ENDOSCOPIC SURGICAL TOOL

• US 20080045989A1
• Filed: 09/06/2006
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MicroAire Surgical Instruments LLC
• Original Assignee: MicroAire Surgical Instruments LLC
• Inventors: Welborn, Kenneth W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,918,784 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/170
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320036 adapted for use within the carpal tunnel
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/306 using optical fibres

Abstract

An endoscopic tool utilizes a fiber optic system for illuminating and imaging ligaments or other tissue which are to be cut. Illumination and imaging is performed above a lateral opening at the distal end of a probe that is inserted into an incision point. Preferably, a two edged blade which can be moved in both the distal to proximal direction and the proximal to distal direction is selectively deployable from of the lateral opening at the distal end of the probe. The endoscopic tool is small in size, and preferably includes a pencil grip with a button actuator for deploying the two edged cutting blade. A wire actuator that fits into a slot in the bottom of the deployable blade, can be nested with the fiber optic cable such that the cross sectional area of the probe is reduced. Alternatively, a tube concentric with the fiber optic cable can be used as the mechanism for actuating the blade or other device. The surgeon can observe cutting of the ligament or other tissue as he moves the endoscopic tool in either or both the forward or reverse direction on a display screen which is operatively connected to the fiber optic system. A retractor can be used in conjunction with the endoscopic tool to lift tissue where dissection is desired, and to function as a guide for the blade.

Claims

1. An endoscopic tool, comprising:

a hand grip;

a probe extending from the hand grip, said probe having an opening towards a distal end;

a two edged blade positioned in said opening which is selectively deployable from said opening;

an actuator on said hand grip for selectively deploying said two edged blade; and

a fiber optic extending through said hand grip and said probe for supplying light to said opening and for permitting imaging at said opening of said probe.

2. The endocopic tool of claim 1 wherein said hand grip is a pencil grip and wherein said actuator includes a depressible button.

3. The endoscopic tool of claim 1 wherein said two edged blade is pivoted from a direction where a tip is oriented toward said hand grip to a position where said tip is approximately perpendicular to said probe.

4. The endoscopic tool of claim 1 wherein said actuator includes a wire nested with said fiber optic which fits in a slot at a base of said two edged blade.

5. The endoscopic tool of claim 1 wherein said actuator includes a tube concentric with said fiber optic which includes a pin which fits in a slot at a base of said two edged blade.

6. A retractor for use in endoscopic surgical applications, comprising:

a handle;

a wire projection positioned at a distal end of said handle said wire projection forming a loop; and

a sight projecting from said handle at a point above said wire projection which is aligned with said loop.

7. An endoscopic tool kit;

comprising;

a retractor having a handle with a wire projection positioned at a distal end of said handle where said wire projection forms a loop; and

an endoscopic tool having a handle with a probe extending from said handle, said probe having a lateral opening out of which a blade is selectively deployable,

wherein said probe of said endoscopic tool fits within said loop of said wire projection of said retractor.

8. The endocopic tool kit of claim 7 wherein said blade of said endoscopic tool is two edged.

9. A method for performing a endocopic cutting operation, comprising the steps of

inserting a probe of an endoscopic tool within an incision;

moving the probe to a location where a tissue or ligament is to be cut;

illuminating and imaging a section of tissue or ligament positioned above a lateral opening in said probe;

deploying a two edged blade from said lateral opening of probe; and

moving the two edged blade in both a first direction that is proximal to distal with respect to said endoscopic tool and in a second direction that is distal to proximal with respect to said endoscopic tool.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of:

lifting a section of tissue using a retractor having a wire projection in the shape of a loop wherein the wire projection is inserted at said incision; and

wherein said steps of deploying and moving are performed only when said blade is within said loop of said wire projection.

11. An endoscopic surgical tool, comprising:

a probe housing having an opening;

an optical fiber positioned within said probe housing for

(i) providing illumination from said opening in said probe housing, and/or

(ii) allowing imaging of tissue at said opening;

a movable sleeve concentric with said optical fiber, said movable sleeve having an extension portion which extends beyond an end of said optical fiber which has an opening which is aligned with said opening in said probe housing;

a device which is pivotably connected to said probe housing; and

engagement members on said device and said movable sleeve which engage each other, wherein movement of said movable sleeve causes pivoting of said device whereby an extendible portion of said device is either selectively extended from said opening of said probe housing or positioned within said opening in said probe housing.

12. The endoscopic surgical tool of claim 11 where the device is a cutting blade.

13. The endoscopic surgical tool of claim 12 wherein the cutting blade has cutting surfaces on its forward and reverse edges.

14. The endoscopic surgical tool of claim 11 where the optical fiber is present with a plurality of fibers in a fiber bundle.

15. The endoscopic surgical tool of claim 11 wherein said opening in said probe housing is located on a top surface near one end of said probe housing.

16. The endoscopic surgical tool of claim 11 wherein said engagement members comprise a pin connected to said extension portion of said movable sleeve, and a slot in a base of said device.

17. An endoscopic surgical tool, comprising:

a probe housing having an opening;

an optical fiber positioned within said probe housing for

(i) providing illumination from said opening in said probe housing, and/or

(ii) allowing imaging of tissue at said opening;

a U shaped wire nested with said optical fiber, said movable sleeve which extends beyond an end of said optical fiber;

a device which is pivotably connected to said probe housing; and

engagement member on said device which engage said U shaped wire, wherein movement of said U shaped wire causes pivoting of said device whereby an extendible portion of said device is either selectively extended from said opening of said probe housing or positioned within said opening in said probe housing.