US5071410A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Arthroscopic surgery system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1991-03-14
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Granted: 1991-12-10
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Expires: 2011-03-14
Abstract
Abstract An arthroscopic surgery system involves creating a passageway (18) in a predetermined location between the joint area (10) and the external surface (12) of the surrounding tissue (14) by inserting a pin (22), enlarging the passageway by passing a tubular rod (24) over the pin (22), and inserting a cannula (26) over the rod (24) to further enlarge the passageway (18) and to thereby allow insertion of surgical instruments (28) into the joint area. Use of this method avoids multiple punctures of tissue and joint capsule and reduces associated trauma and morbidity. Where the joint area is visualized through an arthroscope (20), the method permits precise triangulation at any angle to the arthroscope.
Inventors
- 👤 John A. Pazell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:04
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/06; A61M25/0662
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of performing surgery on an area surrounded by tissue, said method comprising the steps of: creating a passageway between the area and the external surface of the surrounding tissue thereof by inserting a pin from said external surface through said surrounding tissue and thence into said area, such being the extent of the farthest penetration of said pin; enlarging said passageway by passing a tubularly shaped rod coaxially over said pin and through said passageway while maintaining said pin in place and while using said pin as a guide for said rod during insertion into said passageway; inserting a cannula coaxially over said rod in order to further enlarge said passageway, said cannula presenting an inside diameter sufficient to allow insertion of instruments therethrough and into said area; and removing said pin from said passageway subsequent to insertion of said rod therein and removing said rod from said passageway subsequent to insertion of said cannula therein for allowing inserting of instruments through said cannula into said area.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of performing surgery on an area surrounded by tissue, said method comprising the steps of: creating a passageway between the area and the external surface of the surrounding tissue thereof by inserting a pin from said external surface through said surrounding tissue and thence into said area, such being the extent of the farthest penetration of said pin; enlarging said passageway by passing a tubularly shaped rod coaxially over said pin and through said passageway while maintaining said pin in place and while using said pin as a guide for said rod during insertion into said passageway; inserting a cannula coaxially over said rod in order to further enlarge said passageway, said cannula presenting an inside diameter sufficient to allow insertion of instruments therethrough and into said area; and removing said pin from said passageway subsequent to insertion of said rod therein and removing said rod from said passageway subsequent to insertion of said cannula therein for allowing inserting of instruments through said cannula into said area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method set forth in claim 1, said method further including the step of providing remote visualization of said area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method set forth in claim 2, wherein said surgery is performed on a joint area and wherein said visualization step includes the step of using an instrument such as an arthroscope.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method set forth in claim 2, wherein said surgery is performed on a body cavity and wherein said visualization step includes the step of using an instrument such as an endoscope.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method set forth in claim 1, said tissue surrounding said area including skin presenting said external surface and, wherein said step of creating a passageway includes the step of inserting said pin first through said skin and thence into said area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said cannula presents an inside diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of said rod.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method set forth in claim 1, said instruments inserted through said cannula into said area including arthroscopic surgical instruments.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method set forth in claim 7, said arthroscopic surgical instruments including at least one of instruments for tissue shaving, electrosurgical instruments, and abrasion tools.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said removing step includes removing said pin after insertion of said rod and prior to insertion of said cannula.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
215 words
A method of performing surgery on an area of the body surrounded by tissue including skin presenting an external surface, said method comprising the steps of: inserting a device into the area for providing remote visualization thereof; creating a passageway between the area and the external surface of the surrounding tissue thereof by inserting a pin first through said skin, then through said surrounding tissue, and thence into said area, such being the extent of the farthest penetration of said pin; visualizing said pin in said area through said remote visualization device; enlarging said passageway by passing a tubular shaped rod coaxially over said pin and through said passageway while maintaining said pin in place and using said pin as a guide for said rod during insertion into said passageway, said rod presenting an inside diameter slightly greater than that of said pin, presenting an enlarged outside diameter, and presenting a bevelled forward surface therebetween; inserting a cannula coaxially over said rod in order to further enlarge said passageway, said cannula presenting an inside diameter sufficient to allow insertion of surgical instruments therethrough and into said area; and removing said pin and said rod from said passageway subsequent to insertion of said cannula therein for allowing inserting of instruments through said cannula into said area.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
215 words
A method of performing surgery on an area of the body surrounded by tissue including skin presenting an external surface, said method comprising the steps of: inserting a device into the area for providing remote visualization thereof; creating a passageway between the area and the external surface of the surrounding tissue thereof by inserting a pin first through said skin, then through said surrounding tissue, and thence into said area, such being the extent of the farthest penetration of said pin; visualizing said pin in said area through said remote visualization device; enlarging said passageway by passing a tubular shaped rod coaxially over said pin and through said passageway while maintaining said pin in place and using said pin as a guide for said rod during insertion into said passageway, said rod presenting an inside diameter slightly greater than that of said pin, presenting an enlarged outside diameter, and presenting a bevelled forward surface therebetween; inserting a cannula coaxially over said rod in order to further enlarge said passageway, said cannula presenting an inside diameter sufficient to allow insertion of surgical instruments therethrough and into said area; and removing said pin and said rod from said passageway subsequent to insertion of said cannula therein for allowing inserting of instruments through said cannula into said area.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method set forth in claim 10, wherein said surgery is arthroscopic surgery performed on a joint area and said remote visualization device includes an arthroscope.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method set forth in claim 10, wherein said surgery is endoscopic surgery performed on a body cavity and said remote visualization device includes an endoscope.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
199 words
A method of performing surgery on an area surrounded by tissue, said method comprising the steps of: providing remote visualization of the area; creating a passageway between the area and the external surface of the surrounding tissue thereof by inserting a pin from said external surface through said surrounding tissue and thence into said area, such being the extent of the farthest penetration of said pin; remotely visualizing said pin in said area; enlarging said passageway by passing a tubular shaped rod coaxially over said pin and through said passageway while maintaining said pin in place and using said pin as a guide for said rod during insertion into said passageway, said rod presenting an inside diameter slightly greater than that of said pin; inserting a cannula coaxially over said rod in order to further enlarge said passageway, said cannula presenting an inside diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of said rod, said inside diameter of said cannula being sufficient to allow insertion of surgical instruments therethrough and into said area; and removing said pin and said rod from said passageway subsequent to insertion of said cannula therein for inserting surgical instruments through said cannula into said area.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
199 words
A method of performing surgery on an area surrounded by tissue, said method comprising the steps of: providing remote visualization of the area; creating a passageway between the area and the external surface of the surrounding tissue thereof by inserting a pin from said external surface through said surrounding tissue and thence into said area, such being the extent of the farthest penetration of said pin; remotely visualizing said pin in said area; enlarging said passageway by passing a tubular shaped rod coaxially over said pin and through said passageway while maintaining said pin in place and using said pin as a guide for said rod during insertion into said passageway, said rod presenting an inside diameter slightly greater than that of said pin; inserting a cannula coaxially over said rod in order to further enlarge said passageway, said cannula presenting an inside diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of said rod, said inside diameter of said cannula being sufficient to allow insertion of surgical instruments therethrough and into said area; and removing said pin and said rod from said passageway subsequent to insertion of said cannula therein for inserting surgical instruments through said cannula into said area.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method set forth in claim 13, wherein said surgery is arthroscopic surgery performed on a joint area.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method set forth in claim 13, wherein said surgery is endoscopic surgery performed on a body cavity.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-12-09 | 1995-06-10 | 1995-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-12-09 | 1999-06-10 | 1999-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-12-09 | 2003-06-10 | 2003-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |