Glenn Jaffe Dr Jaffe

Address:

3618 Carlisle Dr, Durham, NC 27707

Phone:

(919)4935886

VIN:

WBAVB73567PA86996

Make:

BMW

Model:

3 SERIES

Year:

2007

US Patent:

20020156465, Oct 24, 2002

Filed:

Apr 19, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/837555

Inventors:

Ronald Overaker - Durham NC, US
Cynthia Toth - Chapel Hill NC, US
Brian Dodge - Hillsborough NC, US
Brooks McCuen - Durham NC, US
Glenn Jaffe - Durham NC, US
Eric Postel - Raleigh NC, US
Sharon Fekrat - Durham NC, US

International Classification:

A61B017/00

US Classification:

606/001000

Abstract:

Hand-held instruments have an actuator assembly which may be employed to actuate a distally mounted tool by application of radial force about the entirety of the instrument circumference (i.e., is omni-actuatable). Most preferably, the actuator assembly includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart generally L-shaped actuator levers defining respective arcuate bearing surfaces along exterior edge regions thereof, and a retaining ring which circumferentially bounds the actuator levers around the exterior edge regions thereof. The retaining ring most preferably defines an interior stationary arcuate guide surface in conformable mated relationship to the bearing surfaces of said actuator levers. Radial force applied to the proximally extending arm sections of said levers thereby responsively causes the bearing surfaces thereof to be slideably moved along the guide surface of said retaining ring so as to translate such radial force into longitudinal movements of an elongate actuation pin between retracted and extended positions thereof. By providing a tool which operatively coacts with the actuation pin, a surgeon may actuate the tool as needed by applying radial force at any point about the circumference of the actuator assembly.