Surgical Metal Detection Apparatus and Methods
First Claim
1. A surgical metal detection apparatus, comprising:
- an elongate, generally tubular cannula having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a passageway between the first and second ends that is open at both ends;
an elongate removable element having first and second ends corresponding to the first and second ends of the cannula, the removable element being sized and adapted (1) to be removably retained in an engaged position substantially within the passageway of the cannula such that the second end of the removable element is proximate to the second end of the cannula, and (2) to be removed from the cannula to allow for the passage of a removal tool through the cannula;
a detection coil within the cannula or the removable element; and
a detection circuit connected to the detection coil, the detection circuit and detection coil being constructed and adapted to detect the presence of a metallic element proximate to the second end of the cannula or the second end of the removable element when the removable element is in its engaged position substantially within the passageway of the cannula.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical metal detection apparatus. The apparatus comprises an elongate, tubular cannula and a removable element, which may be a trocar, releasably engaged within the cannula. A metal detection coil is positioned within the removable element or, in some embodiments, within the cannula. The metal detection coil is connected to a metal detection circuit which is adapted to detect the presence of a metallic element proximate to the end of the removable element or cannula. When a metallic element has been detected, the removable element may be removed from the cannula to permit the passage of a removal tool, such as a screwdriver, through the cannula without removing or changing the position of the cannula.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A surgical metal detection apparatus, comprising:
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an elongate, generally tubular cannula having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a passageway between the first and second ends that is open at both ends; an elongate removable element having first and second ends corresponding to the first and second ends of the cannula, the removable element being sized and adapted (1) to be removably retained in an engaged position substantially within the passageway of the cannula such that the second end of the removable element is proximate to the second end of the cannula, and (2) to be removed from the cannula to allow for the passage of a removal tool through the cannula; a detection coil within the cannula or the removable element; and a detection circuit connected to the detection coil, the detection circuit and detection coil being constructed and adapted to detect the presence of a metallic element proximate to the second end of the cannula or the second end of the removable element when the removable element is in its engaged position substantially within the passageway of the cannula. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A surgical metal detection apparatus, comprising:
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an elongate, generally tubular and substantially rigid cannula having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a passageway between the first and second ends that is open at both ends; and an elongate trocar constructed and adapted to fit removably within the passageway of the cannula such that, when within the cannula, a pointed end of the trocar lies just beyond and proximate to the second end of the cannula, the trocar having within it proximate to the pointed end at least a detecting element; and a detecting circuit connected to the detecting element within the trocar, the detecting circuit and detecting element being adapted to detect the presence of a metallic element proximate to the pointed end of the trocar. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A method of detecting and removing a metallic object during a surgical procedure, comprising:
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inserting a metal detection probe within a cannula into a cavity; and upon an indication that a metallic object is proximate to the metal detection probe and cannula, removing the metal detection probe from the cannula while leaving the cannula in place within the cavity, inserting a removal tool into the cannula in the place of the metal detection probe, and removing the metallic object through the cannula using the removal tool. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification