Surgical cutting device for ultrasonic guided soft tissue surgery
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12343032-B2
Publication Date
2025-07-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
The presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to a device for cutting soft tissue, such as transverse carpal ligaments and annular ligaments of the finger, and methods of using the soft tissue cutting device. A soft tissue cutting device includes an inner tubular member extending between a distal end and a proximal end of the inner tube, an outer tubular member disposed over at least a portion of the inner tubular member and movable between an initial position and an extended position, an outer tubular member movement controller that controls movement of the outer tubular member between the initial position and the extended position, and an attachment mechanism for removably coupling the proximal end of the inner tubular member to a dispensing member. A distal end of the outer tubular member includes a cutting member.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a soft-tissue cutting device for procedures including cutting the transverse carpal ligament and the A1 pulley. The device includes an inner tubular member having an internal fluid chamber for dispensing a medicinal agent, and an outer tubular member having a distal cutting member. The distal cutting member is initially unexposed and becomes exposed when the outer tubular member is elevated.
Elevation of the outer tubular member is achieved as the outer tubular member advances, riding on a ramp provided on the inner tubular member. The disclosure additionally describes that elevation can be achieved using balloon elements, including a balloon elevator. Movement of the outer tubular member is controlled with a thumb slide and an optional lockable thumb slide.
The inner tubular member is removably coupled to a dispensing syringe using a proximal attachment mechanism. The arrangement includes advancing the outer tubular member to elevate and expose the cutting member to cut the ligament or pulley, and then retracting and removing the device. Alternate embodiments are described in which the cutting member is stored in an unexposed/sheathed position and becomes exposed by movement over a crimp/ramp structure while continued fluid injection capability is maintained.
Claims Coverage
The partial content identifies four independent methods, centered on two target locations: the transverse carpal ligament and the A1 pulley. Across these independent claims, the inventive features include insertion of an inner tubular member with a ramp, advancement of an outer tubular member to ride over the ramp (and optionally over an inflated balloon), cutting by a distal cutting edge, and removal of the cutting device from the patient site.
Ramp on inner tubular member for riding by outer tubular member
The method includes inserting a distal end of an inner tubular member of a cutting device into the wrist under the transverse carpal ligament or into the finger, wherein an outer surface of the inner tubular member comprises a ramp, and advancing an outer tubular member over the inner tubular member to cause the outer tubular member to ride over the ramp.
Advancing outer tubular member over ramp to cut transverse carpal ligament
For the transverse carpal ligament, the method advances an outer tubular member over the inner tubular member to cause the outer tubular member to ride over the ramp to cut the transverse carpal ligament, and then removes the cutting device from the wrist.
Advancing outer tubular member over ramp to cut A1 pulley
For the A1 pulley, the method advances an outer tubular member over the inner tubular member to cause the outer tubular member to ride over the ramp to cut the A1 pulley, wherein a distal end of the outer tubular member comprises a cutting edge, and then removes the cutting device from the finger.
Inflating a balloon on the inner tubular member before advancing outer tubular member
The method includes inflating a balloon on an outer surface of the inner tubular member before advancing the outer tubular member, and advancing the outer tubular member over the inner tubular member and over the inflated balloon to cut the transverse carpal ligament or the A1 pulley, with removal of the cutting device from the wrist or finger.
Across the independent claims, the central inventive approach is advancing an outer tubular member over an inner tubular member having a ramp to accomplish cutting of either the transverse carpal ligament or the A1 pulley, optionally with a balloon inflated on the inner tubular member prior to advancement. For A1 pulley cutting, the distal end of the outer tubular member includes a cutting edge, and in all independent claims the cutting device is removed from the patient site after the cutting action.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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