Surgical instrument with separate tool head and method of use

Abstract

Surgical instruments are disclosed in which an elongated shaft is used in conjunction with a separate, remotely actuable tool head for performing a procedure on a target tissue. The shaft has a tool engagement member carried at its distal end that is remotely actuable through the shaft to engage and release the tool head.

1 . A surgical instrument comprising:
 an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;   a separate tool head for performing a procedure on a target tissue, the tool head being remotely actuable, and   a tool head engagement member carried at the distal end of the shaft, the engagement member being remotely actuable to engage and release the tool head.   
     
     
         2 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1  in which the engagement member comprises opposed jaws. 
     
     
         3 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1  in which the engagement member and tool head include complementarily shaped engageable surfaces. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical instrument of  claim 2  wherein at least one of the opposed jaws has a grasping surface with one of a protrusion or a relieved area thereon and the tool head includes a clamping surface with the other of the protrusion or relieved surface thereon, the surfaces cooperating to enhance engagement between the tool head and the engagement member. 
     
     
         5 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1  wherein the tool head includes a clamping surface that is compressible. 
     
     
         6 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1  wherein the tool head has first and second spaced apart clamping surfaces adapted to be engaged by an engagement member. 
     
     
         7 . The surgical instrument of  claim 2  further comprising a clamping surface on the tool head adapted to be held between the jaws of the engagement member. 
     
     
         8 . The surgical instrument of  claim 2  further comprising a clamping surface on the tool head and wherein the clamping surface is adapted to be held by open jaws. 
     
     
         9 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1  further comprising a tether operatively associated with the tool head and extending therefrom separate from the control arm for actuating the tool head. 
     
     
         10 . A tool head for performing a medical procedure for use in combination with a surgical device having a shaft and a pair of jaws on the distal end of the shaft, the tool head comprising a clamping surface for engagement by the jaws of the forceps and a tether extending from the head and separate from the surgical device for actuating the tool head. 
     
     
         11 . The tool head of  claim 10  wherein the clamping surface has at least one of a protrusion or relieved area shaped to engage the other of a protrusion or a relieved area on at least one of the jaws. 
     
     
         12 . The tool head of  claim 11  wherein the clamping surface has opposed protrusions or relieved areas shaped to engage complementary protrusions or relieved areas of the jaws. 
     
     
         13 . The tool head of  claim 10  wherein the clamping surface is compressible. 
     
     
         14 . The tool head of  claim 10  wherein the tool head has a second clamping surface extending therefrom adapted to be held by the jaws. 
     
     
         15 . The tool head of  claim 10  wherein the clamping surface is adapted to be held by open jaws. 
     
     
         16 . The tool head of  claim 10  wherein the clamping surface is adapted to be held between the jaws. 
     
     
         17 . A method for performing a medical procedure in a surgical field comprising:
 creating access to the surgical field;   introducing into the surgical field at least first and second remotely actuable toot heads for performing various aspects of the medical procedure;   introducing into the surgical field a first control arm having a distal end with a tool head engagement member associated therewith;   engaging the first tool head with the tool head engagement member of the first control arm;   positioning the first tool head and remotely actuating the tool head to perform a step of medical procedure;   releasing the first tool head from the tool head engagement member of the first control arm;   engaging the second tool head with the tool head engagement member of the first control arm without removing the engagement member from the surgical field; and   positioning the second tool head and remotely actuating the second tool head to perform a step of the medical procedure.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising:
 introducing into the surgical field a second control arm comprising a distal end with a tool head engagement member associated therewith;   simultaneously engaging a selected one of the first and second tool heads with the tool head engagement members of both control arms; and   releasing the selected tool head from the first control arm.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the surgical field comprises a body cavity and the tool heads and control arm are introduced into the body cavity through an access port. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the tool head engagement member has a surface shape complementary to a clamping surface on the tool heads. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the tool heads are adapted to perform cardiac ablation procedures. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the tool heads are selected from the group consisting of an RF ablation clamp, an RF ablation pen, a blunt dissector and a clip applicator. 
     
     
         23 . A surgical instrument comprising
 a tool head;   a tether attached to the tool head for actuating the tool head, and   at least one engagement surface adapted to interface with a separate control arm.   
     
     
         24 . The surgical instrument of  claim 23  wherein the tool head is selected from the group consisting of an RF ablation clamp, an RF ablation pen, a blunt dissector and a clip applicator.