Tonsil forceps

Abstract

A tonsil forceps having first and second intersecting and pivoting arm members, releasable locking members for securing the forceps in multiple positions and sets of inwardly curved, blunt tipped, finger-like tine members, wherein the sets of tine members do not contact each other when the forceps are closed. In at least one of the locked positions, the tips on one set of the finger-like tines do not cross the tips of the other set of finger-like tines. The finger-like tines extend from a palm-like curved portion of each arm member, and inwardly facing non-sharp projection members, such as raised ridges, blunted teeth or the like are located on the interior sides of the palm-like curved portions. The projecting members are non-contacting with each other even in the maximum closed forceps position.

1 . A tonsil forceps comprising:
 a first intersecting arm member and a second intersecting arm member, each having a distal end and a proximal end, said arm members joined in pivoting manner, such that said distal ends can be closed and opened by bringing together or spreading apart said arm member proximal ends in scissor-like manner;   each of said distal ends comprising means for grasping a tonsil to separate said tonsil from surrounding mucosa, muscle and fascia, each said grasping means comprising a set of finger-like tine members extending generally in the distal direction from a palm-like curved portion, wherein said finger-like tine members are inwardly curved with blunt tips and are separated by gaps, whereby said tine members of said first arm member are non-contacting with said tine members of said second arm member when said forceps are closed and said tine members are fully interdigitated;   said distal ends of said arm members being angled out of the plane containing said arm members;   a finger loop positioned at said proximal end of each said arm member;   inwardly facing, blunt projection members positioned on each of said palm-like curved portions, wherein said blunt projection members do not contact each other when said forceps is fully closed; and   means for temporarily locking said forceps in a fixed position;   whereby said tonsil forceps do not penetrate or fragment a tonsil when said grasping means are closed about the tonsil.   
   
   
       2 . The forceps of  claim 1 , wherein said locking means comprise a first transverse bar member mounted to said first arm member and a second transverse bar member mounted to said second arm member, said transverse bar members being inwardly facing and opposing, such that said transverse bar members slidingly engage as said forceps are closed, said locking means further comprising opposing teeth members positioned on said transverse bar members;
 and further wherein said locking means provides at least one locked position wherein said tine members are not interdigitized.   
   
   
       3 . The forceps of  claim 1 , wherein said blunt projection members comprise at least one ridge extending across said palm-like curved portion. 
   
   
       4 . The forceps of  claim 1 , wherein said blunt projection members comprise a plurality of blunt tooth members positioned adjacent the sides of said palm-like curved portions. 
   
   
       5 . The forceps of  claim 3 , wherein said blunt projection members comprise a plurality of blunt tooth members positioned adjacent the sides of said palm-like curved portions. 
   
   
       6 . The forceps of  claim 2 , wherein said blunt projection members comprise at least one ridge extending across said palm-like curved portion and a plurality of blunt tooth members positioned adjacent the sides of said palm-like curved portions. 
   
   
       7 . The forceps of  claim 1 , further comprising means for pivoting said arm members comprising an intermediate body segment disposed on each said arm member, each said intermediate body segment having a flat interface surface and a bore, and a mechanical fastener positioned in said bore. 
   
   
       8 . The forceps of  claim 2 , further comprising means for pivoting said arm members comprising an intermediate body segment disposed on each said arm member, each said intermediate body segment having a flat interface surface and a bore, and a mechanical fastener positioned in said bore. 
   
   
       9 . The forceps of  claim 5 , further comprising means for pivoting said arm members comprising an intermediate body segment disposed on each said arm member, each said intermediate body segment having a flat interface surface and a bore, and a mechanical fastener positioned in said bore. 
   
   
       10 . The forceps of  claim 6 , further comprising means for pivoting said arm members comprising an intermediate body segment disposed on each said arm member, each said intermediate body segment having a flat interface surface and a bore, and a mechanical fastener positioned in said bore. 
   
   
       11 . A tonsil forceps comprising:
 means for grasping a tonsil comprising in combination two sets of finger-like tine members extending from broad curved members disposed on pivoting arm members, said individual tine members being separated by gaps such that said sets of tine members are non-contacting with each other when said forceps are fully closed, said tine members having blunt tips, said grasping means further comprising blunt projection members disposed on said broad curved members, wherein said projection members are non-contacting when said forceps are fully closed;   said broad curved members being disposed at an angle from said arm members;   releasable means for locking said forceps in a chosen position, at least one such position being such that said tine members do not intersect.   
   
   
       12 . The forceps of  claim 11 , wherein said locking means comprise a first transverse bar member mounted to said first arm member and a second transverse bar member mounted to said second arm member, said transverse bar members being inwardly facing and opposing, such that said transverse bar members slidingly engage as said forceps are closed, said locking means further comprising opposing teeth members positioned on said transverse bar members. 
   
   
       13 . The forceps of  claim 11 , wherein said blunt projection members comprise at least one ridge extending across said palm-like curved portion and a plurality of blunt tooth members positioned adjacent the sides of said palm-like curved portions. 
   
   
       14 . The forceps of  claim 11 , further comprising means for pivoting said arm members comprising an intermediate body segment disposed on each said arm member, each said intermediate body segment having a flat interface surface and a bore, and a mechanical fastener positioned in said bore. 
   
   
       15 . The forceps of  claim 11 , wherein said broad curved members are disposed at an angle of between 10 and 30 degrees from said arm members.