Medical scissor devices

Abstract

A medical device includes a fluid supply port, a handle assembly including an operator mechanism, and a scissors assembly. The scissor assembly includes a first shear including a gripping portion, a cutting portion, and a lever portion. The scissor assembly also includes a first actuation link including a distal end and a proximal end and operatively coupled to the first shear at the lever portion. The scissor assembly includes a second shear including a gripping portion, a cutting portion, and a lever portion. The scissor assembly includes a second actuation link including a distal end and a proximal end and operatively coupled to the second shear at the lever portion, and the scissor assembly also includes an operating arm operatively coupled to the distal ends of the first actuation link and the second actuation link.

Description

MEDICAL SCISSOR DEVICESCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 606,732, filed on December 6, 2023, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Aspects of this disclosure generally relate to medical systems, devices, and related methods. In particular, aspects of this disclosure relate to medical scissor systems, devices, and methods of using the same.BACKGROUND

[0003] Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has helped to enable efficient resection of large and / or scarred lesions in the gastrointestinal tract. However, ESD remains a technically demanding procedure due to the intricacies of endoscopic manipulation and the challenges associated with achieving effective hemostasis. Colorectal ESD, in particular, presents various obstacles owing to the anatomical complexities inherent in the region, including bending and folding of the implements used in the procedure and / or the thinness of the intestinal wall.

[0004] Existing ESD knives have limitations. For example, conventional knives demand intricate manipulation of an endoscope, and the geometry of the endoscope and / or the knife can impede operation within a patient’s anatomy. Additionally, existing knives may not maximize control of the incision and dissection operations, while also not providing water supply and hemostatic functions. Moreover, the mechanisms for opening and / or closing knives may be limited. Various aspects of this application seek to overcome some of the difficulties associated with systems and devices currently experienced in the art to significantly improve patient outcomes. Still, the scope of subject matter of this application is defined by the features listed in the claims as described in the specification, and not in the ability to rectify any particular deficiency.SUMMARY

[0005] Examples of this disclosure relate to, among other things, a medical device may include a fluid supply port, a handle assembly that may include an operator mechanism, and a scissors assembly. The scissor assembly may include a first shear, which may include a gripping portion, a cutting portion, and a leverportion. The scissor assembly also may include a first actuation link, which may include a distal end and a proximal end, operatively coupled to the first shear at the lever portion. The scissor assembly may include a second shear, which may include a gripping portion, a cutting portion, and a lever portion. The scissor assembly may include a second actuation link, which may include a distal end and a proximal end, operatively coupled to the second shear at the lever portion. The scissor assembly also may include an operating arm operatively coupled to the distal ends of the first actuation link and the second actuation link. The first actuation link and the second actuation link may be operatively coupled to the operating arm at a proximal pivot such that the first actuation link and the second actuation link may rotate about the proximal pivot based on proximal and distal movement of the operating arm. The first shear and the second shear may be operatively coupled to the first actuation link and the second actuation link, respectively, at a distal pivot such that the first shear and the second shear may rotate about the distal pivot based on rotation of the first actuation link and the second actuation link about the proximal pivot. The fluid support port may be configured to supply fluid with the first shear and the second shear in an open position and in a closed position.

[0006] The medical device may include one or more of the following features. The scissors assembly may include a tapering height along its length, tapering from a larger height to a narrower height at an end of the scissors assembly. The cutting portion of the first shear may include a cutting face and a surface of the cutting face is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the scissors assembly with the first shear in a closed position. The cutting portion of the second shear may include a cutting face and a surface of the cutting face may be substantially parallel to the cutting face of the first shear with the first shear and the second shear in the closed position. The cutting portions of the first shear and the second shear may not overlap with the first shear and the second shear in the closed position. The first shear may include an outer surface and a distal end surface, and the distal end surface may be flat. The first shear and the second shear may be conductive such that, when an electric current is applied to the first shear and the second shear, a force capable of holding the first shear and the second shear in a fixed position with respect to one another may be generated. The gripping portion may be separated from the cutting portion by a height, and the height may be approximately 0.4 mm. The cutting portion may slope toward the gripping portion at a sloping portion. The height may beat least 10% of a length of the cutting portion. A surface between a distal end face of the first shear and a top external surface of the first shear may be chamfered. At least a gripping portion of the first shear may be coated in a coating. At least a gripping portion of the second shear may be coated in a coating. The scissors assembly may be articulable by a knob that rotates the scissors assembly around a longitudinal axis. The knob may be in the handle assembly.

[0007] In another aspect, a medical device may include a handle assembly and a scissors assembly. The handle assembly may include an operating mechanism. The scissors assembly may include an electrically conductive first shear, which may include an insulated gripping portion, a cutting portion, and a lever portion. The scissors assembly may include a first actuation link, which may include a distal end and a proximal end and operatively coupled to the first shear at the lever portion. The scissors assembly may include an electrically conductive second shear, which may include an insulated gripping portion, a cutting portion, and a lever portion. The scissors assembly may include a second actuation link, which may include a distal end and a proximal end and which may be operatively coupled to the second shear at the lever portion. The scissors assembly may include an operating arm operatively coupled to the distal ends of the first actuation link and the second actuation link. The first actuation link and the second actuation link may be operatively coupled to the operating arm at a proximal pivot, such that the first actuation link and the second actuation link may rotate about the proximal pivot based on proximal and distal movement of the operating arm. The first shear and the second shear may be operatively coupled to the first actuation link and the second actuation link, respectively, at a distal pivot such that the first shear and the second shear can rotate about the distal pivot based on rotation of the first actuation link and the second actuation link about the proximal pivot.

[0008] The medical device may include one or more of the following aspects. The gripping portions of the first shear and the second shear may be coated in a coating. The cutting portion of the first shear and the second shear may not be coated.

[0009] In yet other aspects, a medical device may include a handle assembly and a scissors assembly. The handle assembly may include an operator mechanism and an electrical connection. The scissors assembly may include an electrically conductive first shear, which may include an insulated gripping portion, a cutting portion, and a lever portion. The scissors assembly may include a first actuation link,which may include a distal end and a proximal end, which may be operatively coupled to the first shear at the lever portion. The scissors assembly may include an electrically conductive second shear, which may include an insulated gripping portion, a cutting portion, and a lever portion. The scissors assembly may include a second actuation link, which may include a distal end and a proximal end and which may be operatively coupled to the second shear at the lever portion. The scissors assembly may also include an operating arm operatively coupled to the distal ends of the first actuation link and the second actuation link. The first actuation link and the second actuation link may be operatively coupled to the operating arm at a proximal pivot, such that the first actuation link and the second actuation link may rotate about the proximal pivot based on proximal and distal movement of the operating arm. The first shear and the second shear may be operatively coupled to the first actuation link and the second actuation link, respectively, at a distal pivot, such that the first shear and the second shear can rotate about the distal pivot based on rotation of the first actuation link and the second actuation link about the proximal pivot. The electrically conductive first shear and the electrically conductive second shear may receive an electric charge via the electrical connection

[0010] The medical device may include one or more aspects. The electrical connection may include one or more prongs.

[0011] It may be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosure, as claimed.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary aspects of this disclosure and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a medical device including a scissors assembly, according to aspects of this disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates further details of the scissors assembly of FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 3A illustrates an isometric view of the scissors assembly of FIG. 1 .

[0016] FIG. 3B illustrates an end view of the scissors assembly of FIG. 1.

[0017] FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate different views of an arm of the scissors assembly of FIG. 1 in isolation.

[0018] FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate a side view and a top view, respectively, of the scissors assembly of FIG. 1 .

[0019] FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate an isometric view and an end view, respectively, of another embodiment of a scissors assembly that could be used with the medical device of FIG. 1 .

[0020] FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate a scissors assembly having a single moveable arm that could be used with the medical device of FIG. 1 .DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Examples of this disclosure include systems, devices, and methods for medical scissors, for example, to cut, cauterize, or otherwise treat tissue at a treatment site. However, the scope of subject matter of this application is defined by the features listed in the claims as described in the specification, and not the ability to rectify any particular deficiency.

[0022] Reference will now be made in detail to examples of this disclosure described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

[0023] The terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein to refer to the relative positions of the components of an exemplary medical device. When used herein, “proximal” refers to a position relatively closer to the exterior of the body of a subject (e.g., a patient) or closer to a user, such as a medical professional, holding or otherwise using the medical device. In contrast, “distal” refers to a position relatively further away from the medical professional or other user holding or otherwise using the medical device, or further into the interior of the subject’s body. As used herein, the terms “comprise,” “comprises,” “comprising,” “has,” “having,” “includes,” “including,” or other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device, system, or method that comprises a list of elements does not necessarily include only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or that may be inherent thereto. Unless stated otherwise, the term “exemplary” is used in the sense of “example” rather than “ideal.” As used herein, the terms “about,” “substantially,” and “approximately,” indicate a range of values within about + / - 10% of a stated value.

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a medical device, for example, an endoscopic device 100, including a handle assembly 102 and a scissors assembly 104. The scissorsassembly 104 includes a first arm, or shear 106 and a second arm or shear 108. Each of the shears 106, 108 includes a gripping portion 110 and a cutting portion 112. In embodiments, the first shear 106 and the second shear 108 can be equivalent parts (and accordingly, aspects labeled in FIG. 1 and the subsequent figures may not be labeled on both shears to avoid confusion in the figures) and may mirror one another across a longitudinal axis 115 of the endoscopic device 100. That is, the shears 106, 108 can be equivalently manufactured and any shear manufactured as such could replace another equivalently manufactured shear in other scissors assemblies.

[0025] One or more of a first actuation link 116 and a second actuation link 118, respectively can operate the shears 106, 108. The operative portions of the scissors assembly 104 can be covered or at least partially enclosed by a cover 120 that can cover one or more portions of the scissors assembly 104 and help to keep the scissors assembly 104 intact.

[0026] The handle assembly 102 may include a first ring 122, a second ring 124, a third ring 126, a movable handle body 128 that couples the rings with an insertion portion or sheathl 30, and an articulable knob 132. One or more of the first ring 122, the second ring 124, the third ring 126, and the moveable handle body 128 may be part of an operator mechanism that may move with respect to a stationary or main body 176 through a slot 180. The handle assembly 102 can also include an electrical connection 178, which may include one or more prongs 182, 184, and a fluid port 186 for porting fluid through the handle assembly 102 to a treatment site as explained in greater detail herein. The electrical connection 178 and / or prongs 182, 184 may provide an electrical charge to one or more features of the endoscopic device 100.

[0027] A user of the handle assembly 102 may insert their fingers into respective rings 122, 124, 126 to operate the shears 106, 108 as explained in greater detail herein. The user can manipulate the knob 132, turning the knob 132 around a longitudinal axis 115 to rotate the scissors assembly 104 about the longitudinal axis 115 of the endoscopic device 100 as shown by arrow 134. Not all embodiments include the knob 132. In some embodiments, a user may rotate the entire scissors assembly manually (e.g., by rotating the moveable handle body 128 and the main body 176 about the longitudinal axis 115. The scissors assembly 104 and the scope130 may be inserted into a body lumen of a subject, for instance, and the scissors assembly 104 may be rotated using the knob 132 from outside the body lumen.

[0028] In some embodiments, the scope 130 may provide additional capabilities to the scissors assembly 104. For example, the scope 130 may include one or more conductive elements (e.g., prongs 182, 184) configured to electrify the scissors assembly 104. In some embodiments, electric current supplied to the scissors assembly 104 may be used, for example, to help hold or retain the scissors assembly 104 in a fixed position (e.g., in a closed configuration). The scope 130 may also include one or more fluid lumens to serve as a fluid supply to the scissors assembly 104 (e.g., via fluid port 186).

[0029] FIG. 2 shows additional details of the scissors assembly 104. In FIG. 2, a portion of the cover 120 (FIG. 1 ) is removed to show the various features and / or mechanisms of the scissors assembly 104. The first shear 106 and the second shear 108 each include the gripping portion 110, the cutting portion 112, and a pivot or lever portion 114. The gripping portion 110 may arc toward the cutting portion 112 at a sloping portion 110’, for example, at a proximal portion of the gripping portion 110. The first shear 106 and / or the second shear 108 may end at an end face 146. One or more of the first shear 106 and the second shear 108 may include a length of approximately 2.0 mm to approximately 7.0 mm, for example, approximately 3.0 mm to approximately 5.0 mm, for example, approximately 4.0 mm.

[0030] The lever portion 114 is connected to the first actuation link 116 and the second actuation link 118. Similar to the shears 106, 108, the first actuation link 116 and the second actuation link 118 may be equivalently manufactured parts and may be replaceable with one another or similarly manufactured actuation mechanisms.

[0031] The first actuation link 116 and the second actuation link 118 each comprise a distal end 136 and a proximal end 138. The distal end 136 of the first actuation link 116 is pivotably coupled with the lever portion 114 of the first shear 106. The distal end 136 of the second actuation link 118 is pivotably coupled with the lever portion 114 of the second shear 108. The proximal ends 138 of each of the first actuation link 116 and the second actuation link 118 are respectively pivotably coupled with an operating arm 140 at a proximal pivot 142. The first shear 106 and the second shear 108 are pivotably coupled to one another at a distal pivot 144. The connected pivotal linkages help to convert longitudinal movement (i.e. , distal and proximal) of the operating arm 140 into angular or pivotal movement of the shears106, 108, for example, to open and close the scissors assembly 104. More specifically, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, longitudinal movement of the moveable portions of the handle assembly 102 with respect to the main body 176 may pull and push the actuation links 116, 118, which may pull or push the lever portion 114 of the shears 106, 108. The movement of the lever portion 114 of the shears 106, 108 may help to cause the shears 106, 108 to close (pulling the moveable portion(s) of the handle assembly 102 proximally) or open (pushing the moveable portion(s) of the handle assembly 102 distally).

[0032] The gripping portion 110 may help to hold or otherwise retain tissue of a subject during use of the scissors, for example, during a resection procedure. The gripping portion 110 may be relatively dull, blunt, rounded, etc. with respect to the cutting portion 112. Additionally, the gripping portion 110 may have one or more features that help to prevent tissue from exiting from between the respective gripping portions 110 when the scissors assembly 104 grips tissue (e.g., coatings, bumps, etc.). A distance between respective gripping portions 110 can be tuned specifically for grasping tissue. In some embodiments, a distance between gripping portions 110 of the shears 106, 108 with the scissors assembly 104 in a closed position can be approximately 0.50 mm, approximately 1.0 mm, approximately 2.0 mm, etc. In some embodiments, the gripping portions 110 may abut one another when the scissors assembly 104 is closed. For example, gripping portions 110 of the shears 106, 108 may be in abutting contact and / or interfere with each other with the scissors assembly 104 in the closed position. For example, side portions of gripping portions 110 of the shears 106, 108 may be in abutting contact and / or interfere with each other with the scissors assembly 104 in the closed position.

[0033] The cutting portions 112 of the respective shears 106, 108 may include one or more edges 112a that are sharpened or edged. The sharpened edges 112a may help to increase the shear force that is imparted to tissue as the scissors assembly 104 is used in the body of a subject (e.g., as the scissors assembly 104 is closed). The edges 112a may have coatings or other features to increase their ability to receive and maintain an edge (i.e. , to retain their sharpness).

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, further details of the endoscopic device 100 are shown. FIG. 3A shows a perspective side view of the first shear 106 and the second shear 108. FIG. 3B shows the end face 146 of the first shear 106 and the second shear 108 (e.g., from a position distal to the end face 146, looking proximallyat the first shear 106 and the second shear 108). Both FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B show the scissors assembly 104 in a closed position.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3A, the scissors assembly 104 may have an overall height 107. The height of the scissors assembly 104 may taper from a larger height to a narrower height in a direction toward an end face 146 of the scissors assembly 104. Additionally, a line of the respective tapers of the shears 106, 108 may meet at an angle 105. The angle of the taper can be tuned for a particular application. In some embodiments, the angle of the taper can be approximately 5.0 degrees to approximately 15.0 degrees, for example, approximately 7.0 degrees to approximately 10.0 degrees, for example, approximately 8.0 degrees (e.g., 8.09 degrees), thus forming angle 105 of approximately 10.0 degrees to approximately 30.0 degrees, for example, approximately 16.0 degrees (e.g., 16.18 degrees).

[0036] In some embodiments, the height 107 of the scissors assembly 104 can be approximately 0.50 mm to approximately 5.0 mm, for example, approximately 1 .0 mm to approximately 3.5 mm, for example, approximately 2.3 mm. In these aspects, the scissors assembly 104 may be delivered through a working channel of an insertion device or scope. As shown in FIG. 3A, the first shear 106 may have an outer surface 109, and the second shear 108 may have an outer surface 111. In some embodiments, the outer surfaces 109, 111 can be essentially perpendicular with the end face 146. In some embodiments, the end faces 146 may be generally perpendicular with the longitudinal axis 115 of the scissors assembly 102. Additionally, the outer surfaces may generally taper, narrowing from a height 107 along the length of the shears 106, 108 toward the end face 146. In some aspects, height 107 may be approximately 1.0 mm to approximately 4.0 mm, for example, approximately 1 .5 mm to approximately 2.5 mm, for example, 1 .8 mm. Moreover, the distal end of one or more of shears 106, 108, for example, formed by end faces 146, may include an end height of approximately 0.20 to approximately 1 .0 mm, for example, approximately 0.40 to approximately 0.70 mm, for example, approximately 0.63 mm.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3B, the scissors assembly 104 has a maximum width 148 and a minimum width 150. Pegs 144a that may extend outward at the distal pivot 144 may form the maximum width 148. The pegs 144a may be cylindrical structures about which the shears 106, 108 may pivot. The minimum width may be at a distal end 103 of the scissors assembly 104. In some embodiments, the width ofthe scissors assembly 104 may taper along a length of the scissors assembly 104. Furthermore, one or more of shears 106, 108 may include a width of approximately 0.20 mm to approximately 1.2 mm. For example, approximately 0.50 mm. Alternatively, in some aspects, the width of each of shears 106, 108 may be generally constant, for example, from the proximal end of shears 106, 108 to the distal end (e.g., end faces 146) of shears 106, 108. The widths can be taken with respect to a horizontal dimension 160. The tapering width from the maximum width 148 (e.g., formed by formed by pegs 144a) to the minimum width 150 (e.g., formed by end faces 146) can aid insertion and navigation of the scissors assembly 104 within a body lumen of a subject, in particular through a sheath 131 of the endoscopic device 100. For example, the maximum width may be approximately 1.50 mm to approximately 3.0 mm, for example, approximately 2.0 mm. Additionally, the minimum width 150 may be approximately 0.50 mm to approximately 1.50 mm, for example, approximately 1.0 mm.

[0038] Additionally, the end face 146 of the first shear 106 and the second shear 108 can be generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 115 (FIG. 1 ) of the scissors assembly 104 and the end faces 146 of the shears 106, 108 can generally be parallel to one another. The gripping portions 110 of the shears 106, 108 can have counter-disposed gripping surfaces 152, which may help to grip tissue within the body lumen of the subject. The counter-disposed gripping surfaces 152 can be at a distal end of the shears 106, 108 with their main surfaces facing one another to grasp tissue. The counter-disposed gripping surfaces 152 can take any angle with respect to a vertical axis 158 of the shears 106, 108. For example, the counterdisposed gripping surfaces 152 can have an angle of between 0-45 degrees with respect to the vertical axis 158 of the shears 106, 108.

[0039] Each of the shears 106, 108 may have a cutting face 154. The cutting face 154 can be a generally flat portion of the respective shear that may form a cutting surface. The cutting surface of the shears 106, 108 may be generally parallel with one another. In some embodiments, one or both of the cutting surfaces may be generally parallel with the longitudinal axis 115 of the scissors assembly 104. The cutting portions 112 of the first shear 106 and the second shear 108 may or may not abut or otherwise overlap vertically with the first shear 106 and the second shear 108 in the closed position. With brief reference to FIG. 5A and 5B, the first shear 106 and the second shear 108 are shown overlapping with one another.

[0040] FIGS. 4A and 4B show the first shear 106 in isolation. The shear 106 includes the gripping portion 110, the cutting portion 112, and the lever portion 114. In some embodiments, one or more portions of the first shear 106 (and the second shear 108, although not shown) are coated in a coating 156. The coating can be a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating, a fluorine-based resin type of coating, or another type of coating, for example, an insulative coating. The coating 156 can coat some of the portions and not all. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, all of the first shear 106 may be uncoated except the gripping portion 110, which is coated in the coating 156. FIGS. 4A and 4B also show a chamfered portion 147 between the end face 146 and other portions of the first shear 106 (e.g., a top external surface). The chamfered portion 147 may assist with insertion and positioning the scissors assembly 102 within the anatomy of a patient by reducing friction with internal surfaces (e.g., lumen walls, etc.) Not all embodiments of the scissors assembly 104 include the chamfered portion 147. For example, the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A-3B.

[0041] FIGS. 5A and 5B show the scissors assembly 104 in cutting position. In the cutting position, distal ends 162 of the first shear 106 and the second shear 108 may rotate or pivot past one another based on operation of the operating arm 140. In these aspects, the gripping portions 110 may adjacent to or extend past one another. Additionally, the cutting portions 112 may at least partially abut and / or cross over one another to impart a shear force on a substance or material positioned between the cutting portions 112 (e.g., tissue of the subject). The scissors assembly 104 can have a cut length 164 that may be a total length of the portions of the cutting portions 112 that are able to overlap one another. The cut length 164 for various embodiments may be tuned based on individual user needs (i.e. , the geometric features of the shears 106, 108 may be tuned to perform specific cuts / operations). In some embodiments, the cut length may be between approximately 2.0 mm to approximately 8.0 mm, for example, approximately 3.0 mm to approximately 5.0 mm. In some aspects, the cut length may include a maximum cut length of approximately 5.0 mm. Additionally, in some aspects, the scissors assembly 104 may only cut, shear, or otherwise interact with tissue when the scissors assembly 104 is energized, that is, using electric cutting.

[0042] Additionally, as shown at FIG. 5A, the cutting portion 112 may be recessed from the gripping portion 110 by a depth 168. The depth 168 may be dimensionedsuch that the cutting portion 112 does not interfere with the gripping portion 110 while tissue or other matter is grasped in the gripping portion 110 and / or such that the substance grasped with the gripping portion 110 is not cut while it is being grasped. In some embodiments, the depth 168 may be approximately 0.10 mm to approximately 0.70 mm, for example, approximately 0.30 mm to approximately 0.50 mm, for example, approximately 0.40 mm. In some embodiments, the depth 168 may be a specific portion of the cut length 164 to help ensure that the cutting portion 112 does not contact tissue unintentionally. That is, the gripping portion 110 may be sufficiently separated from the cutting portion 112 by the depth 168, and that depth 168 may be based on (e.g., correlated or corresponding to) the length 164 of the cutting portion 112. For example, the depth 168 may be at least 10% of the length 164 of the cutting portion. In some embodiments, the gripping portion 110 may have a length dimension 170.

[0043] In some aspects, the length dimension 170 of the gripping portion 110 may have be approximately 0.20 mm to approximately 0.80 mm, for example, approximately 0.50 mm. The gripping portion 110, including the length dimension 170, may help to strengthen (e.g., the tensile strength) and / or provide durability for the scissors assembly 104, including the gripping portion 110, for example, when cutting or otherwise delivering energy (e.g., electric cutting, such as during coagulation). In some aspects, the length dimension 170 of the gripping portion 110 may help to prevent the gripping portion 110 from being damaged during use or operation.

[0044] In some embodiments, the shears 106, 108 may remain in a crossed portion based on, for instance, application of an electrical current to the scissors assembly 104. The electrical current may help generate an electrical force between the shears 106, 108, for example, helping to retain the shears 106, 108 in the closed configuration or otherwise stationary with respect to one another. In some embodiments, the electrical current may be applied to the scissors assembly 104 with tissue grasped in the gripping portion 110 (i.e., without the shears 106, 108 crossing one another along their cut length 164), such that the tissue is held in the gripping portions 110 between the respective shears 106, 108. In some embodiments, the electrical current can be delivered, for example, through the operating arm 140 or through a separate conductor (not shown). The coating 156 may prevent the electrical current from being applied to unintended tissue.

[0045] FIGS. 6A and 6B show an embodiment of an endoscopic system 200 including a scissors assembly 204 including a first shear 206 and a second shear 208. The shears 206, 208 include an extended cutting portion 212 that extends for substantially an entire operative length 213 of the shears 206, 208.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 6A, the scissors assembly 204 may have an overall height 207 (or outer diameter). The height of the scissors assembly 204 may taper toward end faces 246 of the scissors assembly 204, and a line of the respective tapers of the shears 206, 208 may meet at an angle 205. The angle of the taper can be tuned for a particular application. In some embodiments, the height 207 of the scissors assembly 204 can be approximately 1 .5 mm to approximately 4.5 mm, for example, approximately 2.3 mm. In these aspects, the scissors assembly 204 may be delivered through a working channel of an insertion device or scope.

[0047] Similar to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the scissors assembly 204 has a maximum width 248 and a minimum width 250. The maximum width 248 may be formed by pegs 244a, and the minimum width 250 may be formed by a distal end 203 of the scissors assembly 204. Heights of various features may be measured with respect to a vertical dimension 258 and the widths can be taken with respect to a horizontal dimension 260. The tapering width from the maximum width 248 to the minimum width 250 can aid insertion and / or navigation of the scissors assembly 204 within a body lumen of a subject, in particular through a sheath 231 (FIG. 6B) of the endoscopic system 200. Additionally, the distal most end face 246 of the first shear 206 and the second shear 208 can be generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 215 of the scissors assembly 204 and the end faces 246 of the shears 206, 208 can generally be parallel to one another.

[0048] FIGS. 7A and 7B show an embodiment of another scissors assembly 700. The scissors assembly 700 includes a single moveable arm 702, a base 706, and a stationary arm 708. As discussed below, the movable arm 702 may move relative to the base 706 and the stationary arm 708. The moveable arm 702 may be moveable by an actuator 704, and may pivot about a pivot 714 to move the moveable arm 702 between an open position (FIG. 7A) and a closed position (FIG. 7B). The moveable arm 702 may have a gripping portion 710 and a cutting portion 712. Except as otherwise specifically mentioned, the gripping portion 710 can have all the features and aspects of the gripping portion 110 described hereinabove. Similarly, the cuttingportion 712 can have all the features and aspects of the cutting portion 112 described hereinabove.

[0049] The cutting portion 712 can be used as a knife when used to cut tissue rather than a shear, for example, since the cutting portion 712 does not generate a shear force together with an additional knife, as in embodiments discussed hereinabove. In addition, the gripping portion 710 can meet or otherwise be coupled to the stationary arm 708 at a base 711. In some embodiments, one or more of the gripping portion 710 and the base 711 may be capable of carrying an electric current to help cauterize and / or cut tissue within a subject. The electric current can be selectively applied to the scissors assembly 700. Embodiments of the device with a single moveable arm 702 may help to reduce an overall operable profile of the scissors device, and / or provide users (e.g., physicians, other medical personnel, etc.) with alternatives to scissors devices with two moveable shears.

[0050] Embodiments of this disclosure may be applicable to various and different medical procedures. In addition, certain aspects of the aforementioned embodiments may be selectively used in collaboration, or removed, during practice, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0051] While principles of this disclosure are described herein with reference to illustrative aspects for particular applications, it should be understood that the disclosure is not limited thereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications, aspects, and substitution of equivalents all fall within the scope of the aspects described herein. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be considered as limited by the foregoing description.

Claims

CLAIMSWe claim:1 . A medical device comprising: a fluid supply port; a handle assembly comprising an operator mechanism; and a scissors assembly comprising: a first shear comprising a gripping portion, a cutting portion, and a lever portion, a first actuation link comprising a distal end and a proximal end and operatively coupled to the first shear at the lever portion, a second shear comprising a gripping portion, a cutting portion, and a lever portion, a second actuation link comprising a distal end and a proximal end and operatively coupled to the second shear at the lever portion, and an operating arm operatively coupled to the distal ends of the first actuation link and the second actuation link, wherein the first actuation link and the second actuation link are operatively coupled to the operating arm at a proximal pivot such that the first actuation link and the second actuation link rotate about the proximal pivot based on proximal and distal movement of the operating arm, the first shear and the second shear are operatively coupled to the first actuation link and the second actuation link, respectively, at a distal pivot such that the first shear and the second shear can rotate about the distal pivot based on rotation of the first actuation link and the second actuation link about the proximal pivot, and the fluid supply port is configured to supply fluid with the first shear and the second shear in an open position and in a closed position.

2. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the scissors assembly has a tapering height along its length, tapering from a larger height to a narrower height at an end of the scissors assembly.

3. The medical device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cutting portion of the first shear has a cutting face and a surface of the cutting face is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the scissors assembly with the first shear in a closed position.

4. The medical device of claim 3, wherein the cutting portion of the second shear has a cutting face and a surface of the cutting face is substantially parallel to the cutting face of the first shear with the first shear and the second shear in the closed position.

5. The medical device of claim 4, wherein the cutting portions of the first shear and the second shear do not overlap with the first shear and the second shear in the closed position.

6. The medical device of claim 5, wherein the first shear comprises an outer surface and a distal end surface, wherein the distal end surface is flat.

7. The medical device of any preceding claim, wherein the first shear and the second shear are conductive such that, when an electric current is applied to the first shear and the second shear, a force capable of holding the first shear and the second shear in a fixed position with respect to one another is generated.

8. The medical device of any preceding claim, wherein the gripping portion is separated from the cutting portion by a height, and wherein the height is approximately 0.40 mm.

9. The medical device of claim 8, wherein the cutting portion slopes toward the gripping portion at a sloping portion.

10. The medical device of claim 9, wherein the height is at least 10% of a length of the cutting portion.11 . The medical device of any preceding claim, wherein a surface between a distal end face of the first shear and a top external surface of the first shear is chamfered.

12. The medical device of any preceding claim, wherein at least a gripping portion of the first shear is coated in a coating.

13. The medical device of claim 12, wherein at least a gripping portion of the second shear is coated in a coating.

14. The medical device of any preceding claim, wherein the scissors assembly is articulable by a knob that rotates the scissors assembly around a longitudinal axis.

15. The medical device of claim 14, wherein the knob is in the handle assembly.

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