Surgical forceps instrument having lockable branches
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ALBER JOHANNES
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-23
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-30
Smart Images
Figure DE2026000009_30072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] 00881795-0013 02 / 13 / 2026 PCT / DE0G)£ / |ößffiOO9
[0002] Description
[0003] Surgical forceps instrument with lockable jaws
[0004] The invention relates to a surgical forceps instrument, in particular a surgical needle holder, with two branches which can be pivoted relative to each other in a pivot plane about a pivot axis and which each carry a clamping jaw.
[0005] Such forceps instruments are known in a wide variety of designs, for example from documents US 4,478,221 A, EP 0 988 831 A1 or US 5,047,049 A and are designed, for example - as known from document DE 102017 102 027 A1 - as needle holders, which are used in surgical procedures
[0006] In medical suturing, the needle is held and guided by a needle holder. Depending on the application, needles of various designs must be handled securely with the needle holder during the suturing process. The needle is usually clamped by an assistant, preferably with adjustable clamping force, and handed to the surgeon, who then performs the suturing process, having to grasp and release the needle several times depending on the suture pattern. The needle holder should therefore be not only stable but also as lightweight as possible, which is why such instruments are now generally made of titanium alloys, making them expensive.
[0007] The invention is therefore based on the objective of creating a generic pliers instrument that is designed in such a way that it can be manufactured more economically while providing sufficient strength and a constant weight.
[0008] This problem is solved by a pliers instrument with the features of claim 1, in that the jaws in the handle section and extending beyond the length of the handle section in the direction of the pivot axis form a thin-walled half-shell cross-section, the plane of symmetry of which coincides with the pivot plane
[0009] Page 1 of 13
[0010] CONFIRMATION COPY 00881795-0014 13.02.2026 PCT / DE2025 / 000009
[0011] the industries coincide. This design makes it possible to significantly reduce the material volume of the industries without reducing their stability, especially their torsional and bending resistance in the highly stressed areas of the industries, so that more cost-effective materials with a higher specific weight, such as e.g., can be used to manufacture the pliers instrument.
[0012] Stainless steel materials can be used.
[0013] Advantageous further training is the subject of the sub-claims.
[0014] A particularly large amount of material volume is saved when the thin-walled half-shell cross-section is formed essentially over the entire length of the branches, i.e. in the handle section and in the subsequent section towards the pivot axis.
[0015] The innovative cross-sectional design can be advantageously combined with a locking mechanism for the jaws of the pliers instrument by assigning a releasable lock to the jaws, the components of which are carried by the jaws at a predetermined distance to the pivot axis and are received in a space enclosed by the opposing hollow profiles.
[0016] In particular, when the jaws of the pliers instrument are made of a high-strength material, such as stainless steel, it is sufficient to place the wall thickness of the half-shell cross-section in a range between 0.5 and 1 mm, which significantly reduces the overall volume of the jaws and thus allows the use of materials with a higher specific gravity than titanium without increasing the overall weight of the pliers instrument.
[0017] If the components of the releasable lock in each branch each have a retaining block and a spring-loaded detent arm supported thereby, the spring-loaded detent arms extending towards each other and each having a
[0018] Page 2 / 1300881795-0015 13.02.2026 PCT / DE2025 / 000009
[0019] By forming an interlocking section, the lock can be integrated into the forceps instrument in a particularly space-saving manner and is easy for the surgeon to handle.
[0020] The stability of the pliers instrument in particularly thin-walled branches is enhanced by a design in which the retaining block of the releasable lock sits in a constriction section of the half-shell cross-section, thereby increasing the stiffness of the branches where there is particularly little material.
[0021] The stiffness of the branches can be increased particularly effectively if the components of the releasable lock are formed integrally with the respective branches.
[0022] Particularly great flexibility in the design of the releasable lock results when the components of the releasable lock are located in the area of a handle section that has the cross-section of half a thin-walled hollow cylinder.
[0023] The stiffness is advantageously best adapted to the stress when a branch section extending towards the pivot axis is connected to the handle section, the outer dimension of which gradually tapers towards the pivot axis, while its wall thickness steadily increases.
[0024] To best absorb the bending moment, the half-shell cross-section in the industries extends to an area that is a few millimeters, preferably 1 to 3 mm, away from the pivot axis.
[0025] Releasing the clamp becomes particularly easy with a simple design of the branches if the branches have a spring clip at their respective end facing away from the pivot axis, the spring clips being designed and attached to the associated branch in such a way that they generate a restoring force when the pliers are closed under bending deformation.
[0026] Page 3 / 1300881795-0016 13.02.2026 PCT / DE0S^S / |QßffiOO9
[0027] If the spring clips can be hooked at the ends, they can be used to stabilize the pivot axis.
[0028] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. The drawings show:
[0029] Figure 1 shows a side view of the fully assembled pliers instrument with the jaws open, viewed from a direction parallel to the pivot axis;
[0030] Figure 2 shows the view of the upper branch shown in Figure 1 when looking along “II” in Figure 1 with the branch barrier removed;
[0031] Figure 3 shows the view of the industry according to Figure 2 with viewing direction “III” in Figure 2;
[0032] Figure 4 shows, on an enlarged scale, the detail “IV” in Figure 3 in section;
[0033] Figure 5 shows a schematic view to illustrate the volume savings achieved through the innovative design of the forceps instrument;
[0034] Figure 6, on a slightly enlarged scale, shows the interior view of the lower branch shown in Figure 1 in the area of detail “VI” in Figure 2;
[0035] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the forceps instrument according to Figures 1 to 4 and 6 from an oblique viewing angle; and
[0036] Figure 8 shows a perspective view corresponding to Figure 7 of a modified embodiment of the forceps instrument.
[0037] Figures 1 and 6 show a surgical forceps instrument 10 in the form of a surgical needle holder, with two pivot points relative to each other in a pivot plane ES, i.e. the plane of Figure 1, about a pivot axis AS.
[0038] Page 4 / 1300881795-0017 13.02.2026 PCT / DE2025 / 000009
[0039] swiveling, each carrying a clamping jaw 14-1, 14-2, branches 12-1 and 12-2.
[0040] The branches each have four sections: a substantially centrally located grip section AG with an external ribbing 16, a tapered section AV adjoining it in the direction of the pivot axis AS with branch leg sections 18 that taper in width and height in the direction of the pivot axis AS, a clamping jaw section AK located beyond the pivot axis AS forming the clamping jaws 14-1, 14-2 and a section AF pointing away from the grip section AG and away from the pivot axis AS with elastically supporting spring clips 22.
[0041] The spring clips 22, with length L22, converge in an arc and can be interlocked at their respective ends by means of spring-elastic bending deformation of the spring clips 22, preferably such that the jaws 12-1, 12-2 are stabilized in their opposing position by the interlocking, thus relieving the swivel bearing. Preferably, the spring clips are formed integrally with the respective handle sections AG. The spring clips 22, which can be interlocked at their ends, are thus designed and attached to the associated jaws 12-1, 12-2 in such a way that they generate a restoring force when the forceps instrument 10 is closed by means of bending deformation.
[0042] As can be seen from Figures 2, 4 and 6, the branches 12-1, 12-2, in particular the handle sections AG and the branch leg sections 18, form a thin-walled half-shell cross-section essentially over their entire length LB, i.e. over the sections AG and AV, the plane of symmetry of which - as can be seen from Figure 2 - coincides with the pivot plane ES of the branches 12-1, 12-2.
[0043] The thin walls of the industry sections AG and AV can be seen in Figure 2, in which the wall thickness SW is shown, which is in the range between 0.25 and 1.5
[0044] Page 5 / 1300881795-0018 13.02.2026 PCT / DE0G)£ / |ößffiOO9
[0045] mm, preferably with a height HGA (see Figure 3) of the handle section AG of about 4.5 mm in the range of only 0.5 mm.
[0046] Figure 5 illustrates the effects of this cross-sectional design for branches 12-1 and 12-2. The new half-shell cross-section of branches 12-1 and 12-2 is schematically represented by solid lines. If the material volume VWS required for this cross-section were used for a solid cross-section, the resulting cross-section SQ would be hatched with a dashed line. However, to give such a solid cross-section a bending section modulus comparable to that of the half-shell cross-section, significantly more material would be required, namely an additional volume VZ, which is densely hatched in Figure 5.
[0047] This illustration makes it clear that with the new design of the industry cross-section, considerable material volume can be saved while maintaining high stiffness, so that for the production of a lightweight pliers instrument, even considerably heavier materials such as stainless steel can be used without having to accept any loss in strength.
[0048] As shown in Figures 1 and 6, a releasable lock 30 is assigned to branches 12-1 and 12-2, the components of which are carried by branches 12-1, 12-2 at a predetermined distance A (see Figure 2) to the pivot axis AS and are received in a space enclosed by the opposing hollow profiles.
[0049] Figure 2 shows that the branches 12-1, 12-2 in the area of the handle section AG with length LAG (see Figure 7) have the cross-section of half a thin-walled hollow cylinder. The components of the releasable lock in each branch 12-1, 12-2 each have a substantially cylindrical retaining block 32 received in the half-shell cross-section of the handle section AG (see Figure 7).
[0050] Page 6 / 1300881795-0019 13.02.2026 PCT / DE2025 / 000009
[0051] 1
[0052] Figure 6) and a resiliently flexible locking arm 34 supported therein, wherein the resilient locking arms 34 extend towards each other and each form an interlocking section 36 at its end. Figure 6 shows that the retaining block 32 is detachably connected to the associated branch 12-1, e.g., screwed in place, and is located in a constricted section 38 of the half-shell cross-section, thereby reinforcing the cross-section of branches 12-1, 12-2 at this point. The half-shell cross-section of branches 12-1, 12-2 thus has a greater wall thickness SW* at these points (Figure 6).
[0053] Contrary to the illustration in the figures, the retaining block 32 and the locking arm 34 supported by it can be formed as a single piece. The retaining block can also be formed as a single piece with the associated branch.
[0054] Figures 1 to 4 further show that the handle section AG is followed by a branch section AV extending towards the pivot axis AS, the outer dimension MA (see Figure 2 and Figure 3) of which gradually tapers in width and height towards the pivot axis AS, while its wall thickness SWAV steadily increases.
[0055] As best seen in Figure 2, the half-shell cross-section in sections AG and AV of branches 12-1 and 12-2 extends into a region B, which is located at a distance from the pivot axis (AS) between one-third of the branch length (LB) and one millimeter. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7, this distance B is in the range of 1 to 3 mm.
[0056] Figure 8 shows a modified embodiment of the forceps instrument. To avoid repetition, those components that correspond to those of the previously described embodiment are provided with identical reference numerals, but preceded by a “1”.
[0057] The only difference from the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7 is that the thin-walled half-shell cross-section extends over the handle section AG with the
[0058] Page 7 / 1300881795-0020 13.02.2026 PCT / DE2025 / 000009
[0059] The length LAG extends towards the pivot axis AS into the industry section AV, i.e. in industry leg section 118, only to a point that is a greater distance from the pivot axis AS, so that the area B, in which a semicircular solid cross-section is present, makes up to about 2 / 3 of the section AV.
[0060] Therefore:
[0061] LB / 3 ≤ B ≥ 1 to 3 mm
[0062] Dimension B is still small enough to achieve sufficient material volume savings, so that even materials heavier than titanium can be used to manufacture the pliers.
[0063] Figure 8 further shows that the wall thickness SWAV of the thin-walled shell section increases faster starting from the handle section AD than in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7.
[0064] Of course, modifications to the described embodiment are possible without abandoning the core idea of the innovation.
[0065] Instead of the one-piece formation of the constriction section 38 with the branch 12-2 shown in Figure 6, a half-shell ring can also be used or firmly connected to the branch.
[0066] The jaws 12-1, 12-2; 112-1, 112-2 may also be made of other materials, as long as the weight and stiffness of the forceps instrument are at least equivalent to those of forceps made of titanium. The cross-section of jaws 12-1, 12-2, 112-1, 112-2 does not have to be semicircular.
[0067] Any shell-like cross-sectional shape can be used equally effectively. The wall thickness SWAV in the clamping section AV does not have to change continuously; it can also be constant throughout or over long distances and only increase shortly before area B.
[0068] Page 8 / 1300881795-0021 13.02.2026 PCT / DE2025 / 000009
[0069] The innovation thus creates a surgical forceps instrument, in particular a surgical needle holder, with two jaws that can pivot relative to each other in a pivot plane about a pivot axis, each jaw carrying a clamping jaw and having a handle section. To provide a forceps instrument that is designed to be manufactured more economically than a forceps instrument made of titanium while maintaining sufficient strength and consistent weight, the jaws in the handle section and extending beyond the length of the handle section towards the pivot axis, optionally essentially over their entire length, form a thin-walled, semi-shell cross-section whose plane of symmetry essentially coincides with the pivot plane of the jaws.
[0070] Page 9 / 13
Claims
00881795-0023 02 / 13 / 2026 PCT / DE0S^|ößffiOO9 Claims 1. Surgical forceps instrument, in particular surgical needle holder, with two branches (12-1, 12-2) pivotable relative to each other in a pivot plane (ES) about a pivot axis (AS), each carrying a clamping jaw (14-1, 14-2) and having a handle section (AG), characterized in that the branches (12-1, 12-2; 112-1, 112-2) form a thin-walled half-shell cross-section in the handle section (AG) and extending beyond the length (LAG) of the handle section (AG) in the direction of the pivot axis (AS), the plane of symmetry of which essentially coincides with the pivot plane (ES) of the branches (12-1, 12-2; 122-1, 112-2).
2. Pliers instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that the branches (12-1, 12-2) form the thin-walled half-shell cross-section substantially over their entire length (LB).
3. Pliers instrument according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a releasable lock (30; 130) is assigned to the branches (12-1, 12-2; 112-1, 112-2), the components (32, 34, 36) of which are carried at a predetermined distance (A) to the pivot axis (AS) by the branches (12-1, 12-2; 112-1, 112-2) and are received in a space enclosed by the opposing hollow profiles.
4. Pliers instrument according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the branches (12-1, 12-2; 112-1, 112-2) are made of stainless steel.
5. Forceps instrument according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the wall thickness (SW, SWAV) of the half-shell cross-section is in a range between 0.5 and 1 mm.
6. Pliers instrument according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the components of the releasable lock (30; 130) in each branch (12-1, 12- Page 1 / 300881795-0024 13.02.2026 PCT / DE2025 / 000009 2; 112-1, 112-2) each have a retaining block (32) and a spring-loaded locking arm (34) supported thereby, wherein the spring-loaded locking arms (34) extend towards each other and each form a preferably manually releasable interlocking section (36) at their end.
7. Pliers instrument according to claim 6, characterized in that the retaining block (32) is located in a constriction section (38) of the half-shell cross-section.
8. Pliers instrument according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the components (32 and / or 34) of the releasable lock (30; 130) are formed integrally with the respective branches (12-1, 12-2).
9. Pliers instrument according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the components (32 to 38) of the releasable lock (30; 130) are located in the area of a handle section (AG) which has the cross-section of half a thin-walled hollow cylinder.
10. Pliers instrument according to claim 9, characterized in that a branch section (AV, 18; AV, 118) extending towards the pivot axis (SA) is connected to the handle section (AG), the outer dimension (MA) of which gradually tapers towards the pivot axis (AS), while optionally its wall thickness (SWAV) gradually increases.
11. Pliers instrument according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the half-shell cross-section in the branches (12-1, 12-2; 112-1, 112-2) extends into a region (B) which is at a distance from the pivot axis (AS) that is in the range between one quarter of the branch length (LB) and a millimeter range.
12. Pliers instrument according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the jaws (12-1, 12-2; 112-1, 112-2) carry a spring clip (22; 122) at their respective ends facing away from the pivot axis (AS), wherein the spring clips (22; 122) are designed and attached to the associated Page 2 / 300881795-0025 13.02.2026 PCT / DE2025 / 000009 branch (12-1, 12-2; 112-1, 112-2) are attached so that they generate a restoring force when the pliers (10; 110) are closed under bending deformation.
13. Pliers instrument according to claim 12, characterized in that the spring clips (22; 122) can be hooked at their ends. Page 3 of 3