Multifunctional tissue dissecting instrument
First Claim
1. A multifunctional tissue dissecting instrument for use in a surgical procedure of the type where a portal is established to provide access to an operative site within an anatomical cavity and said instrument is introduced to the operative site through the portal, said multifunctional instrument comprisinga blunt dissector having a distal end adapted to be introduced into the anatomical cavity through the portal, a proximal end adapted to be positioned externally of the anatomical cavity, and a dissector body disposed at said distal end to contact anatomical tissue for blunt dissection;
- a probe disposed within said blunt dissector and having a tip movable between a retracted position where said probe tip is disposed within said blunt dissector and an extended position where said probe tip protrudes from said distal end of said blunt dissector; and
a handle disposed at said proximal end of said blunt dissector and coupled with said probe, said handle being selectively operable to move said probe tip between said retracted and extended positions, whereby said instrument can be used as a blunt dissector when said probe tip is moved to said retracted position and said instrument can be used to treat anatomical tissue with said probe when said probe tip is moved to said extended positions;
wherein said blunt dissector includes an elongate tubular member having proximal and distal ends and said dissector body includes an absorbent body of material disposed on said tubular member distal end for contact with tissue and wherein said probe is disposed in said tubular member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multifunctional tissue dissecting instrument for use in a surgical procedure includes a blunt dissector, a probe disposed within the blunt dissector and a handle coupled with the probe at a proximal end of the blunt dissector and operable to move a tip of the probe between a retracted position within the blunt dissector and an extended position protruding from the blunt dissector. The blunt dissector preferably includes an elongate tubular member and an absorbent body of material disposed on the distal end of the tubular member. The absorbent body at the distal end of the tubular member is configured to contact tissue for blunt dissection and, when other functions are desired or required as part of the surgical procedure, the probe tip can be moved from the retracted position to the extended position, for example to cut or penetrate tissue for sharp dissection, to transmit energy, to manipulate or pull the tissue or to otherwise treat the tissue. The body of absorbent material can also be used to absorb body fluids at the operative site and, if an operating channel is defined through the instrument in communication with the absorbent body, the operating channel can be used to provide fluid for irrigation, to create suction for aspiration and to administer medicaments at the operative site. Furthermore, the probe can be made hollow to define an operating channel through the instrument through which additional instruments can be introduced at the operative site or through which the functions of irrigating, aspirating and administering medicaments can be performed.
279 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A multifunctional tissue dissecting instrument for use in a surgical procedure of the type where a portal is established to provide access to an operative site within an anatomical cavity and said instrument is introduced to the operative site through the portal, said multifunctional instrument comprising
a blunt dissector having a distal end adapted to be introduced into the anatomical cavity through the portal, a proximal end adapted to be positioned externally of the anatomical cavity, and a dissector body disposed at said distal end to contact anatomical tissue for blunt dissection; -
a probe disposed within said blunt dissector and having a tip movable between a retracted position where said probe tip is disposed within said blunt dissector and an extended position where said probe tip protrudes from said distal end of said blunt dissector; and a handle disposed at said proximal end of said blunt dissector and coupled with said probe, said handle being selectively operable to move said probe tip between said retracted and extended positions, whereby said instrument can be used as a blunt dissector when said probe tip is moved to said retracted position and said instrument can be used to treat anatomical tissue with said probe when said probe tip is moved to said extended positions; wherein said blunt dissector includes an elongate tubular member having proximal and distal ends and said dissector body includes an absorbent body of material disposed on said tubular member distal end for contact with tissue and wherein said probe is disposed in said tubular member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A multifunctional tissue dissecting instrument for use in a surgical procedure of the type where a portal is established to provide access to an operative site within an anatomical cavity and said instrument is introduced to the operative site through the portal, said multifunctional instrument comprising
a blunt dissector having a distal end adapted to be introduced into the anatomical cavity through the portal, a proximal end adapted to be positioned externally of the anatomical cavity, and a dissector body disposed at said distal end to contact anatomical tissue for blunt dissection; -
a probe disposed within said blunt dissector and having a tip movable between a retracted position where said probe tip is disposed within said blunt dissector and an extended position where said probe tip protrudes from said distal end of said blunt dissector; and a handle disposed at said proximal end of said blunt dissector and coupled with said probe, said handle being selectively operable to move said probe tip between said retracted and extended positions, whereby said instrument can be used as a blunt dissector when said probe tip is moved to said retracted position and said instrument can be used to treat anatomical tissue with said probe when said probe tip is moved to said extended position; wherein said probe is hollow to define an operating channel through said instrument and wherein said probe further includes a valve with a coupling.
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24. A multifunctional tissue dissecting instrument for use in a surgical procedure of the type where a portal is established to provide access to an operative site within an anatomical cavity and said instrument is introduced to the operative site through the portal, said multifunctional instrument comprising
an elongate tubular member having a distal end adapted to be introduced into the anatomical cavity through the portal, a proximal end adapted to be positioned externally of the anatomical cavity and an operating channel extending through said elongate tubular member to provide access to the operative site in the anatomical cavity; - and
an absorbent body of material disposed at said distal end of said elongate tubular member and having a configuration to absorb body fluids at the operative site and to contact anatomical tissue for blunt dissection without obstructing access to the operative site via said operating channel. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification