A surgical laser backstop instrument comprising a rod, a backstop pivotally mounted to one end of the rod, and a backstop adjustment mechanism mounted to the other end of the rod. The backstop is comprised of a non-reflective material. The backstop adjustment mechanism controls the movement of the backstop. The backstop is a flat section of titanium-coated material and is movable between a position longitudinally aligned with the axis of the rod and a position transverse to the axis of the rod. The backstop adjustment mechanism comprises a body connected to the other end of the rod, a line fastened at one end to the backstop and extending through the rod, and a movement actuator mechanism connected to the other end of the line for controlling the pivotal movement of the backstop. This movement actuator mechanism includes a knob rotatably mounted to the body, a rack assembly placed within the body and connected to the end of the line, and a pinion gear engaging the rack assembly and connected to the knob such that rotational movement of the knob causes movement of the rack assembly.
Related Applications
The present invention is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 107,058, filed on Oct. 13, 1987, entitled "Surgical Laser Backstop Instrument", now U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,461.
An electrosurgical probe is provided which reduces the likelihood of arcing from the probe. In addition, the probe provides the ability to place a fiber-optic cable through the probe for providing for laser surgery or for laproscopic examination of the patient. The electrosurgical probe comprises an electrosurgical tip, a cylindrical body attached to the tip, and a base attached to the cylindrical body. The tip may have many different shapes but a spatula shape is generally preferred. The tip has at least one notch in the periphery of the spatula shape for retaining a fiber-optic cable. The cylindrical body is substantially hollow so that suction, irrigation, and laparoscopy may be carried out through the probe. To aid the surgeon in determining dimensions of organs within a patient, the cylindrical body has a plurality of striped regions having a predetermined thickness spaced apart at predetermined intervals on an outer surface of the cylindrical body. The cylindrical body is composed of an insulative material for preventing accidental shock to a patient. To prevent accidental arcing, an insulative layer which substantially covers the electrosurgical tip with at most a 4 mm extension of the electrosurgical tip exposed with no insulative layer.
A method for removing a vein includes making an incision through a skin layer of a patient, inserting a surgical instrument through the incision, visualizing the vein through the skin layer using a light source positioned subcutaneously and in proximity of the vein, and cutting the vein using the surgical instrument. The vein can be visualized by directing light from the light source at the vein from underneath the vein or from a side of the vein. A device for illuminating a body structure has a housing with a distal end configured for subcutaneous insertion into a patient's tissue and positioning in proximity of the body structure, a light path supported by the housing and configured for directing light at the body structure, and a fluid line supported by the housing.
An automated surgical instrument for performing minimally-invasive surgery comprises a rigid cannula having a lumen for receiving a surgical tool at the distal end thereof. The tool can comprise a variety of linkage-operated tools, such as a grasper, clamp or scissor. The tool can also comprise an optical or gas channel. The cannula is supported on a ball-and-socket-type swivel assembly that pivots freely along orthogonal axes. The swivel is mounted on a movable arm assembly that extends and retracts. The arm assembly is mounted to a base that moves the arm assembly from side to side. Pivoting of the cannula occurs in response to movement of the arm assembly along the base and through extension and retraction of the arm.
An automated surgical instrument provides a housing having a linear drive for moving a cannula toward and away from the housing. The housing may be supported stationarily while the cannula is driven to a predetermined location in the body through an incision. The end of the cannula includes a surgical tool or laparoscope to be positioned within an area undergoing an operation. Surgical tools can be actuated automatically by an actuator positioned in the housing and having a linkage extending through a lumen of the cannula to the tool. Both the actuator and the linear drive motor can be controlled by means of switches located on the housing or at another remote location.
An automated surgical instrument provides a housing having a linear drive for moving a cannula toward and away from the housing. The housing may be supported stationarily while the cannula is driven to a predetermined location in the body through an incision. The end of the cannula includes a surgical tool or laparoscope to be positioned within an area undergoing an operation. Surgical tools can be actuated automatically by means of an actuator positioned in the housing and having a linkage extending through a lumen of the cannula to the tool. Both the actuator and the linear drive motor can be controlled by means of switches located on the housing or at another remote location.
