Patent Publication Number: US-2018042591-A1

Title: Surgical instruments including adjustable handle assemblies

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/375,025 filed Aug. 15, 2016, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure generally relates to surgical instruments and, more particularly, to improved handle assemblies for surgical instruments. 
     2. Background of Related Art 
     Handheld surgical instruments, e.g., electrosurgical forceps, shears, tack appliers, staplers, are well known in the medical arts and typically include a housing, a handle assembly, a shaft extending from the handle assembly, and in some instruments, an end effector assembly attached to a distal end of the shaft. The handle assembly may include one or more fixedly attached hand grips that provide a gripping surface for an operator, e.g., a clinician, such that the operator may securely grasp the surgical instrument. 
     A feature of these surgical instruments is that the handle assemblies are “one size fits all” and not custom designable for operators with hands that are outside the range of average sizes, or for operators having a left or right hand preference. 
     Accordingly, a need exists for ergonomically designed handles that can accommodate operators of all hand sizes to enhance comfort and grip during surgical procedures. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure relates to adjustable handle assemblies for use with surgical instruments. 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a handheld surgical instrument is provided, including a housing, a handle and a trigger mounted on the housing, and an elongated tubular portion extending distally from the housing. The surgical instrument includes a hand grip having a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one opening disposed therebetween, wherein the handle of the handheld surgical instrument is insertable into the at least one opening of the hand grip for engagement therewith, and wherein when the hand grip is engaged to the handle of the handheld surgical instrument, the hand grip affects a distance defined between the handle and the trigger. 
     The hand grip may be selectively engageable with the trigger of the handheld surgical instrument. When the hand grip is engaged with the trigger of the handheld surgical instrument, the hand grip affects the distance defined between the handle and the trigger. 
     The hand grip may further include finger grips for placement of fingers therein. 
     The hand grip may have at least one protuberance or at least one indentation to enhance grip. 
     The at least one opening may be a cavity extending through the top surface of the hand grip to the bottom surface of the hand grip. The at least one opening may be snap fitted with a back portion of the handle. The at least one opening may be a slot extending from the top surface of the hand grip to the bottom surface of the hand grip; and wherein the slot slidably receives a protrusion disposed along the length of the handle of the handheld instrument. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a handheld surgical instrument is provided, including a housing, a handle movably mounted on the housing, an elongated tubular portion extending distally from the housing, and a trigger movably mounted on the housing. 
     The handle may be pivotably connected to the housing such that the handle can pivot about the housing from a first position to a second position. 
     The handle may include an inner handle fixedly mounted to the housing, an outer handle rotatably mounted on the inner handle, the outer handle having a non-uniform shape, and wherein the outer handle rotates about the inner handle from a first gripping position to a second gripping position. 
     The handheld surgical instrument may further include a hand grip including a hand grip body having a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one opening disposed therebetween, wherein the handle of the handheld surgical instrument is insertable into the at least one opening of the hand grip for engagement therewith, and wherein when the hand grip is engaged to the handle of the handheld surgical instrument, the hand grip affects a distance defined between the handle and a trigger. 
     The hand grip may be selectively engageable with the trigger of the handheld surgical instrument. When the hand grip is engaged to the trigger of the handheld surgical instrument, the hand grip affects the distance defined between the handle and the trigger. 
     According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a handheld surgical instrument is provided, including a handpiece, a shaft assembly extending distally from the handpiece, and a hand grip slidably disposed over the handpiece, wherein the hand grip is movable from a proximal end portion of the handpiece to a distal end portion of the handpiece. 
     According to still yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a handheld surgical instrument kit is provided, including a handheld surgical instrument, including a housing, a handle and a trigger mounted on the housing and an elongated tubular portion extending distally from the housing. At least two hand grips may also be included, each having a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one opening disposed therebetween, wherein each hand grip is engageable with a handle of the handheld surgical instrument, and wherein when a selected one of the at least two hand grips is engaged to the handle of the handheld surgical instrument, the selected hand grip affects a distance defined between the handle and the trigger. 
     At least one of the at least two hand grips may be engageable with the trigger of the handheld surgical instrument. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a surgical instrument; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view, with a housing half removed, of the housing portion of the surgical instrument in an initial position; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view, partially shown in cross-section, of a distal end portion of the surgical instrument corresponding to  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view, with a housing half removed, of the housing portion of the surgical instrument in an actuated position; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a hand grip shown in relation to a handle of the surgical instrument of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective schematic illustration of another embodiment of a hand grip shown in relation to the handle of the surgical instrument of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic illustration of yet another embodiment of a hand grip shown in relation to a modified handle of the surgical instrument of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a trigger grip shown in relation to a trigger of the surgical instrument of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of a surgical instrument in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic illustration of yet another embodiment of a surgical instrument in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic illustration of still another embodiment of a surgical instrument in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic illustration of still yet another embodiment of a surgical instrument in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of a surgical instrument in accordance with the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic illustration of a surgical instrument kit in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure is directed to improved handle assemblies for handheld surgical instruments. Specifically, attachable, adjustable, and interchangeable ergonomic handle assemblies that may be positioned on the handle and/or trigger portions of handheld surgical instruments are provided herein. The handle assemblies are configured to accommodate operators of all hand sizes to enhance comfort, grip, operating efficiency, or the like during surgical procedures. 
     As shown in the drawings and described throughout the following description, as is traditional when referring to relative positioning on a surgical instrument, the term “proximal” refers to the end of the instrument which is closer to the operator and the term “distal” refers to the end of the instrument which is further away from the operator. Directional reference terms, such as “top,” “bottom,” “back,” “front,” “side,” and the like, are intended to ease description of the embodiments and are not intended to have any limiting effect on the ultimate orientations of the surgical devices, or any parts thereof. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a surgical instrument, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is generally designated by reference numeral  10 . Although surgical instrument  10  is shown and described as a tack applier herein (e.g., for the sake of simplicity), it should be appreciated that the handle assemblies of the present disclosure may be used with any type of handheld surgical instrument, e.g., motorized and non-motorized electrosurgical forceps, shears, clip appliers, staplers, aspirators, ablation probes, or the like. In addition, aspects and features of surgical instrument  10  not germane to the understanding of the present disclosure are omitted to avoid obscuring the aspects and features of the present disclosure in unnecessary detail. For a more detailed description of the construction and operation of an example of a tack applier, reference may be made to U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,221, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     Surgical instrument  10  is provided to apply fasteners to tissue or to secure mesh to tissue during surgical procedures such as e.g., hernia repair. Surgical instrument  10  generally includes a housing  12  and a handle portion  14  extending from housing  12 . A trigger  16  is movably mounted to housing  12 . Trigger  16  is pivotally connected to housing  12  with a free end of trigger  16  spaced from a free end of handle portion  14 . Surgical instrument  10  also includes an elongated tubular portion  18  extending distally from housing  12 . The elongated tubular portion  18  is provided to retain, e.g., a plurality of coil fasteners  20  ( FIG. 3 ) for application to body tissue. In operation, as trigger  16  is actuated, a fastener  20  ( FIG. 3 ) is fired from elongated tubular portion  18  to secure a surgical mesh to tissue. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , in an initial or starting position, trigger  16  is biased away from handle  14  due to the force of return spring  118 . As shown, teeth  112  of trigger  16  are engaged with teeth  114  of trigger gears  106 , ratchet-plate gear  98  is in a counterclockwise most position, and pawl  126  is disengaged from teeth  124  of ratchet-plate gear  98 . Referring now to  FIG. 3 , within distal end  46  of tubular sleeve  40 , a plurality of coil fasteners  20  are slidably mounted about drive rod  30 , all of which are disposed within elongated tubular shaft  18 . Each coil body portion  22  of each coil fastener  20  engages surface  52  of coil spring  48 , which is firmly secured to inner surface  50  of tubular sleeve  40 . Referring now to  FIG. 4 , to actuate surgical instrument  10 , trigger  16  is drawn toward handle  14  against the bias of return spring  118 . As trigger  16  is moved, teeth  112  on gear portions  110  of trigger  16  engage and rotate teeth  114  of trigger gears  106  clockwise. Rotation of trigger gears  106  rotates ratchet-plate gear  98  such that first edge  156  of engagement tab  152  engages ratchet-plate gear  98 . Idler gear  100  thus rotates with ratchet-plate gear  98  allowing a short expansion of compression spring  104 . As idler gear  100  is rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in  FIG. 4 , teeth  116  of idler gear  100  engage and rotate drive gear teeth  94  of drive gear  90  counterclockwise. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 4 , upon a complete depression of trigger  16 , drive rod  30  ( FIG. 3 ) is rotated precisely a predetermined amount such that only one coil fastener  20  is driven out of the distal end of elongated tubular portion  18 . During compression of trigger  16 , pawl  126  engages and rides over teeth  124  of ratchet-plate gear  98 . Should handle  16  be stopped during depression at any intermediate position, pawl  126  is engaged with teeth  124  to ensure that ratchet-plate gear  98  and idler gear  100  are not rotated in an opposite direction thereby preventing only partial insertion or withdrawal of coil fastener  20 , i.e. preventing a partial drive cycle. As trigger  16  is completely depressed, pawl  126  passes over teeth  124  and is disengaged therefrom. 
     As can be appreciated, it is often necessary to actuate surgical instrument  10  several times during a single procedure. Additionally, it may be necessary to use a large amount of force, e.g., on handle portion  14  and trigger  16  for extended periods during certain procedures. The hands of different operators come in a variety of shapes and sizes and each operator may have a left or right hand preference. As will be described below, handle assemblies and surgical instruments of the present disclosure provide enhanced comfort and grip for any hand size or dexterity. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a handle grip  200  of the present disclosure is shown. As will be described in more detail below, handle grip  200  is positioned on and/or over handle portion  14  of surgical instrument  10  to provide operators, e.g., clinicians of any hand size or preference with enhanced comfort and grip during surgical procedures. Handle grip  200  generally includes a distal wall  202 , a proximal wall  203 , an upper portion  204 , a lower portion  205 , a cavity  206  and left sidewall  206 , right sidewall  207 , and a cavity  208  defined by walls  202 ,  203 ,  206 , and  207 . Handle grip  200  may be made or molded of any suitable material including plastic, metal or metal alloy, rubber, or the like. Handle grip  200  may be rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible. As can be appreciated, handle grip  200  may be made or sized to accommodate any hand size (e.g., small, medium, and large), or may be formed or molded to a specific operator&#39;s hand and/or hand preference (e.g., left or right). 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 5 , distal wall  202  of handle grip  200 , as shown, has a substantially straight, flat, or planar profile to accommodate the fingers and/or the metacarpo-phalangeal joints of the hand. Proximal wall  203  of handle grip  200 , as shown, has a substantially contoured profile for the thumb and palm portion of the hand. As can be appreciated, distal wall  202  and proximal wall  203  of handle grip  200 , as well as left sidewall  206  and right sidewall  207  of handle grip  200 , may have any suitable shape, profile, material or other property to best provide comfort and grip to an operator. For example, handle grip  200  may have a series of finger pads, indentations, or divots for resting fingers therein. As another example, handle grip  200  may have a protrusion or a series of protrusions (not shown), such as an aggressive knurled pattern or checkering disposed thereon to ensure maximum grip and comfort. 
     Handle grip  200  operably couples to handle portion  14  via one or more suitable coupling methods. As shown in  FIG. 5 , handle portion  14  of surgical instrument  10  may be inserted into cavity  206  of handle grip  200  until upper portion  204  of handle grip  200  is in abutment with housing  12  and/or the lower portion of handle portion  14  is proximal with the lower portion  205  of handle grip  200 . Cavity  206  of handle grip  200  may be coupled to handle portion  14  by, e.g., friction fit, snap-fit, press-fit, low pressure adhesive, or the like. Thus, by selecting an appropriate handle grip  200  based on the operator&#39;s hand size, an operator may achieve a desired grip span “GS” (e.g., an appropriate distance between handle portion  14  and trigger  16 ) for e.g., a desired level of comfort and grip. 
     Another embodiment of a handle grip for use with surgical instrument  10  is shown in  FIG. 6  and generally designated as  300 . Snap handle grip or back-strap  300  generally includes a body  301 , a proximal surface  302 , an upper portion  303 , a lower portion  304 , left sidewall  305 , right sidewall  306 , an opening  307 , and a cavity  308  defined by left sidewall  305  and right sidewall  306 . Opening  305  of snap handle grip  300  may extend from upper portion  303  to lower portion  304 . Snap handle grip  300  may be operably coupled to handle portion  14  by way of snap fit, such that snap handle grip  300  may be easily installed onto, and/or removed from, handle portion  14  of surgical instrument  10 . For example, an operator may position opening  307  of snap handle grip  300  such that the length of snap handle grip  300  aligns with handle portion  14  of surgical instrument  10 . An operator then applies a lateral force to snap handle grip  300  to push it onto handle portion  14 , such that snap handle  300  is snapped into position on handle portion  14 . Alternatively, snap handle grip  300  may be coupled to handle portion  14  of surgical instrument  10  using a press fit, friction fit, low pressure adhesive, or the like. Snap handle grip  300  may share some of or all of the same materials and/or properties described in the embodiment of handle grip  200  above. 
     As an additional example, with reference to  FIG. 7 , a sliding handle grip for use with surgical instrument  10  and to, e.g., accommodate different hand sizes, is shown and generally designated as  400 . Sliding handle grip  400  generally includes a body  401 , a proximal wall  402 , a distal wall  403 , an upper portion  404 , a lower portion  405 , left sidewall  406 , right sidewall  407 , and an indentation  408  disposed on distal wall  403  and defined by left sidewall  406  and right sidewall  407 . Specifically, sliding handle grip  400  is designed for slidable engagement with handle portion  14  of surgical instrument  10 . In the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , handle portion  14  of surgical instrument  10  may have a raised protrusion or slotted portion  410  running along the entire length of handle portion  14 , which engages with a slot or indentation  408  of sliding handle grip  400  such that sliding handle grip  400  may be slid onto and coupled to handle portion  14  of surgical instrument  10 . Indentation  406  of distal wall  403  may be disposed at least a portion or along the entire length of sliding handle grip  400  for engagement with slotted portion  410  of handle portion  14 . 
     In order to position sliding handle grip  400  onto handle portion  14  of surgical instrument  10 , an operator positions sliding handle grip  400  underneath handle portion  14 , such that indentation  408  of upper portion  404  of handle grip  400  aligns and engages with slotted portion  410  of surgical instrument  10 . An operator then applies an upward force onto sliding handle grip  400  until upper portion  404  thereof abuts with housing  12  of surgical instrument  10  and lower portion  405  thereof is flush with the bottom portion of handle portion  14 . After sliding handle grip  400  is in place on handle portion  14 , a locking pin  420  may then be inserted into a pin hole (not shown) on the lower portion  405  of sliding handle grip  400  to keep sliding handle grip  400  in place during use. Additionally or alternatively, sliding handle grip  400  may have a friction fit with raised slotted portion  410  of handle portion  14 , such that sliding handle grip  400  remains affixed to handle portion  14  during use. 
     As an additional example, with reference to  FIG. 8 , a trigger grip for use with surgical instrument  10  to, e.g., accommodate different sized hands, is shown and generally designated as  500 . Trigger grip  500  is designed for coupling to trigger  16  of surgical instrument  10 . Trigger grip  500  may be used separately or in combination with any of the embodiments described herein. Trigger grip  500  generally includes a body  501 , a proximal wall  502 , a distal wall  503 , an upper portion  504 , a lower portion  505 , left sidewall  506 , right sidewall  507 , and a cavity  508  defined by walls  502 ,  503 ,  506 , and  507 . Trigger grip  500  may be made or molded from a flexible and conformable material, e.g., rubber, plastic, or the like. As such, trigger grip  500  can be designed as a flexible insert. For example, trigger  14  of surgical instrument  10  may be inserted into cavity  508  of trigger grip  500 . Additionally or alternatively, proximal wall  502  of trigger grip  500  may have a split seam  510 , which allows left sidewall  506  and right side wall  507  to be spread apart or separated such that cavity  508  of trigger grip  500  can encapsulate and form over trigger  14  of surgical instrument  10 . As can be appreciated, trigger grip  500  may be made to accommodate any hand size (e.g., small, medium, and large) or preference (e.g., left or right) or may be customized for a specific operator. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , distal wall  503  of trigger grip  500  may have finger grips  511  for placement of fingers therein. In accordance with the present disclosure, finger grips  511  may provide enhanced grip and comfort. For example, certain procedures may expose trigger  16  to bodily fluids, in which case finger grips  511  of trigger grip  500  may provide a clinician with enhanced comfort/grip. Additionally, body  501  of trigger grip  500  may have indentations, protrusions, or the like (e.g., embossing, knurled pattern, checkering, etc.) to further enhance grip. 
     With reference to  FIG. 9 , another embodiment of a surgical instrument for use with surgical instrument  10  to, e.g., accommodate different sized hands, is shown and generally designated as  600 . Surgical instrument  600  generally includes a housing  601 , an adjustable handle portion  602 , a trigger  603 , and an elongated tubular shaft  604 . Handle portion  602  may include a pin  605  located on an upper portion thereof and which may be slidably connected to and disposed within a slot  606  formed in a lower end of housing  601 . Pin  605  in combination with slot  606  permits the slidable movement of adjustable handle portion  602  about housing  601  into e.g., positions “A,” “B,” and “C,” as shown in  FIG. 9 . For example, in position “A,” an operator may use surgical instrument  600  in a pistol grip configuration, while in position “C,” an operator may use surgical instrument  600 , e.g., as a pencil-style device. Position “B” offers an intermediate position between positions “A” and “C.” Operators of different hand sizes and dexterity may use any of the positions during surgical procedures, e.g., for increased stability and/or advantage. 
     In use, a grip span “GS” of surgical instrument  600  is changed when adjustable handle portion  602  is moved, for example, from position “A” to “B,” “B” to “A,” “A” to “C,” “C” to “A,” “B” to “C,” or “C” to “B.” Adjustable handle portion  602  may be locked into and secured into any of the aforementioned positions (e.g., with the use of a ratcheting system or the like, not shown). It should be appreciated that any of the embodiments described herein may be used with surgical instrument  600 . For example, any of the interchangeable handle or trigger grips described herein may be positioned onto handle portion  602  or trigger  603  of surgical instrument  600 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 10 , another embodiment of a surgical instrument is shown and generally designated as  700 . Surgical instrument  700  generally includes a housing  701 , a pivotable handle portion  702 , a trigger  703 , and an elongated tubular shaft  704 . Pivotable handle portion  702  is pivotably connected to housing  701  through a pivotable connection  705 . Similar to the embodiment of surgical instrument  600  described above, pivotable handle portion  702  of surgical instrument  700  is movable and securable into several different positions to obtain a desired grip span “GS,” as shown in  FIG. 10 . Pivotable handle portion  702  of surgical instrument  700  also functions to change the angle of the axis of housing  701  and elongated tubular shaft  704  relative to the axis of pivotable handle portion  702 . Trigger  703  may also pivot with, or separately from, pivotable handle portion  702 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 11 , another embodiment of a surgical instrument is shown and generally designated as  800 . Surgical instrument  800  generally includes a housing  801 , a handle assembly  802 , a trigger  803 , and an elongated tubular shaft  804 . Handle assembly  802  includes an inner core or stem  802   a  and an outer sleeve  802   b,  which is rotatably connected to and may be coterminous with inner stem  802   a.  Inner handle  802   a  of handle assembly  802  may be a stationary spindle, or the like, with a ratcheting mechanism (e.g., a snap, or intent/detent mechanism, not shown) for allowing outer sleeve  802   b  to rotate about inner stem  802   a,  and lock or be secured into a desired position. Outer sleeve  802   b  may have a non-uniform, non-circular, or irregularly shaped profile such that when outer sleeve  802   b  is rotated about inner stem  802  of handle assembly  802 , the grip width “GW” is adjusted to suit an operator&#39;s preference. As can be appreciated, a desired grip width “GW” affects the grip span “GS,” or the spacing between handle assembly  802  and trigger  803 . Outer sleeve  802   b  may be formed from, for example, a soft, pliable, comformable, rigid or semi-rigid material. Outer sleeve  802   b  may have any number of indentations, protrusions, finger grips, or the like, for placing fingers therein. In addition, outer sleeve  802   b  may have at least one protrusion, indentation, or the like to provide enhanced grip and/or comfort. 
     With reference to  FIG. 12 , another embodiment of a surgical instrument is shown and generally designated as  900 . Surgical instrument  900  includes a housing  901 , a bulb handle assembly  902 , and an elongated tubular shaft  903 . Bulb handle assembly  902  may be a flexible balloon, similar to the bulbs used in blood pressure cuffs. Bulb handle assembly  902  may act as both a handle and a trigger. For example, bulb handle assembly  902  may comprise a mechanism that converts air pressure to linear/rotational displacement to, e.g., eject a tack from shaft  903 . The size of bulb handle assembly  902  may be varied by inflating and deflating bulb handle assembly  902  to accommodate different hand sizes. 
     With reference to  FIG. 13 , another embodiment of a surgical instrument is shown and generally designated as  1000 . Surgical instrument  1000  may be a handpiece or pencil style device. Surgical instrument  1000  generally includes a handpiece  1001 , a hand grip  1002 , an articulating knob  1003 , and an elongated tubular shaft  1004 . Articulation knob  1003  may be disposed at a distal end portion of the handpiece  1001  and operably coupled to elongated tubular shaft  1004  for selectively rotating elongated tubular shaft  1004  relative to handpiece  1001 . Additionally or alternatively, surgical instrument  1000  may include a battery  1005  located at a proximal end of handpiece  1001 . Surgical instrument  1000  may be a powered, e.g., motorized tack delivery device. Hand grip  1002  may be slidably mounted onto handpiece  1001 . 
     In use, an operator may move hand grip  1002  proximally or distally along handpiece  1001 . Hand grip  1002  allows an operator to have enhanced grip along any desired portion of handpiece  1001 . Hand grip  1002  may have a substantially ring shaped profile, but may be modified to any shape or size to suit an operator&#39;s preference. Hand grip  1002  may have a friction fit, interference fit, or the like, with handpiece  1001 . Hand grip  1002  may be removed from handpiece  1001  and interchanged with another hand grip  1002  (e.g., of different size or shape) to suit an operator&#39;s preference. 
     With reference to  FIG. 14 , a kit is shown and generally designated as  1100 . Kit  1100  includes a surgical instrument  1101 , at least one hand grip  1102 , and an instruction manual  1103  for operating surgical instrument  1101  and using/replacing hand grips  1102 . Surgical instrument  1101  is illustrated in  FIG. 14 . It is contemplated and within the scope of the present disclosure that the surgical instrument of kit  1100  may be any of the aforementioned surgical instruments. Likewise, hand grip  1102  may be any of the aforementioned handgrips, as shown in  FIG. 14  (e.g., hand grips  200 ,  300 , and  500  are explicitly shown). Kit  1100  may include one or more surgical instruments  1101  and one or more hand grips  1102  for use during surgical procedures. It should be appreciated that kit  1100  may include other items (not shown) as well. 
     It should be appreciated that all of the described embodiments may be custom sized, molded and/or fitted for any clinician based on hand size or hand preference. All of the described embodiments may be configured for right hands, left hands, or for both left and right hands. Moreover, all of the described handle grips may be formed from any conformable, flexible, rigid, or semi-rigid material, e.g., rubber, metal, metal alloy, plastic, polymer, or the like. Any of the embodiments described herein may be used separately from and/or in combination with each other, where practical. 
     Likewise, it should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the present disclosure. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variances. The embodiments described with reference to the attached drawings are presented only to demonstrate certain examples of the disclosure. Other elements, steps, methods, and techniques that are insubstantially different from those described above and/or in the appended claims are also intended to be within the scope of the disclosure.