Cannula for a surgical instrument
This disclosure relates to a cannula for a surgical instrument used for cutting selected tissue in a body cavity while under visual inspection. A kit containing the cannula and methods for performing surgical procedures using the cannula are also described.
1. An instrument kit for implementing an endoscopic or arthroscopic surgical procedure, comprising a cannula for a surgical instrument used for cutting selected tissue in a body cavity while under visual inspection, said cannula comprising:
a hollow central lumen extending from its proximal end to its distal end;
said proximal end being open and connectable to a surgical handpiece, allowing passage of an optical system and a cutting tool extension system into said hollow central lumen; and
said distal end being closed;
said cannula being circular in cross-section and having a lateral slot in the proximity of said distal end through which a cutting blade can be extended and retracted under operation of the cutting tool extension system while visualizing tissue at said lateral slot with said optical system,
wherein the cannula has a flat top surface.
2. The kit of claim 1 , further comprising a surgical handpiece attachable to the proximal end of the cannula.
3. The kit of claim 1 , further comprising a scalpel.
4. The kit of claim 1 , further comprising a retractor.
5. The kit of claim 1 , further comprising a blade.