GLENN JAFFE, M.D.
Medical Practice at Erwin Rd, Durham, NC

2002015, Oct 24, 2002

Apr 19, 2001

09/837555

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

A61B017/00

606/001000

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.