초록 ▼

A surgical tool includes a shaft having a distal end on which is mounted fixed and movable jaws. The movable jaw is positioned by a control rod which extends into a handle. The handle includes a rod actuator that is pivotably mounted in the handle and is coupled to the control rod such that pivoting

A surgical tool includes a shaft having a distal end on which is mounted fixed and movable jaws. The movable jaw is positioned by a control rod which extends into a handle. The handle includes a rod actuator that is pivotably mounted in the handle and is coupled to the control rod such that pivoting movement of the actuator causes a control rod to translate. The handle includes a ratchet pawl that is coupled to the rod actuator, and the ratchet pawl is coupled to a ratchet actuator that is mounted in the handle and positioned to contact the palm of the user when the user grasps the handle and places a thumb on the rod actuator. Axial movement of the rod actuator can be used to move the ratchet pawl past a detent mechanism, to release the ratchet mechanism, or to lock the rod actuator in a predetermined position to facilitate installation and removal of the control rod. The user can apply pressure to the ratchet actuator with the palm to momentarily release the ratchet, or to move the ratchet pawl to an off position, in which it is held by the detent mechanism.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] In a surgical tool of the type comprising a shaft, a movable element mounted to the shaft, a handle mounted to the shaft, and a control rod coupled to the movable element and extending into the handle, the improvement comprising:a rod actuator mounted in the handle to pivot about a

[ I claim:] [1.] In a surgical tool of the type comprising a shaft, a movable element mounted to the shaft, a handle mounted to the shaft, and a control rod coupled to the movable element and extending into the handle, the improvement comprising:a rod actuator mounted in the handle to pivot about a pivot axis and coupled to the control rod such that pivoting movement of the rod actuator with respect to the handle causes the control rod to translate with respect to the shaft;a ratchet part mounted in the handle and coupled to the rod actuator; anda ratchet actuator coupled to the ratchet part and mounted in a distal part of the handle such that the pivot axis is disposed intermediate the ratchet actuator and the shaft, said ratchet actuator operating to selectively decouple the ratchet part from the actuator, said ratchet actuator positioned to contact a palm of a user when the user grasps the handle and places a finger on the rod actuator.