Method and system for performing endoscopic surgery at locations where tissue inserts into bone

Claim 3

The system of claim 1 wherein said sleeve includes two opposing planar sidewalls so that said sleeve forms a smooth oval cross sectional configuration.

Claim 4

The system of claim 2 wherein said opposing sidewalls are angled relative to each other.

Claim 7

The device of claim 4 wherein said sleeve forms a portal opening along said slot and intermediate said open ends, said portal opening being circumferentially wider than said slot.

Claim 8

The device of claim 5 wherein said portal opening is defined between two longitudinally extending side edges.

Claim 9

The device of claim 5 wherein said portal opening is disposed approximately midpoint along the length of said sleeve.

Claim 10

The device of claim 5 wherein said sleeve is formed with two of said slots, said slots being aligned with each other and extending longitudinally from opposite sides of said portal opening.

Claim 11

The device of claim 4 further including grip means attached to said sleeve for manipulation and orientation of said sleeve.

Claim 12

The device of claim 9 wherein said grip means is disposed about and attached to one of said open ends, said grip means including a generally disk shaped collar forming gripping indentations about the circumferential surface of said collar.

Claim 13

The device of claim 4 wherein said passageway is formed with a generally circular transverse cross section.

Claim 14

The device of claim 4 wherein said sleeve is formed by two opposing side portions having circularly curved transverse cross sections, the upper edges of said side portions forming said slot and a lower arcuate portion extending between the lower edges of said side portions opposite said slot and portal opening, said passageway having a non-circular cross section with an upper instrument portion being defined between said side portions and a lower register portion interconnected to said upper instrument portion being defined by said arcuate surface.

Claim 15

A surgical device for use in performing endoscopic surgery within a human body comprising: a tubular sleeve adapted to penetrate the human body and having opposite open ends, said sleeve defining an interior passageway extending the length of said sleeve, one of said open ends being adapted for the introduction of an endoscope into said passageway and the other end being adapted for the introduction of surgical instruments into said passageway, said sleeve having a slot formed along its longitudinal length to intersect said interior passageway, and a portal opening formed intermediate the length of said slot and having greater circumferential width than said slot for enabling greater access to the adjacent human body for manipulation of said endoscope and surgical instruments; and an obturator having a shaft with a forward distal end and configured to allow said shaft to be slidably inserted within said passageway and a tip formed at said distal end to pass through and extend outward from said sleeve when said obturator is inserted into said sleeve, said tip including an upper edge longitudinally aligned with the surface of said shaft, and a guiding edge angled downward and rearward from said upper edge to form an angle with a lower surface of said shaft, said guiding edge guiding the movement of said sleeve when said sleeve and said inserted obturator are inserted into the body.

Claim 16

A surgical device for use in performing endoscopic surgery within a human body comprising: a tubular sleeve adapted to penetrate the human body and having opposite open ends, said sleeve defining an interior passageway extending the length of said sleeve, one of said open ends being adapted for the introduction of an endoscope into said passageway and the other end being adapted for the introduction of surgical instruments into said passageway, said sleeve having a slot formed along its longitudinal length to intersect said interior passageway, and a portal opening formed intermediate the length of said slot and having greater circumferential width than said slot for enabling greater access to the adjacent human body for manipulation of said endoscope and surgical instruments; and an obturator having a shaft with a forward distal end and configured to allow said shaft to be slidably inserted within said passageway and a tip formed at said distal end to pass through and extend outward from said sleeve when said obturator is inserted into said sleeve, said tip including an upper edge longitudinally aligned with the surface of said shaft, and a guiding edge angled downward and rearward from said upper edge to form an angle with a lower surface of said shaft, said guiding edge guiding the movement of said sleeve when said sleeve and said inserted obturator are inserted into the body.