Abstract:
A method of fixing vertebrae of a patient together at a surgical site includes the following steps: inserting a first cannula (10) into the body (130) of the patient; moving a first fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the first fastener (624) to a first vertebrae (601); moving a second fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the second fastener (624) to a second vertebrae (602); moving a first fixation element (650) through the cannula (10); and fixing the first fixation element (650) to the first and second fasteners (624).
Abstract:
A surgical tool for use in expanding a tubular structure having an inner surface defining a passage through the tubular structure for receiving surgical instruments includes a first leg having a first end engageable with the inner surface of the tubular structure. A second leg has a second end engageable with the inner surface of the tubular structure. The first and second ends are movable away from each other to apply a radially outwardly directed force to the inner surface of the tubular structure and cause expansion of the tubular structure to increase a cross-sectional area of the passage along a portion of the passage.
Abstract:
Methods and cannulae for providing access to a surgical location within a patient are described. A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.
Abstract:
A method of performing a surgical procedure on a body includes providing a cannula having a tubular structure with first and second tubular portions defining first and second passages for receiving surgical instruments. The second tubular portion is inserted inside the body and the first tubular portion is inserted so that the first tubular portion extends from an exterior of the body to inside the body. The second tubular portion expands to increase the cross-sectional area of the second passage in the second tubular portion while the second tubular portion is inside the body. The cross-sectional area of the first passage in the first tubular portion is maintained. The first tubular portion has a first thickness and the second tubular portion has a second thickness different than the first thickness.
Abstract:
A surgical tool (112, 410) for use in expanding a cannula (10, 150, 250) includes a first leg (114, 414) having a first end (118, 418) engageable with an inner surface (70, 212, 322) of the cannula. A second leg (114, 414) is connected with the first leg (114, 414). The second leg (114, 414) has a second end (118, 418) engageable with the inner surface (70, 212, 322) of the cannula (10, 150, 250). The first and second ends (118, 418) are movable away from each other to apply a radially outwardly directed force to the inner surface (70, 212, 322) of the cannula (10, 150, 250) and cause expansion of the cannula.
Abstract:
An ultrasonic surgical apparatus includes a surgical instrument having a handpiece with a transducer for converting an electrical signal into longitudinal vibratory motion of a blade connected to the handpiece and an accessory releasably connected to the handpiece to enable clamping of tissue against the vibrating blade to afford improved coagulating and cutting of tissue. Scissors-like grips actuate a pivoted clamp jaw along one side of the ultrasonically vibrating blade to compress and bias tissue against the blade in a direction normal to the direction of longitudinal vibratory movement. The clamp jaw and blade are rotatable relative to one another to align a selected blade edge of a multi-edged blade with the clamp jaw for cutting and coagulating while clamping or circumferentially spacing a selected blade edge from the clamp jaw for cutting and coagulating without clamping.
Abstract:
A catheter and stylet assembly is provided which includes a silicone rubber catheter for insertion into the left ventricle of the heart. A stylet of malleable metal covered by a plastic cover is inserted into the catheter to permit the catheter and stylet to be manually shaped into a desired form before insertion into the patient. The stylet is removable from the catheter after the catheter is in the patient.
Abstract:
A method of effecting venipuncture in the human body includes the steps of cooling the skin over a venous area of the body by applying a cold pack thereto and providing on the cooled skin in heat exchange relation thereto a layer of an enantiotropic cholesteric liquid crystalline phase material exhibiting a mesophase color change at a temperature reached by the skin due to venous blood flow, warming the cooled skin by venous blood flow in such area thereby to produce a mesophase color change in the material delineating a vein therebeneath, and directing an instrument for venipuncture to a site in such area indicated by the delineation to constitute the location of a vein.
Abstract:
A method of fixing vertebrae of a patient together at a surgical site includes the following steps: inserting a first cannula (10) into the body (130) of the patient; moving a first fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the first fastener (624) to a first vertebrae (601); moving a second fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the second fastener (624) to a second vertebrae (602); moving a first fixation element (650) through the cannula (10); and fixing the first fixation element (650) to the first and second fasteners (624).
Abstract:
A method of fixing vertebrae of a patient together at a surgical site includes the following steps: inserting a first cannula (10) into the body (130) of the patient; moving a first fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the first fastener (624) to a first vertebrae (601); moving a second fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the second fastener (624) to a second vertebrae (602); moving a first fixation element (650) through the cannula (10); and fixing the first fixation element (650) to the first and second fasteners (624).