Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods
  • A61B17/28—Surgical forceps
  • A61B17/2812—Surgical forceps with a single pivotal connection
  • A61B17/282—Jaws
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods
  • A61B17/02—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for holding wounds open, e.g. retractors; Tractors
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods
  • A61B17/28—Surgical forceps
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods
  • A61B17/28—Surgical forceps
  • A61B17/2812—Surgical forceps with a single pivotal connection
  • A61B17/2816—Pivots
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods
  • A61B17/50—Instruments, other than pincettes or toothpicks, for removing foreign bodies from the human body
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods
  • A61B17/28—Surgical forceps
  • A61B2017/2808—Clamp, e.g. towel clamp
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods
  • A61B17/34—Trocars; Puncturing needles
  • A61B2017/348—Means for supporting the trocar against the body or retaining the trocar inside the body
  • A61B2017/3482—Means for supporting the trocar against the body or retaining the trocar inside the body inside
  • A61B2017/349—Trocar with thread on outside

Definitions

• the present invention relates to forceps, and systems and methods employing the same.
• the forceps are useful for both gripping a cannula that is inserted through soft tissue and retracting the surrounding soft tissue.
• One technique for stabilizing a fractured mandible includes attaching a plate to the mandible. A small incision is made in the patient's check, and a cannula is inserted through the incision. A plate is passed through the patient's mouth and positioned in an area proximate the fracture. A drill bit can be fed through the cannula for drilling pilot holes into the mandible. Fasteners and fastening devices can also be fed through the cannula to secure the plate to the patient's mandible. Some maxillofacial techniques only use wire, screws or pins, and not a plate, for stabilizing fractured mandibles. A cannula is typically used to drill pilot holes and/or position and secure the wire, screws or pins appropriately.
• Gfasplng forceps can be used to engage the inserted cannula so that it does not move during the drilling and/or fastening steps.
• a head portion of a pair of forceps is placed into the patient's mouth to engage a section of the inserted cannula.
• the head portion and/or a handle portion may be angled in an upward direction to retract the patient's cheek. The retraction creates a line of sight and/or improves the field of vision for the medical attendant to observe the area where the hardware is being installed, and to ensure the well being of the patient.
• Forceps 1 includes pivotally connected arms 2 and 3, a head region 4 and a handle region 5.
• Head region 4 comprises a chamber 6 for engaging a cannula or other device.
• Embodiments of the present invention offer substantial improvements over these and other prior art forceps.
• the first elongated member includes a first head portion and an opposing first handle portion that is angled in a first direction with respect to the first head portion.
• the first head portion has a first joint component and a tissue contacting surface facing the first direction.
• the second elongated member includes a second head portion and an opposing second handle portion.
• the second head portion employs a second joint component that is configured for engaging the first joint component.
• the first and second joint components are capable of assembly and disassembly without the use of tools. And the first and second joint components are spaced apart from the tissue contacting surface.
• a handle is defined at one end, and a head is defined at an opposing end.
• the head includes first and second jaws, each of which is associated with a respective one of the first and second elongated members and including an inner surface.
• a groove is formed in each of the inner surfaces to collectively define a substantially cylindrical gripping chamber upon converging the two jaws.
• a tissue retracting surface is defined by a surface of at least one of the head and the handle. The tissue retracting surface is oriented orthogonal to the inner surfaces and has a width of at least about 15 mm.
• a pair of forceps having first and second elongated members pivotally connected.
• a handle is defined at one end, and a head is defined at an opposing end.
• a cannula receiving ch'aniM 1 ! aisptfggdln the head and has a threaded surface.
• the first and second elongated members are separable via manipulation of the first and second elongated members with respect to each other.
• a pair of forceps including a head portion having a first jaw, and a second jaw pivotally connected to the first jaw.
• Each of the first jaw and the second jaw includes an inner surface having a proximal end and a distal end.
• the inner surfaces are tapered inwardly in a direction from the distal end to the proximal end to define an engagement guide capable of facilitating blind location and engagement of a cannula.
• a groove is formed in each of the inner surfaces to collectively define a cannula-receiving chamber upon converging said first and second jaws.
• the grooves are located at the respective proximal ends of the inner surfaces so that a cannula can be positively engaged by passing the first and second jaws around the cannula via the engagement guide until travel is inhibited (that is, the first and second jaws are bottomed out) and then converging the first and second jaws around the cannula.
• Figure 1 is a perspective view of one preferred forceps embodiment being used in one preferred application.
• Figure 2 is a top plan view of a prior art pair of forceps.
• Figure 3 is a top plan view of the preferred forceps shown in Figure 1.
• Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the preferred forceps shown in Figure 1.
• Figure 5 is a side view of the preferred forceps shown in Figure 1.
• Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the elongated members of the preferred forceps shown in Figure 1.
• Figure 7 is a perspective view of the other elongated member of the preferred forceps shown in Figure 1.
• FIG. 1 an exemplary pair of forceps 10 is shown in Figure 1 being used in one preferred application — a maxillofacial operation involving inserting self-drilling screws into a human mandible. Forceps 10 is shown inserted into the patient's mouth 100 and around a threaded cannula 200.
• exemplary forceps 10 includes first and second elongated members or arms 20 and 30 pivotally connected together.
• a head 12 is defined by respective head portions 21 and 31, and a handle 14 is defined by handle portions 22 and 32.
• Elongated members 20 and 30 are connected at a joint 16.
• joint 16 is non-permanent; that is, the forceps are designed and manufactured to be disassembled for packaging, cleaning/sterilization, and assembled for use. Note that permanent joints can be used in alternative embodiments.
• Each of head portions 21 and 31 includes a jaw 23, 33 having an inner surface 24, 34.
• the inner jaw surfaces comprise a groove 25, 35 that collectively define a gripping chamber 18 when jaws 23 and 33 are converged.
• Gripping chamber 18 preferably is threaded to facilitate a secure engagement of a cannula or other device. Non-threaded gripping chambers however can equally be employed. Gripping chamber is shown being substantially cylindrical, but it is not limited to this geometry. Outer surfaces of a cannula or any other device may also be threaded (see, for example, threads 210 on cannula 200 shown in Figure 1), such that the threads associated with gripping chamber 18 can engage threads on the device or object being grasped.
• inner jaw surfaces 24 and 34 are tapered outwardly in a direction from gripping chamber 18 to respective distal ends 26, 36 of the jaws to define an engagement guiife " ("V-ehtry J ').
• Distal ends 26 and 36 are preferably rounded, or otherwise blunt, to prevent injury to the medical attendant or patient.
• gripping chamber 18 is located at respective proximal ends 27, 37 of the jaws so that a cannula or other device can be positively engaged by "bottoming out” the jaws around a cannula.
• These "V- entry” and “bottoming out” features are optional, and can be employed to facilitate blind location and engagement of a device, particularly when the device is positioned in an area having a limited field of vision, such as, for example, in a patient's mouth.
• forceps 10 can also be used to retract soft tissue. This is shown in Figure 1.
• the patient's cheek is retracted or pulled away from its normal resting position to enable a medical attendant to observe what is happening inside the mouth, and to permit placement and manipulation of objects into the mouth.
• At least some of the head and/or the handle generally define a tissue contacting surface.
• Soft tissue can generally be retracted through geometrical and/or dimensional aspects of the tissue contacting surface, by simply moving the forceps after contacting the soft tissue, or through a combination of the two.
• forceps 10 have a tissue contacting (retracting) surface 40 that is primarily defined by the outer surface of head portion 21, and partially defined by exposed portions of an outer surface of head portion 31. Depending on the length of the forceps' head and the depth of insertion into the mouth (or other area), tissue contacting surface 40 may also be partially defined by adjacent handle portions 22 and 32. Tissue contacting surface 40 has a width 42 that is preferably between about 5 and 50 mm, more preferably at least about 15 mm, and even more preferably at least about 20 mm.
• FIG. 5 A side view of exemplary forceps 10 is shown in Figure 5. From this view, one can see that handle 14 can be angled with respect to head 12 at an angle 44. Generally, angle 44 is between about 10 degrees and 90 degrees, preferably between about 10 degrees and 45 degrees, and more preferably between about 20 degrees and 30 degrees. In one preferred embodiment, angle 44 is around 25 degrees. Handle 14 may also be parallel with head 12; that is, angle 44 would be substantially 0 degrees. In preferred embodiments, and as shown in the figures, handle 14 is angled in a direction towards tissue contact surface 40. Handle 14 itself can also contain an angle 46 that is preferably on the order of about 10 degrees to about 30 degrees, and more preferably about 20 degrees, although smaller and larger angles are contemplated by the present invention.
• angle 44 is between about 10 degrees and 90 degrees, preferably between about 10 degrees and 45 degrees, and more preferably between about 20 degrees and 30 degrees. In one preferred embodiment, angle 44 is around 25 degrees. Handle 14 may also be parallel with head 12; that is, angle 44 would be substantially
• Angle 46 is defined at the intersection of linear handle sections 47 and 48.
• An elevation change from head 12 to a distal end of handle 14 can be accomplished as shown, through multiple linear sections and corresponding angles (similar or dissimilar in magnitude), through ' ⁇ ' ne"or more curvilinear sections, through a combination of linear and curvilinear sections, or through other manners known to the skilled artisan.
• a tissue contacting surface may be at least partially defined by the forceps' handle, an elevation change from the head to a distal end of the handle may facilitate the retracting function of the forceps.
• handle section 47 (of each handle portion) has a rectangular cross-sectional shape and is oriented so as to maximize the width of the respective handle portions, which in turn, may facilitate the tissue retraction function.
• handle section 48 (of each handle portion) has a circular cross-sectional area. Other cross-sectional shapes can equally be employed.
• the forceps' handle may have a homogenous or heterogeneous cross-sectional shape.
• Head portions 21, 31 and handle portions 22, 32 may optionally comprise cavities 60 formed in various surfaces, including the top and bottom surfaces, as is shown in the figures. Cavities 60 allow preferred forceps embodiments to employ wide tissue contacting surfaces without substantially increasing the metal requirements for their manufacture. If cavities are employed, it should be understood that there are no limitations to the size, geometry, or uniformity of the cavities.
• Elongated members 20 and 30 are preferably separable, with our without the use of tools.
• elongated member 20 is shown separated from elongated member 30.
• Elongated member 20 has a male joint component 70 extending from a surface of its head portion 21.
• Male joint component 70 includes a post 72 and a flange 74 disposed circumferentially around post 72, preferably in a non-continuous manner.
• the configuration of post 72 and flange 74 may differ from that shown in Figure 6.
• Male joint component 70 may be integrally formed with elongated member 20, or may alternately be manufactured separately and then joined to member 20 with any number of techniques.
• Elongated member 30 is depicted in Figure 7.
• Elongated member 30 has a female joint component 80 defined by an aperture 82 and a rib 84 disposed on the aperture's surface, preferably in a non-continuous manner.
• Female joint component 80 similarly may be integrally formed with elongated member 30 or separately manufactured.
• Aperture 82 may alternately take the form of a recess in head portion 31.
• Elongated members 20 and 30 are simply rotated in an opposite direction and pulled apart for disaSSeniftlyr
• One of ⁇ ffl ⁇ nary skill in the art should readily appreciate that other types of joints and corresponding joint components can be used to effect the preferred separability aspect. And different types of manipulation and steps may be required for assembly and disassembly in comparison to that described above.
• preferred forceps embodiments may be used for retracting a patient's cheek and/or performing one or more maxillofacial procedures.
• a method for retracting a patient's check comprising the steps of assembling exemplary elongated members 20 and 30 (preferably without the use of tools) and positioning the assembled forceps into a patient's mouth so that the patient's cheek is retracted from its normal resting position.
• Various maxillofacial procedures such as, for example, stabilizing a fractured mandible, can be facilitated via the preferred retracting forceps.
• a cannula is typically inserted through a patient's cheek, during some maxillofacial procedures, to permit the passage of instruments and/or fasteners.
• the forceps can be inserted through the patient's mouth to securely hold the cannula, while also retracting the patient's cheek. After completing the procedure, the forceps can be disassembled for cleaning and/or sterilization.
• the forceps are preferably separable so that surfaces are non-contacting during sterilization to help ensure the sterilization is effective. The forceps can then be reassembled and employed for another chosen procedure.
• Forceps in accordance with preferred embodiments can be made from any bio- inert material, for example, stainless steel or titanium.
• the forceps may optionally contain a coating or medicament.
• the forceps may be made through any number of manufacturing techniques known to the skilled artisan, including, but not limited to, forging and metal injection molding.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Surgery (AREA)
• Molecular Biology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
• Medical Informatics (AREA)
• Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Ophthalmology & Optometry (AREA)
• Surgical Instruments (AREA)
• Electrotherapy Devices (AREA)
• Steering Control In Accordance With Driving Conditions (AREA)
• Dental Tools And Instruments Or Auxiliary Dental Instruments (AREA)
• Adornments (AREA)

Priority Applications (10)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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Citations (8)

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• 2005
  • 2005-04-13 US US11/105,661 patent/US8152834B2/en active Active
• 2006
  • 2006-04-12 ES ES06750046T patent/ES2334828T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2006-04-12 AU AU2006236779A patent/AU2006236779A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2006-04-12 DE DE602006010838T patent/DE602006010838D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2006-04-12 JP JP2008506692A patent/JP5039026B2/ja not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2006-04-12 KR KR1020077022407A patent/KR101277098B1/ko not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2006-04-12 TW TW095113056A patent/TWI380794B/zh active
  • 2006-04-12 CA CA2604704A patent/CA2604704C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2006-04-12 AT AT06750046T patent/ATE450214T1/de active
  • 2006-04-12 CN CN2006800119692A patent/CN101160100B/zh not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2006-04-12 WO PCT/US2006/013874 patent/WO2006113355A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2006-04-12 BR BRPI0609409-0A patent/BRPI0609409B1/pt active IP Right Grant
  • 2006-04-12 EP EP06750046A patent/EP1868514B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2006-04-12 PL PL06750046T patent/PL1868514T3/pl unknown
• 2007
  • 2007-09-28 ZA ZA200708335A patent/ZA200708335B/xx unknown

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