SURGICAL CLEARING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR USING SAME
Described herein is a surgical clearing device that includes a neck that defines a longitudinal axis and a clearing portion extending from the neck. The clearing portion extends in a curved path that defines a plane that is approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the neck. In a preferred embodiment, the neck includes a cone-shaped portion. A portion of the neck extends downwardly from the bottom of the cone-shaped portion and a portion of the neck extends upwardly from the top of the cone-shaped portion.
1 . A clearing device comprising a neck defining a longitudinal axis and a clearing portion extending from the neck, wherein the clearing portion extends in a curved path that defines a plane that is approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the neck.
2 . The clearing device of claim 1 wherein the neck and clearing portion include a light guide extending therethrough.
3 . The clearing device of claim 1 wherein the neck comprises a rod that is adapted to be received in an opening.
4 . The clearing device of claim 1 wherein the neck includes a cone-shaped portion, wherein the cone-shaped portion has a bottom and a top, and wherein a portion of the neck extends downwardly from the bottom and a portion of the neck extends upwardly from the top.
5 . The clearing device of claim 1 wherein the cone-shaped portion includes threads.
6 . The clearing device of claim 2 further comprising a cone-shaped portion, wherein the cone-shaped portion has a bottom and a top, and wherein a portion of the neck extends downwardly from the bottom and a portion of the neck extends upwardly from the top.
7 . The clearing device of claim 1 in combination with a handset, wherein the neck is removably received in an opening in the end of the handset.
8 . The clearing device of claim 2 in combination with a handset that includes a light source, wherein the neck is removably received in an opening an end of the handset, and wherein light is transmitted from the light source to the tip of the clearing portion.
9 . A method comprising the steps of:
a) providing a handset comprising
i. a generally tubular member having first and second opposite ends,
ii. an instrument dock located at the first end of the tubular member, wherein the instrument dock includes an opening for receiving a rod, and
iii. a light source, wherein light from the light source is directed out of the opening in the instrument dock,
b) providing a clearing device that includes a docking portion and a clearing portion having a tip, and
c) docking the docking portion of the clearing device with the instrument dock.
10 . The method of claim 9 wherein the neck defines a longitudinal axis and the clearing portion extends in a curved path that defines a plane that is approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the neck.
11 . The method of claim 9 comprising the step of inserting the clearing portion into a puncture in a patient's skin and sweeping the clearing portion about the puncture to clear any objects from the area around the puncture.
12 . The method of claim 9 wherein the docking portion of the clearing device includes internal threads that are threadedly received on the instrument dock and a neck portion that is received in the opening in the instrument dock.