Device for grasping and/or severing

Abstract

A surgical device ( 101 ) for grasping and severing body tissue comprises a housing ( 140 ) which defines a proximal end ( 102 ) and a distal end ( 104 ), a user operating handle ( 160 ) at the proximal end ( 102 ), and two blade elements ( 110, 120 ) at the distal end ( 104 ). The user operating handle ( 160 ) may be activated to pivot the blade elements ( 110, 120 ) about two parallel grasping pivot axes to grasp a piece of body tissue which is located between the blade elements ( 110, 120 ). The user operating handle ( 160 ) may also be activated to pivot the blade elements ( 110, 120 ) about a severing pivot axis to sever a piece of body tissue which is located between the blade elements ( 110, 120 ).

1 - 49 . (canceled) 
     
     
         50 . A surgical device for grasping and/or severing body tissue, the device comprising:
 a housing defining a proximal end and a distal end; and   a first operative element and a second operative element at the distal end of the housing;   at least one of the operative elements being pivotable relative to the housing about a grasping pivot axis for grasping an object located between the operative elements; and   at least one of the operative elements being pivotable relative to the housing about a severing pivot axis for severing an object located between the operative elements;   the housing comprising a first actuating element and a second actuating element;   the first actuating element being connected to at least one of the operative elements, the severing pivot axis being defined by the connection of the first actuating element to the at least one operative element; and   the second actuating element being connected to at least one of the operative elements, the grasping pivot axis being defined by the connection of the second actuating element to the at least one operative element.   
     
     
         51 . A device as claimed in  claim 50  wherein the first actuating element is connected to the first operative element by a pivot member. 
     
     
         52 . A device as claimed in  claim 51  wherein the first operative element comprises a male projecting pivot member configured to be received in a corresponding female recess in the first actuating element. 
     
     
         53 . A device as claimed in  claim 52  wherein the pivot axis extends through the pivot member. 
     
     
         54 - 59 . (canceled) 
     
     
         60 . A surgical device comprising a first distal blade element and a second distal blade element for severing and/or grasping body tissue, and a proximal user operating part;
 wherein the first blade element and the second blade element are movable relative to each other from an open position in planes at an acute angle to each other to a closed position in a first direction in a grasping action to grasp body tissue, and movable from an open position in planes substantially parallel to one another in a second direction in a severing action to sever body tissue;   wherein the first blade element extends from a first support element, and the second blade element extends from a second support element.   and a first sleeve engageable with the first and second support elements for relative movement of the first and second blade elements between the open and closed position.   
     
     
         61 . A surgical device comprising an elongated element, first and second distal operable elements and a proximal user operating part,
 wherein the operable elements extend from first and second support elements;   wherein the first and second operable elements have opposing first and second surfaces;   wherein the operable elements are movable relative to each other from an open position to a closed position in a plurality of directions such that the opposing first and second surfaces move relative to each other in the plurality of directions without rotation of the operable elements with respect to the elongated member.   
     
     
         62 . A coupling comprising first and second support elements which are movable relative to one another in a first direction in a body tissue grasping action to move opposing grasping surfaces of first and second operative elements toward and away from each other to grasp tissue, and in a second direction in a body tissue severing action to move side cutting edges of the first and second operative elements toward each other in a scissor like fashion such that the cutting edges pass one another prior to the grasping surfaces moving to a position opposed from one another, the support elements including a first projecting member extending therefrom and engagable with a respective recess in a first actuating member for movement of the operative elements. 
     
     
         63 . A coupling as claimed in  claim 62  wherein the coupling is generally spherical. 
     
     
         64 . A coupling as claimed in  claim 62  wherein each support element is generally hemispherical. 
     
     
         65 - 69 . (canceled) 
     
     
         70 . The surgical device of  claim 50  further comprising a third actuating element slidable axially for moving at least one of the operative elements. 
     
     
         71 . The surgical device of  claim 50  wherein the first and second actuating elements are coaxially positioned. 
     
     
         72 . The surgical device of  claim 50  wherein the first actuating element comprises a sleeve engagable with an outer surface of the operative element. 
     
     
         73 . The surgical device of  claim 50  wherein the first and second actuating elements are movable in a proximal direction to pivot the at least one operative element along the respective axis. 
     
     
         74 . The surgical device of  claim 72  wherein the first and second actuating elements are coaxially positioned. 
     
     
         75 . The surgical device of  claim 60 , wherein the first sleeve causes relative movement of the first and second blade elements between the open and closed position in the severing action, and further comprising a second sleeve engageable with the first and second support elements for relative movement of the first and second blade elements between the open and closed position in the grasping action. 
     
     
         76 . The surgical device of  claim 62 , wherein the support elements further comprise a second projecting member extending transverse to the first projecting member and engagable with a respective recess in a second actuating member for movement of the operative elements. 
     
     
         77 . The surgical device of  claim 62 , wherein a portion of the support elements is partially cut away, the cut away portions movable toward each other when opposing grasping surfaces move toward each other in a grasping action. 
     
     
         78 . The surgical device of  claim 62 , wherein the operative elements are integral with the supporting elements. 
     
     
         79 . The surgical device of  claim 62 , wherein in a closed position of the operative elements, the support elements abut each other. 
     
     
         80 . The surgical device of  claim 62 , wherein the first projecting member of the support elements comprises a pin, and the support elements further include a second pin extending therefrom and engagable with a respective recess in the second actuating member. 
     
     
         81 . A surgical device for grasping and/or severing body tissue, the device comprising:
 a housing defining a proximal end and a distal end;   a first and second actuating member;   a first operative element and a second operative element at the distal end of the housing;   at least one of the operative elements being pivotable relative to the housing about a grasping pivot axis for grasping tissue;   at least one of the operative elements being pivotable relative to the housing about a severing pivot axis for severing tissue;   a first pivotable handle at the proximal end of the housing, the first handle pivotable to move the first actuating member to effect pivoting of at least one of the operative elements about a grasping pivot axis; and   a second handle at the proximal end of the housing, the second handle movable to move the second actuating member to effect pivoting of at least one of the operative about a severing pivot axis.   
     
     
         82 . The surgical device of  claim 81 , further comprising a third actuating member slidable within the second actuating element. 
     
     
         83 . The surgical device of  claim 81 , wherein the housing comprises an elongated portion and the first and second actuating members are contained within the housing so as to be devoid of protruding parts through a side wall of the housing. 
     
     
         84 . The surgical device of  claim 81 , wherein each of the operative elements includes an engagement structure enabling pivoting along the severing axis and the grasping axis. 
     
     
         85 . The surgical device of  claim 81 , wherein the second handle is positioned proximal of the first handle. 
     
     
         86 . The surgical device of  claim 81 , wherein the first and second operative elements comprise non-slotted surfaces. 
     
     
         87 . The surgical device of  claim 81 , wherein the first and second operative elements terminate in a proximal end in a curved surface.