Device for minimally invasive tendon sheath release having static blade
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8771304-B1
Publication Date
2014-07-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
A device for minimally invasive tendon sheath release is presented. The device enables a surgeon to cut (“open”) a pulley that is obstructing a nodule and keeping a tendon from sliding smoothly. The device is generally comprised of a sheath having a guide probe and a dorsal outrigger guide between which a cutting blade is positioned. The device is inserted through a small incision and the guide probe is used to find the edge of the pulley. Once found, the probe is guided to an end of the pulley. After proper position is assured, a cutting blade is deployed The entire device is then pushed or pulled using the device handle along the pulley until the pulley is completely released or where resistance is no longer felt.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a device for minimally invasive tendon sheath release that includes a handle having a cavity, a sheath with a proximal end and a distal end, and a proximal end projecting from the cavity. The distal end includes a top portion and a bottom portion, with a spherical-tipped guide probe attached to the bottom portion of the distal end of the sheath and a spherical-tipped dorsal outrigger guide attached to the top portion of the distal end of the sheath. A cutting blade is disposed between the guide probe and the dorsal outrigger guide.
The disclosed problem being addressed is the release of a tendon sheath, such as for trigger finger, while targeting a pulley such as the A-1 pulley and minimizing disruption to surrounding tissue through a minimally invasive approach. The system uses guide features arranged on the distal sheath portions, including spherical-tipped components, to position a cutting blade between the guide probe and the dorsal outrigger guide.
The device is described in the context of a minimally invasive cutting approach using a guide probe and dorsal outrigger guides positioned under the A-1 pulley and then deploying a cutting blade to divide the pulley. The document further describes variations and embodiments that include different blade types and blade deployment mechanisms, including a retractable/static cutting blade and alternative blade forms such as a crochet hook type blade and a sliding blade.
Claims Coverage
The identified independent claim covers a minimally invasive tendon sheath release device with an elongated device architecture and two spherical-tipped guides on opposite sides of the sheath, with a cutting blade positioned between those guides. Across dependent claims, five inventive features refine the configuration by adding relative guide geometry, tapered and curved sheath features, anatomical-length targeting for the guide probe, and a static blade.
Minimally invasive tendon sheath release device with handle cavity and distal sheath guide arrangement
A device for minimally invasive tendon sheath release comprising a handle having a cavity contained therein; a sheath having a proximal and a distal end wherein the proximal end projects from the cavity and the distal end has a top and a bottom portion; a spherical-tipped guide probe attached to the bottom portion of the distal end of the sheath; a spherical-tipped dorsal outrigger guide attached at the top portion of the distal end of the sheath; and a cutting blade disposed between the guide probe and the dorsal outrigger guide.
Angular placement of dorsal outrigger guide relative to sheath
The device further includes a dorsal outrigger guide positioned at an angle relative to the sheath.
Tapered guide probe
The device further includes a tapered guide probe.
Curved sheath
The device includes a sheath that is curved.
Guide probe configured to extend at least the length of an A-1 pulley
The device includes a guide probe configured to extend at least the length of an A-1 pulley of a patient.
Static cutting blade
The device of claim 1 has a cutting blade that is static.
Overall, the claim set centers on a minimally invasive tendon sheath release device with a handle cavity, a proximal/distal sheath having top and bottom portions, spherical-tipped guide probe and spherical-tipped dorsal outrigger guide arranged to place a cutting blade between them, and dependent refinements including angular dorsal outrigger placement, a tapered guide probe, a curved sheath, an A-1 pulley length extension constraint, and a static cutting blade.
Stated Advantages
Minimizes disruption to surrounding tissue via a minimally invasive approach for tendon sheath release.
Enables anatomical targeting of the A-1 pulley while releasing a tendon sheath such as in trigger finger.
Documented Applications
Minimally invasive tendon sheath release for trigger finger, targeting release of a pulley such as the A-1 pulley.
Minimally invasive cutting context targeting anatomical pulley structures including A-1 and referencing A-2 pulleys in the device discussion.
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