Surgical cutting instrument

A surgical knife comprising:

• a tubular main body having a primary axis extending from one end to another end of the tubular main body, a blade mount disposed to extend from the tubular main body near the one end, and a movement control element disposed to extend from the tubular main body and spaced from the blade mount a distance along the primary axis toward the other end;
• a turning unit disposed within the tubular main body, the turning unit comprising a band aligned along the primary axis within the main body and extending from the movement control element to the blade mount and cooperative with the blade mount and the movement control element;
• and
• a blade having a cutting edge, the blade being mounted to the blade mount to extend at an angle to said primary axis, whereby the orientation of the blade with respect to the main body may be altered by movement of the movement control element.

A surgical knife comprising:

• a tubular main body having a primary axis extending from one end to another end of the tubular main body, a blade mount disposed to extend from the tubular main body near the one end, and a slide control element disposed to extend from the tubular main body and spaced from the blade mount a distance along the primary axis toward the other end;
• a turning unit disposed within the tubular main body, the turning unit comprising rack and pinion elements cooperative with the blade mount and the slide control element;
• and
• a blade having a cutting edge, the blade being mounted to the blade mount to extend at an angle to the primary axis, whereby the orientation of the blade with respect to the main body may be altered by movement of the slide control element.

A remotely operable surgical knife comprising:

• a tubular main body having a primary axis, said tubular main body comprising an elongated first portion aligned along said primary axis and a shorter second portion extending from said first portion to form an angle with respect to said first portion;
• a turning unit disposed within said main body, said turning unit comprising:
• a turning mechanism comprising a micro gear in the main body at the juncture of the first and second portions, the micro gear comprising rack and pinion elements;
• a movable element extending through the first portion of said main body and attached to the turning mechanism, the movable element having an end attached to a slide control knob, wherein movement of the slide control knob in the direction of the micro gear causes the rotation of the blade;
• and
• a blade mounting portion in the second portion of the main body and attached to said turning mechanism;
• and
• a blade mounted on said blade mounting portion of said turning unit,
• wherein the orientation of a cutting edge of said blade with respect to said main body is determined by movement of said movable element.

Remotely operable surgical scissors comprising:

• a tubular main body comprising an elongated first portion having one end and a shorter second portion having one end, said second portion extending from said first portion distal to the one end of said first portion to form an angle greater that 45.degree. to said first portion;
• a turning unit extending through said main body, said turning unit comprising
• a turning mechanism in the main body at the junction of the first and second portions, said turning mechanism comprising a micro gear,
• a movable element through the first portion of said main body and having one end attached to the turning mechanism, and
• a scissors mounting portion in the second portion of the main body;
• scissors mounted on said scissors mounting portion, wherein movement of a second end of said moveable element causes rotation of said scissors about an axis generally aligned with the second portion of the main body;
• and
• a scissors controlling element connected to said scissors and extending through said main body from said one end of said second portion to said one end of said first portion for controlling operation of said scissors.

A method of performing eye surgery within an interocular incision in the sclera and conjunctiva, between the cornea and an anterior capsular membrane, and through an iris, for incising a portion of said anterior capsular membrane, said method comprising:

• manually inserting an ophthalmic knife through said interocular incision, said ophthalmic knife comprising:
• a tubular main body having a primary axis, a first housing portion aligned along the primary axis, and a second housing portion disposed adjacent to said first housing portion;
• a blade mount attached to the second housing portion and journaled for rotation about a secondary axis disposed at an angle with respect to the primary axis;
• and
• a blade having a cutting edge, the blade mounted to the blade mount to extend from the second housing portion of the tubular body along the secondary axis;
• a turning unit disposed within the second housing portion in cooperation with the blade mount to rotate the blade mount;
• and
• a movement control element disposed to extend from the first housing portion of the main body and operatively connected to the turning unit to cause movement of the turning unit, wherein movement of the control element causes rotation of the blade about the secondary axis;
• manually rotating said blade by manual manipulation of said movement control element to direct the orientation of said blade with respect to said ophthalmic knife;
• manually orienting said ophthalmic knife while simultaneously rotating said blade to form a continuous, non-linear incision in said anterior capsular membrane;
• and
• manually removing said ophthalmic knife from said incision.