Patent ID: 6077290
Filing Date: 2000-06-20
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An endoscopic surgical instrument comprising:a front end assembly having a distal end and a proximal end, a spherical end slidably connected to said proximal end;an operable end effector mechanism attached to said distal end for performing a surgical procedure;means for actuating said operable movements of said end effector mechanism;a handle assembly having a base, a housing section defined in said base for removably connecting to said spherical end, a stationary finger handle extending downwardly from said base, a thumb handle pivotally mounted to said base;means in said base for releasably locking said front end assembly to said handle assembly;a socket bushing fixedly disposed within said housing section, said bushing having a flexible end with a plurality of resilient prongs integral with and extending outwardly from said flexible end, each said prong having an inner surface defining a passageway in communication with environment, said inner surfaces each having a recess area defined therein, said recess areas cooperatively combining to define a socket, said socket having an inner diameter corresponding essentially to outer diameter of said spherical end, said spherical end being insertably disposed in a friction fit with said socket therein, said bushing having a linkage end, said linkage end having a pair of generally parallel leg sections, each said leg section having an interior surface defining a linkage slot therein, each said leg having a defined therein a circular aperture being in axial alignment with each other for acceptance of a connector rod; andmeans interconnecting said socket bushing to said thumb handle, whereby said end effector mechanism can be actuated and also said front end asembly can be engaged or disengaged by manipulation of said thumb handle.