A submammary dissector for providing a submammary pocket by insertion through an incision in a person's axilla the dissector having a curved portion at one end thereof and a handle portion at an opposite end thereof. A handle having a first grip is provided on the handle portion. The curved portion is provided with a rounded smooth tip and a dissecting notch. The upper surface of the curved portion and an intermediate portion of the dissector extending towards the handle portion are flat to provide a cleaving-like action which separates the breast at the level of the superficial fascia from the deep fascia of the underlying muscle. The undersurface of the dissecting instrument is round and smooth so that it may pass freely in the submammary space over the deep fascia of the pectoral muscle. Preferably, the curved portion is slightly tapered inwardly from the intermediate portion to the rounded tip. The handle portion is offset relative to the intermediate and curved portions for controlling movement of the curved portion. Additionally, the flat surface of the intermediate portion is provided with a scale to help determine the size and dimension of the dissected pocket, where the surgeon can easily and quickly determine distances of all portions of the dissected pocket allowing for accurate pocket formation.
A surgical instrument with near-axial geometry includes a linearly elongated handle portion having a handle axis defined along its length. The handle portion is joined to a linearly elongated working portion by an offset portion. The working portion includes a working axis defined along its length, and the working axis and handle axis intersect at an angle which is no greater than 5 degrees. In a specific embodiment, the base of the working tip of the working portion falls within 4 millimeters of the vertex of the angle.
An instrument and method for surgical stimulation of connective tissue are disclosed. The instrument has a plurality of protuberances located on a head connected to a shaft and a handle for manipulation by a surgeon to selectively perforate diseased connective tissue to stimulate a variety of desirable biological responses resulting from bleeding from the intrinsic vasculature of the connective tissue, investing tissue, and adjoining bone.
The endoscope for introduction into a hollow organ of a living thing makes it possible for the hollow organ to be pulled against a more solid outer structure and to fix it thereto for the duration of the treatment. The endoscope is therefore provided with a retaining device, which can be used in the outer shaft of the endoscope and is guided therein, and has a plurality of hook elements, on the distal end of which hooks are formed by pushing out from the distal end of the outer shaft as a result of spreading, and with a stop disc which can be adjusted on the outer shaft. Spreading of the hook element ends can be controlled optically. After spreading the hook element ends, the endoscope is drawn back until it rests on the hollow organ in order to fix the hollow organ and secured in this position by means of the stop disc. A measuring scale, which enables direct reading of the spread position of the hook element ends at the moment of contact with the tissue wall of the hollow organ, is provided to measure the hollow organ.
A disposable uterine sound device is described for measuring the depth and course of an uterine cavity. The device is formed by coating a copper rod and a portion of an attached nylon handle with polyvinyl chloride. The coating is then printed with a generally nonleachable biocompatable ink to form graduations indicating units of measure of length. The resulting device is a flexible, smooth service device which minimizes trauma to a patient during use.
A surgical method for treating urinary incontinence by securing a suture within a patient's body, retrieving a portion of the suture into the patient's vagina, and supporting the patient's urethra using the suture. A surgical method for elevating a patient's urethra in order to treat urinary incontinence, a surgical method for securing an anchor in a patient, a helical anchor and an anchor-insertion tool are also provided.
