Shield for endoscopic surgical blade and method of use
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11534195-B2
Publication Date
2022-12-27
Expiration Date
Abstract
A shield component for an endoscopic surgical blade is disclosed. An endoscopic surgical blade assembly is disclosed. The endoscopic surgical blade assembly contains an endoscopic surgical blade having a distal end, a proximal end, a top edge, a bottom edge and one or more cutting surfaces at the distal end, and a protective shield attached to the blade above the one or more cutting surfaces and extending away from the distal end of the blade. The blade is structurally configured for attachment to the distal end of an endoscope.
Core Innovation
A shielded endoscopic surgical blade assembly and uniportal endoscopic tissue division are disclosed. The protective shield is attached above the blade cutting surfaces and extends forward and laterally to form a barrier that prevents cutting or damage to overlying tissue opposite the cannula. The shielded assembly includes a blade mounted on a knife tube and an endoscope that allows visualization of the blade as the endoscope advances to a tip position for blade fitting.
The disclosed arrangement defines structural configurations in which the shield plane is perpendicular to the cutting surface and the shield geometry and orientation correspond to the blade. The shield and blade are combined with a cannula arrangement in which an open slot faces the target tissue. Advancing the endoscopic viewing device causes the blade to protrude through the slot while a bottom mounting portion and a top shield portion intervene between the target tissue and an overlying tissue.
Uniportal division is described such that the shield contacts tissue on the side opposite the cannula while the blade divides the target tissue. Example applications include trigger finger release involving an A1 pulley and carpal tunnel release involving the transverse carpal ligament. Outcomes described include avoiding damage, confirming release, and confirming absence of triggering, with optional kit components including a transparent slotted cannula, endoscopic viewing devices, and a locking device.
Claims Coverage
The document includes one independent claim directed to a uniportal endoscopic division method using a shielded blade assembly, and dependent claims that refine target tissue types and specific structural geometry/attachment features. The inventive coverage is centered on (i) a cannula with an open slot facing the target tissue and (ii) a blade assembly with a bottom mounting portion and a top shield portion that prevents cutting of overlying tissue.
Uniportal endoscopic division using a cannula with an open slot facing the target
A method establishing an entry portal, inserting a cannula having open proximal and distal ends and an open slot extending along the length of the cannula, wherein the open slot faces the target tissue, and inserting an endoscopic viewing device into the cannula for visualization of a blade as the endoscope advances toward the endoscopic surgical blade.
Endoscopic surgical blade assembly with a bottom mounting portion and top shield portion
An endoscopic surgical blade assembly comprising an endoscope and an endoscopic surgical blade mounted between a bottom mounting portion and a top shield portion, where the endoscope allows visualization of the blade upon advancement along the bottom mounting portion until a distal end of the endoscope reaches the endoscopic surgical blade so that the blade fits at a tip of the endoscope.
Shield intervenes between target tissue and overlying tissue to prevent cutting
Advancing the viewing device so that the blade protrudes through the slot and moves into proximity of the target tissue, while the bottom mounting portion and top shield portion intervene between the target tissue and an overlying tissue; operatively engaging the target tissue with the cutting surface; and advancing the blade through the cannula to divide the target tissue, such that the bottom mounting portion and top shield portion prevents the cutting of the overlying tissue.
Overall, the claims cover a uniportal endoscopic division method where a slotted cannula faces the target tissue and an endoscopic blade assembly includes a bottom mounting portion and a top shield portion. During blade advancement and division, the shield intervenes to prevent cutting of overlying tissue, with dependent refinements specifying particular tissue targets and selected geometric constraints of the shield and its relation to the blade.
Stated Advantages
Prevents cutting or damage to overlying tissue opposite the cannula.
Bottom mounting portion and top shield portion prevents the cutting of the overlying tissue.
Avoiding damage, confirming release, and absence of triggering [as described in the document].
Documented Applications
Uniportal endoscopic division for trigger finger release involving the A1 pulley [as described].
Uniportal endoscopic division for carpal tunnel release involving the transverse carpal ligament [as described].
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