A method, apparatus, and system for cutting anatomic members, such as ligaments, in surgical procedures such as carpal tunnel release, plantar fasciotomy, gastroc release, cubital tunnel release, and tarsal tunnel release is disclosed. The apparatus includes a guide tool for guiding a knife and a scope during surgery which may be employed with a translating knife. Relevant features include a knife stop for preventing the knife from inadvertently raising out of the knife channel, indicia viewable to show the proper orientation for the guide tool, a self dilating tip and channel design on the guide tool, a cover piece and/or pivotable panel system for preventing ligaments and other anatomy from getting caught in the guide tool, a pivot pin and groove system for stabilizing the knife and also assuring that the knife blade is not inadvertently raised out of the channel, and a use indicator employable to prevent re-use of the device.

A method, apparatus, and system for cutting anatomic members, such as ligaments, in surgical procedures such as carpal tunnel release, plantar fasciotomy, gastroc release, cubital tunnel release, and tarsal tunnel release is disclosed. The apparatus includes a guide tool for guiding a knife and a scope during surgery which may be employed with a translating knife. Relevant features include a knife stop for preventing the knife from inadvertently raising out of the knife channel, indicia viewable to show the proper orientation for the guide tool, a self dilating tip and channel design on the guide tool, a cover piece and/or pivotable panel system for preventing ligaments and other anatomy from getting caught in the guide tool, a pivot pin and groove system for stabilizing the knife and also assuring that the knife blade is not inadvertently raised out of the channel, and a use indicator employable to prevent re-use of the device.

A method of ultrasonic sealing includes activating an ultrasonic blade temperature sensing, measuring a first resonant frequency of an ultrasonic electromechanical system that includes a transducer coupled to the blade via a waveguide, making a first comparison between the measured first resonant frequency and a first predetermined resonant frequency, and adjusting a power level applied to the transducer based on the first comparison. The first predetermined frequency may correspond to an optimal tissue coagulation temperature. The method may further include measuring a second resonant frequency of the system, making a second comparison between the measured second frequency and a second predetermined frequency, and adjusting the power level based on the second comparison. The second predetermined frequency may correspond a melting point temperature of a clamp arm pad. An ultrasonic instrument and a generator may implement the method.

A method of ultrasonic sealing includes activating an ultrasonic blade temperature sensing, measuring a first resonant frequency of an ultrasonic electromechanical system that includes a transducer coupled to the blade via a waveguide, making a first comparison between the measured first resonant frequency and a first predetermined resonant frequency, and adjusting a power level applied to the transducer based on the first comparison. The first predetermined frequency may correspond to an optimal tissue coagulation temperature. The method may further include measuring a second resonant frequency of the system, making a second comparison between the measured second frequency and a second predetermined frequency, and adjusting the power level based on the second comparison. The second predetermined frequency may correspond a melting point temperature of a clamp arm pad. An ultrasonic instrument and a generator may implement the method.

Systems and methods are described for correcting sagittal imbalance in a spine including instruments for performing the controlled release of the anterior longitudinal ligament through a lateral access corridor and hyper-lordotic lateral implants.

Systems and methods are described for correcting sagittal imbalance in a spine including instruments for performing the controlled release of the anterior longitudinal ligament through a lateral access corridor and hyper-lordotic lateral implants.

A surgical tool has an elongate tool body that supports a retractable scalpel blade at a working end of the tool body. A bougie passage extends through the tool body to receive a bougie slidable longitudinally through the passage in the tool body. The tool body may be a single scalpel handle, or a pair of forceps. In either instance, the tool may be used to perform a cricothyrotomy procedure on patient or introduce a thoracostomy tube into a patient. In each instance, the scalpel blade forms an incision, followed by retraction of the blade and insertion of the bougie while the tool remains inserted into the patient. After removal of the tool, the bougie is used to guide subsequent insertion of a tube into the patient.

A surgical tool has an elongate tool body that supports a retractable scalpel blade at a working end of the tool body. A bougie passage extends through the tool body to receive a bougie slidable longitudinally through the passage in the tool body. The tool body may be a single scalpel handle, or a pair of forceps. In either instance, the tool may be used to perform a cricothyrotomy procedure on patient or introduce a thoracostomy tube into a patient. In each instance, the scalpel blade forms an incision, followed by retraction of the blade and insertion of the bougie while the tool remains inserted into the patient. After removal of the tool, the bougie is used to guide subsequent insertion of a tube into the patient.

Scalpel blades, scalpels, scalpel assemblies, and methods thereof can be configured to reduce or even eliminate occurrences of skin bridges from skin-nicking such as when expanding insertion sites for catheters. For example, a scalpel blade can include a blade edge and a back edge, which back edge can include a pair of guidewire clips configured to clip onto a guidewire. The blade edge can terminate with a blade tip at a distal end of the scalpel blade. The pair of guidewire clips can be configured to clip onto the guidewire with sufficient clearance for slidably guiding the scalpel blade along the guidewire when skin-nicking a patient's skin and fascia around an insertion site established by a percutaneous puncture. The scalpels and scalpel assemblies can include the example scalpel blade. The methods can include methods of using any of the scalpel blades, scalpels, or scalpel assemblies disclosed herein.

A surgical blade (10) for being combined with an elongate handle (50) to form a cutting instrument for ophthalmic surgery includes a proximal portion (12) for being attached to the handle (12), an operative, distal portion (14), and a central portion (20) extending therebetween. The central portion (20) having a trapezoidal configuration that tapers radially inwardly from the proximal portion (12) to the distal portion and having a pair of sharpened lateral edges (21, 22). The distal portion (14) includes a first tapered section (23) defining a pair of sharpened lateral edges (24, 25) and extending from the central portion (20) to a substantially straight section (26) having a pair of sharpened lateral edges (27, 28). The substantially straight section (26) extends from the first tapered section (23) to a second tapered section (30) having a pair of sharpened lateral edges (32, 33) and terminating at a pointed tip (36).