Medical device and method for manufacturing a medical device

Abstract

The invention relates to a medical instrument comprising a first part and a second part which are connected to one another by means of a connecting element so as to be pivotable relative to one another about a pivot axis defined by a longitudinal axis of the connecting element, wherein the second component has at least one second bearing region, and wherein the at least one first bearing region and the at least one second bearing region are arranged facing each other, and wherein, in the mounted state, a biasing element is arranged between the at least one first bearing region and the at least one second bearing region, and wherein a biasing element is held in a compressed state between the at least one first bearing region and the at least one second bearing region by means of a connecting element in a mounted state so as to exert a biasing force on the at least one first bearing region and the at least one second bearing region for holding them away from each other and biasing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a medical instrument comprising a first component and a second component which are connected to each other by means of a connecting element so as to be pivotable relative to each other about a pivot axis defined by a longitudinal axis of the connecting element.

[0002] The first component has at least one first bearing area, the second component has at least one second bearing area, and the at least one first bearing area and the at least one second bearing area are arranged facing each other.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a medical device, the medical device comprising a first component having at least one first support region and a second component having at least one second support region.

[0004] The method further comprises:

[0005] the at least one first support area and the at least one second support area are arranged so that they face each other, and

[0006] The first component and the second component are connected to each other by means of the connecting element such that the first and second components are pivotable relative to each other about a pivot axis defined by a longitudinal axis of the connecting element. Background Art

[0007] Medical instruments, also called surgical instruments, are known for their high precision. Different types of such instruments are commonly used, for example forceps, tweezers, clamps, needle holders or scissors. For such instruments, a joint defined by a connecting element connecting the first and second parts of the instrument, which joint has no play and has a smooth movement, is considered desirable by the surgeon. Such handling of the instrument gives a reasonable impression of the quality of such an instrument.

[0008] The instrument described at the beginning is manufactured by connecting two parts together by means of a connecting element. The instrument is adjusted by means of a connecting element, which is mainly used in the form of a screw. During the manufacture of the instrument, the kinematic forces of the joint of the instrument are adjusted by pre-tensioning the two parts (also called arms or branches of the instrument) relative to each other.

[0009] However, after repeated use of the instrument by the user, wear occurs on the first and second bearing areas, also referred to as the running surfaces of the instrument connector. This effect is intensified when the connector is not oiled after reprocessing the instrument. Reprocessing in this sense means subjecting the instrument to a cleaning and sterilization cycle.

[0010] Due to wear, play develops in the joint and the motion forces perceptible to the user are lost during use.

[0011] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved medical device, in particular an improved medical device having improved durability. Summary of the invention

[0012] This object is achieved according to the present invention in the medical device described at the beginning in the following manner: in the installed state, a biasing element is arranged between the at least one first supporting area and the at least one second supporting area, and the biasing element is maintained in a compressed state between the at least one first supporting area and the at least one second supporting area by a connecting element in the installed state, thereby applying a biasing force on the at least one first supporting area and the at least one second supporting area to keep them biased away from each other.

[0013] Providing a medical instrument with a biasing element as proposed by the present invention has the advantage, in particular, that the problem of lost kinetic forces is no longer a problem. The biasing element arranged between the first and second bearing areas or between the mating running surfaces of the first and second parts of the instrument is no longer subject to wear as is the case for instruments without the proposed biasing element. Wear has a negative impact on the quality of the instrument as already explained above. On the contrary, the biasing element arranged between the first and second bearing areas promotes stable and lasting kinetic forces within the entire range of motion of the medical instrument (also referred to as the opening angle of the first and second parts that are pivotally connected). Due to the biasing element with a smaller suspension stroke, the adjustability of the medical instrument, in particular the joint movement during assembly, is improved. In addition, when there is no gap between the first and second parts of the medical instrument, the accuracy of the instrument as a whole, in particular the claw or working end defined by the mating working element, during surgery is improved. In other words, the wear that occurs during use with respect to known standard medical instruments is compensated by the biasing element. If the proposed improved medical device is adjusted during its manufacture so that the biasing element applies a biasing force on at least one of the first and second support areas, i.e., on the two components of the medical device, then due to the biasing characteristics of the biasing element the adjustment is maintained in an installed state in which it is kept compressed between the first and second support areas.

[0014] Preferably, the biasing element is constructed in the form of a spring washer (sometimes called a spring washer) having a central opening for accommodating the connecting element and arranged to surround the pivot axis. Such a construction allows for simple assembly of the medical device. The biasing element can be easily mounted using a connecting element in the form of a bolt or a rivet by placing the bolt or rivet through the central opening of the spring washer. As a result, the spring washer can be reliably held in place and cannot be lost during use of the device. Furthermore, the spring washer is very suitable for exerting a biasing force on the first and second parts of the medical device.

[0015] Advantageously, the elastic washer is constructed in the form of a wave washer. In this sense, a wave washer is an elastic washer having a wavy shape, preferably with a plurality of inflection points or inflection lines, which define a varying curvature of the wave washer. Thus, the wave washer actually comprises a plurality of portions having a biasing effect. Thus, even if one wave of the wave washer is damaged and no longer functions as a biasing element, the remaining waves or biasing portions of the wave washer can still maintain the desired properties of the wave washer. Furthermore, the wave washer can be compressed to a substantially flat configuration while still having the desired biasing properties. This is typically not achievable in the case of Belleville washers.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the wave washer has a wavy shape defining at least one trough and at least one crest, in particular in an initial state in which the wave washer is separated from the first and second bearing areas and does not exert any spring force. In particular, the wave washer may have a plurality of troughs and a plurality of crests. As already described above, a plurality of such waves defined by troughs and crests provides improved biasing properties of the wave washer compared to a Belleville washer.

[0017] The elastic washer can be manufactured in a simple manner if the wave washer has a constant or substantially constant thickness. This allows the wave washer to be manufactured from a sheet material by extrusion molding.

[0018] Preferably, the wave washer is wavy in the circumferential direction about the pivot axis. This means that the wave crests and wave troughs extend in the radial direction. In other words, the wave washer has a wavy structure that can be observed from the side of the wave washer.

[0019] It is also advantageous if the elastic washer is wavy in radial direction with respect to the pivot axis. This means that the waves are arranged in radial direction, resulting in the highest and lowest points of the waves, ie the wave troughs and wave crests, extending in the circumferential direction.

[0020] Furthermore, it is advantageous if a section of the wave washer in radial or circumferential direction with respect to the pivot axis has at least two inflection points, in particular three, four, five, six, seven or more inflection points. As already mentioned above, an inflection point in a mathematical sense means that the curvature changes at the inflection point. For example, a concave shape changes into a convex shape at the inflection point. In other words, a wave washer with such a configuration has at least two changes in its curvature in the circumferential or radial direction. The more inflection points defined by the elastic washer configuration, the more so-called offset portions of the elastic washer are defined, with the advantages explained above.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the wave washer has a first surface and a second surface, the first and second surfaces facing in opposite directions, the first surface defining a first contact plane of the wave crests and the second surface defining a second contact plane of the wave troughs. Such a wave washer has the advantage that a plurality of contact points or lines are defined between the wave washer and the respective first and second bearing surfaces of the first and second parts of the instrument. Thus, the biasing force can be distributed more or less evenly along the circumference of the wave washer.

[0022] The wave washer can be produced in a simple manner if the first contact plane and the second contact plane extend parallel to one another or substantially parallel to one another. This property can apply in particular in the initial state and / or in the installed state. Such a configuration allows the first and second components of the device to be adjusted in parallel in the connection region of the device in the vicinity of the connecting element.

[0023] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the first contact plane and the second contact plane define a first spacing from one another in the initial state, the first contact plane and the second contact plane define a second spacing from one another in the installed state (in which the biasing element is installed between the at least one first bearing area and the at least one second bearing area), and the first spacing is greater than the second spacing. This provides, in particular, that the wave washer is in a compressed state in the installed state so that it can permanently exert a biasing force on the first and second bearing areas for maintaining a desired movement force of the instrument.

[0024] Preferably, in the installed state, the second distance has a maximum value of about 1.2 times the thickness of the wave washer, in particular about 1.1 times the thickness of the wave washer. In other words, if the ratio between the second distance and the thickness of the wave washer is within a defined range, the wave washer has a substantially flat configuration in the installed state.

[0025] Furthermore, it is advantageous that, in the initial state, the first spacing has a value in the range from about 2 times the thickness of the wave washer to about 10 times the thickness of the wave washer. In particular, the value may be in the range from about 2 times the thickness of the wave washer to about 5 times the thickness of the wave washer. This configuration defines the height and depth of the wave crests and troughs in the initial state and thus also defines the biasing characteristics of the wave washer. Thereby, the wave washer most suitable for the corresponding medical instrument can be selected for applying the desired movement force of the medical instrument.

[0026] According to this embodiment, the connection device is configured in the form of an applied connection device, which comprises a single first bearing area and a single second bearing area, and a first component with a single first bearing area is applied to the single second bearing area, wherein the biasing element is arranged between them. A medical instrument with such a connection device can be easily assembled, because a first component of the instrument can be provided, the biasing element can be placed on the first bearing area and the second component of the instrument can be placed on the biasing element with its second bearing area. These three components can then be connected together using a connecting element, such as a bolt or a rivet.

[0027] In order to obtain a medical instrument with improved stability in the area of ​​the connecting element, it is advantageous if the connecting device is designed in the form of a box-type connecting device, the first component having a female connecting part with a through-opening, the second component having a male connecting part, and in the installed state, the male connecting part extending through the through-opening. Such a box-type connecting device provides for the second component of the instrument to be guided by the first component, since there are two cooperating bearings between the first and second components, more precisely on both sides of the male connecting part.

[0028] In particular for a box-type connection device, it is advantageous that the female connection part has two first bearing areas facing each other and the male connection part has two second bearing areas facing away from each other. Thus, two separate bearings can be defined for such a medical instrument, i.e. an instrument having a connection device in the form of a box-type connection device.

[0029] In order to provide different types of medical instruments, it is advantageous that the first component has a first distal end, the second component has a second distal end, the first tool element is formed or arranged on the first distal end, the second tool element cooperating with the first tool element is formed or arranged on the second distal end, and the first tool element and the second tool element form a medical tool. Thus, depending on the type of the respective tool element, a desired medical tool can be formed. In particular, the tool element can be configured in the form of a clamp, a gripper, a forceps or a blade so that a medical tool in the form of a clamp, a gripper, a gripper or a pair of scissors can be made.

[0030] Furthermore, according to another preferred embodiment, the following arrangement can be made: the first component has a first proximal end, the second component has a second proximal end, the first retaining element is formed or arranged on the first proximal end, and the second retaining element is formed or arranged on the second proximal end. Such retaining elements provide for easy handling of the medical instrument by a user. In particular, the first and second retaining elements can be configured in the form of rings. This allows the user to reliably retain the medical instrument by inserting at least one finger through each ring.

[0031] Preferably, the medical tool is configured in the form of a pair of scissors, needle holders, or clamps.Thus, the improved properties of the proposed medical instrument with a biasing element arranged between the first and second bearing areas can be advantageously used in conjunction with different types of medical instruments.

[0032] The manufacture of the medical instrument is simplified and the adjustment of the instrument is relatively simple if the connecting element is designed in the form of a bolt or a rivet. In particular, the bolt can be used to fine-tune the desired movement force by compressing the biasing element more or less between the first and second bearing areas of the first and second parts of the instrument.

[0033] The purpose as set out at the beginning is further achieved in the method described at the beginning as follows: the method further includes: arranging a biasing element between the at least one first support area and the at least one second support area before connecting the first component and the second component to each other, compressing the biasing element into a compressed state using the first and second components, and maintaining the compressed state by adjusting the connecting element so that the biasing element permanently applies a biasing force on the at least one first support area and the at least one second support area to keep them biased away from each other.

[0034] The proposed improved method for manufacturing a medical instrument allows simple adjustment of the medical instrument. Since the biasing element is compressed from an initial state to a compressed state during the manufacture of the instrument, i.e. during assembly, it permanently applies the desired biasing force on the two parts of the medical instrument. Any wear will be compensated by the biasing element. In addition, the proposed method also has the following advantages: any deformation of the two parts of the medical instrument, in particular their corresponding support areas, during the manufacture of the two parts or any manufacturing tolerances can be easily compensated by the biasing element. Therefore, the proposed method can also be performed in particular fully automatically, i.e. by machine. In other words, the proposed method for manufacturing a medical instrument allows the instrument to be produced by machine. Generally speaking, manual adjustment is no longer required.

[0035] Furthermore, the use of a wave washer as a biasing element in the above described method or as a biasing element in any of the above described embodiments of the medical device is suggested. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The following description of the preferred embodiments is used in conjunction with the accompanying drawings to explain the present invention in more detail.

[0037] Figure 1 : shows a schematic exploded view of an embodiment of a medical device;

[0038] Figure 2 : Shown in Figure 1 An enlarged fragmentary view of the distal end of the instrument depicted in FIG.

[0039] Figure 3 : shows the state before adjusting the connecting element, that is, when the biasing element is in the initial state Figure 2 A partially broken view of a component in ;

[0040] Figure 4 : shows the case in the installed state, i.e. when the biasing element is in a compressed state Figure 3 A partially broken view of a component in ;

[0041] Figure 5 : shows the area of ​​the connection device Figure 4 A partial cross-sectional plan view of the components in;

[0042] Figure 6 : shows the process before adjusting the instrument Figure 5 A cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG.

[0043] Figure 7 : shows the biasing element in the installed state, i.e. compressed. Figure 6 A view similar to the components in;

[0044] Figure 8 : Shown in Figures 1 to 7 A perspective view of an embodiment of a biasing element is shown in FIG.

[0045] Fig. 9 : Shows Figure 8 A side view of an embodiment of a biasing element in;

[0046] Fig.10 : Shows Figure 8 and 9 A top view of the biasing element shown in FIG.

[0047] Fig.11 : A perspective view showing another embodiment of a wave washer;

[0048] Fig.12 : Shows Fig.11 A side view of the wave washer depicted in;

[0049] Fig.13 : Shows Fig.11 and 12 A top view of the wave washer depicted in FIG.

[0050] Fig.14 : A perspective view showing another embodiment of a wave washer;

[0051] Fig.15 : Shows Fig.14 A side view of the wave washer depicted in;

[0052] Fig.16 : Shows Fig.14 and 15 A top view of the wave washer depicted in FIG.

[0053] Fig.17 : A perspective view showing another embodiment of a wave washer;

[0054] Fig.18 : Shows Fig.17 A side view of the wave washer depicted in;

[0055] Fig.19 : Shows Fig.17 and 18 A top view of the wave washer depicted in FIG.

[0056] Fig. 20 : A perspective view showing another embodiment of a wave washer;

[0057] Fig.21 : Shows Fig. 20 A side view of the wave washer depicted in;

[0058] Fig. 22 : Shows Fig. 20 and 21 A top view of the wave washer depicted in FIG.

[0059] Fig.23 : A partially broken away view showing a portion of another embodiment of a medical instrument with the box-type connecting device in an installed state; and

[0060] Fig.24 : shows along Fig.23 A cross-sectional view taken along line 24-24 in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] Figure 1 A first embodiment of a medical device 10 is shown in an exploded view. The device 10 includes a first component 12 and a second component 14. Figure 1 The exploded view in FIG. 1 shows the instrument 10 during assembly.

[0062] The first component 12 has a first distal end 16 and a first proximal end 18. A first tool element 20 is formed or arranged on the first distal end 12. Furthermore, a first retaining element 22 is formed or arranged on the first proximal end 18.

[0063] In a similar manner as described with respect to the first component 12, the second component 14 has a second distal end 24 and a second proximal end 26. A second tool element 28 configured to cooperate with the first tool element 20 is formed or arranged on the second distal end 24. Furthermore, a second retaining element 30 is formed or arranged on the second proximal end 26.

[0064] The first tool element and the second tool element 28 form or define a medical tool 32 .

[0065] exist Figures 1 to 7 In the exemplary embodiment of the medical instrument 10 shown in , the first and second tool elements 20 , 28 are designed in the form of clamping jaws 34 , 36 , so that the medical instrument 10 as a whole is designed in the form of a medical clamp 36 .

[0066] The first and second retaining elements 22, 30 are configured in the form of loops 40, 42 commonly used with such standard medical instruments to facilitate handling by a surgeon or other user.

[0067] In an alternative embodiment not shown in the figures, the first and second tool elements 20 are formed with matching cutting edges so that the medical tool 32 is designed in the form of a pair of scissors.

[0068] In another embodiment not depicted in the figures, the medical tool 32 is designed in the form of a needle holder having a structured gripping stage.

[0069] The first and second components 12 , 14 are connected to one another in a connecting region 44 via a connecting element 46 . Figure 1 The embodiment of the medical instrument 10 shown in has elongated arms 48 , 50 (also referred to as branches) extending between the connection region 44 and the respective proximal end 18 , 26 .

[0070] Furthermore, the first component 12 has a first bearing region 52. The second component 14 has a second bearing region 54. Figures 1 to 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , the first bearing region 52 and the second bearing region 54 are arranged facing each other.

[0071] In a standard medical device, the two parts 12 and 14 will be assembled so that the first and second bearing areas 52 and 54 will directly contact each other. The two parts 12 and 14 will be connected using a connecting element in the form of a bolt or a rivet to pivotably connect the two parts 12 and 14 to each other.

[0072] exist Figures 1 to 7The main difference between the medical device 10 shown in FIG. 1 and the described standard medical device is that the first and second support areas 52 and 54 do not directly contact each other. Rather, a biasing element 56 is arranged between the first and second support areas 52 , 54 .

[0073] The connecting region 44 comprises in particular the first and second bearing regions 52 and 54 and the connecting element 46, which together define a so-called connecting device 58. The connecting element 46 serves the purpose of pivotably connecting the first and second components 12, 14 to one another so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis 60 defined by a longitudinal axis 62 of the connecting element 46.

[0074] The biasing element 56 is designed in the form of a spring washer 64 having a central opening 66 for accommodating the connecting element 46. The design of the spring washer 64 furthermore allows the biasing element 56 to be arranged as in particular in Figure 5 and 6 As depicted in FIG. 8 , the pivot axis 60 is surrounded by the pivot axis 60 .

[0075] Figures 1 to 10 An embodiment of a resilient washer 64 is shown in the form of a so-called wave washer 68. The wave washer 68 has a Figures 8 to 10 The figures show the initial state of the wave washer 68, in which the wave washer is separated from the first and second components 12, 14. The wave washer 68 does not exert any elastic force in this initial state.

[0076] The wavy shape of the wave washer 68 defines a plurality of troughs 70 and a plurality of peaks 72 .

[0077] In addition, in the attached Figures 1 to 10 The wave washer 68 of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 7 has a constant or substantially constant thickness 74 .

[0078] In the attached Figures 1 to 10 The wave washer 68 depicted in FIG is wavy in the circumferential direction about the pivot axis 60. This means that the curvature of the wave washer 68 changes in an alternating manner from a convex curvature to a concave curvature and vice versa.

[0079] The wave washer 68 has a first surface 76 and a second surface 78. The first and second surfaces 76, 78 face in opposite directions. Fig. 9 As depicted in FIG. 8 , the first surface 76 defines a first contact plane 80 for the peaks 72 . The second surface 78 defines a second contact plane 82 for the valleys 70 .

[0080] The first and second contact planes 80, 82 extend parallel to each other or substantially parallel to each other. Fig. 9This is the case in the initial state depicted in FIG. This is also the case in the installed state as described further below.

[0081] A section line 84 of the wave washer 68 in the circumferential direction defines a plurality of inflection points 86 and 88 that are alternately defined along the circumference of the section line 84. Figures 8 to 10 Adjacent inflection points 86 and 88 define either a peak 72 or a valley 70 therebetween.

[0082] Watch Fig.10 , following the movement of the tangent line 84 along its circumference in the clockwise direction 90 and starting at any inflection point 86 and following the concave curvature of the wave washer 68 directed away from the first surface 76 until reaching the adjacent inflection point 88, at which the curvature changes from concave to convex with respect to the first surface 76. Further following the tangent line 84 in the clockwise direction 90 to the next inflection point 86, the curvature remains substantially convex until reaching the inflection point 86. The described change in curvature of the tangent line 84 continues along its circumference. The described configuration results from the shape of the wave washer wavy in the circumferential direction about the pivot axis 60.

[0083] As already mentioned, Figure 1 The assembly of the medical device 10 is schematically shown. The second component comprises a bore 92 with an enlarged region 94. The bore 92 is suitable for receiving a non-threaded shank portion 96 of a connecting element 46 which is configured in the form of a connecting bolt 98. The region 94 is configured to receive a bolt head 100 of the connecting bolt 98.

[0084] A threaded shank portion 102 extends between the shank portion 96 and a free end 104 opposite the bolt head 100 of the connecting bolt 98 .

[0085] A bore 106 with internal threads 108 is provided on the first component 12 for receiving the threaded shank portion 102 .

[0086] To assemble the medical instrument 10, the connecting bolt 98 is introduced with its free end 104 through the opening 92 so that the threaded shaft portion 102 protrudes beyond the second bearing region 54, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown in .

[0087] The wave washer 68 is then placed over the threaded shank portion 102 so that the second surface 78 contacts the second bearing area 54, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown in .

[0088] Next, the first component 12 is brought into engagement with the connecting bolt 98 by screwing the threaded shank portion 102 into the aperture 106 with its internal threads 108 which correspond to the threaded shank portion 102 .

[0089] Figure 6 FIG. 4 shows a state during assembly in which the wave washer 68 is still in the initial state, i.e. it does not exert any elastic force because it is not in the initial state. Figures 8 to 10 However, the first surface 76 with the wave peaks 72 is now in contact with the first bearing area 52.

[0090] In the initial state, the first contact plane 80 and the second contact plane 82 define a first spacing 110 from each other. As long as the wave washer 68 is in the initial state, the spacing 110 corresponds to the gap between the first and second bearing areas 52, 54, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown in .

[0091] To adjust the instrument 10 , the connecting bolt 98 is screwed further into the aperture 106 , thereby compressing the wave washer 68 and transitioning the wave washer from the initial state to the compressed state. Figure 7 The compressed state of the wave washer 68 is shown in the installed or assembled state of the medical device 10 .

[0092] In this installed state, the first contact plane 80 and the second contact plane 82 define a second distance 112, which corresponds to a reduced gap between the first and second bearing areas 52, 54. Figure 6 and 7 As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the first distance 110 is greater than the second distance 112 .

[0093] Furthermore, the wave washer 68, i.e. the biasing element 56, is arranged between the first and second bearing areas 52, 54 in the mounted state and it is held in a compressed state between them by the connecting element 46. Since the biasing element 56 is held compressed by the arrangement of the connecting device 58, it exerts a biasing force on the first and second bearing areas 52, 54 for keeping them biased away from each other.

[0094] The spring force exerted by the wave washer 68 on the components 12 and 14 depends on its compression. The more it is compressed, the greater the spring force becomes. This allows the movement force of the medical device 10 to be adjusted individually when the two components 12, 14 are pivoted relative to each other about the pivot axis 60. The movement force is related to the friction between the components 12 and 14 on the one hand and the biasing element 56 on the other hand.

[0095] In order to improve the cleanability of the medical instrument 10, it is preferably adjusted so that, in the installed state, the second distance 112 has a maximum value of 1.2 times the thickness 74 of the wave washer 68. In order to reduce the recess defined by the wave valleys 70 and the wave peaks 72 between the support areas 52 and 54, the connecting bolt 98 is adjusted so that the maximum value of the second distance 112 is approximately 1.1 times the thickness 74 of the wave washer 68.

[0096] Reference Fig. 9 , the first spacing 110 in the initial state has a value in the range of approximately twice the thickness 74 of the wave washer 68 to approximately ten times the thickness 74 . Fig. 9 The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 has a ratio of about 5:1 between the first spacing 110 and the thickness 74 . This means that the first spacing 110 has a value in the range of about two times to about five times the thickness 74 of the wave washer 68 .

[0097] exist Figures 1 to 7 The medical device 10 depicted in FIG. 1 has a connection device 58 which is designed in the form of an applied connection device 114. The applied connection device 114 comprises a single first support region 52 and a single second support region 54. It is also designed such that a first component 12 with a single first support region 52 is applied to the second support region 54, wherein a biasing element 56 is arranged between them.

[0098] exist Figures 1 to 10 The embodiment of the wave washer 68 depicted in FIG. 6 has five troughs 70 and five peaks 72 and a corresponding number of five inflection points 86 and five inflection points 88 along the section line 84 as described above.

[0099] Figures 11 to 13 Another embodiment of a wave washer 68 is shown. Figures 11 to 13 The construction of the wave washer 68 shown in FIG. Figures 1 to 10 68 is depicted in FIG. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used to identify the same or similar elements.

[0100] exist Figures 11 to 13 The wave washer 68 and Figures 1 to 10 The primary difference between the wave washers 68 depicted in FIG. 6 is the number of valleys 70 and peaks 72 . Figures 11 to 13 The exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 7 has only three wave valleys 70 and three wave crests 72 . This results in a corresponding number of inflection points 86 and 88 along the section line 84 , namely three inflection points 86 and 88 in each case.

[0101] Another embodiment of the wave washer 68 is Figures 14 to 16 Again, the same reference numerals are used to denote Figures 1 to 13With respect to the embodiments shown in FIG. 1 , the same or similar elements are used.

[0102] Figures 14 to 16 The embodiment of a wave washer shown in FIG. 1 differs from the embodiments described above again in the number of wave valleys 70 and wave peaks 72 . Figures 14 to 16 The embodiment shown in has ten troughs 70 and ten peaks 72. This results in a corresponding number of ten inflection points 86 and ten inflection points 88 along the section line 90 as described above.

[0103] Figures 17 to 19 Another embodiment of a resilient washer 68 is shown. The construction of this resilient washer 68 differs from the resilient washer described previously in that the resilient washer 68 is wavy in the radial direction with respect to the pivot axis 60. This results in a section line 84 with two inflection points 86, 88 in the radial direction 116 with respect to the pivot axis 60. Starting from the pivot axis 60, a wave valley 70 is defined by the inner edge of the wave washer 68 surrounding the central opening 66. The concave curvature of the wave valley 70 changes to a convex curvature at the inflection point 88. Moving further away from the pivot axis 60 leads to reaching the wave crest 72, and moving further from the wave crest 72 to the outer edge of the wave washer 68 defining the second wave valley 70 leads to passing a second inflection point 86, at which the convex curvature changes to a concave curvature.

[0104] Furthermore, another embodiment of the wave washer 68 is Figures 20 to 22 Again, about Figures 20 to 22 As in Figures 17 to 19 Reference numerals are used as in the accompanying drawings to refer to the same or similar elements.

[0105] This embodiment generally corresponds to Figures 17 to 19 This means that the wave washer 68 is wavy in the radial direction 116 with respect to the pivot axis 60. Starting from the wave valley 70 defined by the inner edge delimiting the central opening 86, this embodiment has three wave valleys 70 and two wave peaks. The outer edge of the wave washer 68 defines another wave valley 70.

[0106] Fig.23 and 24 A further exemplary embodiment of a medical instrument 10 , more precisely of its distal end region, is shown. The instrument 10 is designed in the form of a needle holder 118 . The tool elements 20 and 28 are bent relative to a reference plane extending perpendicularly to the pivot axis 60 .

[0107] Fig.23 and 24 The device 10 depicted in Figures 1 to 7 The medical instrument 10 depicted in FIG. 1 differs in particular by the different design of the connecting device 58 . Fig.23 and 24The device 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a connecting device 58 which is designed in the form of a box-type connecting device 120 .

[0108] The box-type connection device 120 is characterized in that the first component 12 has a female connection part 122 with a through opening 124. The second component 14 has a male connection part 126, which extends through the through opening 124 in the installed state, such as Fig.23 and 24 As shown in FIG. Due to this configuration, the female connection part 122 has two first bearing areas 52 facing each other. The male connection part 126 has second bearing areas 54 facing away from each other. However, each first bearing area 52 faces the second bearing area 54.

[0109] A biasing element 56 is arranged between the respective first and second bearing regions 52 , 54 . Fig.24 The two biasing elements 56 are shown in a compressed state, ie, in the installed or assembled state of the instrument 10 .

[0110] The second component 14 is provided with a bore 106 which is coaxial with the pivot axis 60 and provided with an internal thread 108 .

[0111] Two connecting elements 46 in the form of connecting bolts 98 are provided for connecting the first and second components 12, 14 to one another. In an alternative embodiment, rivets are provided for connecting the first and second components 12, 14 to one another to form a so-called riveted box lock with a biasing element 56.

[0112] The first component 12 comprises two bridges 128 which delimit on both sides the through-opening 124. Each bridge 128 is provided with an orifice 92 which widens away from the male connection part 126 for receiving the bolt head 100 of the connection bolt 98.

[0113] The unthreaded shank portion 96 extends through the orifice 92. The threaded shank portion 102 extending between the shank portion 96 and the free end 104 of the connecting bolt 98 is provided with an external thread, which corresponds to an internal thread 108 of the orifice 106. This allows the connecting bolt 98 to be screwed with its associated shank portion 102 into the internal thread 108 of the orifice 106.

[0114] The described configuration of the connection device 58 allows for the two biasing elements 56 to be individually compressed between the respective first and second bearing regions 52 , 54 .

[0115] On the one hand Figures 1 to 7 On the one hand and on the other hand Fig.23 and 24The medical device 10 described in the present invention may be provided with any of the biasing elements 56 described above in the form of resilient washers 64. Any of the described embodiments of wave washers 68 are suitable for placement between the first and second bearing regions 52, 54 of the described device 10.

[0116] The described resilient gasket has a preferred thickness 74 in the range of about 0.05 mm to about 0.2 mm. When the instrument 10 must be cleanable and sterilizable, the resilient gasket 64 is preferably made of stainless spring steel.

[0117] The biasing element 65 described above can optionally be coated or provided with a hardened surface by a suitable treatment, such as by diffusion hardening or sandblasting, for additional hardness to improve the dry-running properties of the biasing element 56 .

[0118] As described above, the voids defined by the valleys 70 and peaks 72 are closed or nearly closed during assembly of the instrument 10 due to compression of the biasing element so that the impact on the cleanability of the instrument 10 is quite limited.

[0119] Furthermore, in order to avoid increased friction between the first and second components 12, 14 on the one hand and the biasing element 56 on the other hand, the biasing element 56 is preferably made of a material having an increased hardness or a reduced hardness compared to the material used to make the first and second components 12, 14, so that there is a difference between the respective hardnesses of the first and second components 12, 14 on the one hand and the biasing element 56 on the other hand.

[0120] The embodiments of the medical instrument 10 described above have the advantageous property of maintaining a perceived motion force that is deemed desirable by the surgeon throughout its lifespan. Re-adjusting such an instrument 10 is generally unnecessary because the biasing element 56 maintains the motion force as desired even if the medical instrument 10 is subject to wear in the area of ​​the connection means 58.

[0121] Furthermore, if the instrument 10 is damaged and requires repair and / or maintenance, the biasing element 56 can be easily replaced and the running surface does not require re-machining, such as milling, grinding or polishing.

[0122] 12 First Part

[0123] 14 Second Part

[0124] 16 first distal end 18 first proximal end 20 first tool element 22 first holding element 24 second distal end 26 second proximal end 28 second tool element 30 second holding element 32 medical tool

[0125] 34 jaws

[0126] 36 jaws

[0127] 38 clamp

[0128] 40 rings

[0129] 42 rings

[0130] 44 connection area

[0131] 46 Connecting elements

[0132] 48 arms

[0133] 50 arms

[0134] 52 first support area 54 second support area 56 biasing element

[0135] 58 connection device

[0136] 60 Pivot axis

[0137] 62 longitudinal axis

[0138] 64 elastic washers

[0139] 66 Central opening

[0140] 68 wave washer

[0141] 70 trough

[0142] 72 crest

[0143] 74 thickness

[0144] 76 First Surface

[0145] 78 Second Surface

[0146] 80 first contact plane

[0147] 82 second contact plane

[0148] 84 cut line

[0149] 86 turning point

[0150] 88 Turning Point

[0151] 90 clockwise

[0152] 92 holes

[0153] 94 Area

[0154] 96-bar section

[0155] 98 connecting bolts

[0156] 100 Bolt head

[0157] 102 Rod section

[0158] 104 end

[0159] 106 Orifice

[0160] 108 Internal thread

[0161] 110 First spacing

[0162] 112 Second spacing

[0163] 114 Connection device used

[0164] 116 Radial direction

[0165] 118 Needle Holder

[0166] 120 Box type connection device

[0167] 122 Female connection part

[0168] 124 Through opening

[0169] 126 Male connection part

[0170] 128 Bridge

Claims

1. A medical device (10) comprising a first component (12) and a second component (14), the first component and the second component being connected to each other by a connecting element (46) so as to be pivotable relative to each other about a pivot axis (60) defined by a longitudinal axis (62) of the connecting element (46), wherein the first component (12) has at least one first bearing area (52), wherein the second component (14) has at least one second bearing area (54), and wherein the at least one first bearing area (52) and the at least one second bearing area (54) are arranged facing each other, It is characterized in that In the installed state, a biasing element (56) is arranged between the at least one first supporting area (52) and the at least one second supporting area (54), and the biasing element (56) is maintained in a compressed state between the at least one first supporting area (52) and the at least one second supporting area (54) through the connecting element (46) in the installed state, thereby applying a biasing force on the at least one first supporting area (52) and the at least one second supporting area (54) to keep them biased away from each other.

2. The medical device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The biasing element (46) is configured in the form of a resilient washer (64) having a central opening (66) for receiving the connecting element (46), and the biasing element (56) is arranged to surround the pivot axis (60).

3. The medical device (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The elastic washer (64) is designed in the form of a wave washer (68).

4. The medical device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The wave washer (68) has a wave-like shape defining at least one wave valley (70) and at least one wave peak (72), in particular a plurality of wave valleys (70) and a plurality of wave peaks (72), in particular in an initial state in which the wave washer is separated from the first and second bearing areas (52, 54) and does not exert any elastic force.

5. The medical device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The wave washer (68) has a constant or substantially constant thickness (74).

6. The medical device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that: The wave washer (68) a) about the pivot axis (60) in a circumferential direction (90) or b) in a radial direction (116) about the pivot axis (60) Into a wavy shape.

7. The medical device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that: A section (84) of the wave washer (68) in a radial or circumferential direction (90, 116) with respect to the pivot axis (60) has at least two inflection points (86, 88), in particular three, four, five, six, seven or more inflection points (86, 88).

8. The medical device according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that: The wave washer (68) has a first surface (76) and a second surface (78), the first surface and the second surface (76, 78) facing in opposite directions, the first surface (76) defining a first contact plane (80) of the wave crest (72), and the second surface (78) defining a second contact plane (82) of the wave trough (70).

9. The medical device according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that: The first contact plane (80) and the second contact plane (82) extend parallel to one another or substantially parallel to one another, in particular in the initial state and / or in the installed state.

10. The medical device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The first contact plane (80) and the second contact plane (82) define a first spacing (110) from each other in the initial state, the first contact plane (80) and the second contact plane (82) define a second spacing (112) from each other in the installed state, in which the biasing element (56) is installed between the at least one first support area (52) and the at least one second support area (54), and the first spacing (110) is greater than the second spacing (112), Among them, in particular, a) in the installed state, the second distance (112) has a maximum value of approximately 1.2 times the thickness (74) of the wave washer (68), in particular approximately 1.1 times the thickness of the wave washer (68), and / or b) in the initial state, the first spacing (110) has a value in the range from about 2 times the thickness (74) of the wave washer (68) to about 10 times the thickness (74) of the wave washer (68), in particular in the range from about 2 times the thickness (74) of the wave washer (68) to about 5 times the thickness (74) of the wave washer (68).

11. The medical device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The connecting device (58) is constructed in the form of an applied connecting device (58), which includes a single first supporting area (52) and a single second supporting area (54), and the first component (12) with the single first supporting area (52) is applied to the single second supporting area (54), wherein the biasing element (56) is arranged between them.

12. The medical device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The connection device (58) is constructed in the form of a box-type connection device (120), the first component (12) having a female connection part (122) with a through opening (124), the second component (14) having a male connection part (126), and in the installed state, the male connection part (126) extends through the through opening (124).

13. The medical device according to claim 12, characterized in that: The female connection part (112) has two first bearing areas (52) facing each other, and the male connection part (126) has two second bearing areas (54) facing away from each other.

14. A method for producing a medical device, the medical device comprising a first component (12) and a second component (14), the first component (12) having at least one first support area (52), the second component (14) having at least one second support area (54), The method further comprises: arranging the at least one first support area (52) and the at least one second support area (54) so ​​that they face each other, and The first component (12) and the second component (14) are connected to each other by means of a connecting element (46) such that the first component and the second component (12, 14) can pivot relative to each other about a pivot axis (60) defined by a longitudinal axis (62) of the connecting element (46), Characterized in that the method further comprises: before connecting the first component (12) and the second component (14) to each other, arranging a biasing element (56) between the at least one first support region (52) and the at least one second support region (54), compressing the biasing element (54) into a compressed state using the first and second components (12, 14), and The compressed state is maintained by adjusting the connecting element (46) so that the biasing element (56) permanently applies a biasing force on the at least one first support area (52) and the at least one second support area (54) for keeping them biased away from each other.

15. Use of a wave washer (68) as a biasing element (56) in a method according to claim 14 or in a medical device (10) according to claim 1 or 2 as a biasing element (56).

Images