Importance

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Abstract

A ferrule for a laparoscopic surgical instrument is enclosed. The ferrule is an integral plastic piece which shields a peripheral uncovered portion of a metal tube of the surgical instrument which is intermediate a shrink wrap covered portion of the metal tube and an actuator housing which closely surrounds an extended portion of the metal tube. The ferrule has first and second end portions and a middle portion, with a cylindrical bore in the first end which closely contacts the shrink wrap covered portion of the metal tube, a first outwardly flaring frusto-conical bore in the middle portion and adjacent the cylindrical bore which surroundingly covers the uncovered portion of the metal tube, and a second outwardly flaring frusto-conical bore in the second end adjacent the first outwardly flaring bore. The second outwardly flaring frusto-conical bore has a smaller inner diameter than the adjoining portion of the first frusto-conical bore to provide an inwardly depending projection which closely, matingly engages a peripheral channel in the housing surrounding the extended portion of the metal tube. The ferrule is color coded to signify the type of surgical instrument of which it is part.

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First Claim