Atraumatic arthroscopic instrument sheath

摘要

A removable, resilient atraumatic sheath for arthroscopic instruments. The sheath covers sharp edges on the arthroscopic instrument, particularly the distal tip of the rigid cannula, and thereby protects tissue and objects near a surgical site from accidental trauma. The sheath may be provided in the form of an inflow/outflow sheath that allows a surgeon to irrigate and drain a surgical field without the use of a separate irrigation instrument. The sheath is provided with a cylindrical grip on the proximal end to resiliently squeeze the proximal end of the arthroscopic instrument. A lever is provided to move the grip radially outwardly to release the grip from the arthroscopic instrument.

主权项

1. A method of performing arthroscopic surgery, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a system for performing arthroscopic surgery, said system comprising:
an arthroscopic instrument suitable for performing an arthroscopic surgical procedure, said arthroscopic instrument characterized by a proximal end;an atraumatic sheath comprising a tube characterized by a proximal portion and a proximal end, said sheath having an outer surface, said sheath having an inner diameter sized and dimensioned to closely conform to an outer diameter of the arthroscopic instrument, wherein the atraumatic sheath is adapted to be removably disposed over the arthroscopic instrument;a cylindrical grip disposed coaxially over the outer surface of the sheath on the proximal portion of the sheath, said grip characterized by a proximal portion;wherein the proximal portion of the grip extends proximally past the proximal end of the sheath;wherein the material of the proximal portion of the grip and the size and dimensions of the proximal portion of the grip are selected such that the proximal portion of the grip is biased to assume a shape having an inner diameter less than the outer diameter of the arthroscopic instrument, whereby the proximal portion of the grip may squeeze the proximal end of the arthroscopic instrument; andfurther comprising a first lever operably attached to the grip, said first lever operable to move a first segment of the proximal portion of the grip in a radially outwardly direction; placing the arthroscopic instrument in side the sheath; and performing an arthroscopic surgical procedure with the system for performing arthroscopic surgery.