The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 02, 1996
Filed:
Oct. 12, 1993
James C Chow, Mount Vernon, IL (US);
Other;
Abstract
A surgical kit for performing trigger finger release surgery. A flexor tendon (T) passes through the palm (P) of a person's hand (H) to a finger (F) or thumb (B). Constriction of a protective sheath (E) around the tendon causes the trigger finger condition. For a person suffering from trigger finger, a path (1) of the impaired tendon is first identified. A puncture site is then located for insertion of one end of a hollow, curved cannula (1) into the palm. The cannula is pushed through the palm with a first puncture hole (U) being made where the instrument enters into the palm, and a second puncture hole (U') where the cannula exits from the palm. The cannula is routed through the palm such that the path (8) of the cannula passes through the sheath. The cannula is left in place and an arthroscope (9) and a surgical knife (11) are inserted into respective ends of the instrument. The surgeon views the surgical site through a monitor (10) to which the arthroscope is attached. The knife has a cutting blade brought to bear by the surgeon on the sheath. The cannula has a longitudinally extending slot (2) through which the surgeon both views the site and moves the knife against the sheath. After the surgery is complete, the arthroscope and knife are removed from the cannula and the cannula is withdrawn from the palm. The size of the cannula is such that after its withdrawal, the puncture wounds made do not require stitches to close them. As the wounds heal, no scars are formed.