Minimally invasive surgical needle and cauterizing assembly and methods

摘要

A minimally invasive surgical assembly broadly includes an outer hollow needle which has an outer diameter, a longitudinal axis, and a sharp distal end. An insulating member extends through the hollow needle and is movable relative to the hollow needle. An elongated member extends through the insulating member and is movable relative to both the insulating member and the hollow needle. A resilient wire projects from the elongated member and is retractable within and extendable outside of the insulating member and the hollow needle. The insulating member, elongated member, and resilient wire are movable relative to the needle using first and second moving means whereby the surgical assembly assumes various configurations having different operational functions.

主权项

1. A surgical instrument assembly comprising:
a hollow needle made from metal, said hollow needle having a longitudinal axis, and a sharp distal end; an insulating member operably disposed within said hollow needle and being movable relative to said hollow needle, said insulating member having a distal end; a wire movable through and relative to both said insulating member and said hollow needle, wherein said wire is retractable within both of said insulating member and said hollow needle and extendable beyond both of said distal end of said insulating member and said sharp distal end of said hollow needle, said wire having a distal tip; a housing fixed to said hollow needle; and a sub-assembly disposed at least partially inside said housing, said sub-assembly being operable to move said insulating member relative to said hollow needle and move said wire relative to said hollow needle and said insulating member, said sub-assembly including a spring and a cage, said spring having one end fixed to said housing and another movable end in contact with said cage, said cage mechanically coupled to said insulating member, wherein, said spring biases both said cage and said insulating member in a distal direction relative to said housing; wherein said surgical instrument assembly is configured to assume first and second configurations; wherein in said first configuration, said wire and said insulating member are disposed inside of said hollow needle such that said sharp distal end of said hollow needle is exposed; and wherein in said second configuration, said insulating member extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hollow needle beyond said sharp distal end of said hollow needle and said wire is completely disposed within said insulating member such that the distal tip of said wire is proximal to said distal end of said insulating member.