Surgical instruments and methods of use
View Patent ↗A surgical instrument comprises a handle having a blade proximate a distal end of the handle. A blade edge inset from a mouth of the recess is exposed within the recess and faces at least partially toward a proximal end of the handle with the blade edge inset from a mouth of the recess. The distal end further comprises a point bounding a portion of the recess and facing at least partially toward the proximal end of the handle. Methods of use are also disclosed.
1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
an elongated handle;
a recess proximate a distal end of the elongated handle and facing at least partially toward a proximal end of the elongated handle;
a point oriented toward the proximal end of the elongated handle at an acute included angle to a longitudinal axis of the elongated handle and extending along a distal edge of the recess; and
a blade having an exposed blade edge facing a mouth of the recess;
wherein the blade is circular, and mounted for rotation to the elongated handle.
2. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the acute included angle is about 60°.
3. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the proximal end is one of rounded and pointed.
4. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein a protruding belly of the elongated handle extends along a proximal edge of the recess.
5. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein a base edge of the recess is arcuate.
6. The surgical instrument of claim 5 , wherein the base edge is defined at least in part by the blade edge.
7. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the point flares laterally to each side of the elongated handle.
8. The surgical instrument of claim 7 , wherein the point is plow-shaped and comprises a rounded distal surface and a substantially flat proximal surface.
9. The surgical instrument of claim 7 , wherein the point comprises a body having a convex proximal surface and a substantially linear, laterally extending, rounded leading edge.
10. The surgical instrument of claim 9 , wherein the body has a convex distal surface and a rounded trailing edge.
11. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the blade separates the point from the handle.
12. The surgical instrument of claim 11 , wherein the blade comprises a blade segment integral with the handle and comprises a common, non-metal material with the handle.
13. The surgical instrument of claim 11 , wherein a distance of separation between the handle and the point increases with distance from the blade edge.
14. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , further comprising an aperture extending through the elongated handle proximate the distal end thereof.
15. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the blade is mounted for rotation on an axle secured to the elongated handle.
16. The surgical instrument of claim 15 , further comprising at least one drive wheel of a smaller diameter than a diameter of the blade and operably coupled to the axle proximate a side of the elongated handle.
17. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the blade edge is inset from the mouth of the recess.
18. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , further comprising measurement increments on the handle.
19. The surgical instrument of claim 18 , wherein the measurement increments are located on one of a spine and a side of the handle.
20. The surgical instrument of claim 19 , wherein the measurement increments are defined by ribs protruding from the spine.
21. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , further comprising a gripping structure on a spine of the surgical instrument to enhance frictional engagement with digit of the user.
22. The surgical instrument of claim 21 , wherein the gripping structure comprises a series of longitudinally spaced ribs on the spine.
23. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the handle carrying the blade is detachable from a remainder of the handle and replaceable by a like-configured distal portion.
24. A method of using a surgical instrument, the method comprising:
perforating tissue in which an incision is to be made using a point on the surgical instrument; and
elongating the perforation into an incision by drawing the surgical instrument toward the user;
wherein using a point on the surgical instrument comprises using a point on a proximal end of the surgical instrument, and wherein elongating the perforation into an incision further comprises inserting another point on the surgical instrument proximate a distal end of the surgical instrument into the perforation, orienting the another point toward the user and drawing the another point toward the user to engage a blade of the surgical instrument with the tissue.
25. The method of claim 24 , further comprising drawing the surgical instrument toward the user with a handle of the surgical instrument oriented at an angle of about 60° to a surface of the tissue.
26. The method of claim 24 , further comprising drawing the surgical instrument toward the user to engage a blade of the surgical instrument with the tissue within a recess of the handle proximate a distal end thereof and defined between a point protruding from the handle and a portion of the handle.