Surgical instruments and methods of use

• US 9,107,695 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Issued: 08/18/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brolex, LLC
• Original Assignee: Brolex, LLC
• Inventors: Horton, Jeremy C., Smith, Steven R., Olsen, Kristian J., Smith, Bryce R.
• Primary Examiner(s): SEVERSON, RYAN J
• Application Number:
  US13/839,411
• Publication Number:
  US 20130245638A1
• Time in Patent Office: 886 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32093 for skin incisions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/42 Gynaecological or obstetrical instruments or methods ligaturing clamps or clips for the umbilical cord A61B17/122; curettage A61B17/320708; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00424 ergonomic, e.g. fitting in fist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00429 with a roughened portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/061 for measuring dimensions, e.g. length
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/08021 of the patient or his organs

Abstract

A surgical instrument comprises a handle having a blade proximate a distal end of the handle. A blade edge inset from a mouth of the recess is exposed within the recess and faces at least partially toward a proximal end of the handle with the blade edge inset from a mouth of the recess. The distal end further comprises a point bounding a portion of the recess and facing at least partially toward the proximal end of the handle. Methods of use are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

an elongated handle;

a recess proximate a distal end of the elongated handle and facing at least partially toward a proximal end of the elongated handle;

a point oriented toward the proximal end of the elongated handle at an acute included angle to a longitudinal axis of the elongated handle and extending along a distal edge of the recess; and

a blade having an exposed blade edge facing a mouth of the recess;

wherein the blade is circular, and mounted for rotation to the elongated handle.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the acute included angle is about 60°

.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the proximal end is one of rounded and pointed.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein a protruding belly of the elongated handle extends along a proximal edge of the recess.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein a base edge of the recess is arcuate.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 5, wherein the base edge is defined at least in part by the blade edge.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the point flares laterally to each side of the elongated handle.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 7, wherein the point is plow-shaped and comprises a rounded distal surface and a substantially flat proximal surface.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 7, wherein the point comprises a body having a convex proximal surface and a substantially linear, laterally extending, rounded leading edge.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 9, wherein the body has a convex distal surface and a rounded trailing edge.

11. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the blade separates the point from the handle.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein the blade comprises a blade segment integral with the handle and comprises a common, non-metal material with the handle.

13. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein a distance of separation between the handle and the point increases with distance from the blade edge.

14. The surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising an aperture extending through the elongated handle proximate the distal end thereof.

15. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the blade is mounted for rotation on an axle secured to the elongated handle.

16. The surgical instrument of claim 15, further comprising at least one drive wheel of a smaller diameter than a diameter of the blade and operably coupled to the axle proximate a side of the elongated handle.

17. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the blade edge is inset from the mouth of the recess.

18. The surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising measurement increments on the handle.

19. The surgical instrument of claim 18, wherein the measurement increments are located on one of a spine and a side of the handle.

20. The surgical instrument of claim 19, wherein the measurement increments are defined by ribs protruding from the spine.

21. The surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising a gripping structure on a spine of the surgical instrument to enhance frictional engagement with digit of the user.

22. The surgical instrument of claim 21, wherein the gripping structure comprises a series of longitudinally spaced ribs on the spine.

23. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the handle carrying the blade is detachable from a remainder of the handle and replaceable by a like-configured distal portion.

24. A method of using a surgical instrument, the method comprising:

perforating tissue in which an incision is to be made using a point on the surgical instrument; and

elongating the perforation into an incision by drawing the surgical instrument toward the user;

wherein using a point on the surgical instrument comprises using a point on a proximal end of the surgical instrument, and wherein elongating the perforation into an incision further comprises inserting another point on the surgical instrument proximate a distal end of the surgical instrument into the perforation, orienting the another point toward the user and drawing the another point toward the user to engage a blade of the surgical instrument with the tissue.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising drawing the surgical instrument toward the user with a handle of the surgical instrument oriented at an angle of about 60°

to a surface of the tissue.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising drawing the surgical instrument toward the user to engage a blade of the surgical instrument with the tissue within a recess of the handle proximate a distal end thereof and defined between a point protruding from the handle and a portion of the handle.