Multiple-oriented assembly instrument and kit thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multiple-oriented assembly instrument and kit thereof for performing intracavity surgery, comprising a universal joint, and at least one assembly joint is detachably connected to the universal joint. Each assembly joint comprises a sleeve and a ball. When the amount of at least one assembly joint is multiple, multiple assembly joints can be assembled by the ball accommodated in the sleeve. The multiple-oriented assembly instrument can be better applied to the operation of the narrow cavity by assembling and adjusting the number of assembly joints according to the intracavity depth.

Description

[0001] MULTIPLE-ORIENTED ASSEMBLY INSTRUMENT AND KIT THEREOF

[0002] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Related Application

[0004] This application claims priority to PCT Ser. No. PCT / US2023 / 074417, filed on Dec. 04, 2023, entitled "Multifunctional intracavity instrument." PCT Ser. No. PCT / US2024 / 038120, filed on Jul. 16, 2024, entitled "Multidirectional instrument." Each of these patent applications is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0005] Field of the Invention

[0006] The present disclosure relates to an instrument, in particular with a multiple-oriented surgical instrument for dental surgery, sinus surgery, soft tissue, or intracavitary surgery.

[0007] Description of Related Art

[0008] During surgeries, doctors often face the challenge of being unable to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. When the surgical area requires lighting, imaging, suction, irrigation, and operational execution all at once, assistance from an aide or auxiliary instruments is usually necessary. However, in situations where the surgical area is small or the procedure must be performed in a narrow cavity, the help that assistants or auxiliary instruments can provide is very limited. Therefore, it is crucial to develop a solution that enables the provision of specific functions at precise locations to assist doctors in independently completing the surgery. There is a wide variety of surgical instruments available for use in narrow lumens, of which bendability and multidirectional exploration are two essential requirements. Most of the current surgical instrument structures are equipped with a control cable in the working tube to adjust the direction of rotation. However, installing the control cable in the working tube occupies too much space inside the joint structure, which is not conducive to the configuration of inspection devices such as light sources and image-transmitting devices. On the other hand, the assembly procedure of the existing surgical instruments suitable for narrow cavities is relatively complicated. Not only is it difficult to assemble the instruments by oneself, but the process of re-installing the tubing will prolong the time of treatment or diagnosis, which is a burden to the healthcare personnel or the patient. In addition, there is a lack of surgical instruments in the prior art that can appropriately adjust the length of the instrument according to the depth of the cavity or the distance required for the detection operation.

[0009] SUMMARY

[0010] Concerning the abovementioned issues, a multiple-oriented assembly instrument provided in this disclosure can be used independently or in conjunction with various intracavity surgeries. A universal joint of the present invention allows it to rotate in multiple directions to reduce visual blind spots caused by insufficient space in the cavity. In addition, the present invention can also enable users to assemble and adjust the length of surgical instruments according to the required intracavity depth or angle. An assembly joint also features a transverse channel. When installing surgical instruments such as an endoscope, the endoscope lens can first be passed through the opening on the base of the universal joint, then aligned with and inserted the endoscope body into the transverse channel of the assembly joint, and finally connected to the universal joint and the assembly joint. For disassembly, the endoscope can be directly removed or detached through the transverse channel. This design allows users to install and remove surgical instruments more quickly and conveniently, thereby shortening the operation time and reducing the possibility of infection.

[0011] In accordance with this, the present invention is provided with a multiple-oriented assembly instrument that is useful for performing an intracavity surgery with different depth requirements by assembling at least one assembly joint. The multiple-oriented assembly instrument of the present invention comprises a universal j oint comprising a half-ball head and a base located relative to the half-ball head, and at least one assembly joint is detachably connected to the half-ball head of the universal joint.

[0012] Preferably, each assembly joint comprises a sleeve, a ball, a neck located between the sleeve and the ball, and a transverse channel located inside of the neck and between the sleeve and the ball.

[0013] Preferably, the outer width of the sleeve is larger than the inner width of the sleeve and the width of the ball, and the width of the ball is slightly larger or equal to the inner width of the sleeve; the width of the neck is less than the outer width of the sleeve, the inner width of the sleeve, and the width of the ball.

[0014] Preferably, the amount of at least one assembly joint is one. More preferably, the amount of at least one assembly joint is multiple.

[0015] More preferably, the amount of at least one assembly joint is more than three.

[0016] More preferably, one of at least one assembly joint is connected to the universal joint by the ball adapting to the half-ball head of the universal joint; the rest of at least one assembly joints are connected to each other by the ball of at least one sleeve is accommodated in the sleeve of another one at least assembly joint.

[0017] One aspect of the present invention disclosed herein relates to providing a directional vortex or wind wall to clean or blow away the operating area or the endoscopic lens, or keep the operating area / endoscopic lens dry, Specifically, the universal joint further comprises a neck and multiple notches, wherein the neck is located between the half-ball head and the base, and the multiple notches are distributed and penetrated on the neck of the universal.

[0018] Preferably, the shapes of the multiple notches comprise strips or dots.

[0019] In another aspect of the present invention, the universal joint further comprises an operating part next to the base.

[0020] Preferably, the operating part comprises a probe, flat drill, flat knife, explorer, spatula, plugger, occlusion former, guide forceps, periosteal elevator, peristome, forceps, or retractor.

[0021] More preferably, the periosteal elevator comprises De Wijs, molt, Oldberg, papillas, or gingival grafting periosteal elevator.

[0022] More preferably, the probe comprises a periodontal probe, suction probe, or sinus probe.

[0023] Preferably, the operating part is made of memory metal.

[0024] Yet another aspect of the present invention disclosed herein relates to providing an easy way to replace at least one surgical instrument used in narrow cavities. Specifically, at least one assembly joint further comprises a side opening extending from the sleeve towards the ball, and the side opening is connected to the transverse channel to form an accommodation space.

[0025] Preferably, the side opening of at least one assembly joint are interconnected by assembling multiple assembly joints, and multiple accommodation spaces of at least one assembly joint are also interconnected.

[0026] More preferably, at least one surgical instrument used in narrow cavities can be placed in the accommodation space through the multiple interconnected side openings. More preferably, at least one surgical instrument used in narrow cavities comprises an endoscope, an imaging device, a light source, lasers, curettes, ultrasonically-powered tips, irrigation devices, or suction devices.

[0027] In still another aspect of the present invention disclosed herein relates to providing a shield to adjust gas / fluid direction or speed for the operating area or the endoscopic lens. The universal joint further comprises a shield included a top and a bottom next to the top; the shield is detachably sleeved to the universal joint and rotated relative to the axial direction of the universal joint; the top is surrounded by a plurality of convexities and at least one recess, and each recesses is located between two convexities, and the bottom is corresponding to the shape of the base of the universal joint.

[0028] Preferably, the number of convex is 3 or 4.

[0029] More preferably, the shield further includes an opening extending from the top toward the bottom.

[0030] Preferably, the shield further comprises a neck located between the top and the bottom, and the diameter of the neck decreases from the bottom toward the top; the shape of the neck of the shield corresponds to the shape of the neck of the universal joint.

[0031] In a further aspect of the present invention, the universal joint further includes a retaining part and at least one memory metal strip, wherein the retaining part is fixed on the base near the opening, and at least one memory metal strip is bent and folded on both sides of the retaining part.

[0032] Preferably, the retaining part further includes two through grooves, and the axial direction of the two through grooves is parallel to the axial direction of the universal joint; the two ends of at least one memory metal strip can be fixed to the two through grooves after being bent and folded.

[0033] Preferably, the shape formed by bending at least one memory metal strip comprises a T- shape, L-shape, circle, oval, M-shape, W-shape, or mesh.

[0034] Preferably, the content of at least one memory metals strip comprises nickel-titanium- based shape memory alloy (Ni-Ti SMA), copper-based shape memory alloy (Cu SMA), or ironbased shape memory alloy (Fe SMA).

[0035] More preferably, the content of at least one memory metal strip is selected from the group consisting of gold-cadmium (Au-Cd), silver-cadmium (Ag-Cd), copper-zinc (Cu-Zn), copper- zinc-aluminum (Cu-Zn-Al), copper-zinc-tin (Cu-Zn-Sn), copper-zinc-silicon (Cu-Zn-Si), coppertin (Cu-Sn), copper-zinc-gallium (Cu- Zn-Ga), indium-titanium (In-Ti), gold-copper-zinc (Au- Cu-Zn), nickel-aluminum (Ni-Al), iron-platinum (Fe-Pt), titanium-nickel (Ti-Ni), titanium- nickel-palladium (Ti-Ni-Pd), titanium-niobium (Ti-Nb), uranium-niobium (U-Nb) and iron- manganese-silicon (Fe-Mn-Si).

[0036] The present invention further proposes a kit including the multiple-oriented assembly instrument for intracavity surgery mentioned above. The kit further comprises a hollow handle and a connecting rod, wherein the connecting rod has a front end, a back end, and a socket, wherein the back end is connected to the hollow handle, and the socket is located between the front end and the back end; the universal joint having a half-ball head and a base, wherein the half-ball head located relative to the base. At least one assembly joint is detachably disposed between the connecting rod and the universal joint and connected to the half-ball head of the universal joint.

[0037] Preferably, the connecting rod further comprises an internal thread mounted inside of the connecting rod; the hollow handle comprises a threaded stud that can be detachably connected to the back end of the connecting rod through the threaded stud screwing the internal threads of the connecting rod.

[0038] Preferably, the socket is composed of a first through hole and a second through hole, the first through hole and the second through hole are in a staggered state of partial intersection, and the width of the first through hole is larger than the width of the second through hole.

[0039] More preferably, the socket is composed of a first through hole and a second through hole, the first through hole and the second through hole are in a staggered state of partial intersection, and the width of the first through hole is larger than the width of the second through hole.

[0040] Preferably, the width of the first through hole of the connecting rod is larger than the outer width of the sleeve and the width of the neck of at least one assembly joint; and the width of the second through hole is equal to or slightly less than the width of the neck of at least one assembly joint; the width of the second through hole is less than the width of the outer width of the sleeve.

[0041] Preferably, when at least one assembly joint is multiple, one of at least one assembly joint is connected to the connecting cod by the sleeve adapting to the first through hole or the second through hole of the connecting rod; another one of at least one assembly joint is connected to the universal joint by the ball adapting to the head of the universal joint; the rest at least one assembly joints are connected by the ball of one at least one sleeve is accommodated in the sleeve of another one at least assembly joint.

[0042] Other aspects and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0043] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the multiple assembly joints connected to the connecting rod according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the multiple assembly joints connected to the connecting rod according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the connecting rod and one assembly joint according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram of the universal joint with the operating part of the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram of the universal joint with the operating part of the present invention.

[0049] FIG. 4C is a schematic diagram of the universal joint with the multiple notches of the present invention.

[0050] FIG. 4D is a schematic diagram of the universal joint with the multiple notches of the present invention.

[0051] FIG. 4E is a schematic diagram of the universal joint with the shield of the present invention.

[0052] FIG. 4F is a schematic diagram of the universal joint with the shield of the present invention.

[0053] FIG. 4G is a schematic diagram of the universal joint with the shield of the present invention.

[0054] FIG. 4H is a schematic diagram of the universal joint with the shield of the present invention.

[0055] FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram of the universal joint with the retaining part and at least one memory metal strip of the present invention. FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram of the universal joint with the retaining part and at least one memory metal strip of the present invention.

[0056] FIG. 5C is a schematic diagram of the universal j oint with the retaining part and at least one memory metal strip of the present invention.

[0057] FIG. 5D is a schematic diagram of the universal joint with the retaining part and at least one memory metal strip of the present invention. FIG. 5E is a schematic diagram of the universal joint with the retaining part and at least one memory metal strip of the present invention.

[0058] FIG. 6A is a sectional view of one assembly joint according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] FIG. 6B is a sectional view of multiple assembly joints according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] FIG. 6C is a sectional view of one assembly joint and the universal joint according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] FIG. 7A is an exploded view according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] FIG. 7B is a sectional view according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] FIG. 8 A is a schematic diagram of one assembly joint according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram of the multiple assembly joints according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0066] The terminology used in the description presented below is intended to be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it is used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the technology. Certain terms may even be emphasized below; however, any terminology intended to be interpreted in any restricted manner will be specifically defined as such in this Detailed Description section. Components and achievement of a borehole shield according to the present disclosure may be illustrated in the following drawings and embodiments. However, the size and shape shown on drawings for the borehole shield do not limit the features of the present disclosure.

[0067] The first embodiment of the present invention provides a multiple-oriented assembly instrument kit for narrow-space surgery, such as performing oral or nasal surgery. Please refer to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2; the first embodiment of the multiple-oriented assembly instrument comprises a hollow handle 10, a connecting rod 20, a universal j oint 30, and at least one assembly joint 40.

[0068] The hollow handle 10 has a front end 11. Preferably, the front end 11 of the hollow handle 10 has a threaded stud 111.

[0069] As shown in Fig. 3, the connecting rod 20 has a front end 21, a back end 22, and an internal thread 23, wherein the back end 22 is detachably connected to the threaded stud 111 of the hollow handle 10 through the internal thread 23. Preferably, the connecting rod 20 has a shape comprising tubular, cylindrical, conic, bullet-like shape, and truncated cone. The connecting rod 20 further has a socket 24 on the side, and the socket 24 is located between the front end 21 and the back end 22. Preferably, the shape of the socket 24 is a circle or an oval. Specifically, the socket 24 is composed of a first through hole 241 and a second through hole 242, wherein the first through hole 241 and the second through hole 242 are in a staggered state of partial intersection, and the width DI of the first through hole 241 is larger than the width D2 of the second through hole 242.

[0070] As shown in Fig. 6C, the universal j oint 30 is a hollow tube body and has a half-ball head 31, a base 32, and an opening 34, wherein the half-ball head 31 is located relative to the base 32, and the half-ball head 31 has a width D3. The opening 34 is adjacent to the base 32. Preferably, the shape of the base 32 includes but is not limited to, cylinder and elliptical cylinders. The universal joint 30 further comprises an operating part 35 next to the base 32 and is configured to operate surgery including, but not limited to, a probe, flat drill, flat knife, explorer, spatula, plugger, occlusion former, guide forceps, periosteal elevator, peristome, forceps, or retractor. More preferably, the periosteal elevator includes but is not limited to De Wijs, molt, Oldberg, papillas, or gingival grafting periosteal elevator. More preferably, the probe includes but is not limited to a periodontal probe, suction probe, or sinus probe. As shown in FIG. 4A, the operating part 35 of the universal joint 30 is a probe 35A; the operating part 35 of the universal joint 30 is a sinus probe 35B shown in Fig. 4B.

[0071] In one preferable embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4 A to Fig. 4B, the universal j oint 30 further comprises multiple notches 36 located between the half-ball head 31 and the base 32. In another preferable embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4C to Fig. 4E, the universal j oint 30 further comprises a neck 33; the neck 33 is located between the half-ball head 31 and the base 32, and the multiple notches 36 are mounted on the neck 33. Specifically, the diameter of the neck 33 decreases from the half-ball head 31 toward the base 32. The multiple notches 36 are connected to the inside of the hollow tube body of the universal 30. The shape of the multiple notches 36 includes but is not limited to strips or dots (Fig. 4D). Specifically, when the shape of the multiple notches 36 in strips (Fig. 4C and Fig. 4E), the extension direction of each notch 36 is from the half-ball head 31 to the base 32.

[0072] Since each notches 36 is connected to the inside of the hollow tube body of the universal joint 30, when the surgical ventilation tube and / or fluid tube is installed in the hollow tube body of the universal joint 30, gas or fluid can flow out or be inhaled through the multiple notches 36. Specifically, when an endoscope and a ventilation tube (e.g., a suction device) are both disposed in the hollow tube body of the universal j oint 30 and the lens of the endoscope is located near the opening 34, if there is fluid or mist in the cavity of the subject that obscures the field of view of the endoscope near the opening 34, the ventilation tube can suck out the fluid / mist through the multiple notches 36 to clean the field of view of the endoscope since each notches 36 is connected to the inside of the hollow body of the universal joint 30. Therefore, the multiple notches 36 in this embodiment have the effect of improving the visibility in the narrow cavity.

[0073] In the other preferable embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4E to Fig. 4H, the universal j oint 30 further comprises a shield 37 detachably sleeved to the universal joint 30 for shading the multiple notches 36. Specifically, when the shield 37 is connected to the universal joint 30 fittingly, the shield 37 can rotate relative to the axial direction of the universal joint 30, that is, the rotation direction of the shield 37 is perpendicular to the axial direction of the universal joint 30. The shield 37 is a hollow cylinder, including a top 371 and a bottom 372 next to the top 371. The top 371 is surrounded by a plurality of convexities 3711 and at least one of recesses 3712, and each recess 3712 is located between two convexities 3711. Preferably, the number of convex 3711 is 3 or 4. The shape of the bottom 372 is corresponding to the shape of the base 32 of the universal joint 30. For example, when the cross-sectional shape of the base 32 of the universal joint 30 is circular, the bottom 372 of the shield 37 is also circular. Specifically, the diameter of the bottom of the shield 37 is slightly larger than the diameter of the base 32 of the universal joint 30, so that the shield 37 can sleeve on the base 32 of the universal joint 30. More preferably, the shield 37 further includes an opening 373 extending from the top 371 toward the bottom 372. In a preferred embodiment, the shield 37 is made of a slightly elastic material. That is to say, the shield 37 can be fitted from the base 32 toward the half ball head 31 of the universal joint 30, and the shield 37 can also be slightly expanded through the opening 373 to surround and fit the base 32 of the universal joint 30 due to its elastic material properties. More preferably, as shown in Fig. 4E, the shield 37 further comprises a neck 374 located between the top 371 and the bottom 372, and the diameter of the neck 374 decreases from the bottom 372 toward the top 371. Specifically, the shape of the neck 374 of the shield 37 corresponds to the shape of the neck 33 of the universal joint 30, so that the shield 37 can sleeve on the neck 33 and base 32 of the universal joint 30 in a corresponding shape.

[0074] As shown in Fig. 4F and Fig. 4H, when the shield 37 is sleeved on the base 32 and / or the neck 33 of the universal joint 30, the shield 37 can rotate horizontally relative to the axis direction of the universal j oint 30. When each convexity 3711 of the shield 37 completely covers each notch 36, the gas / fluid in the surgical ventilation tube and / or fluid tube installed in the universal joint 30 can only flow out through the opening 34. When each convexity 3711 of the shield 37 partially covers each notch 36, the gas / fluid in the ventilation tube and / or fluid tube installed in the universal joint 30 can flow out through the multiple notches 36 and at least one recess 3712 to form a directional vortex or wind wall, then for cleaning or blowing away the dirt and fog in the operating area or endoscopic lens, or keeping the operating area or endoscopic lens dry. That is to say, the shield can be used to adjust gas / fluid direction or speed for the operating area or the endoscopic lens.

[0075] In one more preferable embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5A to Fig.5E, the universal j oint 30 further includes a retaining part 38 and at least one memory metal strip 39, wherein the retaining part 38 is fixed on the base 32 near the opening 34, and at least one memory metal strip 39 is mounted to the retaining part 38. Specifically, at least one memory metal strip 39 can be folded, and the two ends of at least one memory metal strip 39 can be mounted on both sides of the retaining part 38 (Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B). Preferably, the retaining part 38 includes two through grooves 381, the axial direction of the two through grooves 381 is parallel to the axial direction of the universal joint 30, so that the two ends of at least one memory metal strip 39 can be fixed to the two through grooves 381 after being bent and folded (Fig. 5C to Fig. 5E). At least one memory metal strip 39 is made from shape memory alloys (SMA). In the present invention, at least one memory metal strip 39 is a material that can remember its original shape. When the alloy undergoes a limited plastic deformation below the phase transformation temperature, it can be restored to its original shape before deformation by heating. Preferably, the content of at least one memory metals strip 39 described in the embodiments of the present invention includes but is not limited to, nickel-titanium-based shape memory alloy (Ni-Ti SMA), copper-based shape memory alloy (Cu SMA), or iron-based shape memory alloy (Fe SMA). Alternately, the content of at least one memory metal strip 39 is selected from the group consisting of gold-cadmium (Au-Cd), silver-cadmium (Ag-Cd), copper-zinc (Cu-Zn), copper-zinc-aluminum (Cu-Zn-Al), copper-zinc-tin (Cu-Zn-Sn), copper-zinc-silicon (Cu-Zn-Si), copper-tin (Cu-Sn), copper-zinc- gallium (Cu- Zn-Ga), indium-titanium (In-Ti), gold-copper-zinc (Au-Cu-Zn), nickel-aluminum (Ni-Al), iron-platinum (Fe-Pt), titanium-nickel (Ti-Ni), titanium-nickel-palladium (Ti-Ni-Pd), titanium-niobium (Ti-Nb), uranium -niobium (U-Nb) and iron-manganese-silicon (Fe-Mn-Si).

[0076] The shape of at least one memory metal strip 39 can be appropriately adjusted due to temperature adjustment and the required space of the operating area. Preferably, the shape formed by bending at least one memory metal strip 39 includes but is not limited to a T-shape, L- shape, circle, oval, M-shape, W-shape, or mesh. For example, when the multiple-oriented assembly instrument of the present invention is used in a narrow cavity of the oral cavity, it can be bent into an M-shape or a T-shape. At least one memory metal strip 39 can be used for separating or blocking the connection between the gums and the mouth or other areas where surgery is to be performed.

[0077] As shown in Fig. 6A, at least one assembly joint 40 includes a sleeve 41, a ball 42, a transverse channel 43, and a neck 44, wherein the neck 44 is located between the sleeve 41 and the ball 42, and the transverse channel 43 is also located inside of the neck 44, that is to say, the channel 43 is also located between the sleeve 41 and the ball 42. Although any configuration is contemplated, the transverse channel 43 of at least one assembly joint 40 may have a circular cross-section and / or a cylindrical shape. The sleeve 41 and the ball 42 may include a hemispherical configuration to facilitate the movement of the connection between multiple assembly joints 40. Specifically, an outer width D4 of the sleeve 41 is larger than an inner width D5 of the sleeve 41 and the width D6 of the ball 42, and the width D6 of the ball 42 is slightly larger or equal to the inner width D5 of the sleeve 41. More specifically, a width D7 of the neck 44 is also less than the outer width D4 of the sleeve 41, the inner width D5 of the sleeve 41, and the width D6 of the ball 42.

[0078] As shown in Fig. 6B, when the amount of at least one assembly joint 40 is one, the ball 42 of the assembly joint 40 will be accommodated in the half-ball head 31 due to the width D3 of the half-ball head 31 being larger than the width D6 of the ball 42. The shape of the ball 42 is also adapted to the half-ball head 31 of the universal joint 30, that is to say, the half-ball head 31 of the universal joint 30 can be connected to the ball 42 of the assembly joint 40, and the sleeve 41 of the assembly joint 40 can be detachably connected with the first through hole 241 or the second through hole 242 of the connecting rod 20. Specifically, at least one assembly joint 40 is disposed between the connecting rod 20 and the universal joint 30, so the universal joint 30 can provide a larger rotation angle range when rotating relative to the hollow handle 10 and the connecting rod 20.

[0079] As shown in Fig. 6C, the amount of at least one assembly joint 40 is multiple. Specifically, when the amount of at least one assembly joint 40 is two, the first one of at least one sleeve 41 is connected to the connecting cod 20 by the sleeve 41 adapting to the first through hole 241 or the second through hole 242 of the connecting rod 20. The second of at least one sleeve 41 is connected to the universal joint 30 by the ball 42 adapting to the half-ball head 31 of the universal joint 30. The ball 42 of the first assembly joint 40 will be accommodated in the sleeve 41 of the second assembly joint 40, and the transverse 43 will be slightly compressed due to the width D6 of the ball 42 is slightly larger than the inner width D5 of the sleeve 41 thereby to facilitate the rotation of the sleeve 41 of the second assembly joint 40 around the ball 42 of the first assembly joint 40, and so on. Preferably, the amount of at least one assembly joint 40 is six. More specifically, the number of at least one assembly joint 40 can be adjusted according to the needs of users in this field. For example, in a long and narrow inner chamber, the number of at least one assembly joint 40 maybe five or more. In a narrow inner chamber with little space, the number of at least one assembly joint 40 may be one.

[0080] In a preferred embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B, when the multiple-oriented assembly instrument of the present invention is in the unlocked state, the sleeve 41 of at least one assembly joint 40 is inserted into the socket 24. Specifically, when the sleeve 41 of at least one assembly joint 40 is inserted into the first through hole 241, the multiple-oriented assembly instrument of the present invention is under the unlocked state since the width DI of the first through hole 241 is larger than the outer width D4 of the sleeve 41 and the width D7 of the neck 44, so that the at least one assembly joint 40 can be movably through the first through hole 231.

[0081] When it is in the locked state, at least one assembly joint 40 moves horizontally from the first through hole 241 toward the second through hole 242. Since the width D2 of the second through hole 242 is equal to or slightly less than the width D7 of the neck 44, and the width D2 of the second through hole 242 is less than the outer width D4 of the sleeve 41, when at least one assembly joint 40 is inserted through the second through hole 242 and the neck 44 against the second through hole 242, at least one assembly joint 40 is fixed in the second through hole 242 of the connecting rod 20 and it assumes a locked state. Specifically, when the neck 44 of at least one assembly joint 40 abuts the second through hole 242 of the connecting rod 20, and the threaded stud 111 of the hollow handle 10 also abuts the sleeve 41, then the sleeve 41 of at least one assembly joint 40 is fixed. When at least one assembly joint 40 pivots to the connecting rod 20 but the threaded stud 111 of the hollow handle 10 is not abutting to the sleeve 41, then at least one assembly joint 40 can rotate to a suitable angle or direction based on the socket 23 of the connecting rod 20 according to requirements.

[0082] In this embodiment, at least one surgical instrument used in narrow cavities can be accommodated in the order of the hollow handle 10, the connecting rod 20, the transverse channel 43 of at least one assembly joint 40, and the universal joint 30. Preferably, when two assembly joints are connected by the ball 42 of the first assembly joint 40 accommodating in the sleeve 41 of the second assembly joint 40, or the ball 42 of the assembly joint 40 accommodating in the half-ball head 31 of the universal joint 30, the transverse 43 would be slightly compressed due to the width D6 of the ball 42 is slightly larger to the inner width D5 of the sleeve 41, and the width D6 of the ball 42 is slightly larger to the width D3 of the half ball head 31. Therefore, at least one surgical instrument accommodated in the transverse channel 43 could also be tightly enclosed and not easily loosened. Preferably, at least one surgical instrument used in narrow cavities includes but is not limited to an endoscope, an imaging device, a light source, lasers, curettes, ultrasonically-powered tips, irrigation devices, and suction devices. Such structure provides flexibility for rotating certain angles, which is difficult to observe; the dentist can observe the image of the treatment site through the endoscope directly or by the endoscope as previously disclosed. The endoscope’s size, angle, and position can be adjusted according to the patient’s condition, e.g., the location of the treatment site and the depth of the periodontal pockets.

[0083] As shown in Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B, in the second embodiment of the present invention, at least one assembly joint 40 of the present invention further comprises a side opening 45, which is positioned on one side of at least one assembly joint 40. The side opening 45 extends from the sleeve 41 towards the ball 42, and the side opening 45 is connected to the transverse channel 43 to form an accommodation space 46. Preferably, when multiple assembly joints 40 are connected, the side opening 45 of each assembly joint 40 are interconnected, and the accommodation space 46 of each assembly joint 40 are also interconnected so that when this embodiment is implemented, at least one surgical instrument used in narrow cavities can be easily inserted into or removed from the interconnected accommodation space 46 through the multiple connected side openings 45. More preferably, at least one surgical instrument used in narrow cavities includes but is not limited to an endoscope, an imaging device, a light source, lasers, curettes, ultrasonically-powered tips, irrigation devices, and suction devices.

[0084] Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the novel principles and subject matter disclosed herein may be applied to other embodiments without the use of the innovative faculty. The claimed subject matter set forth in the claims is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. It is contemplated that additional embodiments are within the spirit and true scope of the disclosed subject matter. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure covers modifications and variations that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. While the disclosure has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having the benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be advised and achieved which do not depart from the scope of the description as disclosed herein. Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not limited to the field of surgical instruments shown herein. That is, the instruments disclosed herein may be made to be used in any application for confined space implementation and use.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A multiple-oriented assembly instrument for intracavity surgery comprising: a universal j oint comprises a half-ball head and a base located relative to the half-ball head; and, at least one assembly joint is detachably connected to the half-ball head of the universal joint.

2. The multiple-oriented assembly instrument of claim 1, wherein each assembly joint comprises a sleeve, a ball, a neck located between the sleeve and the ball, and a transverse channel located inside of the neck and between the sleeve and the ball.

3. The multiple-oriented assembly instrument of claim 2, wherein the outer width of the sleeve is larger than the inner width of the sleeve and the width of the ball, and the width of the ball is slightly larger or equal to the inner width of the sleeve; the width of the neck is less than the outer width of the sleeve, the inner width of the sleeve, and the width of the ball.

4. The multiple-oriented assembly instrument of claim 3, wherein the amount of at least one assembly joint is one.

5. The multiple-oriented assembly instrument of claim 3, wherein the amount of at least one assembly joint is multiple.

6. The multiple-oriented assembly instrument of claim 5, wherein the amount of at least one assembly joint is more than three.

7. The multiple-oriented assembly instrument of claim 5, wherein one of at least one assembly joint is connected to the universal joint by the ball adapting to the half-ball head of the universal joint; the rest of at least one assembly joints are connected by the ball of one at least one sleeve is accommodated in the sleeve of another one at least assembly joint.

8. The multiple-oriented assembly instrument of claim 7, wherein the universal joint further comprises a neck and multiple notches, wherein the neck is located between the half-ball head and the base, and the multiple notches are distributed and penetrated on the neck of the universal.

9. The multiple-oriented assembly instrument of claim 8, wherein the shapes of the multiple notches comprise strips or dots.

10. The multiple-oriented assembly instrument of claim 9, wherein the universal joint further comprises an operating part next to the base.

11. The multiple-oriented assembly instrument of claim 10, wherein the operating part comprises a probe, flat drill, flat knife, explorer, spatula, plugger, occlusion former, guide forceps, periosteal elevator, peristome, forceps, or retractor.

12. The multiple-oriented assembly instrument of claim 11, wherein the periosteal elevator comprises De Wijs, molt, Oldberg, papillas, or gingival grafting periosteal elevator.

13. The multiple-oriented assembly instrument of claim 11, wherein the probe comprises a periodontal probe, suction probe, or sinus probe.

14. The multiple-oriented assembly instrument of claim 11, wherein the operating part is made of memory metal.

15. The multiple-oriented assembly instrument of claim 7, wherein at least one assembly joint further comprises a side opening extending from the sleeve towards the ball, and the side opening is connected to the transverse channel to form an accommodation space.

16. The multiple-oriented assembly instrument of claim 15, wherein the side openings of at least one assembly joint are interconnected to each other by assembling multiple assembly joints, and multiple accommodation spaces of at least one assembly joint are also interconnected.

17. The multiple-oriented assembly instrument of claim 16, wherein at least one surgical instrument used in narrow cavities can be placed in the accommodation space through the multiple interconnected side openings.

18. The multiple-oriented assembly instrument of claim 17, wherein at least one surgical instrument used in narrow cavities comprises an endoscope, an imaging device, a light source, lasers, curettes, ultrasonically-powered tips, irrigation devices, or suction devices.

19. The multiple-oriented assembly instrument of claim 9, wherein the universal j oint further comprises a shield includes a top and a bottom next to the top; the shield is detachably sleeved to the universal joint and rotated relative to the axial direction of the universal joint; the top is surrounded by a plurality of convexities and at least one of recess, and each recess is located between two convexities, and the bottom is corresponding to the shape of the base of the universal joint.

20. The multiple-oriented assembly instrument of claim 19, wherein the number of convex is 3 or 4.

21. The multiple-oriented assembly instrument of claim 20, wherein the shield further includes an opening extending from the top toward the bottom.

22. The multiple-oriented assembly instrument of claim 21, wherein the shield further comprises a neck located between the top and the bottom, and the diameter of the neck decreases from the bottom toward the top; the shape of the neck of the shield corresponds to the shape of the neck of the universal joint.

23. The multiple-oriented assembly instrument of claim 7, wherein the universal joint further includes a retaining part and at least one memory metal strip, wherein the retaining part is fixed on the base near the opening, and at least one memory metal strip is mounted on the retaining part.

24. The multiple-oriented assembly instrument of claim 23, wherein the retaining part further includes two through grooves, and the axial direction of the two through grooves is parallel to the axial direction of the universal joint; the two ends of at least one memory metal strip can be fixed to the two through grooves after being bent and folded.

25. The multiple-oriented assembly instrument of claim 24, wherein the shape formed by bending at least one memory metal strip comprises a T-shape, L-shape, circle, oval, M-shape, W-shape, or mesh.

26. The multiple-oriented assembly instrument of claim 24, wherein the content of at least one memory metals strip comprises nickel-titanium-based shape memory alloy (Ni-Ti SMA), copper-based shape memory alloy (Cu SMA), or iron-based shape memory alloy (Fe SMA).

27. The multiple-oriented assembly instrument of claim 26, wherein the content of at least one memory metal strip is selected from the group consisting of gold-cadmium (Au-Cd), silver-cadmium (Ag-Cd), copper-zinc (Cu-Zn), copper-zinc-aluminum (Cu-Zn-Al), copper-zinc- tin (Cu-Zn-Sn), copper-zinc-silicon (Cu-Zn-Si), copper-tin (Cu-Sn), copper-zinc-gallium (Cu- Zn-Ga), indium -titanium (In-Ti), gold-copper-zinc (Au-Cu-Zn), nickel-aluminum (Ni-Al), ironplatinum (Fe-Pt), titanium -nickel (Ti-Ni), titanium-nickel -palladium (Ti-Ni-Pd), titaniumniobium (Ti-Nb), uranium-niobium (U-Nb) and iron-manganese-silicon (Fe-Mn-Si).

28. A kit including the multiple-oriented assembly instrument for intracavity surgery comprising: a hollow handle, a connecting rod comprises a front end, a back end, and a socket, wherein the back end is connected to the hollow handle, and the socket is located between the front end and the back end; a universal joint comprises a half-ball head and a base located relative to the half-ball head; and,at least one assembly joint is detachably disposed between the connecting rod and the universal joint and connected to the half-ball head of the universal joint.

29. The kit of claim 28, wherein the connecting rod further comprises an internal thread mounted inside of the connecting rod; the hollow handle comprises a threaded stud that can be detachably connected to the back end of the connecting rod through the threaded stud screwing the internal threads of the connecting rod.

30. The kit of claim 29, wherein the socket is composed of a first through hole and a second through hole, the first through hole and the second through hole are in a staggered state of partial intersection, and the width of the first through hole is larger than the width of the second through hole.

31. The kit of claim 30, wherein each assembly joint comprises a sleeve, a ball, a neck located between the sleeve and the ball, and a transverse channel located inside of the neck and between the sleeve and the ball.

32. The kit of claim 31, wherein the outer width of the sleeve is larger than the inner width of the sleeve and the width of the ball, and the width of the ball is slightly larger or equal to the inner width of the sleeve; the width of the neck is less than the outer width of the sleeve, the inner width of the sleeve, and the width of the ball.

33. The kit of claim 32, wherein the width of the first through hole of the connecting rod is larger than the outer width of the sleeve and the width of the neck of at least one assembly joint; and the width of the second through hole is equal to or slightly less than the width of the neck of at least one assembly joint; the width of the second through hole is less than the width of the outer width of the sleeve.

34. The kit of claim 33, wherein the amount of at least one assembly joint is multiple.

35. The kit of claim 34, wherein the amount of at least one assembly joint is more than three.

36. The kit of claim 35, wherein one of at least one assembly joint is connected to the connecting cod by the sleeve adapting to the first through hole or the second through hole of the connecting rod; another one of at least one assembly joint is connected to the universal joint by the ball adapting to the head of the universal joint; the rest at least one assembly joints are connected by the ball of one at least one sleeve is accommodated in the sleeve of another one at least assembly joint.

37. The kit of claim 36, wherein the universal joint further comprises a neck and multiple notches, wherein the neck is located between the half-ball head and the base, and the multiple notches are distributed and penetrated on the neck of the universal.

38. The kit of claim 37, wherein the shapes of the multiple notches comprise strips or dots.

39. The kit of claim 38, wherein the universal j oint further comprises an operating part next to the base.

40. The kit of claim 39, wherein the operating part comprises a probe, flat drill, flat knife, explorer, spatula, plugger, occlusion former, guide forceps, periosteal elevator, peristome, forceps, or retractor.

41. The kit of claim 40, wherein the periosteal elevator comprises De Wijs, molt, Oldberg, papillas, or gingival grafting periosteal elevator.

42. The kit of claim 40, wherein the probe comprises a periodontal probe, suction probe, or sinus probe.

43. The kit of claim 40, wherein the operating part is made of memory metal.

44. The kit of claim 36, wherein at least one assembly joint further comprises a side opening extending from the sleeve towards the ball, and the side opening is connected to the transverse channel to form an accommodation space.

45. The kit of claim 44, wherein the side openings of at least one assembly joint are interconnected to each other by assembling multiple assembly joints, and multiple accommodation spaces of at least one assembly joint are also interconnected.

46. The kit of claim 45, wherein at least one surgical instrument used in narrow cavities can be placed in the accommodation space through the multiple interconnected side openings.

47. The kit of claim 46, wherein at least one surgical instrument used in narrow cavities comprises an endoscope, an imaging device, a light source, lasers, curettes, ultrasonically-powered tips, irrigation devices, or suction devices.

48. The kit of claim 38, wherein the universal j oint further comprises a shield includes a top and a bottom next to the top; the shield is detachably sleeved to the universal joint and rotated relative to the axial direction of the universal joint; the top is surrounded by a plurality of convexities and at least one of recess, and each recess is located between two convexities, and the bottom is corresponding to the shape of the base of the universal joint.

49. The kit of claim 48, wherein the number of convex is 3 or 4.

50. The kit of claim 48, wherein the shield further includes an opening extending from the top toward the bottom.

51. The kit of claim 50, wherein the shield further comprises a neck located between the top and the bottom, and the diameter of the neck decreases from the bottom toward the top; the shape of the neck of the shield corresponds to the shape of the neck of the universal joint.

52. The kit of claim 36, wherein the universal j oint further includes a retaining part and at least one memory metal strip, wherein the retaining part is fixed on the base near the opening, and at least one memory metal strip is bent and folded on both sides of the retaining part.

53. The kit of claim 52, wherein the retaining part further includes two through grooves, and the axial direction of the two through grooves is parallel to the axial direction of the universal joint; the two ends of at least one memory metal strip can be fixed to the two through grooves after being bent and folded.

54. The kit of claim 53, wherein the shape formed by bending at least one memory metal strip comprises a T-shape, L-shape, circle, oval, M-shape, W-shape, or mesh.

55. The kit of claim 53, wherein the content of at least one memory metals strip comprises nickel-titanium-based shape memory alloy (Ni-Ti SMA), copper-based shape memory alloy (Cu SMA), or iron-based shape memory alloy (Fe SMA).

56. The kit of claim 55, wherein the content of at least one memory metal strip is selected from the group consisting of gold-cadmium (Au-Cd), silver-cadmium (Ag-Cd), copperzinc (Cu-Zn), copper-zinc-aluminum (Cu-Zn-Al), copper-zinc-tin (Cu-Zn-Sn), copper-zinc- silicon (Cu-Zn-Si), copper-tin (Cu-Sn), copper-zinc-gallium (Cu- Zn-Ga), indium-titanium (In- Ti), gold-copper-zinc (Au-Cu-Zn), nickel-aluminum (Ni-Al), iron-platinum (Fe-Pt), titaniumnickel (Ti-Ni), titanium-nickel-palladium (Ti-Ni-Pd), titanium-niobium (Ti-Nb), uraniumniobium (U-Nb) and iron-manganese-silicon (Fe-Mn-Si).

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