Surgical instrument for endoscopic surgery

Abstract

Surgical instrument for endoscopic surgery that permits the simulation of the articulation movements of a surgeon finger, comprising a rigid tube ( 3 ) whose distal end has a first phalanx ( 4 ) articulated, being in turn articulated to a second phalanx ( 5 ), which is linked to the rigid tube ( 3 ) by means of cables housed in cross ducts ( 12 ), situated in the interior of the first phalanx ( 4 ), linking the movement of the second phalanx ( 5 ) to that of the first phalanx ( 4 ), whose articulation takes place due to the actuation of the transmission rod ( 11 ), the rigid tube ( 3 ) being attachable to a handle ( 1 ) that incorporates a controller ( 2 ) for the actuating of the instrument articulation movement by the surgeon, which operates a fork ( 14 ), which in turns actuates the transmission rod ( 11 ).

1 . Surgical instrument for endoscopic surgery characterised in that it comprises a rigid tube, whose distal end has a first phalanx articulated, which in turn, at its distal end, has a second phalanx articulated, which is linked to the rigid tube by means of cables housed in cross ducts, situated in the interior of the first phalanx, linking the movement of the second phalanx to that of the first phalanx. 
     
     
         2 . Surgical instrument for endoscopic surgery according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the ends of the cables housed in the ducts are fixed at the distal end of the rigid tube by means of anterior anchoring holes, and at the proximal end of the second phalanx by means of end anchoring holes. 
     
     
         3 . Surgical instrument for endoscopic surgery according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the interior of the rigid tube houses a transmission rod which is connected at its distal end to a link, which is in turn connected, by its opposite end, to the first phalanx, whose articulation is produced by the actuation of the transmission rod. 
     
     
         4 . Surgical instrument for endoscopic surgery according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the rigid tube is attachable to a handle, which has an appropriate configuration for the holding, gripping and handling of the instrument with just one hand by the surgeon. 
     
     
         5 . Surgical instrument for endoscopic surgery according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the handle has a controller, for actuating the instrument articulation movement by the surgeon, which operates a fork, which in turn acts on the transmission rod. 
     
     
         6 . Surgical instrument for endoscopic surgery according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the interior of the handle is provided with at least a spring, or some other equivalent cushioning element, for regulating and increasing the precision of the movement of the controller. 
     
     
         7 . Surgical instrument for endoscopic surgery according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the rigid tube is enabled to rotate around its own axis in respect of the handle by means of a rotation crown, which is situated in the coupling area between the handle and the rigid tube. 
     
     
         8 . Surgical instrument for endoscopic surgery according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the rotation crown houses a mechanism comprising at least a spring, or some other equivalent means of cushioning, for locking the position of the rigid tube. 
     
     
         9 . Surgical instrument for endoscopic surgery according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the area of actuation of the fork with the transmission rod is provided with an initial positioning wheel, which permits the positional adjustment of the fork in relation to the transmission rod, for regulating the initial position of articulation of the first phalanx and of the second phalanx, prior to the operation of the controller by the surgeon. 
     
     
         10 . Surgical instrument for endoscopic surgery according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the interior of the rigid tube, of the first phalanx and of the second phalanx has an internal axial hole, which is connected to a duct for the tasks of irrigation and suction of liquids during surgery. 
     
     
         11 . Surgical instrument for endoscopic surgery according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the distal end of the second phalanx is configured to incorporate a terminal of an electric or ultrasound scalpel. 
     
     
         12 . Surgical instrument for endoscopic surgery according to  claim 1 , characterised in that it is disposable. 
     
     
         13 . Surgical instrument for endoscopic surgery according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the distal end of the rigid tube incorporates sensors, which may consist of extensiometric gauges according to the three axes of three-dimensional space, which convert the forces that act on the instrument into electrical signals, providing information on the forces that the instrument exerts on the patient. 
     
     
         14 . Surgical instrument for endoscopic surgery according to  claim 13 , characterised in that the actuation on the instrument is carried out by means of a robot so that the instrument may be actuated remotely in telesurgery operations.