Articulating hook elevator and arthroscopic method for using same
OwnerGregory A. Guederian, Scott P. Steinmanninventors
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Abstract
An articulating hook elevator for manipulating tissue during arthroscopic procedures. The articulating hook elevator comprises a shaft, a proximal end, and a distal end provided with an articulating paddle. The hook may be actuated by a switch and can articulate into a standard tip for traditional manipulation of tissue, or into a rotated or articulated position. In this manner, effective manipulation and retraction of tissue from the surgical site without tissue collapse may be achieved, allowing a surgeon to better visualize the internal condition of the arthroscopic site and speed up the overall procedure.
Claims17
An articulating hook elevator, comprising:
- a cannulated shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis;
- an articulating hook located at the distal end of the cannulated shaft, the articulating hook being configured to move relative to the longitudinal axis of the cannulated shaft from a first position to a second position;
- and
- an actuator assembly located at the proximal end of the cannulated shaft and operatively connected to the articulating hook.
A surgical instrument for arthroscopy, comprising:
- a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis, the shaft comprising an actuator disposed coaxially within the shaft;
- a hook located at the distal end of the shaft and coupled to the actuator, the hook being capable of rotating relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the hook comprising a curved portion and a paddle adjacent the curved portion, the paddle being integral to the curved portion;
- and
- a switch assembly located at the proximal end of the shaft and coupled with the actuator.
A method of endoscopically manipulating tissue, comprising the steps of:
- providing an articulating hook elevator comprising a cannulated shaft having a distal end and a proximal end;
- an articulating hook located at the distal end of the cannulated shaft, the articulating hook being capable of being moved relative to a longitudinal axis of the cannulated shaft from a first position to a second position;
- and a switch assembly located at the proximal end of the cannulated shaft and operatively connected to the articulating hook;
- positioning the articulating hook elevator in the proximity of tissue to be manipulated at a surgical site;
- advancing the articulating hook elevator in the first position through the tissue;
- and
- actuating the switch assembly to move the articulating hook from the first position to the second position and to manipulate tissue at the surgical site.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.