Turkel, David; Hahnen, Kevin;

Arthroscopic surgical instruments

A disposable arthroscopic surgical instrument includes a hollow tube with a manual actuator coupled to its proximal end and an end effector coupled to its distal end. The actuator and the end effector are coupled by a push rod which passes through the hollow tube and the push rod includes a frangible link so that the push rod will break when a predetermined force is applied to the end effector by the actuator. The frangible link is a flattened portion of the cylindrical push rod having a strength reducing throughbore. An end effector having a stationary jaw and a movable jaw is also disclosed. The stationary jaw is coupled to the distal end of the tube and has a throughbore for receiving the push rod. The movable jaw is coupled to push rod and is pivotally coupled to the stationary jaw by arcuate engaging surfaces on both jaws. The movable jaw preferably includes a pair of arcuate grooves while the stationary jaw has a pair of arcuate flanges which engage the grooves on the movable jaw. The movable jaw is also provided with a knife-like edge and the stationary jaw is provided with a receiving opening into which the movable jaw fits when the jaws are in a closed position.

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What is claimed is:

1. An arthroscopic surgical instrument comprising:

a) a hollow tube having a proximal and a distal end;

b) end effector means of a first strength coupled to said distal end of said hollow tube;

c) actuating means for actuating said end effector means, said actuating means coupled to said proximal end of said hollow tube;

d) connector means for coupling said end effector means with said actuating means such that actuation of said actuating means results in movement of said end effector means, said connector means including a substantially cylindrical push rod having a flattened plate-like frangible link portion having at least two opposite flat substantially parallel surfaces, and coupling means of a second strength for coupling said push rod to said end effector means, wherein said frangible link has a third strength which is weaker than said first and second strengths, such that application of a force applied to said end effector means by said actuating means via said connector means causes said frangible link portion of said push rod to break prior to one of said end effector means and said coupling means breaking.

2. An arthroscopic surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein:

said flattened frangible link portion of said push rod includes a strength reducing throughbore.

3. A disposable arthroscopic surgical instrument according to claim 2, wherein:

said end effector means comprises, a stationary jaw coupled to said distal end of said hollow tube, and a movable jaw coupled to said coupling means and pivotally coupled to said stationary jaw.

4. An arthroscopic surgical instrument according to claim 3, wherein:

said stationary jaw is provided with a first arcuate engaging surface for engaging said movable jaw, and

said movable jaw is provided with a second arcuate engaging surface for engaging said first arcuate engaging surface.

5. An arthroscopic surgical instrument according to claim 3, wherein:

said stationary jaw is provided with a throughbore for receiving said connector means, and

said coupling means comprises a pivot pin for coupling said movable jaw to said push rod.

6. An arthroscopic surgical instrument according to claim 3, wherein:

said movable jaw is provided with a knife-sharp edge, and said stationary jaw is provided with an opening for receiving said movable jaw.

7. An arthroscopic surgical instrument according to claim 3, wherein:

said first arcuate engaging surface comprises a pair of arcuate flanges, and said second arcuate engaging surface comprises a pair of arcuate grooves.

8. An arthroscopic surgical instrument according to claim 3, wherein:

said push rod has a proximal end and a distal end and said distal end of said push rod is provided with a swaged flattened portion for coupling with said end effector means.

9. An arthroscopic surgical instrument according to claim 8, wherein:

said swaged flattened portion is provided with a coupling throughbore for receiving said coupling means.

10. An arthroscopic surgical instrument according to claim 2, wherein:

said push rod is composed of solution treated stainless steel hardened to a tensile strength of -250,000/290,000 psi.

11. An arthroscopic surgical instrument according to claim 10, wherein:

said push rod has a diameter of .061.+-..001 inches, said flattened portion has a thickness of .030.+-..002 inches and a height of .1.+-..005 inches, and said strength reducing throughbore has a diameter of .076.+-..001 inches.

12. An arthroscopic surgical instrument, comprising:

a) a hollow tube having a proximal and a distal end;

b) actuating means coupled to said proximal end of said tube;

c) a stationary jaw having a shank coupled to said distal end of said tube;

d) a movable jaw pivotally coupled to said stationary jaw, wherein said stationary jaw has a first arcuate engaging surface comprises one of a flange and a groove for engaging said movable jaw, and said movable jaw has a second arcuate engaging surface comprises the other of said flange and said groove for engaging said first arcuate engaging surface; and

e) connector means disposed inside said hollow tube for coupling said movable jaw with said actuating means such that movement of said actuating means results in movement of said movable jaw.

13. An arthroscopic surgical instrument according to claim 12, wherein:

said stationary jaw has a channel for receiving said connector means.

14. An arthroscopic surgical instrument according to claim 13, wherein:

said connector means comprises a push rod and a pivot pin coupled to said push rod, said pivot pin coupling said movable jaw to said push rod.

15. An arthroscopic surgical instrument according to claim 13, wherein:

said movable jaw is provided with a knife-sharp edge, and said stationary jaw is provided with an opening for receiving said movable jaw.

16. An arthroscopic surgical instrument according to claim 13, wherein:

said first arcuate engaging surface comprises a pair of arcuate flanges, and said second arcuate engaging surface comprises a pair of arcuate grooves.

17. An arthroscopic surgical instrument comprising:

a) a hollow tube having a proximal and a distal end;

b) end effector means of a first strength coupled to said distal end of said hollow tube, said end effector means comprising a stationary jaw coupled to said distal end of said tube, and a movable jaw pivotally coupled to said stationary jaw, wherein said stationary jaw has a first arcuate engaging surface for engaging said movable jaw, and said movable jaw has a second arcuate engaging surface for engaging said first arcuate engaging surface;

c) actuating means for actuating said end effector means, said actuating means coupled to said proximal end of said hollow tube;

d) connector means for coupling said end effector means with said actuating means such that actuation of said actuating means results in movement of said end effector means, said connector means including a substantially cylindrical push rod having a flattened frangible link portion having a strength reducing throughbore therein, and coupling means of a second strength for coupling said push rod to said end effector means, wherein said frangible link has a third strength which is weaker then said first and second strengths, such that application of a force applied to said end effector means by said actuating means via said connector means causes said frangible link portion of said push rod to break prior to one of said end effector means and said coupling means breaking.

18. An arthroscopic surgical instrument according to claim 17, wherein:

said stationary jaw is provided with a throughbore for receiving said connector means,

said coupling means comprises a pivot pin for coupling said movable jaw to said push rod,

said movable jaw is provided with a knife-sharp edge,

said stationary jaw is provided with an opening for receiving said movable jaw, and

said first arcuate engaging surface comprises a pair of arcuate flanges, and said second arcuate engaging surface comprises a pair of arcuate grooves.

19. An arthroscopic surgical instrument according to claim 17, wherein:

said push rod is composed of solution treated stainless steel hardened to a tensile strength of -250,000/290,000 psi.

20. An arthroscopic surgical instrument according to claim 19, wherein:

said push rod has a diameter of .061.+-..001 inches, said flattened portion has a thickness of .030.+-..002 inches and a height of .1.+-..005 inches, and said strength reducing throughbore has a diameter of .076.+-..001 inches.