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 grasping members disposed on said arm members. In at least one of the locked positions, the tines on the grasping members do not cross. The grasping members have a concave interior surface, inwardly facing blunt interior projection members, flush lateral projection members and angled lateral projection members. 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 being joined by pivoting connection means defining a pivot plane, such that said distal ends can be closed and opened by bringing together or spreading apart said arm member proximal ends in a scissor-like manner, said distal ends of said arm members extending out of said pivot plane such that each said arm member has a concave side and a concave side;   a finger loop positioned at said proximal end of each said arm member;   means for temporarily locking said forceps in a fixed position;   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 grasping member comprising a concave interior surface bounded by a convex-side lateral edge and a concave-side lateral edge, a set of tine members extending generally in the distal direction with gaps between said tine members, whereby said tine members of said first arm member and said tine members of said second arm member are interdigitated when said forceps is fully closed, and inwardly facing, blunt projection members positioned on each of said interior surfaces, wherein said blunt projection members do not contact each other when said forceps is fully closed;   said grasping means further comprising at least one flush lateral projection member disposed on or adjacent said concave-side lateral edge and at least one angled lateral projection member disposed on or adjacent said convex-side lateral edge, whereby said at least one flush lateral projection member is flush with said concave side and said at least one angled projection member extends outwardly from said convex side.   
     
     
         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 interior surface of said grasping member. 
     
     
         4 . The forceps of  claim 2 , wherein said blunt projection members comprise at least one ridge extending across said interior surface of said grasping member. 
     
     
         5 . 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. 
     
     
         6 . 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. 
     
     
         7 . The forceps of  claim 1 , wherein said flush lateral projection members and said angled lateral projection members are pointed. 
     
     
         8 . The forceps of  claim 1 , wherein said flush lateral projection members extend approximately 90 degrees from said interior surface and said angled lateral projection members extend approximately 135 degrees from said interior surface. 
     
     
         9 . The forceps of  claim 2 , wherein said flush lateral projection members extend approximately 90 degrees from said interior surface and said angled lateral projection members extend approximately 135 degrees from said interior surface. 
     
     
         10 . The forceps of  claim 5 , wherein said flush lateral projection members extend approximately 90 degrees from said interior surface and said angled lateral projection members extend approximately 135 degrees from said interior surface. 
     
     
         11 . The forceps of  claim 6 , wherein said flush lateral projection members extend approximately 90 degrees from said interior surface and said angled lateral projection members extend approximately 135 degrees from said interior surface. 
     
     
         12 . 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 being joined by pivoting connection means defining a pivot plane, 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, said distal ends of said arm members extending out of said pivot plane whereby each said arm member has a concave side and a concave side;   a finger loop positioned at said proximal end of each said arm member;   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 grasping member comprising a concave interior surface bounded by a convex-side lateral edge and a concave-side lateral edge, a set of tine members extending generally in the distal direction with gaps between said tine members, whereby said tine members of said first arm member and said tine members of said second arm member are interdigitated when said forceps is fully closed, and inwardly facing, blunt projection members positioned on each of said interior surfaces, wherein said blunt projection members do not contact each other when said forceps is fully closed;   said grasping means further comprising at least one flush lateral projection member disposed on or adjacent said concave-side lateral edge and at least one angled lateral projection member disposed on or adjacent said convex-side lateral edge, whereby said at least one flush lateral projection member is flush with said concave side and said at least one angled projection member extends outwardly from said convex side;   means for temporarily locking said forceps in a fixed position, 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.   
     
     
         13 . The forceps of  claim 12 , wherein said blunt projection members comprise at least one ridge extending across said interior surface of said grasping member. 
     
     
         14 . The forceps of  claim 12 , 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 12 , wherein said flush lateral projection members and said angled lateral projection members are pointed. 
     
     
         16 . The forceps of  claim 12 , wherein said flush lateral projection members extend approximately 90 degrees from said interior surface and said angled lateral projection members extend approximately 135 degrees from said interior surface.