Patent ID: 6626929
Filing Date: 2003-09-30
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A surgical instrument, including:an elongate body having an axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end; an operative section disposed at the distal end of the elongate body; a handle assembly disposed at the proximal end of the elongate body, and being movable to operate the operative device between a first configuration and a second configuration at the distal end of the elongate body; a first scissors handle included in the handle assembly; a second scissors handle included in the handle assembly and being movable relative to the first scissors handle between a closed position wherein the first scissors handle has a proximal relationship with the second scissors handle and the operative device is in the first configuration, and an open position wherein the first scissors handle has a spaced relationship with second scissors handle and the operative device is in the second configuration; a ratchet assembly coupled to the handle assembly for progressively locking the first scissors handle relative to the second scissors handle at a predetermined position to maintain the operative device in a predetermined configuration between the first configuration and the second configuration; a series of ratchet teeth included in the ratchet assembly and carried by one of the first scissors handle and the second scissors handle; a ratchet pawl included in the ratchet assembly and carried by the other of the first scissors handle and the second scissors handle, the ratchet pawl being movable relative to the series of ratchet teeth to engage at least one of the teeth at the predetermined position; a finger support included in one of the first scissors handle and a second scissors handle; and a portion of the finger support being movable outwardly of the one of the first scissors handle and the second scissors handle to disengage the ratchet pawl from the series of ratchet teeth and permit movement of the first scissors handle toward the spaced relationship with the second scissors handle, and to permit movement of the operative device toward the second configuration.