Atraumatic Arthroscopic Instrument Sheath
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An atraumatic sheath comprising:
- a tube having a distal tip, said tube characterized by a distal portion, an inner surface, and an inner diameter;
wherein the inner diameter of said tube is sized and dimensioned to permit fluid flow between the inner surface of the tube and an outer surface of an arthroscopic instrument when the arthroscopic instrument is disposed within the tube;
wherein the distal tip expands to form a seal around the outer surface of the arthroscopic instrument when the arthroscopic instrument is disposed within the tube; and
a plurality of ribs extending inwardly from the inner surface of the tube and running longitudinally along the tube;
wherein said ribs form a seal between the outer surface of the arthroscopic instrument and ribs when the arthroscopic instrument is disposed within the sheath;
wherein said ribs further define outer lumens between the outer surface of the arthroscopic instrument and the inner surface of the tube.
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Abstract
A removable, resilient atraumatic sheath for arthroscopic instruments. The sheath covers sharp edges on the arthroscopic instrument, particularly the distal tip of the rigid cannula, and thereby protects tissue and objects near a surgical site from accidental trauma. The sheath may be provided in the form of an inflow/outflow sheath that allows a surgeon to irrigate and drain a surgical field without the use of a separate irrigation instrument.
87 Citations
13 Claims
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1. An atraumatic sheath comprising:
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a tube having a distal tip, said tube characterized by a distal portion, an inner surface, and an inner diameter; wherein the inner diameter of said tube is sized and dimensioned to permit fluid flow between the inner surface of the tube and an outer surface of an arthroscopic instrument when the arthroscopic instrument is disposed within the tube; wherein the distal tip expands to form a seal around the outer surface of the arthroscopic instrument when the arthroscopic instrument is disposed within the tube; and a plurality of ribs extending inwardly from the inner surface of the tube and running longitudinally along the tube; wherein said ribs form a seal between the outer surface of the arthroscopic instrument and ribs when the arthroscopic instrument is disposed within the sheath; wherein said ribs further define outer lumens between the outer surface of the arthroscopic instrument and the inner surface of the tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of performing arthroscopic surgery, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a system for performing arthroscopic surgery, said system comprising; an arthroscopic instrument suitable for performing an arthroscopic surgical procedure; an atraumatic sheath comprising a distal tip, a distal portion, and an inner diameter sized and dimensioned to permit fluid flow between the inner surface of the sheath and an outer surface of the arthroscopic instrument disposed within the sheath, said sheath further comprising a plurality of ribs extending inwardly from an inner surface of said sheath and running longitudinally along said sheath; wherein said ribs define outer lumens between an outer surface of the arthroscopic instrument and the inner surface of the sheath, said lumens facilitating the inflow and outflow of fluid to and from a surgical site; wherein the atraumatic sheath is adapted to be removably disposed over the arthroscopic instrument; wherein the distal tip expands to form a seal around the outer surface of the arthroscopic instrument when the arthroscopic instrument is disposed within the atraumatic sheath and extends distally from the distal tip; placing the arthroscopic instrument inside the sheath; and performing an arthroscopic surgical procedure with the system for performing arthroscopic surgery. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification