically upon relative axial 'movement of said tubular members.

FREDERICK W. KULICKE, JR. GERALD O. TRANSUE.

REFERENCES CITED FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France Dec. 10, 1923 Number

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