US6270501B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surgical method and apparatus and cannulated scalpel for use therein
Assignee: University of Michigan (System)
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Filing: 1999-11-08
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Granted: 2001-08-07
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Expires: 2019-11-08
Abstract
Abstract A surgical method and apparatus and cannulated scalpel for use therein are provided. In particular, the cannulated scalpel is used during surgical procedures to make an incision through intervening tissue about a guide pin having an end for engaging a target tissue, such as bone. The scalpel includes a hollow, elongated shaft adapted to slide over the guide pin and a head mounted at one end of the shaft. The head has at least one leading cutting edge that is adapted to cut along a plane through the intervening tissue as the shaft slides over the guide pin toward the target tissue engaging end of the guide pin. The scalpel can then be removed from the incision along the plane, preferably with the aid of a trailing guide edge. Following removal of the scalpel, a driving tool, such as a power surgical drill, can be introduced to drive a cannulated fastener along the guide pin and through the incision to embed the fastener in the target tissue and provide fixation of the target tissue.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew A. Freiberg
- 👤 Steven A. Goldstein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:38
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/34; A61B17/3417; A61B17/3421; A61B17/16; A61B17/17; A61B17/1735; A61B17/32; A61B17/3209; A61B17/3211
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A cannulated scalpel for making an incision through intervening tissue about a guide pin having a target tissue engaging end, the scalpel comprising: a hollow, elongated shaft having first and second ends, the first and second ends including openings which allow the shaft to slide over the guide pin; a head mounted adjacent the second end of the shaft, the head having at least one leading cutting edge projecting outwardly beyond the width of the shaft and adapted to cut along a plane through the intervening tissue as the shaft slides over the guide pin toward the target tissue engaging end of the guide pin.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A cannulated scalpel for making an incision through intervening tissue about a guide pin having a target tissue engaging end, the scalpel comprising: a hollow, elongated shaft having first and second ends, the first and second ends including openings which allow the shaft to slide over the guide pin; a head mounted adjacent the second end of the shaft, the head having at least one leading cutting edge projecting outwardly beyond the width of the shaft and adapted to cut along a plane through the intervening tissue as the shaft slides over the guide pin toward the target tissue engaging end of the guide pin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The scalpel of claim 1 , wherein the head has a trailing guide edge to facilitate removal of the scalpel from the incision along the plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The scalpel of claim 2 , wherein the trailing guide edge is adapted to cut along the plane through the intervening tissue.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The scalpel of claim 1 , wherein the head has a pair of spaced leading cutting edges adapted to cut along a pair of planes through the tissue.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The scalpel of claim 4 , wherein the head has a pair of spaced trailing guide edges to facilitate removal of the scalpel from the incision along the pair of planes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The scalpel of claim 1 , wherein the shaft includes an exterior grip surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The scalpel of claim 1 , wherein the scalpel is disposable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The scalpel of claim 1 , wherein the head is disposable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The scalpel of claim 1 , wherein the shaft is constructed of metal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The scalpel of claim 1 , wherein the shaft is constructed of plastic.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for making an incision through intervening tissue about a guide pin, the guide pin having a target tissue engaging end that is engaged with a target tissue, the method comprising: sliding a cannulated scalpel over the guide pin toward the target tissue engaging end of the guide pin, the cannulated scalpel comprising a hollow, elongated shaft having first and second ends, the first and second ends including openings, and a head mounted adjacent the second end of the shaft, the head having at least one leading cutting edge projecting outwardly beyond the width of the shaft, in order to cut along a plane through the intervening tissue.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for making an incision through intervening tissue about a guide pin, the guide pin having a target tissue engaging end that is engaged with a target tissue, the method comprising: sliding a cannulated scalpel over the guide pin toward the target tissue engaging end of the guide pin, the cannulated scalpel comprising a hollow, elongated shaft having first and second ends, the first and second ends including openings, and a head mounted adjacent the second end of the shaft, the head having at least one leading cutting edge projecting outwardly beyond the width of the shaft, in order to cut along a plane through the intervening tissue.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 11 , further comprising removing the scalpel from the incision along the plane using a trailing guide edge.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein removing the scalpel from the incision using a trailing guide edge includes cutting along the plane with the trailing guide edge.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
153 words
An apparatus for providing fixation of a target tissue, the apparatus comprising: a guide pin having a target tissue engaging end; a cannulated scalpel for making an incision through intervening tissue about the guide pin, the scalpel comprising a hollow, elongated shaft having first and second ends, the first and second ends including openings which allow the shaft to slide over the guide pin, and a head mounted adjacent the second end of the shaft, the head having at least one leading cutting edge projecting outwardly beyond the width of the shaft and adapted to cut along a plane through the intervening tissue as the shaft slides over the guide pin toward the target tissue engaging end of the guide pin; and a driving tool for driving a cannulated fastener along the guide pin and through the incision to embed the fastener in the target tissue and provide fixation of the target tissue.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
153 words
An apparatus for providing fixation of a target tissue, the apparatus comprising: a guide pin having a target tissue engaging end; a cannulated scalpel for making an incision through intervening tissue about the guide pin, the scalpel comprising a hollow, elongated shaft having first and second ends, the first and second ends including openings which allow the shaft to slide over the guide pin, and a head mounted adjacent the second end of the shaft, the head having at least one leading cutting edge projecting outwardly beyond the width of the shaft and adapted to cut along a plane through the intervening tissue as the shaft slides over the guide pin toward the target tissue engaging end of the guide pin; and a driving tool for driving a cannulated fastener along the guide pin and through the incision to embed the fastener in the target tissue and provide fixation of the target tissue.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the driving tool is operable to embed the fastener in bone.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The scalpel of claim 14 , wherein the head has a trailing guide edge to facilitate removal of the scalpel from the incision along the plane.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The scalpel of claim 16 , wherein the trailing guide edge is adapted to cut along the plane through the intervening tissue.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The scalpel of claim 14 , wherein the head has a pair of spaced leading cutting edges adapted to cut along a pair of planes through the tissue.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The scalpel of claim 18 , wherein the head has a pair of spaced trailing guide edges to facilitate removal of the scalpel from the incision along the pair of planes.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the driving tool is a power surgical drill.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the cannulated fastener comprises a cannulated screw.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the cannulated fastener comprises a cannulated pin.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for providing fixation of a target tissue, the method comprising: inserting a guide pin having a target tissue engaging end through intervening tissue and into engagement with the target tissue; sliding a cannulated scalpel over the guide pin toward the target tissue engaging end of the guide pin in order to make an incision through the intervening tissue about the guide pin, the cannulated scalpel comprising a hollow, elongated shaft and a head mounted at one end of the shaft, the head having at least one leading cutting edge for cutting along a plane through the intervening tissue; removing the cannulated scalpel from the incision along the plane; and driving a cannulated fastener along the guide pin and through the incision to embed the fastener in the target tissue and provide fixation of the target tissue.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for providing fixation of a target tissue, the method comprising: inserting a guide pin having a target tissue engaging end through intervening tissue and into engagement with the target tissue; sliding a cannulated scalpel over the guide pin toward the target tissue engaging end of the guide pin in order to make an incision through the intervening tissue about the guide pin, the cannulated scalpel comprising a hollow, elongated shaft and a head mounted at one end of the shaft, the head having at least one leading cutting edge for cutting along a plane through the intervening tissue; removing the cannulated scalpel from the incision along the plane; and driving a cannulated fastener along the guide pin and through the incision to embed the fastener in the target tissue and provide fixation of the target tissue.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein driving the cannulated fastener includes embedding the fastener in bone.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein removing the scalpel includes removing the scalpel along the plane using a trailing guide edge.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein removing the scalpel along the plane using a trailing guide edge includes cutting along the plane with the trailing guide edge.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-08-06 | 2005-02-05 | 2005-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-08-06 | 2009-02-05 | 2009-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-08-06 | 2013-02-05 | 2013-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |