Rigid-shaft surgical instruments that can be disassembled for improved cleaning

摘要

This invention relates to single-tool surgical instruments, such as scissors or forceps which do not pass through a channel in an operating laparoscope, which contain moving actuator parts at the end of a long slender shaft comprising a tube and a yoke. The actuator is operated by means of a handle assembly, which either forces or retracts an interior rod through a hollow shaft tube. These instruments can be disassembled to remove the interior rod from inside the shaft tube. This allows improved cleaning and removal of blood or tissue residues from the interior rod and shaft tube prior to sterilization, to provide for more effective and reliable sterilization of the components. The assembly includes a union coupling near the handle which allows the shaft tube to be disengaged from the handle without rotating either the interior rod or the shaft tube. After the shaft tube has been disengaged and pulled away slightly, the shaft and actuator assembly are rotated relative to the handle assembly. This unscrews the actuator assembly from the end of the interior rod. After the interior rod disengages from the actuator assembly, the shaft and actuator are pulled away from the handle assembly and interior rod. This exposes the interior rod and provides open access to the interior of the shaft tube, so that both components can be cleaned to remove any blood or tissue residue prior to sterilization. If desired, the actuator assembly can be removed from the end of the shaft tube, by removing a pivot screw, or by installing the actuator assembly in a shaft yoke device which can be removed from the end of the shaft tube.