Tool for preparing a surgical site for an access device
OwnerMichael Winerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dissecting device and method are provided for preparing a surgical site, such as a desired spinal location, for insertion of an access device. The dissecting device includes a handle that can be gripped by an operator and an extension terminating in a blunt tip. The extension desirably has a length about that of an index finger. When the dissecting device is inserted into an incision, the operator's index finger may extend alongside the extension so that the finger and the dissecting device together may follow a sweeping motion to dissect tissue. The dissecting device may include a convex surface upon which the tip of the index finger rests, and a concave surface with a sharp edge for scraping tissue from bone.
Claims19
A surgical tool for blunt dissection of a surgical site, comprising:
- a handle at a proximal end of the tool and a blunt tip at a distal end of the tool;
- and
- an extension extending from the handle to the blunt tip;
- wherein the blunt tip has a convex surface configured to partially receive a finger of an operator when the handle is held by the operator, and a concave surface adapted to scrape tissue from bone;
- and
- wherein a combined length of the extension and the blunt tip is about the length of the finger of the operator.
A method of tissue dissection, comprising:
- inserting a dissecting device in a dilated incision to dissect tissue at a spinal surgical site prior to the insertion of an access device having an expandable distal portion.
A method of accessing the spine, comprising:
- making an incision in a patient's back;
- inserting one or more dilators into the incision;
- removing the one or more dilators from the incision;
- inserting a dissecting device into the incision, with an operator's finger extending along a length of the dissecting device into the incision;
- guiding the dissecting device with the operator's finger within the incision to dissect tissue;
- removing the dissecting device;
- re-inserting a dilator into the incision;
- and
- inserting an access device into the incision over the dilator.
A method of dissecting tissue adjacent the spine, comprising:
- inserting a dissecting device into an incision in a patient, with an operator's finger extending along a length of the dissecting device;
- and
- moving the dissecting device and the finger within the incision to dissect tissue.
A dissecting assembly, comprising:
- a dissecting device having a handle adapted for gripping by an operator, an extension extending about 90 degrees away from the handle having a length approximately the length of an index finger;
- and a blunt tip at a distal end of the dissecting device having a concave surface, the concave surface having an edge configured to scrape tissue from bone.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.