FLEXIBLE MICROSURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH ROTATABLE CLEVIS

摘要

The instrument includes a flexible coil (14), a flexible pull wire (16) extending through the coil (14), a clevis (40) which is rotatably coupled to the distal end of the coil (14), a handle (12) coupled to the proximal end of the coil (14), and end effectors (18) coupled to the clevis (40) and the pull wire (16). The clevis (40) is coupled to the distal end of the flexible coil (14) by a bushing (60) which allows axial rotation of the clevis (40) relative to the coil (14). The pull wire (16) is formed from torsionally obdurate material and is coupled at its distal end to the end effector (18) and at its proximal end to a movable part of the handle (12). The handle (12) is provided with mechanism for rotating the pull wire (16) relative to the coil (14) and a mechanism for translating the pull wire (16) relative to the coil (14). Translation of the pull wire (16) relative to the coil (14) moves the end effector (18) relative to the clevis (40) and rotation of the pull wire (16) relative to the coil (14) rotates the clevis (40) and end effector (18) relative to the coil (14).