WO2024209173A1

WO2024209173A1 - Improvments in and relating to surgical thumb forceps

Info

Publication number: WO2024209173A1
Application number: PCT/GB2023/050942
Authority: WO
Inventors: Oliver Sowerby
Original assignee: Endomagnetics Ltd
Current assignee: Endomagnetics Ltd
Priority date: 2023-04-06
Filing date: 2023-04-06
Publication date: 2024-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 2025-10-06
Also published as: CN120897711A; AU2023439649A1

Abstract

A surgical forceps (10), comprising a first arm (3) and an opposing second arm (4), and a hinge portion (2), wherein the hinge portion is arcuate and extends around the hinge axis such that an inner surface of the hinge portion defines a void, the hinge axis (A) passing through said void. Also provided is a surgical forceps (10) wherein the surgical forceps further comprise a first alignment upstand (35) arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first arm (3), a second alignment upstand (45) arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the second arm (4), the first and second alignment upstands configured and arranged to prevent misalignment of the first and second arm when the forceps are moved to the closed position.

Description

IMPROVMENTS IN AND RELATING TO SURGICAL THUMB FORCEPS

Field of the Disclosure

[0001] The present disclosure relates to surgical forceps, particularly those for use in surgery, for example for forceps used in various open surgeries. For example, the forceps may be used to grasp hold or manipulate tissues and objects as part of surgical operations concerning the removal of tumours, lesions and other abnormalities, which may be invisible to the eye and non- palpable, and which can be detected using a hand-held probe that emits an oscillating magnetic field to detect a localisation marker previously inserted in or near the tumours, lesions or other abnormalities.

Background

[0002] With the increasing prevalence of mammography screening programmes, the majority of breast cancers are detected as small, non-palpable (or occult) lesions in the upper, outer quadrant of the breast, which are amenable to breast conserving treatment. Accurate localisation helps to avoid excision of excess breast tissue which could result in adverse cosmetic results. Accurate localisation is often also required in the treatment of other cancers such for example as colorectal, prostate and lung cancer, as well as other conditions known by those of skilled in the art.

[0010] US 2019/0029560 Al (Endomagnetics Ltd), for example, discloses a magnetic marker comprising a single plug made of a single magnetically detectable ferromagnetic material, which has a magnetic susceptibility such that the marker is detectable using a handheld magnetic susceptometry probe. Meanwhile, WO 2011/067576 Al (Endomagnetics Ltd) discloses a system and method for locating injectable magnetic nanoparticles having a mean hydrodynamic diameter of 5-200 nm and preferably between 10-50 nm. Suitable susceptometry probes are disclosed by US 8174259 B2 (Hattersley et al.), WO 2014/140566 Al (Endomagnetics Ltd) and US 9239314 B2 (Endomagnetics Ltd and University of Houston), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[001 1] Given that the magnetic markers listed above are located with the use of very sensitive detection equipment, there is a need for tools use to operate on surgeries involving said markers that are non-metallic because metallic tools may interfere with the accurate detection of the markers. The tools should therefore be made of a non-metallic material. Moreover, there are environmental and economic benefits of tools being re-useable. For tools to be reusable, it is necessary forthem to be sufficiently easy to sterilise. The tools should also preferably be ergonomic, and have a feeling in use comparable to metallic tools, as surgeons are more used to handling metallic tools. Thus, there is an unmet need for tools which do not interact with magnetic fields, are easy to clean and ergonomic to use.

Summary of the Disclosure

[0012 ] In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure therefore there is provided a surgical forceps, comprising a first arm and an opposing second arm, each arm having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the first and second arms are joined at respective proximal ends thereof to form a spring hinge portion, wherein the hinge portion is configured to provide an outwards biasing force to bias apart the first and second arms about a hinge axis that passes though the hinge portion; and wherein in both an open and a closed configuration, the hinge portion is arcuate and extends around the hinge axis such that an inner surface of the hinge portion defines a void, the hinge axis passing through said void.

10013] The spring hinge portion of a pair of forceps is a region where it is known that detritus and therefore bacteria can accumulate. Thus, having surgical forceps with an arcuate hinge portion defining an arcuate void around the hinged axis can be advantageous, as the void is significantly easier to clean than known forceps, in which the first and second arms meet at a point.

[0014] The surgical forceps may be configured to adopt a closed configuration when the biasing force is overcome, such that in the closed configuration respective distal ends of the first and second arms substantially contact each other, and an open configuration when the biasing force is not overcome, such that in the open configuration the distal ends of the first arm and second arm are not in contact with each other.

[0015] When the forceps are moved to the closed position, at a region of inflection immediately adjacent to the hinge portion the inner surfaces may oppose each other across a gap having a first distance. The radius of curvature of the inner surface of the hinge portion may be larger than the first distance between the first and second arms. The radius of curvature of the inner surface of the hinge portion may be between 1 and 10 mm, optionally between 1.5 and 7.5 mm, optionally between 2.5 and 5 mm, optionally between 2.5 and 5 mm, optionally between 3 and 4 mm, optionally between 3.5 and 3.9 mm, yet further optionally between 3.6 and 3.8 mm. The radius of curvature of the inner surface of the hinge portion may be approximately 3.75 mm.

[0016] Having a relatively large hinge portion, as compared to the first distance between the inner surfaces of the arms at the region of inflection allows the spring hinge portion to be thoroughly cleaned as the spring hinge portion can be more easily accessed by cleaning instruments.

[0017] The outer surface of the spring hinge portion may have a substantially rounded profile. This may stiffen the two arms against lateral movement/skewing relative to each other, which advantageously helps improve alignment of the distal ends of the forceps when they are moved to the closed position.

[0018] The forceps have a width, the width being a dimension aligned with the direction of the hinge axis. It may be that the forceps are widest at the hinge portion. The width of the forceps at the hinge portion may be between 7.5 mm and 20 mm, optionally between 10 mm and 17 mm and optionally between 12 mm and 15 mm. The width of the forceps at the hinge portion may be approximately 14 mm.

[0019] Having a wider portion at the hinge can reduce stress at the hinge potion. The width of at least one of the first or second arms, optionally both of the first and second arms, may gradually taper to be narrower away from the hinge portion though a tapering portion, said tapering portion being positioned closer to the proximal ends of the first and second arms than the distal ends. Having a gradual transition in width reduction improves the stiffness of the first arm and/or the second arm.

[0020] The curvature of an outer surface of at least one of the first or second arms may have a radius of curvature that increases away from the hinge portion along the length of the at least one arm through a transition portion, said transition portion being positioned closer to the proximal ends of the first and second arms than the distal ends. The transition portion may be at least 5mm long. The transition portion may be at least 15mm long. The transition portion may be at least 20mm long. The transition portion may be at least 25mm long.

[0021 ] The surgical forceps may further comprise : a first alignment upstand arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first arm, a second alignment upstand arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the second arm, the first and second alignment upstands positioned so as to allow for co-operative engagement of the first alignment upstand and second alignment upstand when the surgical forceps are moved to the closed position, and wherein the first and second alignment upstands are configured to prevent misalignment of the first and second arm when the forceps are moved to the closed position.

[0022] In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure therefore there is provided a surgical forceps, comprising a first arm and a second arm, wherein the first and second arm are joined at their respective proximal ends to form a hinge portion, wherein the hinge portion is configured to provide a biasing force to bias apart the first arm and second arm, wherein the surgical forceps further comprise, a first alignment upstand arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first arm, a second alignment upstand arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the second arm, the first and second alignment upstands configured and arranged to prevent misalignment of the first and second arm when the forceps are moved to the closed position. The surgical forceps is movable between an open and closed position. [0023 ] The surgical forceps may be configured to take a closed position when the biasing force is overcome, such that in the closed position distal ends of the first arm and second arm are substantially in contact with each other. The surgical forceps may be configured to take an open position when the biasing force is not overcome, such that in the open position the distal ends of the first arm and second arm are not in contact with each other.

[0024] Having a first and second alignment upstand allows for the overall length of the upstands to be reduced relative to the thickness of the arms, when compared to prior art forceps that only have one alignment upstand. This allows for greater design flexibility as to which direction the alignment upstands provide alignment, for example, having two upstands allows for lateral, and distal/proximal alignment (i.e. in a direction aligned with the length of the first and second arms) to be provided, with lateral (i.e. in a direction tangential to the length of the first and second arms) alignment provided by one upstand and distal/proximal direction alignment provided by a second upstand.

[0025] A first alignment recess may be incorporated into the second arm, the first alignment upstand and first alignment recess each being positioned so as to allow for co-operative engagement of the first alignment upstand in the first alignment recess when the surgical forceps are moved to the closed position. Optionally, a second alignment recess may be incorporated into the first arm, the second alignment upstand and second alignment recess each being positioned so as to allow for co-operative engagement of the second alignment upstand in the second alignment recess when the surgical forceps are moved to the closed position. Co-operative engagement of the first and second upstands in their corresponding recesses may only occur in the case where the forceps are moved to the closed position while being misaligned. The overall length of the upstands being reduced relative to the thickness of the arms, as is allowed by having a first and second alignment upstand, reduces the likelihood of any alignment upstand protruding though their corresponding recess, and thus reducing the chance of an alignment upstand extending through a recess to injure a user of the forceps.

[0026] The first alignment upstand and second alignment upstand may be each positioned closer to the distal ends of the first and second arms than the proximal ends. Being closer to the distal ends of the forceps improves the ability of the alignment upstands to prevent misalignment of the distal ends of the forceps as the forceps are moved to the closed position.

10027] The first alignment upstand may be configured to abut against the second alignment upstand when the forceps are moved to the closed position (while being misaligned) to prevent lateral and/or distal/proximal movement of the forceps. A distal portion of the first alignment upstand may be configured to abut against a proximal portion of the second alignment upstand when the forceps are moved towards the closed position (while being misaligned). [0028] The first alignment upstand may have a substantially arcuate shape with a distal surface and proximal surface. At least part of the second alignment upstand may be configured to abut against the distal surfaces of the first alignment upstand. By having an arcuate shape, the first alignment upstand may be able to prevent distal/proximal direction and lateral movement of the first arm relative to the second arm by engaging with the second alignment upstand.

[0029] The second alignment upstand may have a substantially linear shape, for example a blade, or fin shape. The linear shape of the second alignment upstand may be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the second arm. This provides ample surface area to engage with the first alignment upstand and or the second recess, and improves resistance to misalignment in the lateral direction.

[0030] The second alignment upstand may have a rounded region, for example a frustoconical region, located at a distal end of the linear shape, the rounded region being configured to engage with and abut against the arcuate shape of the first alignment upstand, when misalignment between the first and second arms occurs. Such a feature allows for alignment to be provided in both the distal/proximal direction and in the lateral direction. The linear shape of the second alignment upstand may be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the second arm.

[0031 ] Alternatively, the first alignment upstand may take the form of a cylinder. The second alignment upstand may take the form of a cylinder with a smaller diameter than the first alignment upstand. The first recess may be a hole that passes through the first alignment upstand, optionally through the centre of the first alignment upstand. The second recess may take a form such that it can receive the first alignment upstand.

[00 2] Alternatively, the first alignment upstand may take the form of an upstand having a substantially linear shape, such as a blade or a fin shape. There may also additionally be a third alignment upstand having a substantially linear shape, for example a blade, or fin shape, the third alignment upstand arranged to be perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the second arm, the first and third alignment upstand positioned so as to prevent misalignment of the first and second arm when the forceps are moved to the closed position. The co-operative engagement of the first upstand and second alignment upstand may take the form of an edge of the first upstand being configured to abut the second upstand on one lateral side of the second upstand in the case that the tool is moved to the closed position while being misaligned. An edge of the third upstand may be configured to abut the second upstand on one lateral side of the second upstand the case that the tool is moved to the closed position while being misaligned. A third alignment recess may be incorporated into the second arm, the third alignment upstand and third alignment recess each being positioned so as to allow for co-operative engagement of the third alignment upstand and third alignment recess when the surgical forceps are moved to the closed position. The linear shape of the first, second and third alignment upstands may be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the first and/or second arm.

[0033 ] The first and third upstand may be laterally and/or distally/proximally offset in relation to each other, and/or in relation to the second upstand. Such an offset may increase the ability of the forceps to correct for misalignment as they are moved to the closed position.

[0034] The forceps may have a hinge axis that passes though the hinge portion. The hinge portion may define a substantially arcuate void, wherein the hinge axis passes through said arcuate void.

[0035] The forceps of the first or second aspect may be formed from a material that does not conduct electricity. The forceps may be formed of a polymer, optionally a carbon-filled polymer, or optionally a glass-filled polymer. A carbon-filled polymer may comprise carbon fibres (in aligned or random orientation) and/or carbon spheres and/or carbon particles and/or carbon laminate material and/or carbon platelets. A carbon-filled polymer may comprise graphene. A glass-filled polymer may comprise glass fibres (in aligned or random orientation) and/or glass spheres and/or glass particles and/or glass laminate material and/or glass platelets. A benefit of glass-filled polymer is that it is not electrically conductive (and is, for example, less electrically conductive than carbon based composites), therefore giving an advantage when used with electrocautery tools as they do not conduct heat, which reduces the risk of burning the patient, or the tool itself deforming due to the heat. There is also a reduced risk of arcing or other electrical discharge when the forceps used with electrocautery tools, the flashes of such discharges being desirable to avoid, as they may impede the vision of a surgeon using the tool.

[0036] The first arm and second arm of the forceps of the first or second aspect each may comprise a substantially flat surface arranged such that a user can apply force to the tool (via pressing on the flat surfaces) to overcome the biasing force. Each substantially flat surface may comprise a plurality of groves. This improves the grip of the tool and helps mimic the feeling of the steel tools to which a surgeon may be accustomed to using, thereby improving the ergonomic performance of the tool.

100 7] The first arm of the forceps of the first or second aspect, at its distal end, may comprise a first jaw portion, and the second arm, at its distal end, may comprise a second jaw portion, such that the first and second jaw portions touch when the surgical forceps is in its closed position. The first and second jaw portions of the forceps of the first or second aspect may comprise a plurality of teeth, wherein the plurality of teeth of the first jaw portion are offset from the plurality of teeth of the second jaw portion. This helps the jaw portions close in a flush manner, and prevents the distal ends of the arms of the forceps from splaying in the closed positon. [0038] The forceps of the first or second aspect may have a length, in the closed position, of between 145mm and 250mm. The forceps of the first or second aspect may have a length, in the closed position, of approximately 187mm.

[0039] Further features and advantages of the various methods and apparatus of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of various implementations of the disclosure. Thus, following is a description by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings of various implementations of the present disclosure.

[0040] It will of course be appreciated that features described in relation to one aspect of the present disclosure may be incorporated into other aspects of the present disclosure. For example, the surgical forceps according to the first aspect of the disclosure may incorporate any of the features described with reference to the surgical forceps according to the second aspect of the disclosure, and vice versa.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0041 ] FIG. l is a schematic drawing of a handheld surgical forceps in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0042 ] FIG. 2A is top-down view of the handheld surgical forceps shown in FIG. 1.

[0043 ] FIG. 2B is bottom-up view of the handheld surgical forceps shown in FIG. 1.

10044 ] FIG. 3 is perspective view of the handheld surgical forceps shown in FIG. 1.

10045 ] FIG. 4A and Figure 4B show a cross-section view of the surgical forceps shown in FIG.1 at a distal portion of the forceps.

10046 ] FIG. 5A and Figure 5B show a cross-section view of a variant of a handheld surgical forceps in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0047 ] FIG. 6A shows a cross-section view of a further variant of a handheld surgical forceps in accordance with the present disclosure. FIG. 6B shows a top-down view of one of the arms of a handheld surgical forceps in the handheld surgical forceps shown in FIG. 6A.

Detailed Description

[0048] FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates schematically a handheld surgical forceps (10) in accordance with the present disclosure, when the forceps (10) are in an open positon. As shown in FIG. 1, the surgical forceps has a spring hinge portion (2) where a first arm (3) and a second arm (4) meet at proximal ends. The spring hinge portion (2) acts as a hinge that provides a biasing force to bias apart the first arm (3) and second arm (4). This biasing force can be overcome by applying force in a direction (D) to both the first and second arms. Each of the first and second arms (3, 4) are provided with grooves (6) which help to provide grip. Jaws (7) comprising a plurality of teeth (8) are provided on the distal end of the each of the first and second arm (3, 4). Thus, applying a force in the direction (D) sufficient to cause the biasing force provided by the spring hinge portion (2) to be overcome will cause the jaws (7) to close and the teeth (8) of the jaws (7) to touch. The first arm (3) has an inner surface (31) and an outer surface (32). The second arm (4) has an inner surface (41) and an outer surface (42).

[0049] The spring hinge portion (2), acts as a hinge around a hinge axis (A, the axis being into the page at the point marked by the cross). The spring hinge portion (2) defines an arcuate void around the hinge axis (A). The arcuate void has a radius (r) that is larger than distance (D2) between the inner surfaces of the first arm (3) and second arm (4) in a region immediately adjacent to the spring hinge portion (2), when the forceps (10) are in the open opposition. In the depicted embodiment of the present disclosure, the arcuate void has a radius as shown in Figure 1 of approximately 3.75 mm. The forceps have a length of approximately 186.59mm. The width of the forceps at the hinge portion, measured in the direction of the hinge axis, is approximately 14 mm.

[0050] The first arm (3) has a blade shaped upstand (35), that comprises a rounded, frustoconical portion (37) at an end of the blade. The second arm (4) has a crescent shaped upstand (45). The upstands (35, 45) together prevent misalignment of the first and/or second arms as the arms are closed together and moved along the direction (D). The upstands (35, 45) interact so as to prevent misalignment in the distal/proximal direction (i.e. in a direction aligned with a longitudinal axis of the forceps (10)) and in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the forceps (10). The shapes of the upstands are more easily shown in Fig. 3, Fig. 4A and FIG. 4B.

[0051 ] As shown in FIG. 2A and Fig 2B, the forceps (10) have their widest point at the spring hinge portion (2). The width of the each of the first arm (3) and second arm (4) then decreases gradually though a tapering region (33, 43) as each arm extends away from the spring hinge portion (2). Both the first and second arms (3, 4) are narrowest at their ends that are distal to the hinge portion (2). FIG. 2A shows a recess (36) in the first arm (3) configured to receive the crescent shaped upstand (45) of the second arm (4) when the arms are brought together along direction (D). The recess (36) can prevent misalignment by the crescent shaped upstand (45) abutting the sides of the recess in the case of misalignment, and the resultant camming forces returning the first and second arms (3,4) to an aligned position. FIG. 2B shows a recess (46) in the second arm (4) configured to receive the blade shaped upstand (35) of the first arm (3) when the arms are brought together along direction (D). The recess (46) can prevent misalignment by the blade shaped upstand (35) abutting the sides of the recess in the case of misalignment, and the resultant camming forces returning the first and second arms (3,4) to an aligned position.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 3, the forceps (10) have a rounded profile at the spring hinge portion (2). The radius of curvature of the outer surface (42) of the second arm 4 is also shown increasing from a flatter radius of curvature in the tapering region (43) to a more pronounced radius of curvature as the distance away from the spring hinge portion (2) increases. A substantially flat surface is provided where the groves (6) are present on the second arm (4).

[0053] As shown in FIG. 4A and Fig 4B, which shows a cross-section though a section of the forceps (10) in a perfectly aligned closed position, the upstands (35, 45) do not touch when the tool is perfectly aligned, and sit within the recesses (36, 46) in such a manner so as not to apply camming forces to the inside surfaces of the recesses. The upstands (35, 45) are sufficiently short in height that they do not protrude through the recesses (36, 46) when the forceps are in the closed position.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 5A and Fig 5B, which shows a cross-section though a section of a handheld surgical forceps (20) in accordance with the present disclosure. Unless redefined herein, or unless there is an obvious contradiction, it is assumed that elements of the handheld surgical forceps (20) shown in FIG. 5A and Fig 5B have elements previously described in relation with Figures 1 to 4. These elements will not be described again for the sake of brevity. A first arm

(203) has a cylindrical upstand (235) having a recess (236) though its centre. A second arm

(204) has a cylindrical upstand (245) that is surrounded by a moat like cylindrical recess (246). The upstands (235, 245) and recesses (236, 246) act to prevent misalignment as the forceps are moved from an open position, as shown in Fig. 5A, to a closed position, as shown in Fig. 5B.

[0055 ] As shown in FIG. 6A and Fig 6B, which shows a cross-section though a section of a handheld surgical forceps (30) in accordance with the present disclosure. Unless redefined herein, or unless there is an obvious contradiction, it is assumed that elements of the handheld surgical forceps (30) shown in FIG. 6A and Fig 6B have elements previously described in relation with Figures 1 to 4. These elements will not be described again for the sake of brevity. A first arm

(303) has a blade upstand (335) and a first recess (336) and second recess (337), the first and second recesses being adjacent to opposite edges (not shown) of the blade upstand (335). A second arm (304) has two blade upstands (345, 347) that configured so as to enter the first recess (336) and second recess (337) when the forceps are moved to the closed position along the actuation direction (A). The second arm has a recess (346) into which the blade upstand (335) on the first arm (303) can enter. The two blade upstands (345, 347) of the second arm

(304) are positioned so as to abut against the sides of the blade upstand (335) of the first arm (303) as the forceps are moved to the closed position (as can be shown by their relative position to the recess formed in the second arm 304, as shown in FIG. 6B). The upstands (335, 345, 347) and recesses (336, 337, 346) act to prevent misalignment as the forceps are moved from an open position, as shown in Fig. 6A, to a closed position.

[0056] In the exemplar disclosures described herein, the forceps are integrally formed of one-piece construction, and made of glass-filled polymer. In the disclosures described herein, the glass- filled polymer is in the form of fibres. In some disclosures of the invention, the fibres may be arranged in random or aligned configurations. The skilled person will however appreciate that the filler can be organised in any known configurations, and may, for example take the form of a glass laminate, or a dispersion of glass particulates and/or glass platelets within the polymer. However, the skilled person would readily anticipate that construction methods not using one- piece construction may be used. Likewise, alternative materials may be used in the construction of the forceps, and while such materials are preferably materials that do not conduct electricity, that does not necessarily need to be the case, and forceps falling within the scope of the present disclosure may, for example be formed of metal material, such as a steel alloy or a polymer fdled with carbon fibre/laminate/particulates/spheres/platelets and/or graphene.

[0057] Although aspects of the present disclosure have been described with reference to particular implementations examples, and disclosures it is to be understood that these implementations and examples are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the disclosure. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative implementations and examples and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0058] It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that features of the implementations and examples may be combined in other implementations that fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0059] While various details have been set forth in the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that the various aspects of the may be modified or altered. One skilled in the art will recognise that the herein described components are used as examples for the sake of conceptual clarity and that various configuration modifications are contemplated. Consequently, as used herein, the specific exemplars set forth and the accompanying discussion are intended to be representative of their more general classes. In general, use of any specific exemplar is intended to be representative of its class, and the non-inclusion of specific components, devices, and objects should not be taken limiting.

[0060 ] Further, while several forms have been illustrated and described, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Numerous modifications, variations, changes, substitutions, combinations, and equivalents to those forms may be implemented and will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the structure of each element associated with the described forms can be alternatively described as a means for providing the function performed by the element. Also, where materials are disclosed for certain components, other materials may be used. It is therefore to be understood that the foregoing description and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, combinations, and variations as falling within the scope of the disclosed forms. The appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, variations, changes, substitutions, modifications, and equivalents.

[0061] While in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentioned which have known obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present disclosure, which should be construed as to encompass any such equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the disclosure that are described as advantageous, suitable, convenient or the like are optional, and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that such optional integers or features, whilst of possible benefit in some embodiments of the disclosure, may not be desirable and may therefore be absent in other embodiments.

[0062] When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

[0063 ] The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases.

[0064] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.

[0065 ] The terms “spring hinge portion” and “hinge portion” are used interchangeably throughout the specification for brevity. Nevertheless, it is implicit that the hinge portion as described in disclosures herein provides a biasing force such that it acts as a spring. [0066] The terms “approximately” and “about” may be used to mean within ±20 % of a target value in some embodiments, within ±10 % of a target value in some embodiments, within ±5 % of a target value in some embodiments, and yet within ±2 % of a target value in some embodiments. The terms “approximately” and “about” may include the target value.

[0067] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. The transitional phrases “consisting of’ and “consisting essentially of’ shall be closed or semiclosed transitional phrases, respectively.

[0068] Where a range or list of values is provided, each intervening value between the upper and lower limits of that range or list of values is individually contemplated and is encompassed within the disclosure as if each value were specifically enumerated herein. In addition, smaller ranges between and including the upper and lower limits of a given range are contemplated and encompassed within the disclosure. The listing of exemplary values or ranges is not a disclaimer of other values or ranges between and including the upper and lower limits of a given range.

[0069] The use of headings and sections in the application is not meant to limit the disclosure; each section can apply to any aspect, embodiment, or feature of the disclosure. Only those claims which use the words "means for" are intended to be interpreted under 35 USC 112, sixth paragraph, and even then only in the United States. Absent a recital of “means for” in the claims, such claims should not be construed under 35 USC 112. Outside the United States, the words “means for” are intended to have their natural meaning. Uimitations from the specification are not intended to be read into any claims, unless such limitations are expressly included in the claims.

Claims

1. A surgical forceps, comprising: a first arm and an opposing second arm, each arm having an inner surface and an outer surface; wherein the first and second arms are joined at respective proximal ends thereof to form a spring hinge portion; wherein the hinge portion is configured to provide an outwards biasing force to bias apart the first and second arms about a hinge axis that passes though the hinge portion; and wherein in both an open and a closed configuration, the hinge portion is arcuate and extends around the hinge axis such that an inner surface of the hinge portion defines a void, the hinge axis passing through said void.

2. A surgical forceps as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the forceps are moved to the closed position, at a region of inflection immediately adjacent to the hinge portion, the inner surfaces oppose each other across a gap having a first distance, radius of curvature of the inner surface of the hinge portion being be larger than the first distance between the first and second arms.

3. A surgical forceps as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the radius of curvature of the inner surface of the hinge portion is between 2.5 mm and 7.5 mm.

4. A surgical forceps as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the outer surface of the hinge portion may have a substantially rounded profile.

5. A surgical forceps as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the forceps have a width, the width being a dimension aligned with the direction of the hinge axis, the forceps being widest at the hinge portion, and wherein the width gradually tapers narrower away from the hinge portion though a tapering portion, said tapering portion being positioned closer to the proximal ends of the first and second arms than the distal ends.

6. A surgical forceps as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the curvature of an outer surface of at least one of the first or second arms has a radius of curvature that increases away from the hinge portion along the length of the at least one arm through a transition portion, said transition portion being positioned closer to the proximal ends of the first and second arms than the distal ends.

7. A surgical forceps movable between an open and closed position, comprising: a first arm and a second arm, wherein the first and second arm are joined at their respective proximal ends to form a hinge portion, wherein the hinge portion is configured to provide a biasing force to bias apart the first arm and second arm, wherein the surgical forceps further comprise a first alignment upstand arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first arm, a second alignment upstand arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the second arm, the first and second alignment upstands configured and arranged to prevent misalignment of the first and second arm when the forceps are moved to the closed position.

8. A surgical forceps as claimed in claim 7, wherein a first alignment recess is incorporated into the second arm, the first alignment upstand and first alignment recess each being positioned so as to allow for co-operative engagement of the first alignment upstand in the first alignment recess when the surgical forceps are moved to the closed position, and optionally, wherein a second alignment recess is incorporated into the first arm, the second alignment upstand and second alignment recess each being positioned so as to allow for co-operative engagement of the second alignment upstand in the second alignment recess when the surgical forceps are moved to the closed position.

9. A surgical forceps assembly as claimed in any of claims 7 to 8 wherein the first alignment upstand and second alignment upstand are each positioned closer to the distal ends of the first and second arms than the proximal ends.

10. A surgical forceps as claimed in any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the first alignment upstand is configured to abut against the second alignment upstand to prevent lateral movement of the forceps when the forceps are moved towards the closed position while being misaligned.

11. A surgical forceps as claimed in any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the first alignment upstand has a substantially arcuate shape with a distal surface and a proximal surface.

12. A surgical forceps as claimed in claim 11, wherein at least part of the second alignment upstand is configured to abut against the distal surface of the first alignment upstand.

13. A surgical forceps as claimed in any of claims 7 to 12, wherein the second alignment upstand has a substantially linear shape.

14. A surgical forceps as claimed in claim 13 wherein the linear shape of the second alignment upstand is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the second arm.

15. A surgical forceps as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the forceps are formed from a material that does not conduct electricity.

16. A surgical forceps as claimed in claim 15 wherein the forceps are formed of a polymer, optionally a glass-filled polymer.

17. A surgical forceps as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the first arm and second arm each comprise a substantially flat surfaces arranged such that a user can apply force to the tool, via pressing on the flat surfaces, to overcome the biasing force.

18. A surgical forceps as claimed in claim 17 wherein each substantially flat surface comprises a plurality of groves.

19. A surgical forceps as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first arm, at its distal end, comprises a first jaw portion, and the second arm, at its distal end, comprises a second jaw portion, such that the first and second jaw portions touch when the surgical forceps is in its closed position.

20. A surgical forceps as claimed in claim 19 wherein the first and second jaw portions comprise a plurality of teeth, wherein the plurality of teeth of the first jaw portion are offset from the plurality of teeth of the second jaw portion.