LATCH RELEASE FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENT

摘要

A surgical instrument includes a proximal control mechanism having an instrument control surface. The instrument control surface has two openings through which two resilient latch arms can be inserted to engage a fixed latch structure contained within the proximal control mechanism. The fixed latch structure provides two lead-in ramps that force the resilient latch arms onto locking surfaces. The resilient latch arms are contained entirely within the proximal control mechanism when engaged. Inward forces can be applied to two buttons to apply an outward force on the resilient latch arms and release them from the locking surfaces of the fixed latch structure. Each of the two buttons is accessible from one of two opposite outside surfaces of the proximal control mechanism.

主权项

1. A surgical instrument that includes a proximal control mechanism, the proximal control mechanism comprising:
an instrument control surface on an outer surface of the proximal control mechanism, the instrument control surface providing two openings through each of which a resilient latch arm can be inserted into the proximal control mechanism; a fixed latch structure contained within the proximal control mechanism, the fixed latch structure providing two lead-in ramps that force resilient latch arms onto locking surfaces of the fixed latch structure; and two latch release members, each latch release member including a button portion, and a latch arm engaging portion extending from the button portion, the two latch release members arranged such that applying inward forces to the two button portions cause the two latch arm engaging portions to apply an outward force on the resilient latch arms and release them from the locking surfaces of the fixed latch structure.