Connecting Surgical Tools with Rotational-to-Linear Motion Adapters
This patent describes a system for connecting surgical tools, specifically an end effector to an electrosurgical instrument, by converting rotational motion into linear motion for precise control.
Original patent title: “Adapter, extension, and connector assemblies for surgical devices”
This patent describes a system for connecting surgical tools, specifically an end effector to an electrosurgical instrument, by converting rotational motion into linear motion for precise control. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent provides an assembly for linking an end effector to an electrosurgical instrument. It includes an adapter assembly with first and second pusher assemblies that change rotational spinning into straight-line movement. A drive member within the adapter helps transfer this rotational motion. The assembly also features an extension assembly, which uses flexible bands to carry the straight-line movement from the adapter. Additionally, a trocar assembly within the extension also converts rotational motion into linear motion, ensuring precise control of the surgical tool. For example, this system could allow a surgeon to rotate a control knob on a handle, and have that rotation precisely translate into a forward or backward movement of a tiny cutting or grasping tool at the tip of a long, thin instrument.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover surgical device connections that only use purely mechanical linkages without converting rotational motion to linear motion.
- Does not cover systems for connecting non-electrosurgical instruments where the specific rotational-to-linear conversion mechanisms (pusher assemblies, flexible band assemblies, trocar assembly) are absent.
- Does not cover assemblies where linear motion is generated directly without an intermediate rotational input.
- Does not cover connections for surgical tools that do not involve an 'end effector' being attached to an 'electrosurgical instrument' as described.
- Does not cover systems that transfer motion solely through rigid rods or cables without the described flexible band assembly.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The noveltynoveltyThe requirement that an invention be different from anything publicly known before its priority date.Read more → lies in the specific combination of adapter and extension assemblies that efficiently convert rotational input into precise linear output, especially using flexible band assemblies for motion transfer and a trocar assembly for additional rotational-to-linear conversion, all within a compact system for surgical tools.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Laparoscopic surgical instruments
Robotic surgical systems
Endoscopic tools for biopsies
Minimally invasive surgical devices
Why it matters
The bigger picture
In surgery, especially minimally invasive procedures, precise control over instruments is critical. This patent addresses the challenge of transmitting complex movements from a surgeon's hand to a tiny tool inside the body. By converting rotational motion to linear motion, it allows for fine adjustments and controlled actions, which can improve patient outcomes and enable more complex procedures.
Filed
February 28, 2025
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Major medical device companies like Medtronic, Ethicon (Johnson & Johnson), and Intuitive Surgical are constantly innovating in surgical instrument design, particularly for minimally invasive and robotic-assisted procedures. These companies develop and refine adapter and extension technologies to improve the precision and functionality of their surgical tools.
Market impact
This type of technology contributes to the ongoing evolution of minimally invasive surgery, enabling more complex procedures with smaller incisions. It helps drive the demand for advanced surgical instruments that offer surgeons greater dexterity and control. Innovations in these connection assemblies can reduce surgical complications and recovery times, expanding the types of procedures that can be performed less invasively.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent provides an assembly for linking an end effector to an electrosurgical instrument. It includes an adapter assembly with first and second pusher assemblies that change rotational spinning into straight-line movement. A drive member within the adapter helps transfer this rotational motion. The assembly also features an extension assembly, which uses flexible bands to carry the straight-line movement from the adapter. Additionally, a trocar assembly within the extension also converts rotational motion into linear motion, ensuring precise control of the surgical tool. For example, this system could allow a surgeon to rotate a control knob on a handle, and have that rotation precisely translate into a forward or backward movement of a tiny cutting or grasping tool at the tip of a long, thin instrument.
The clever bit
The novelty lies in the specific combination of adapter and extension assemblies that efficiently convert rotational input into precise linear output, especially using flexible band assemblies for motion transfer and a trocar assembly for additional rotational-to-linear conversion, all within a compact system for surgical tools.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover surgical device connections that only use purely mechanical linkages without converting rotational motion to linear motion.
- Does not cover systems for connecting non-electrosurgical instruments where the specific rotational-to-linear conversion mechanisms (pusher assemblies, flexible band assemblies, trocar assembly) are absent.
- Does not cover assemblies where linear motion is generated directly without an intermediate rotational input.
- Does not cover connections for surgical tools that do not involve an 'end effector' being attached to an 'electrosurgical instrument' as described.
- Does not cover systems that transfer motion solely through rigid rods or cables without the described flexible band assembly.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$26K – $84K
Midpoint $53K · 18.4 yr remaining · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). Connecting Surgical Tools with Rotational-to-Linear Motion Adapters (U.S. Patent No. 12,733,934). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12733934/adapter-extension-and-connector-assemblies-for-surgical-devices
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Connecting Surgical Tools with Rotational-to-Linear Motion Adapters cover?
This patent describes a system for connecting surgical tools, specifically an end effector to an electrosurgical instrument, by converting rotational motion into linear motion for precise control.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
In surgery, especially minimally invasive procedures, precise control over instruments is critical. This patent addresses the challenge of transmitting complex movements from a surgeon's hand to a tiny tool inside the body. By converting rotational motion to linear motion, it allows for fine adjustments and controlled actions, which can improve patient outcomes and enable more complex procedures.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover surgical device connections that only use purely mechanical linkages without converting rotational motion to linear motion.
Patent monitoring