Depuy Products, Inc.

Depuy Synthes Products, Inc.

Sarah Elizabeth Stephens

Conrad L Klotz

Robert J Dunki-Jacobs

Inder Raj S Makin

Inderraj S Makin

A surgical scalpel, scalpel instrument and/or scalpel system (collectively, scalpel), is configured for use in a transverse carpal ligament surgical procedure. The scalpel evaluates an incision path with respect to a nerve in the incision path, and performs the incision if appropriate. The scalpel emits a signal through a potential incision path through tissue captured by the scalpel. The scalpel utilizes the emitted signal to determine whether a nerve is in the incision path. The surgical instrument includes a retractable blade. Evaluation includes determining whether a nerve is present before incision and/or evaluating whether the target tissue has been appropriately captured. A warning is provided when a nerve is in the incision path and/or the captured target tissue is inappropriate. The surgical instrument disables extension of the blade when a nerve is in the dissection path and/or the captured target tissue is inappropriate.

Surgical scalpel and system particularly for use in a transverse carpal ligament surgical procedure

The subject invention is a surgical scalpel, scalpel instrument and/or scalpel system (collectively, scalpel), particularly designed for use in a transverse carpal ligament surgical procedure, that evaluates an incision path with respect to a nerve in the incision path, and is used to perform the incision if appropriate. The scalpel emits an evaluation signal through a potential incision path through tissue captured by the scalpel. The scalpel utilizes the emitted evaluation signal to determine the presence of a nerve in the incision path. The dissection and evaluation (surgical) instrument includes a blade that is retractable relative to a target tissue capture area thereof. Evaluation may include determining the presence of a nerve before incision and/or the evaluating whether the target tissue has been appropriately captured. The surgical instrument may disable extension of the blade when the evaluation determines that a nerve is in the dissection path and/or when the captured target tissue is determined to be inappropriate.

A system, method and/or apparatus is provided for visualization or imaging of the transverse carpal ligament and surrounding structures/features of a hand of a patient, and treatment of the transverse carpal ligament, particularly, but not necessarily, for performing non-invasive carpal tunnel release. The subject invention utilizes ultrasound waves preferably, but not necessarily, in the high frequency range and cavitations to image the transverse carpal ligament (TCL), record its location in three-dimensional space, and perform precision treatment on the transverse carpal ligament. Treatment may range from stretching or lengthening the TCL to complete tissue ablation or dissection of a portion or portions of the TCL (as is performed in a standard carpal tunnel release procedure) in order to release pressure within the carpal tunnel. Particularly, high temperature conditions are generated at target tissue of the TCL resulting in elongation or necrosis/dissection. The subject system, apparatus and/or method provides the surgeon to relieve a patient of carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms in a bloodless, efficient, and accurate manner.

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North Webster, IN, United States of America

Sarah Elizabeth Stephens