초록

Disclosed is an improved surgical method for inspecting and manipulating selected tissue in a body cavity, while minimizing the risk of injury to surrounding tissue, and a surgical instrument therefor.

대표청구항 ▼

A surgical method for manipulating selected tissue in a body cavity under visual inspection, comprising: (a) employing a surgical instrument comprising a probe having (i) a flat upper surface, parallel sides, a convex lower surface, a generally closed distal end, and a lateral aperture in said upper

A surgical method for manipulating selected tissue in a body cavity under visual inspection, comprising: (a) employing a surgical instrument comprising a probe having (i) a flat upper surface, parallel sides, a convex lower surface, a generally closed distal end, and a lateral aperture in said upper surface and adjacent said closed distal end; wherein said distal end slopes away from said upper surface in a manner such that said distal end diverts displaceable tissue it contacts away from the region of the lateral aperture and said upper surface; (ii) an optical system disposed at least partially within the probe, said system having a distal portion positioned adjacent the lateral aperture, thereby defining a viewing space between the distal portion of the optical system, and the distal end and the lateral aperture, said space located within the field-of-view of the optical system; (iii) a working tool mounted within the viewing space capable of being extended from the viewing space through the lateral aperture; (iv) means for extending the working tool outwardly from the viewing space and through the lateral aperture; (v) a grip handle connected to said probe; wherein said handle includes actuator means for extending said working tool through said lateral aperture of said probe; and (vi) adjustment means for adjusting the rotational orientation between said lateral aperture of said probe and said grip handle; wherein said adjustment means is adapted to temporarily fix said rotational orientation; (b) positioning the surgical instrument so that the lateral aperture is adjacent the selected tissue; (c) extending the working tool through the lateral aperture to a position appropriate to manipulate the selected tissue; and (d) manipulating the selected tissue, while avoiding inadvertent injury to surrounding tissue.