Multiple purpose forceps

A multiple purpose medical forceps allows for simultaneous grasping of tissue while lasing, irrigating, suctioning and cauterizing. The forceps includes a laser fiber and irrigation and suction catheters contained within a tubular housing and exiting adjacent a pair of jaws. The forceps is insertable through a cannula into a patient's abdomen for use during a laparascopy, or into any other bodily cavity where scopic surgery may be performed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates generally to medical instruments, and more 
particularly to a medical instrument for use during any scopic surgery. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
In a scopic procedure, a medical instrument is inserted through a slender, 
cylindrical cannula, or sleeve, and into the patient's bodily cavity. Many 
different scopic surgeries, such as laparoscopy, thorascopy, cranioscopy, 
pelvoscopy, and arthroscopy, require the use of such instruments. Should 
multiple instruments be needed for a particular scopic procedure, it is 
necessary to have multiple portal entries into the patient's bodily cavity 
with each fitted with a cannula for insertion of a medical instrument 
therethrough. During a scopic procedure, it is not uncommon to perform 
many separate tasks, such as grasping of tissue, dissecting, lasing, 
irrigating, suctioning, and cauterizing or coagulating. It will be 
appreciated that each of these separate procedures has in the past 
required a specialized instrument. 
It is desirable to have a multiple purpose instrument capable of performing 
a plurality of procedures during any scopic surgery. Specifically, it is 
desirable to combine lasing, irrigating, suctioning and cauterizing 
features with a medical forceps to allow for simultaneous grasping of 
tissue or dissecting while selectively lasing, irrigating, suctioning and 
cauterizing. This would require only one portal entry into the patient's 
bodily cavity, yet would permit a surgeon to perform numerous procedures 
quickly and efficiently. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a universal 
surgical instrument that can be used during any scopic surgery that can 
serve many functions. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a multiple purpose 
medical instrument wherein the need for many surgical portal entries for 
various devices is eliminated. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a multiple 
purpose forceps which obviates the need for a plurality of medical 
instruments for performing scopic procedures. 
The present invention is a multiple purpose medical forceps for use during 
scopic surgery which requires only a single portal entry into the 
patient's bodily cavity. 
A preferred embodiment of the multiple purpose forceps of the present 
invention comprises a tubular housing with a handle attached to one end, a 
jaw pair attached to the other end, and jaw actuation means for opening 
and closing the jaw pair via the handle. The multiple purpose forceps 
further includes the capability for lasing, irrigating, suctioning and 
cauterizing during a scopic surgery. Preferably, a laser fiber and 
irrigation and suction catheters extend from the handle through the 
housing and to the jaw pair, such that these are contained completely 
within the forcep's housing. 
It is preferable that the laser fiber extend through the housing and one of 
the jaw elements, and exit at a forward tip of the jaw. The irrigation and 
suction catheter extends through the housing and the second jaw element, 
and exits at a forward tip of the jaw. Alternatively, the irrigation and 
suction catheter could exit the second jaw element medially along its 
length. Or, if used in conjunction with a jaw having "open" type serrated 
teeth, the irrigation and suction catheter could simply terminate at the 
base of the jaw, thereby providing continuous irrigation and suction 
between these teeth and along the length of the jaw. 
The present invention further includes a switch for actuating the 
irrigation and suction catheters and which is mounted on the handle. A 
bipolar port is included on the handle as well to connect a standard 
cauterization device to the forceps. In this manner, a user of the 
instrument may simultaneously open and close the jaws while lasing, 
irrigating, suctioning and cauterizing as needed. 
One advantage of the present invention is that the need for multiple portal 
entries during a scopic surgical procedure has been eliminated. 
Another advantage of the present invention is that the need for multiple 
medical instruments to perform a scopic surgical procedure has been 
eliminated. 
Yet another advantage of the present invention is that grasping of tissue, 
dissecting, suctioning, irrigating, lasing and coagulating may be 
performed with one instrument, and with one hand. 
Still another advantage of the present invention is that the breaking up of 
large blood clots into smaller pieces small enough to be suctioned through 
the serrated teeth is facilitated. 
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become 
more apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art to which the 
invention relates from the following description taken in conjunction with 
the accompanying drawings herein, in which:

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring first to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a multiple purpose medical 
forceps 1 is illustrated. The forceps 1 may be fabricated from stainless 
steel and comprises generally a handle 5, a tubular housing 6, and a jaw 
pair 7. Alternatively, the forceps 1 could be fabricated from less 
expensive rigid plastic should disposability be desired. 
The handle 5 is in the form of a pistol grip style handle having a handle 
portion or grip 10 and a trigger style actuation lever 11. The lever 11 is 
hingedly connected to the handle grip 10 via pin 12 within the grip 10. A 
jaw actuation rod or cable 32 is connected to the lever 11 at 25. The 
handle grip 10 further includes apertures 13 and 14 for insertion therein 
of a laser fiber 15 and an irrigation and suction catheter 16. The 
catheter 16 includes an irrigation side 16a and a suction side 16b. 
A three position rocker switch 17 is employed to activate the irrigation 
and suction catheter 16. A first position 18 activates the irrigation 
mode, a middle or neutral position 19 deactivates both irrigation and 
suction modes, and a second position 20 activates the suction mode. The 
rocker switch 17 is operable to engage a conventional dual gate valve (not 
shown) which, in its middle or neutral position, blocks the irrigation 
orifice 16a and the suction orifice 16b. When the rocker switch 17 is 
placed in the first position 18 a first gate valve is withdrawn from over 
the irrigation orifice 16a to allow passage of irrigating fluid 
therethrough. Returning the rocker switch 17 to the middle or neutral 
position 19 causes this first gate valve to return to its closed position 
over the irrigation orifice 16a. Placing the rocker switch 17 in the 
second position 20 withdraws a second gate valve from over the suction 
orifice 16b, allowing the pressure differential of the vacuum to suction 
the work area. Placing the rocker switch 17 back to its middle or neutral 
position 19 causes this second gate valve to close back over the suction 
orifice 16b and thereby terminating this suctioning action. 
The handle 5 further includes a bipolar plug 21 for connection to a 
standard cauterization device (not shown). The forward tip of the jaw pair 
7 may be utilized to conduct electricity generated by the cauterization 
device to the work area for searing, cauterizing and the like. In such a 
case, the entire instrument 1 should be coated with an insulating 
substance, such as a thin film of rubber or vinyl. Should the instrument 1 
be a plastic disposable type, a simple conducting wire could be included 
within the housing 6 spanning between the bipolar plug 21 and the forward 
tip of the jaw pair 7 to conduct electricity from the cauterization device 
for cauterizing a work area. 
The housing 6 is essentially a slender tube that is operable for placement 
through an 8-10 mm port. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be seen 
that the housing 6 includes an upper channel 30 and a lower channel 31. 
The upper channel 30 provides a path through which the laser fiber 15 may 
travel the entire length of the housing 6 while being contained therein. 
The upper channel 30 further provides a path through which the jaw 
actuation cable 32 may span between the jaw pair 7 and the trigger lever 
11. The lower channel 31 provides a path through which the irrigation and 
suction catheter 16 may travel the entire length of the housing 6 while 
likewise being entirely contained therein. 
With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, it will be seen that the jaw pair 7 is 
comprised of a first fixed jaw element 40 which is essentially an 
extension of a lower portion of the housing 6, and a second movable or 
pivotable jaw element 41. The forward tip of the jaw pair 7 is spherically 
shaped to allow for ease of insertion through a cannula. 
Jaw 41 is connected to a forward end 35 of the housing 6 by a pin 42. Jaw 
41 is thereby operable to pivot or move relative to jaw 40. Jaw 41 is 
further spring loaded into an open position by way of a helical torsion 
spring 43. Torsion spring 43 includes a helical spring portion 60 and 
actuation arms 61 and 62. Arm 61 is positioned adjacent an upper surface 
65 of the channel 30 near a forward end thereof. Arm 62 is positioned 
adjacent an upper surface 66 of the jaw 41 near an aft end thereof. The 
jaw cable 32 is attached to the jaw 41 at end 44. A relieved area 55 is 
provided to allow for complete rotational travel of the jaw 41. 
Jaw 41 further includes a channel 45 providing a path through which the 
laser fiber 15 may be inserted. This channel 45 has an exit port 46 at a 
forward tip of the jaw 41 from which the laser fiber 15 may exit. The 
fixed jaw 40 includes a similar channel 47 which is essentially an 
extension of the channel 31 contained within the housing 6. This channel 
47 provides a path through which the irrigation and suction catheter 16 
may pass through the fixed jaw 40. Channel 47 has an exit port 48 at a 
forward tip of the jaw 40 from which the irrigation and suction catheter 
16 may exit. Alternatively, the catheter 16 (shown in phantom) may exit 
the jaw 40 at exit port 48a located medially along the length of the jaw 
40. 
The fixed jaw 40 further includes three teeth 50, 51 and 52 which are 
cooperable with two teeth 53 and 54 in the rotating jaw 41 for grasping 
tissue and the like. 
It will be appreciated that while one embodiment of a jaw element has been 
illustrated, many different jaw elements may be substituted depending on 
the particular application or scopic procedure. Furthermore, no switch 
means has been shown on the handle 5 for actuating the laser, since most 
lasers are operated from a remote location by, for example, a foot pedal. 
However, most nearly any switch means could nonetheless be incorporated on 
the handle 5 for activating the laser should it be desirable to do so. 
Describing now the operation of the present invention, the trigger lever 11 
is pulled rearwardly thereby translating the jaw actuation cable 32 
rearwardly, compressing the spring 43 and effectively moving jaw 41 
downwardly into a closed position. It will be appreciated that when the 
jaw 41 is rotated to its fully closed position, the profile of the jaw 
element 7 is no larger than that of the housing 6. In this configuration, 
the instrument 1 may readily be inserted through a cannula into, for 
example, a patient's abdomen, for performing a laparoscopy. 
After insertion through the cannula, the multiple purpose forceps 1 may be 
used for many different functions, such as bluntly dissecting out a duct 
or blood vessel (artery or vein), grasping tissue and the like, all the 
while irrigating and suctioning as often as necessary. Furthermore, one 
may lase or coagulate where necessary to dissect or gain hemostasis. 
It will be appreciated that changing the angle of the rotating jaw 41 
effectively will change the angle of the application of a laser beam 
exiting the laser fiber 15. And, it will be appreciated that the 
irrigation and suction catheter 16 will be maintained in a path which is 
substantially colinear with and forward of the housing 6 of the instrument 
1. Or, should alternative exit port 48a be utilized, the irrigation and 
suction catheter 16 will be maintained in a position substantially between 
the fixed jaw 40 and the movable jaw 41. 
An alternative, and perhaps preferred embodiment of the present invention 
is illustrated in FIG. 4. The forceps 70 includes a pistol grip style 
handle 75, a cylindrical tubular shaft or housing 76, and a jaw pair 77. 
The pistol grip handle 75 includes a handle portion or grip 81 and a 
trigger actuation lever 80, each of which is outfitted with a thumb or 
finger receiving loop 82. The lever 80 of the handle 75 is pivotally 
connected to the handle grip 81 by way of pivot 83. Handle grip 81 is 
itself made an integral part of the shaft 76 by any conventional means. 
The lever 80 has attached to an upper end thereof a rearwardmost end of a 
jaw pair actuation rod 84. A bipolar plug 85 is included as part of the 
handle grip 81 for connection to a standard cauterization device, similar 
to that of the primary embodiment of FIG. 1. A three position rocker 
switch 86, likewise similar to that of the primary embodiment of FIG. 1, 
is fixedly attached to the grip 81 and includes a first position 87 which 
activates the irrigation mode, a middle or neutral position 88 which 
deactivates both irrigation and suction modes, and a second position 89 
which activates the suction mode. A laser fiber 90 is threadably inserted 
through a hole (not shown) in the upper end of the handle grip 81 and 
through the housing 76. Suction catheter 91b and irrigation catheter 91a 
supply the irrigation/suction catheter 91 via operation of the rocker 
switch 86. 
The housing 76 is essentially a slender tube similar to that of the primary 
embodiment of FIG. 1, however it is illustrated as being cylindrical which 
may facilitate placement through an 8-10 millimeter cannula or port. With 
reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, it will be seen that the housing 76 includes 
an upper channel 100 and a lower channel 101. The upper channel 100 
provides a path through which the laser fiber 90 may travel the entire 
length of the housing 76 while being contained therein. The upper channel 
100 further provides a path through which the jaw actuation rod 84 may 
span between the jaw pair 77 and the handle grip 81. The lower channel 101 
provides a path through which irrigation and suction catheter 91 may 
travel entirely through the housing 76 while likewise being entirely 
contained therein. 
With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, it will be seen that the jaw pair 77 is 
comprised of a first fixed jaw element 110, which is essentially an 
extension of lower portion of the housing 76, and a second movable or 
pivotable jaw element 111. 
Jaw 111 is connected to a forward end 112 of the housing 76 by pin 113. Jaw 
111 is thereby operable to pivot or move relative to jaw 110. The jaw 
actuation rod 84 is attached to the jaw 111 at end 114 by way of pivot 115 
A relieved area 130 is provided for complete rotational travel of the jaw 
111. Since the jaw pair 77 may easily be opened and closed with one hand 
by utilizing the loops 82 on the handle halves 80 and 81, no spring means 
is utilized in this embodiment to spring load the jaw pair 77 into an open 
position. 
Jaw 111 further includes a channel 116 providing a path through which the 
laser fiber 90 may be inserted. This channel 116 has an exit port 117 at a 
forward tip of the jaw 111 from which the laser fiber 90 may exit. The 
fixed jaw 110 includes a similar channel 118 which is essentially an 
extension of the channel 101 contained within the housing 76. This channel 
118 provides a path through which the irrigation and suction catheter 91 
may pass through the fixed jaw 110. 
The movable jaw 111 contains a plurality of serrated teeth 120 which extend 
transversely across the width of the jaw 111. These teeth 120 of the 
movable jaw 111 complementarily fit together with a plurality of teeth 121 
of the fixed jaw 110, these teeth 120 likewise being serrated and 
extending transversely across the width of the jaw 110. Beneath the teeth 
121 of the fixed jaw 110 is a cavity 122 which essentially is an extension 
of the channel 118 contained within the fixed jaw 110. A plurality of 
voids 123 are machined into the valleys 124 between the serrated teeth 121 
to allow for irrigation and suction communication through and along the 
entire length of the jaw 110 between the teeth 121. The irrigation and 
suction catheter 91 is positioned to terminate slightly rearward of the 
first void 125, and is thereby in a position to irrigate and suction 
through each of the voids 123 along the length of the jaw 110. This 
feature may perhaps be best visualized with reference to FIGS. 5 and 7. 
The cavity 122 exits the jaw 110 at 130. In this manner, when the jaw pair 
77 is closed, one may irrigate and suction directly through this port 130, 
rather than through the teeth 121. It will be appreciated that the 
serrated teeth function to break up blood clots and the like so as to be 
suctionable through these teeth. 
The operation of the alternative embodiment of the present invention is 
much the same as the primary embodiment as hereinabove described. The 
primary difference is that one may irrigate and suction between the teeth 
121 of the lower fixed jaw 110 while simultaneously grasping, etc. 
While I have described only two embodiments of my invention, those skilled 
in the art will readily recognize adaptations and modifications which can 
be made and which will result in an improved medical instrument, yet 
without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in 
the appended claims. Therefore, I intend for my invention to be limited 
only by the claims.