EP0308258A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surgical instrument
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1988-09-16
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-09-16
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an improved surgical method for inspecting and manipulating selected tissue in a body cavity, while minimizing the risk of injury to surrounding tissue, and a surgical instrument therefor.
Inventors
- 👤 John M. Agee
- 👤 Francis King
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:43
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/320016; A61B17/320036
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
A method for securing visual information from the point of manipulation of selected tissue in a body cavity by an instrument comprising employing in a surgical instrument comprising a probe having an upper surface, generally closed distal end, and a lateral aperture in said upper surface and adjacent said closed distal end; an optical system disposed at least partially within the probe, said system having a distal portion positioned adjacent the lateral aperture, thereby defining a viewing spaced between the distal portion of the optical system, and the distal end and the lateral aperture of the sheath, said space located within the field-of-view of the optical system; a working tool mounted within the viewing space capable of being extended from the viewing space through the lateral aperture; and means for extending the working tool outwardly from the viewing space and through the lateral aperture; whereby when the surgical instrument is positioned so that the lateral aperture is adjacent the selected tissue;the working tool is extended through the lateral aperture to a position appropriate to manipulate the selected tissue while avoiding inadvertent injury to surrounding tissue, the optical system transmits to an operator visual information regarding the positioning of the working tool.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
201 words
A method for securing visual information from the point of manipulation of selected tissue in a body cavity by an instrument comprising employing in a surgical instrument comprising a probe having an upper surface, generally closed distal end, and a lateral aperture in said upper surface and adjacent said closed distal end; an optical system disposed at least partially within the probe, said system having a distal portion positioned adjacent the lateral aperture, thereby defining a viewing spaced between the distal portion of the optical system, and the distal end and the lateral aperture of the sheath, said space located within the field-of-view of the optical system; a working tool mounted within the viewing space capable of being extended from the viewing space through the lateral aperture; and means for extending the working tool outwardly from the viewing space and through the lateral aperture; whereby when the surgical instrument is positioned so that the lateral aperture is adjacent the selected tissue;the working tool is extended through the lateral aperture to a position appropriate to manipulate the selected tissue while avoiding inadvertent injury to surrounding tissue, the optical system transmits to an operator visual information regarding the positioning of the working tool.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the instrument further comprises a grip handle rotatable connected to the probe; and means for adjusting the relative orientation between the lateral aperture of the probe and the grip handle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the means for extending the working tool further comprises means for automatically retracting the working tool upon release of the extending means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of the distal end of the probe; or the upper surface of the probe is configured to direct any displaceable tissue it contacts and divert said contacted tissue from the region of the lateral aperture and the upper surface of the probe.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the working tool comprises a cutting blade capable of dividing the selected tissue.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for transmitting visual information to an operator during a method for dividing the flexor retinaculum under visual inspection during carpal tunnel release, comprising: forming an incision which provides a passage to one end of the carpal tunnel; inserting a probe having a cutting blade and an optical system, which optical system comprises means for continuously observing the portion of the flexor retinaculum adjacent the cutting blade within its field-of-view, into the carpal tunnel through the passage; and observing the dividing of the flexor retinaculum , which releases the carpal tunnel, while minimizing the risk of injury to surrounding tissue.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for transmitting visual information to an operator during a method for dividing the flexor retinaculum under visual inspection during carpal tunnel release, comprising: forming an incision which provides a passage to one end of the carpal tunnel; inserting a probe having a cutting blade and an optical system, which optical system comprises means for continuously observing the portion of the flexor retinaculum adjacent the cutting blade within its field-of-view, into the carpal tunnel through the passage; and observing the dividing of the flexor retinaculum , which releases the carpal tunnel, while minimizing the risk of injury to surrounding tissue.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as recited in claim 6 wherein the passage is provided for inserting the probe into the proximal end of the carpal tunnel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method as recited in claim 6 wherein the probe further comprising an upper surface, a generally closed distal end, and a lateral aperture in said upper surface and adjacent said closed distal end, said lateral aperture being configured to permit the cutting blade to extend outward from the probe to contact the flexor retinaculum .
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as recited in claim 8 wherein the probe is configured to be inserted into the carpal tunnel before the flexor retinaculum is divided.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as recited in claim 9 wherein the cutting blade of the surgical instrument contacts the flexor retinaculum at its distal end and divides the flexor retinaculum while the probe is withdrawn from the carpal tunnel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
135 words
A surgical instrument for manipulating selected tissue in a body cavity under visual inspection, comprising: a probe having an upper surface, a generally closed distal end, and a lateral aperture in said upper surface and adjacent said closed distal end; means for accepting an optical system disposed at least partially within the probe, said system having a distal portion terminating adjacent the lateral aperture, thereby defining a viewing space between the distal portion of the optical system, and the distal end and the lateral aperture, said viewing space located within the field-of-view of the optical system; a working tool mounted within the viewing space and capable of being extended from the viewing space and through the lateral aperture; and means for extending the working tool outwardly from the viewing space and through the lateral aperture.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
135 words
A surgical instrument for manipulating selected tissue in a body cavity under visual inspection, comprising: a probe having an upper surface, a generally closed distal end, and a lateral aperture in said upper surface and adjacent said closed distal end; means for accepting an optical system disposed at least partially within the probe, said system having a distal portion terminating adjacent the lateral aperture, thereby defining a viewing space between the distal portion of the optical system, and the distal end and the lateral aperture, said viewing space located within the field-of-view of the optical system; a working tool mounted within the viewing space and capable of being extended from the viewing space and through the lateral aperture; and means for extending the working tool outwardly from the viewing space and through the lateral aperture.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
An instrument as recited in claim 11 wherein instrument further comprises a grip handle rotatably connected to the probe; and means for adjusting the relative orientation between the lateral aperture of the probe and the grip handle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
An instrument as recited in claim 12 wherein the means for extending the working tool further comprises means for automatically retracting the working tool upon release of the actuating means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
53 words
An instrument as recited in claim 11 wherein at least one of the distal end of the probe; or the upper surface of the probe is configured to direct any displaceable tissue it contacts and divert said contacted tissue from the region of the lateral aperture and the upper surface of the probe.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
An instrument as recited in claim 11, wherein the working tool comprises a cutting blade capable of dividing the selected tissue.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
An instrument as recited in claim 11, wherein the working tool comprises a cutting blade capable of dividing the selected tissue.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
78 words
An instrument as recited in claim 11, wherein the means for extending the working tool through the viewing space and the lateral aperture of the probe comprises a longitudinally displaceable actuation shaft contained within the probe adapted to respond to actuating movement by an operator of the instrument, said actuation shaft being connected to said working tool in actuating relationship therewith providing means for transforming longitudinal displacement of the actuation shaft into outward extension of the working tool.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
An instrument as recited in claim 16 wherein each additional increment of longitudinal displacement of the actuation shaft produces a correspondingly greater increment in the extension of the working tool.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
56 words
An instrument as recited in claim 17 wherein the working tool is cooperatively engaged with an axially fixed, rotatable pivot in the distal end of the probe so that longitudinal displacement of the actuation shaft produces an angular displacement of the working tool as the actuation shaft approaches the pivot, thereby outwardly extending the working tool.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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