METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THREAD TRANSECTION OF A LIGAMENT
First Claim
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1. A method for transecting a soft tissue within a body, comprising the steps of:
- providing a flexible thread-like cutting element having a substantially smooth surface;
providing a hollow introducer needle;
extending said hollow introducer needle into said body at a first location transversely adjacent said soft tissue and out of said body at a second location transversely adjacent to said soft tissue and opposite said first location so as to traverse said soft tissue on a first side thereof;
extending said cutting element through said hollow introducer needle to leave said cutting element projecting proximally and distally from said introducer needle;
retracting said introducer needle from said body so as to leave said cutting element in place;
re-extending said hollow introducer needle into said body at said first location and out of said body at said second location or into said body at said second location and out of the body at said first location so as to traverse said soft tissue on a second side thereof opposite said first side;
extending an end of said cutting element through said hollow introducer needle such that said end portion projects from said hollow introducer needle;
retracting said introducer needle from said body to thereby leave said cutting element in place looped about said soft tissue with both end portions extending from the same location of said body; and
exerting force on the ends of said cutting element so as to achieve a kerf-less transection of said soft tissue.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for transecting soft tissue, such as a ligament, and more particularly, the transverse carpal ligament. An hollow introducer needle and a threadlike cutting element enable the method to performed in a minimally invasive manner. The cutting element is routed into position about the target ligament such that the cutting element both enters and exits the body from the same side of the ligament. The substantially smooth exterior surface of the cutting element serves to provide for a kerf-less cut.
7 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for transecting a soft tissue within a body, comprising the steps of:
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providing a flexible thread-like cutting element having a substantially smooth surface; providing a hollow introducer needle; extending said hollow introducer needle into said body at a first location transversely adjacent said soft tissue and out of said body at a second location transversely adjacent to said soft tissue and opposite said first location so as to traverse said soft tissue on a first side thereof; extending said cutting element through said hollow introducer needle to leave said cutting element projecting proximally and distally from said introducer needle; retracting said introducer needle from said body so as to leave said cutting element in place; re-extending said hollow introducer needle into said body at said first location and out of said body at said second location or into said body at said second location and out of the body at said first location so as to traverse said soft tissue on a second side thereof opposite said first side; extending an end of said cutting element through said hollow introducer needle such that said end portion projects from said hollow introducer needle; retracting said introducer needle from said body to thereby leave said cutting element in place looped about said soft tissue with both end portions extending from the same location of said body; and exerting force on the ends of said cutting element so as to achieve a kerf-less transection of said soft tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for transecting a soft tissue within a body, comprising:
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a flexible cutting element having a substantially smooth surface; and an introducer needle having a hollow interior extending from its proximal end to its distal end with an internal diameter sufficient to receive said flexible cutting element, having a distal tip, and having a length sufficient to extend from a first location transversely adjacent to such soft tissue to a second location transversely adjacent to such soft tissue and opposite to such first location. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification