Surgical Skin Punch Apparatus

• US 20110022068A1
• Filed: 07/22/2009
• Published: 01/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: King SAUD University
• Original Assignee: Khalid M. Alghamdi
• Inventors: AlGhamdi, Khalid M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,187,292 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/167
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32053 Punch like cutting instruments, e.g. using a cylindrical or oval knife A61B17/326 takes precedence; trepans A61B17/1695; for use on the cornea A61F9/007
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32093 for skin incisions

Abstract

A surgical skin punch apparatus to excise subcutaneous abnormalities and allow for efficient resealing of the skin surface. The surgical skin punch apparatus generally includes an elongated handle and a cutting member including a plurality of cutting edges, wherein the cutting member extends from the elongated handle. The cutting member is comprised of a C-shape to form a pivotal skin fragment to access subcutaneous material beneath. A method of using the apparatus is also described.

Claims

1. A surgical skin punch apparatus, comprising:

an elongated handle; and

a cutting member including a plurality of cutting edges, wherein said cutting member extends from said elongated handle;

wherein said cutting member is comprised of a cross-sectional C-shape to form a pivotal skin fragment to access material beneath.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cutting member is comprised of an elongated structure.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of cutting edges include a first cutting edge, a second cutting edge, and a third cutting edge.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said first cutting edge is parallel to said second cutting edge.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said first cutting edge and said second cutting edge define a slot between thereof.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said third cutting edge is perpendicular to said first cutting edge and said second cutting edge.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said third cutting edge is comprised a C-shaped structure.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cutting member is hollow.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cutting member includes a slot to form said cross-sectional C-shape, wherein said slot comprises at least 25% of a circular perimeter around said cutting member.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elongated handle is hollow.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elongated handle includes a first section and a second section extending from said first section, wherein said first section is comprised of a uniform diameter and wherein said second section is comprised of a tapering diameter.

12. A surgical skin punch apparatus, comprising:

an elongated handle, wherein said handle is straight; and

a cutting member including a plurality of cutting edges, wherein said cutting member extends from said elongated handle;

wherein said cutting member is concentric with said elongated handle;

wherein said cutting member is comprised of a cross-sectional C-shape to form a pivotal skin fragment to access material beneath;

wherein said cutting member includes a slot to form said cross-sectional C-shape, wherein said slot comprises at least 25% of a circular perimeter around said cutting member;

wherein said cutting member is comprised of an elongated structure;

wherein said plurality of cutting edges include a first cutting edge, a second cutting edge, and a third cutting edge;

wherein said first cutting edge is parallel to said second cutting edge;

wherein said first cutting edge and said second cutting edge define said slot between thereof;

wherein said third cutting edge is perpendicular to said first cutting edge and said second cutting edge;

wherein said third cutting edge is comprised a C-shaped structure;

wherein said cutting member is hollow.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said elongated handle includes a first section and a second section extending from said first section, wherein said first section is comprised of a uniform diameter and wherein said second section is comprised of a tapering diameter.

14. A method of excising subcutaneous material and resealing of the skin surface, comprising:

providing a surgical skin punch apparatus including an elongated handle and a cutting member, wherein said cutting member extends from said elongated handle and wherein said cutting member is comprised of a cross-sectional C-shape;

aligning said surgical skin punch apparatus with a subcutaneous material;

placing said cutting member upon said skin surface;

pressing down on said handle in a non rotatable manner to pierce said skin surface with said cutting member and cause a C-shaped incision in said skin surface;

forming a skin fragment upon said skin surface, wherein a first portion of a perimeter of said skin fragment is connected to said surrounding skin and a second portion of said perimeter of said skin fragment is disconnected from said surrounding skin;

pivoting said skin fragment along said first portion of said perimeter away from said subcutaneous material to expose an opening through said skin surface;

removing said subcutaneous material;

pivoting said skin fragment back over said opening; and

suturing said second portion of said perimeter of said skin fragment to said surrounding skin to close said opening.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said providing step includes said cutting member having a plurality of cutting edges.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said plurality of cutting edges include a first cutting edge, a second cutting edge, and a third cutting edge.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said first cutting edge is parallel to said second cutting edge.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said first cutting edge and said second cutting edge define a slot between thereof.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said third cutting edge is perpendicular to said first cutting edge and said second cutting edge.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said third cutting edge is comprised a C-shaped structure.