Improvements in and related to surgical thumb forceps

Abstract

The surgical forceps (10) comprises a first arm (3), an opposing second arm (4), and a hinge portion (2), the hinge portion being arch-shaped and extending around a hinge axis, the inner surface of the hinge portion defining a gap, and the hinge axis (A) passing through the gap. The surgical forceps (10) is also provided, further comprising a first alignment upright portion (35) positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first arm (3) and a second alignment upright portion (45) positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second arm (4), wherein the first and second alignment upright portions are configured and positioned to prevent misalignment of the first and second arms when the forceps are moved to a closed position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to surgical forceps, and more particularly to those used in surgical operations, such as forceps used in various open surgeries. For example, the forceps may be used to grasp, hold or manipulate tissues and objects as part of a surgical operation related to the removal of tumors, lesions, and other abnormalities, which may be invisible to the naked eye and untouchable, and tumors, lesions, or other abnormalities can be detected using a hand-held probe that emits a vibrating magnetic field to detect a localization marker pre-inserted into or near the tumor, lesion, or other abnormality.

Background Art

[0002] As the popularity of mammography screening programs increases, most breast cancers are detected as small, non-palpable (or occult) lesions in the upper outer quadrant of the breast, which are suitable for breast-conserving treatment. Accurate localization helps to avoid resection of excessive breast tissue, which can result in undesirable cosmetic outcomes. Accurate localization is also often required in the treatment of other cancers, such as colorectal, prostate, and lung cancers, as well as other diseases known to those skilled in the art.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 (Endomagnetics Ltd) discloses a magnetic marker comprising a single plug made of a single magnetically detectable ferromagnetic material, the marker having a magnetic susceptibility such that it is detectable using a hand-held magnetic susceptibility measurement probe. On the other hand, Patent Document 2 (Endomagnetics Ltd) discloses a system and method for positioning injectable magnetic nanoparticles having an average hydrodynamic diameter of 5 to 200 nm, preferably 10 to 50 nm. Suitable susceptibility measurement probes are disclosed by Patent Documents 3 (Hattersley et al.), Patent Document 4 (Endomagnetics Ltd), and Patent Document 5 (Endomagnetics Ltd and University of Houston), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0029560 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2011 / 067576 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Patent No. 8174259 [Patent Document 4] International Publication No. 2014 / 140566 [Patent Document 5] U.S. Patent No. 9,239,314 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] The magnetic markers listed above are located using highly sensitive detection devices; therefore, tools are needed to manipulate these markers surgically, as metal tools can interfere with the accurate detection of the markers. Thus, the tools should be made from non-metallic materials. Furthermore, the reusability of the tools offers environmental and economic advantages. For tools to be reusable, they must be easily sterilizable. The tools should also preferably be ergonomic and offer a comparable feel to metal tools, as surgeons are more accustomed to handling them. Therefore, there is an unmet need for tools that do not interact with magnetic fields, are easy to clean, and are ergonomically easy to use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Accordingly, according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical forceps is provided comprising a first arm and an opposing second arm, each arm having an inner and outer surface, the first arm and the second arm being joined at their respective proximal ends to form a spring hinge portion; the hinge portion is configured to provide an outward biasing force to bias the first and second arms apart around a hinge axis passing through the hinge portion; in both open and closed configurations, the hinge portion is arched, with the inner surface of the hinge portion extending around the hinge axis such that it defines a gap, the hinge axis passing through the gap.

[0007] The spring hinge portion of a pair of forceps is a known area where dirt and, therefore, bacteria can accumulate. Thus, having surgical forceps with an arched hinge portion defining an arched gap around the hinge axis may be advantageous because cleaning the gap is significantly easier than with known forceps where the first and second arms are joined at a single point.

[0008] The surgical forceps may be configured to take a closed configuration when the biasing force is overcome, in which case the distal ends of the first and second arms are substantially in contact with each other, and may be configured to take an open configuration when the biasing force is not overcome, in which case the distal ends of the first and second arms are not in contact with each other.

[0009] When the forceps are moved to the closed position, the inner surfaces in the bending region directly adjacent to the hinge portion may face each other with a gap of a first distance between them. The radius of curvature of the inner surface of the hinge portion may be greater than the first distance between the first arm and the second arm. The radius of curvature of the inner surface of the hinge portion may be 1 to 10 mm, optionally 1.5 to 7.5 mm, optionally 2.5 to 5 mm, optionally 2.5 to 5 mm, optionally 3 to 4 mm, optionally 3.5 to 3.9 mm, and optionally 3.6 to 3.8 mm. The radius of curvature of the inner surface of the hinge portion can be approximately 3.75 mm.

[0010] By having a relatively large hinge portion compared to the first distance between the inner surfaces of the arms in the bending region, the spring hinge portion can be more easily accessed by a cleaning tool, thus enabling thorough cleaning of the spring hinge portion.

[0011] The outer surface of the spring hinge portion may have a substantially rounded shape. This reinforces the two arms against lateral movement / strain relative to each other, which advantageously helps to improve the alignment of the distal end of the forceps when moved to the closed position.

[0012] The forceps have a width, which is a dimension aligned with the direction of the hinge axis. The forceps may be widest at the hinge portion. The width of the forceps at the hinge portion may be 7.5 mm to 20 mm, optionally 10 mm to 17 mm, or optionally 12 mm to 15 mm. The width of the forceps at the hinge portion can be approximately 14 mm.

[0013] Having a wider portion in the hinge can reduce stress in the hinge portion. The width of at least one of the first arm or the second arm, or optionally both the first and second arms, may gradually taper away from the hinge portion through a tapered portion, the tapered portion being located closer to the proximal ends of the first and second arms than to the distal ends. The gradual transition of the width reduction improves the stiffness of the first arm and / or the second arm.

[0014] The curvature of at least one outer surface of the first arm or the second arm may have a radius of curvature that increases along the length of at least one arm through the transition portion, away from the hinge portion, and the transition portion is located closer to the proximal ends of the first and second arms than to the distal ends. The transition portion may be at least 5 mm in length. The transition portion may be at least 15 mm in length. The transition portion may be at least 20 mm in length. The transition portion may be at least 25 mm in length.

[0015] The surgical forceps may further include a first alignment upstand positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first arm, and a second alignment upstand positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second arm, wherein the first and second alignment upstands are arranged to enable cooperative engagement when the surgical forceps are moved to the closed position, and the first and second alignment upstands are configured to prevent misalignment of the first and second arms when the forceps are moved to the closed position.

[0016] Accordingly, according to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical forceps is provided comprising a first arm and a second arm, the first and second arms joined at their respective proximal ends to form a hinge portion; the hinge portion is configured to provide a biasing force to bias the first arm and the second arm toward each other; the surgical forceps further comprises a first alignment upright positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first arm and a second alignment upright positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second arm, the first and second alignment uprights being configured and positioned to prevent misalignment of the first arm and the second arm when the forceps are moved to a closed position; the surgical forceps are movable between an open position and a closed position.

[0017] The surgical forceps may be configured to assume a closed position when the biasing force is overcome, in which case the distal ends of the first and second arms are substantially in contact with each other. The surgical forceps may also be configured to assume an open position when the biasing force is not overcome, in which case the distal ends of the first and second arms are not in contact with each other.

[0018] Having first and second alignment uprights makes it possible to reduce the overall length of the uprights relative to the thickness of the arms compared to conventional forceps having only one alignment upright. This allows for greater design flexibility regarding the alignment directions provided by the alignment uprights. For example, having two uprights makes it possible to provide lateral and distal / proximal alignment (i.e., directions aligned with the lengths of the first and second arms), with lateral (i.e., tangential to the lengths of the first and second arms) alignment provided by one upright and distal / proximal alignment provided by the second upright.

[0019] The first alignment recess may be incorporated into the second arm, and the first alignment upright and the first alignment recess are positioned to enable cooperative engagement of the first alignment upright within the first alignment recess when the surgical forceps are moved to the closed position. Optionally, the second alignment recess may be incorporated into the first arm, and the second alignment upright and the second alignment recess are positioned to enable cooperative engagement of the second alignment upright within the second alignment recess when the surgical forceps are moved to the closed position. Cooperative engagement of the first and second uprights in the corresponding recesses can only occur when the forceps are moved to the closed position while misaligned. The reduced overall length of the uprights relative to the thickness of the arm, made possible by having the first and second alignment uprights, reduces the possibility of any alignment upright protruding through their corresponding recesses, and thus reduces the chance of the alignment uprights extending through the recesses and injuring the user of the forceps.

[0020] The first and second alignment uprights may be positioned closer to the distal ends of the first and second arms than to their proximal ends. Being closer to the distal end of the forceps improves the ability of the alignment uprights to prevent displacement of the distal end of the forceps when the forceps are moved to the closed position.

[0021] The first alignment upright may be configured to contact the second alignment upright (in a misaligned state) when the forceps are moved to the closed position, preventing lateral and / or distal / proximal movement of the forceps. The distal portion of the first alignment upright may be configured to contact the proximal portion of the second alignment upright (in a misaligned state) when the forceps are moved toward the closed position.

[0022] The first alignment upright may have a substantially arcuate shape having a distal surface and a proximal surface. At least a portion of the second alignment upright may be configured to contact the distal surface of the first alignment upright. By having an arcuate shape, the first alignment upright may be able to prevent distal / proximal and lateral movement of the first arm relative to the second arm by engaging the second alignment upright.

[0023] The second alignment upright may have a substantially linear shape, such as a blade or fin shape. The linear shape of the second alignment upright may be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the second arm. This provides a sufficient surface area for engaging the first alignment upright and / or the second recess, improving resistance to lateral misalignment.

[0024] The second alignment upright may have a rounded region located at the distal end of the linear shape, such as a frustum-shaped region. The rounded region is configured to engage and contact the arcuate shape of the first alignment upright if a misalignment occurs between the first arm and the second arm. Such a feature enables alignment in both the distal / proximal and lateral directions. The linear shape of the second alignment upright may be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the second arm.

[0025] Alternatively, the first alignment upright portion may take the form of a cylinder. The second alignment upright portion may take the form of a cylinder having a smaller diameter than the first alignment upright portion. The first recess may be a hole that penetrates the first alignment upright portion and optionally penetrates the center of the first alignment upright portion. The second recess may take a form that can receive the first alignment upright portion.

[0026] Alternatively, the first alignment upright can take the form of an upright having a substantially linear shape, such as a blade or fin shape. Furthermore, there may also be a third alignment upright having a substantially linear shape, such as a blade or fin shape, which is positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second arm, and the first and third alignment uprights are positioned to prevent misalignment of the first and second arms when the forceps are moved to the closed position. The cooperative engagement between the first upright and the second alignment upright can take the form of an edge of the first upright configured to abut against the second upright on one side when the tool is moved to the closed position in a misaligned state. The edge of the third upright may be configured to abut against the second upright on one side when the tool is moved to the closed position in a misaligned state. A third alignment recess may be incorporated into the second arm, and the third alignment upright and the third alignment recess are positioned to enable cooperative engagement of the third alignment upright and the third alignment recess when the surgical forceps are moved to the closed position. The linear shapes of the first, second and third alignment uprights may be aligned with the longitudinal axes of the first and / or second arms.

[0027] The first and third upright portions may be offset laterally and / or distally / proximal to each other and / or to the second upright portion. Such offsets may increase the forceps' ability to compensate for misalignment when the forceps are moved to the closed position.

[0028] The forceps may have a hinge axis passing through the hinge portion. The hinge portion may define a substantially arc-shaped gap, and the hinge axis passing through the arc-shaped gap.

[0029] The forceps of the first or second embodiment may be formed from an electrically non-conductive material. The forceps may be formed from a polymer, optionally a carbon-filled polymer, or optionally a glass-filled polymer. The carbon-filled polymer may include carbon fibers (aligned or randomly oriented) and / or carbon spheres and / or carbon particles and / or carbon laminates and / or carbon platelets. The carbon-filled polymer may also include graphene. The glass-filled polymer may include glass fibers (aligned or randomly oriented) and / or glass spheres and / or glass particles and / or glass laminates and / or glass platelets. The advantage of glass-filled polymers is that they are non-conductive (e.g., less conductive than carbon-based composites), and therefore, when used with electrocautery tools, they do not conduct heat, thus reducing the risk of burning the patient and the risk of the tool itself deforming due to heat. Additionally, when the forceps are used with electrocautery tools, the risk of arc discharge or other discharges is reduced, and it is desirable to avoid such flashes of discharge, as they can obstruct the view of the surgeon using the tool.

[0030] The first and second arms of the forceps in the first or second embodiment may each have a substantially flat surface positioned so that the user can apply force to the tool (by pressing on the flat surface) and overcome the biasing force. Each substantially flat surface may include a plurality of grooves. This improves the grip of the tool and helps to mimic the feel of a steel tool that the surgeon is accustomed to using, thereby improving the ergonomic performance of the tool.

[0031] The first arm of the forceps in the first or second embodiment may have a first jaw portion at its distal end, and the second arm may have a second jaw portion at its distal end, and the first and second jaw portions contact when the surgical forceps are in their closed position. The first and second jaw portions of the forceps in the first or second embodiment may have multiple teeth, the multiple teeth of the first jaw portion being offset from the multiple teeth of the second jaw portion. This helps the jaw portions close flush and prevents the distal ends of the forceps arms from spreading in the closed position.

[0032] The forceps of the first or second embodiment may have a length of 145 mm to 250 mm in the closed position. The forceps of the first or second embodiment may have a length of approximately 187 mm in the closed position.

[0033] Further features and advantages of the various methods and apparatuses of this disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of the various implementations of this disclosure. Accordingly, the following description of the various implementations of this disclosure will be provided merely as examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Naturally, it will be understood that features described in relation to one aspect of the present disclosure may be incorporated into other aspects of the present disclosure. For example, surgical forceps according to the first aspect of the present disclosure may incorporate any of the features described with reference to surgical forceps according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, and vice versa. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0035] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of the handheld surgical forceps according to this disclosure. [Figure 2A] Top view of a handheld surgical forceps shown in Figure 1. [Figure 2B] Figure 1 shows a bottom view of a handheld surgical forceps. [Figure 3] Perspective view of a handheld surgical forceps shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4A] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the distal portion of the surgical forceps. [Figure 4B]Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the distal portion of the surgical forceps. [Figure 5A] Cross-sectional view of a modified handheld surgical forceps according to this disclosure. [Figure 5B] Cross-sectional view of a modified handheld surgical forceps according to this disclosure. [Figure 6A] Cross-sectional view of a further modification of the handheld surgical forceps according to this disclosure. [Figure 6B] Figure 6A shows an overhead view of one of the arms of a handheld surgical forceps. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0036] Figure 1 of the attached drawings schematically shows a handheld surgical forceps (10) according to this disclosure when the forceps (10) are in the open position. As shown in Figure 1, the surgical forceps have a spring hinge portion (2) to which a first arm (3) and a second arm (4) are joined at their proximal ends. The spring hinge portion (2) acts as a hinge that provides a biasing force that biases the first arm (3) and the second arm (4) apart. This biasing force can be overcome by applying a force in direction (D) to both the first and second arms. Each of the first and second arms (3, 4) is provided with a groove (6) that helps to provide a grip. A jaw portion (7) having a plurality of teeth (8) is provided at the distal end of each of the first and second arms (3, 4). Therefore, when a force in direction (D) is applied sufficient to overcome the biasing force provided by the spring hinge portion (2), the jaw portion (7) closes and the teeth (8) of the jaw portion (7) make contact. The first arm (3) has an inner surface (31) and an outer surface (32). The second arm (4) has an inner surface (41) and an outer surface (42).

[0037] The spring hinge portion (2) acts as a hinge centered on the hinge axis (A, the axis is inward from the page at a point marked by a cross). The spring hinge portion (2) defines an arc-shaped gap around the hinge axis (A). The arc-shaped gap has a radius (r) greater than the distance (D2) between the inner surface of the first arm (3) and the inner surface of the second arm (4) in the region directly adjacent to the spring hinge portion (2) when the forceps (10) are in an open, opposing position. In the illustrated embodiments of this disclosure, the arc-shaped gap has a radius of approximately 3.75 mm, as shown in Figure 1. The forceps have a length of approximately 186.59 mm. The width of the forceps at the hinge portion, measured in the direction of the hinge axis, is approximately 14 mm.

[0038] The first arm (3) has a blade-shaped upright portion (35) with a rounded frustoconical portion (37) at the end of the blade. The second arm (4) has a crescent-shaped upright portion (45). Both upright portions (35, 45) prevent displacement of the first and / or second arms when the arms are closed together and moved along direction (D). The upright portions (35, 45) interact to prevent displacement in the distal / proximal direction (i.e., the direction aligned with the longitudinal axis of the forceps (10)) and in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the forceps (10). The shapes of the upright portions are briefly shown in Figures 3, 4A, and 4B.

[0039] As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the forceps (10) have their widest point at the spring hinge portion (2). The widths of the first arm (3) and the second arm (4) then gradually decrease through tapered regions (33, 43) as each arm extends away from the spring hinge portion (2). Both the first and second arms (3, 4) are narrowest at the ends distal to the hinge portion (2). Figure 2A shows a recess (36) in the first arm (3) that is configured to receive the crescent-shaped upright portion (45) of the second arm (4) when the arms are aligned along direction (D). In the event of misalignment, the recess (36) prevents misalignment by allowing the crescent-shaped upright portion (45) to abut against the side surface of the recess, and the resulting cam force returns the first and second arms (3, 4) to their aligned positions. Figure 2B shows a recess (46) in the second arm (4) configured to receive the upright blade-shaped portion (35) of the first arm (3) when the arms are aligned along direction (D). The recess (46) prevents misalignment by allowing the upright blade-shaped portion (35) to contact the side surface of the recess in case of misalignment, and the resulting cam force returns the first and second arms (3, 4) to their aligned positions.

[0040] As shown in Figure 3, the forceps (10) have a rounded outer shape at the spring hinge portion (2). The radius of curvature of the outer surface (42) of the second arm 4 is also shown to increase from a flatter radius of curvature in the tapered region (43) to a more pronounced radius of curvature as the distance from the spring hinge portion (2) increases. Where the groove (6) is located on the second arm (4), a substantially flat surface is provided.

[0041] As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, which show cross-sectional views through the cross-section of the forceps (10) in a fully aligned closed position, the upright portions (35, 45) do not contact the recesses (36, 46) when the tool is fully aligned, and are contained within them, so that no cam force is applied to the inner surface of the recesses. The upright portions (35, 45) are short enough not to protrude through the recesses (36, 46) when the forceps are in the closed position.

[0042] As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, which show cross-sectional views through the cross-section of the handheld surgical forceps (20) according to this disclosure, unless otherwise redefined herein or unless there is an obvious contradiction, the components of the handheld surgical forceps (20) shown in Figures 5A and 5B are assumed to have the components previously described in relation to Figures 1 to 4. These components will not be described again for the sake of brevity. The first arm (203) has a cylindrical upright portion (235) having a recess (236) passing through its center. The second arm (204) has a cylindrical upright portion (245) surrounded by a trench-like cylindrical recess (246). The upright portions (235, 245) and recesses (236, 246) act to prevent displacement when the forceps move from an open position as shown in Figure 5A to a closed position as shown in Figure 5B.

[0043] As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, which show a cross-sectional view through a cross-section of the handheld surgical forceps (30) according to this disclosure, unless otherwise redefined herein or unless there is an obvious contradiction, it is assumed that the components of the handheld surgical forceps (30) shown in Figures 6A and 6B have the components previously described in relation to Figures 1 to 4. These components will not be described again for the sake of brevity. The first arm (303) has a blade upright portion (335), a first recess (336), and a second recess (337), the first and second recesses being adjacent to the opposing edges (not shown) of the blade upright portion (335). The second arm (304) has two blade upright portions (345, 347) configured to enter the first recess (336) and the second recess (337) as the forceps move to the closed position along the operating direction (A). The second arm has a recess (346) into which the blade upright portion (335) on the first arm (303) can be inserted. The two blade upright portions (345, 347) of the second arm (304) are positioned to contact the side surface of the blade upright portion (335) of the first arm (303) as the forceps move to the closed position (as can be shown by their relative position to the recess formed in the second arm 304, as shown in Figure 6B). The upright portions (335, 345, 347) and recesses (336, 337, 346) act to prevent displacement as the forceps move from the open position to the closed position as shown in Figure 6A.

[0044] In the exemplary disclosures described herein, the forceps are formed integrally in a monolithic structure and are made from a glass-filled polymer. In the disclosures described herein, the glass-filled polymer is in the form of fibers. In some disclosures of the present invention, the fibers may be arranged in a random or aligned configuration. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the filler may be organized in any known configuration, for example, in the form of a glass laminate or a dispersion of glass microparticles and / or glass platelets in a polymer. However, those skilled in the art will readily anticipate that methods of construction that do not use monolithic structures may be used. Similarly, alternative materials may be used in the construction of the forceps, and such materials may preferably be non-conductive, but not necessarily, and forceps within the scope of this disclosure may be formed from metallic materials such as steel alloys, or from polymers filled with carbon fibers / laminated / particles / spheres / platelets and / or graphene.

[0045] While aspects of this disclosure are described with reference to specific implementations, examples, and disclosures, it should be understood that these implementations and examples are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of this disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that many modifications can be made to the exemplary implementations and examples, and other configurations can be devised without departing from the scope of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0046] Those skilled in the art will understand that the features of the implementation and embodiments may be combined in other implementations within the scope of this disclosure.

[0047] While various details have been described above, it will be understood that various aspects of the present invention may be modified or altered. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the components described herein are used as examples to clarify the concepts, and that various structural modifications are considered. Accordingly, the specific embodiments and accompanying descriptions described herein, as used herein, are intended to represent their more general class. In general, the use of any particular embodiment is intended to represent its class, and the exclusion of certain components, apparatus, and objects should not be construed as limiting.

[0048] Furthermore, while several forms are illustrated and described, it is not the applicant's intention to limit or restrict the appended claims to such details. Numerous modifications, variations, alterations, substitutions, combinations, and equivalents to those forms may be implemented and will be conceivable to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Moreover, the structure of each component relating to the described forms may be described alternatively as a means of providing the function performed by the component. Also, even if a material is disclosed for a particular component, other materials may be used. Accordingly, it should be understood that the foregoing description and the appended claims are intended to encompass all such modifications, combinations, and variations that fall within the scope of the disclosed forms. The appended claims are intended to encompass all such modifications, variations, alterations, substitutions, alterations, and equivalents.

[0049] While the foregoing description refers to completes or components having known, obvious, or predictable equivalents, such equivalents are incorporated herein as if they were individually described. The claims should be referenced to determine the true scope of this disclosure, and the claims should be construed to encompass any such equivalents. It will also be understood by the reader that any completes or features of this disclosure described as advantageous, appropriate, convenient, etc., are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Furthermore, it should be understood that such optional completes or features may be beneficial in some embodiments of this disclosure but undesirable and therefore absent in other embodiments.

[0050] When introducing elements of this disclosure or preferred embodiments thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to mean comprehensive and that additional elements other than those listed may exist.

[0051] As used herein and in the claims, the term “and / or” should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements thus combined, i.e., elements that exist sometimes linkedly and otherwise separately.

[0052] As used herein and in the claims, the term “at least one” should be understood to mean, with respect to a list of one or more elements, at least one element selected from any one or more elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and all elements specifically enumerated in the list of elements, and not excluding any combination of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows for the existence of elements other than those specifically identified in the list of elements to which the term “at least one” refers, at any discretion, whether or not they relate to the specifically identified elements.

[0053] The terms “spring hinge portion” and “hinge portion” are used interchangeably throughout this specification for the sake of brevity. Nevertheless, the hinge portions described herein are implied to provide a biasing force that acts as a spring.

[0054] The terms “approximately” and “about” may be used in some embodiments to mean within ±20% of the target value, within ±10% of the target value, within ±5% of the target value, and within ±2% of the target value. The terms “approximately” and “about” may include the target value.

[0055] In the claims and the above specification, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” and “composed of” should be understood to be open-ended, meaning unrestricted but including. The transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” are closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.

[0056] Where a range or list of values ​​is provided, each intermediate value between the upper and lower limits of that range or list is contemplated individually and is included in this disclosure as if each value were specifically enumerated herein. Furthermore, smaller ranges between and including the upper and lower limits of a given range are assumed and included in this disclosure. The enumeration of exemplary values ​​or ranges does not preclude other values ​​or ranges between and including the upper and lower limits of a given range.

[0057] The use of headings and sections in this application is not intended to limit the disclosure; each section may apply to any aspect, embodiment, or feature of the disclosure. Only claims using the term “means” are intended to be construed under 35 U.S.C. 112, paragraph 6, in the United States only. Where “means” is not used in a claim, such claim should not be construed under 35 U.S.C. 112. Outside the United States, the term “means for” is intended to have a natural meaning. No limitation from this specification is intended to be read as part of any claim unless such limitation is expressly included in the claims.

Claims

1. A surgical forceps comprising a first arm and an opposing second arm, each arm having an inner surface and an outer surface, The first arm and the second arm are joined at their respective proximal ends to form a spring hinge portion; The hinge portion is configured to provide an outward biasing force, thereby biasing the first and second arms away from each other around a hinge axis passing through the hinge portion; In both the open and closed configurations, the hinge portion is arch-shaped, the inner surface of the hinge portion extends around the hinge axis so as to define a gap, and the hinge axis passes through the gap. Surgical forceps.

2. The surgical forceps according to claim 1, characterized in that when the forceps are moved to the closed position, in the bending region directly adjacent to the hinge portion, the inner surfaces face each other with a gap having a first distance between them, and the radius of curvature of the inner surface of the hinge portion is greater than the first distance between the first arm and the second arm.

3. The surgical forceps according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the radius of curvature of the inner surface of the hinge portion is 2.5 mm to 7.5 mm.

4. The surgical forceps according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the outer surface of the hinge portion may have a substantially rounded shape.

5. The surgical forceps according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the forceps have a width, the width of which is aligned with the direction of the hinge axis, the forceps are widest at the hinge portion, the width gradually tapers away from the hinge portion through a tapered portion, the tapered portion is located closer to the proximal ends of the first and second arms than to the distal end.

6. The surgical forceps according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the curvature of at least one outer surface of the first arm or the second arm has a radius of curvature that increases away from the hinge portion along the length of at least one arm through a transition portion, and the transition portion is located closer to the proximal end than to the distal end of the first arm and the second arm.

7. A surgical forceps that is movable between an open position and a closed position, First arm and second arm Equipped with, The first arm and the second arm are joined at their respective proximal ends to form a hinge portion, and the hinge portion is configured to provide a biasing force that biases the first and second arms apart. The surgical forceps further comprises a first alignment upright positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first arm, and a second alignment upright positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second arm, wherein the first and second alignment uprights are configured and positioned to prevent misalignment of the first and second arms when the forceps are moved to the closed position. Surgical forceps.

8. The first alignment recess is incorporated into the second arm, and the first alignment upright portion and the first alignment recess are positioned such that the first alignment upright portion in the first alignment recess engages with each other when the surgical forceps are moved to the closed position, and optionally, The second alignment recess is incorporated into the first arm, and the second alignment upright portion and the second alignment recess are positioned to enable cooperative engagement of the second alignment upright portion within the second alignment recess when the surgical forceps are moved to the closed position. The surgical forceps according to claim 7, characterized in that...

9. The surgical forceps according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the first and second alignment upright portions are each positioned closer to the distal end than the proximal end of the first and second arms.

10. The surgical forceps according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the first alignment upright portion is configured to contact the second alignment upright portion when the forceps are moved toward the closed position in a misaligned state, thereby preventing the forceps from moving.

11. The surgical forceps according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the first alignment upright portion has a substantially arc-shaped form having a distal surface and a proximal surface.

12. The surgical forceps according to claim 11, characterized in that at least a portion of the second aligning upright portion is configured to contact the distal surface of the first aligning upright portion.

13. The surgical forceps according to any one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that the second alignment upright portion has a substantially linear shape.

14. The surgical forceps according to claim 13, characterized in that the linear shape of the second alignment upright portion is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the second arm.

15. The surgical forceps according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the forceps are formed from a non-conductive material.

16. The surgical forceps according to claim 15, characterized in that the forceps are formed from a polymer, optionally a glass-filled polymer.

17. The surgical forceps according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the first arm and the second arm each have substantially flat surfaces, which are arranged so that a user can apply force to the tool by pressing against a flat surface to overcome a biasing force.

18. The surgical forceps according to claim 17, characterized in that each of the substantially flat surfaces includes a plurality of grooves.

19. The surgical forceps according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the first arm has a first jaw portion at its distal end, and the second arm has a second jaw portion at its distal end, and the first and second jaw portions are in contact when the surgical forceps are in their closed position.

20. The surgical forceps according to claim 19, characterized in that the first and second jaw portions are provided with a plurality of teeth, and the plurality of teeth of the first jaw portion are offset from the plurality of teeth of the second jaw portion.

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