Abstract: This invention relates to an improved guarded surgical scalpel having a movable guard that can be retracted to expose the blade and that can be extended to cover the sharp cutting edge of the blade. The guard is also mounted for rotatable movement with respect to the handle. A blade carrier is mounted to the guard to allow relative longitudinal movement between the guard and the blade carrier. The blade carrier is also removably mounted to the handle. This mounting arrangement for the handle, guard and blade carrier allows the guard and blade carrier to be rotated away from the handle so the surfaces of the handle, guard and blade carrier can be exposed. This facilitates cleaning of the guarded surgical scalpel after use.

Abstract: A nail boring device uses a common drill bit to penetrate a traumatized nail having collected fluids trapped below it. A novel depth of penetration control device is used with the bit to assure that a bored hole is only as deep as necessary and that the process may proceed in small steps acceptable to the patient. A method of approach necessary to the successful use of the device is described.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to microdrive apparatus useful in human stereotactic surgery. Such apparatus permits safe and accurate placement of a surgical instrument, such as a cannula, into a portion of the central nervous system, e.g. the brain and spinal cord, of a patient by simple mechanical operation.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and method are disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises an elongated handle having an operator gripping portion and including a grinding burr rotatably mounted to the handle opposite the operator gripping portion, and an elongated guard connected to the handle and extending along the handle substantially parallel to the axis of the handle, the guard terminating in a plate. The surgical instrument of the present invention allows a surgeon to perform a craniectomy on a patient without reflecting scalp flaps from the skull of the patient.

Abstract: A surgical device for cutting substantially across a cornea of an eye of a patient, the device including a positioning ring structured to be temporarily attached to a portion of the eye surrounding the cornea to be cut, and defining an aperture sized to receive and expose the cornea to be cut. The surgical device further includes a cutting head assembly structured to be guided and driven over an upper surface of the positioning ring in a generally arcuate path, and having a cutting element positioned therein and structured to oscillate laterally to facilitate smooth and effective cutting of the cornea. The cutting head assembly is structured to be detachably coupled to the positioning ring by a coupling member which permits movement of the cutting head assembly relative to the positioning ring along the generally arcuate path, but maintains sufficient engagement therebetween to ensure that smooth, steady, driven movement is maintained.

Abstract: A keratotomy incision is formed in a cornea by manipulating an RK knife so that its blade extends a preselected depth into a point on the cornea. Sufficient force is applied by a surgeon's fingers to the knife to advance its blade in a preselected direction. Advancement of the blade is halted when resistance of the cornea against the blade exceeds a certain level. In one embodiment, a plurality of such incisions are formed in a predetermined pattern until a final incision is made wherein resistance of the cornea against the leading edge of the blade exceeds the particular level at the starting point for that final incision. The blade then is withdrawn from the cornea, whereby the plurality of incisions reduce strain in collagen fibrils of the cornea so as to correct a refractive error associated with such strain.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical technique and instrument kit that allows for subtle modification of the corneal curvature by interlamellar injection of a synthetic gel at the corneal periphery while sparing the optical zone. The gel viscosity, volume and disposition within the surgical annular track as well as the diameter of the track, width, depth, and location are all parameters in the refractive change obtained. Following ultrasonic pachymetry performed centrally and at a selected wound entrance located about 2.5 to 3.5 mm from the apex, a one millimeter or so wide, about 75-85% corneal thickness depth radial incision is performed with a micrometric diamond knife adjusted to about 86% corneal thickness. Inserted through the partial-depth incision, a corkscrew-like dissector or helicoidal spatula forms a 360.degree. annular track centered about the apex. A transparent gel is manually injected through the incision, filling the annular channel.

Abstract: A scalpel is disclosed for the accurate and rapid formation of flaps or thin sections of skin during many types of surgical procedures (such as excision or reconstruction) in which it is necessary for the surgeon to make an oblique extended cut into the patient's skin and lift an elongated flap of the outer layers of the skin to obtain access to deeper layers of tissue, muscle or bone below. The scalpel has an elongated handle having two opposite ends; a cutting blade extending laterally from one of the ends; and a depth-of-cut limiting plate extending laterally from the same end and disposed parallel to and spaced apart from the cutting blade. The limiting plate has an aperture therein through which the surgeon can view the cutting blade during use. The scalpel thus limits the maximum thickness of tissue that can be cut with the cutting blade.

Abstract: Method of implementing endoscopic surgical procedures on a patient, and more particularly, a novel and unique technique of performing uniportal surgical entries. Moreover, also disclosed is a unique endoscopic surgical instrument including a unique cutting device adapted to be employed in the implementation of the foregoing methods of endoscopically effecting the uniportal carpal tunnel release. This surgical procedure only requires the formation of a single and relatively small entry portal or incision in the patient, resulting in minimum discomfort.

Abstract: An elliptical skin biopsy punch includes a blade which creates an elliptical incision in the skin of a patient, in which the blade's profile is circular, thereby allowing the biopsy punch to be rocked back and forth during the surgical procedure. Integral depth guards are provided which prevent the blade from penetrating too deeply into the skin membrane, and which help to inform the physician when the incision has been completed. An aperture or window is provided so the physician can directly view the skin lesion while positioning the biopsy punch before the start of the incision. The upper portion of the biopsy punch has alignment marks to help in correctly positioning the biopsy punch around the skin lesion. Several different sizes of elliptical skin biopsy punch can be made so that the proper incision will be used for any particular skin lesion's size. Several different handle shapes are available for various sized lesions and various types of physician's hands.

Abstract: A trocar for use in surgical procedures including a cannula for maintaining a sealed working channel in a body wall and an obturator which creates the working channel through the body wall while protecting patients and medical personnel from harm is disclosed. A cannula converter which can be employed with the trocar to enable a surgeon to use surgical instruments having a smaller outer diameter than the inner diameter of the cannula without deflating a body cavity is further disclosed. A site stabilizer which can be used with the trocar to prevent the cannula from being inadvertently withdrawn from the body cavity during a surgical procedure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A lancet device and associated method used for obtaining a blood sample from a patient. The lancet includes a safety housing adapted to be placed against some area of the patient's skin, such as a finger. A slotted aperture is formed through the safety housing in the region of the housing placed against the skin. An invertible spring member is disposed within the safety housing. The invertible spring member is a curved structure that automatically inverts into a generally oppositely curved orientation when the invertible spring member is flattened by a predetermined degree. The cutting blade used to make the incision is coupled to the invertible spring member within the safety housing. A manipulative element supports the invertible spring member and blade within the safety housing. The manipulative element is held at a set position in relation to the safety housing until a threshold force is applied to the manipulative element.

Abstract: A method of making a surgical incision comprising power driving a rotating scalpel blade and drawing the blade across an area and along a line where an incision is required. When the blade is circular, the circumferential speed of the blade relative to the tissue at the incision is maintained above 4 centimeters per second and is preferably between 10 and 25 centimeters per second, i.e. approximately 18 centimeters per second, for example. Further in accordance with the invention, the scalpel blade may be pushed or pulled across the area in which an incision is required. Also, the circular scalpel blade may be driven in a direction such that the periphery thereof at the incision travels in either a direction opposite to or the same as the direction of movement of the blade drawn along the line where the incision is required.

Abstract: A patella planer for preparing a resected surface on a patella in a single operation. The patella planer has an adjustable stop which can be used on either side of the planer so that the planer may be used on the right or left knee. The adjustable stop has a floating zero pointer which can be set to accommodate varying thickness of the patient's patella. The amount of patella material to be removed can be selected by adjusting an offset stop pin.

Abstract: A single use medical sharp device includes an outer sheath and a shank disposed in the sheath. The shank has a leading pointed end and a trailing handle end. The shank and the sheath are inter-engaged so that the shank has an extended operational position and a retracted safe position.

Abstract: The surgical knife of the present invention includes a substantially cylindrical housing which has an external housing surface and one open end. A planar knife blade is support for axial movement within the housing so that one end of the knife blade can be extended beyond the open end of the housing. Means, which are well known in the art, are carried by the housing and connected to the knife blade to cause movement of the knife blade in an axial direction for extension beyond the open end. A raised surface is provided on the housing which has a cross section dissimilar to the cross section of the housing for use in preventing rotation of the knife to thereby orient the knife blade along a desired plane when the knife is supported on a surface. One embodiment of the surgical knife provides for the dissimilar cross section to be a square with four flat surfaces so that these surfaces can rest in a complimentary groove in a supporting tray of a knife blade setting device.

Abstract: An improved single use lancet unit with a movable safety sleeve for shielding the sharp contaminated tip of a used lancet including means for fixedly securing the sleeve in its protective position. The lancet unit includes a lancet having a rod-shaped body disposed at one end in a lancet retaining member and a sterile sharp tip at the other end. The lancet unit includes a movable sleeve with an axial passageway therethrough sized to receive the lancet body segment which extends beyond the retaining member coaxially therein. The sleeve is movable longitudinally from an initial position for use of the lancet unit wherein the sharp tip of the lancet projects beyond the sleeve to a protective position wherein the sleeve surroundingly encloses and shields the contaminated tip of the used lancet unit. The lancet unit further includes a coupling member and a receiving opening which matingly engage to fixedly secure the sleeve in its protective position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument has a motor including a chuck for releasably receiving a dissecting tool for rotation about an axis of the surgical instrument. The dissecting tool has a cutting end and a shaft and the surgical instrument is provided with a base releasably connected to the motor. A sleeve is releasably connected to the base to support the shaft of the dissecting tool, and the surgical instrument is further provided with sleeve connection means for selectively permitting axial movement of the sleeve relative to the base and the dissecting tool to vary the amount of protrusion of the cutting end of the dissecting tool from the sleeve.

Abstract: The Dottering Auger Catheter system is designed for penetration of tight stenoses or total occlusions (called blockages) as a precursor to balloon angioplasty, atherectomy, or any other vessel opening means that requires an initial passageway. Specifically, the Dottering Auger Catheter system consists of a centering catheter and a Dottering auger catheter which is a catheter that opens a passageway through an arterial blockage by passing its wedge shaped distal end through that blockage causing outward plastic deformation of the plaque; i.e., angioplasty. A centering catheter that surrounds the Dottering Auger Catheter can be used to center the distal end of the auger catheter just proximal to the blockage. The purpose of the auger type of Dottering catheter is to penetrate through the blockage by means of a self-tapping screw at the catheter's distal end.

Abstract: An instrument for harvesting an iliac bone graft comprises an elongate handle having a proximal gripping portion terminating in a substantially blunt striking surface, and a distal working portion including a pair of longitudinally extending, transversely spaced apart blade retaining slots. A pair of chisel-type blades are adapted for being releasably, lockably housed in the slots. The blades are retained in the slots by set screws, and by overhanging lips which engage the blades when fully inserted in the slots. An instrument for inserting an iliac bone graft into a disc space comprises an elongate handle having a proximal gripping portion terminating in a substantially blunt striking surface, a distal working portion including an enlarged abutment head on its terminal end, and a slide portion disposed between the gripping portion and the working portion, the abutment head having a distal abutment surface for engaging an iliac bone graft.

Abstract: A device to stop the penetration of a cranial drill that is used to pierce the skull during neurosurgical procedures. The device uses a plurality of spacers that each have a body in the form of a cylinder having a bore extending therethrough with a flat disc adjacent the cylindrical body with a plurality of tabs fixed to the disk in a circumferential pattern around the bore and axially aligned therewith. The periphery of the disk having a diameter larger than the cylindrical body portion to form a gripping member. Each of the tabs having an indent positioned on an outer surface and an interior surface of the cylindrical body portion having a bead positioned around the interior diameter of the cylindrical body portion so that the indents in the tabs are adapted to engage and retain a bead of another spacer when the spacers are fitted together to define a drill stop. Each of the plurality of spacers are of different lengths than at least one of the other spacers.

Abstract: Surgical blades, knives and keratotomy procedures are provided which are capable of severing deep corneal tissue in the optical zone without penetrating the surface of this zone and causing optical glare. The blades of this invention include at least one cutting edge thereon which is shorter than about 0.5 mm and which includes a projecting cutting portion and/or recessed blunt edge to permit primary or secondary incisions beneath the surface of the optical zone.

Abstract: A surgical knife blade includes a cutting blade for penetrating tissue of the eye. First indicia is carried on the cutting blade proximally spaced from a tip thereof for being aligned with an external surface of the tissue when the cutting blade is inserted tip first in the tissue to form an initial incision having a depth equal to the distance that the first indicia is spaced proximally from the tip. The cutting edge is configured to form a subsurface tunnel within the thickness of the tissue when the cutting blade is moved from the initial incision along a plane transverse to the plane of the initial incision. Second indicia is carried on the blade proximally spaced from the tip for being aligned relative to the initial incision to gauge the length of the subsurface tunnel.

Abstract: A surgical trocar instrument is provided which includes a trocar spike designed to prevent coring of the needlepoint of a trocar tube and which is secured to a knob or holding assembly in a manner that the trocar tube resists relative rotational movement and the spike assembly is biased outwardly of the needlenose of the trocar tube, but the bias may be overcome upon insertion of the trocar tube through a cavity wall, with the bias moving the spike assembly outwardly of the trocar tube to prevent coring during additional surgical maneuvers.

Abstract: A method of implementing an endoscopic surgical procedure on a patient, and more particularly, a novel and unique technique of performing a uniportal palmar subligmentous endoscopic carpal tunnel release. Moreover, also disclosed is a unique endoscopic surgical instrument adapted to be employed in the implementation of the foregoing method of endoscopically effecting the carpal tunnel release. This surgical procedure only requires the formation of a single and relatively small entry portal or incision in the palm proximate the distal side of the flexor retinaculum, thereby reducing any postoperative symptoms of the patient with only a cosmetically appealing scar formed on the palm, while eliminating the need for a second portal or incision proximate the wrist of the patient.

Abstract: The proposal relates to a teat knife with a base element (2), a knife sheath (5), and a knife (9) with adjustable swivel angle. The teat knife is characterized in that the knife (9) is constructed as an angle knife with a cutting arm (8) and an operating arm (10) and that a spring (14) which presses the angle knife (9) into its resting position is provided. The teat knife has the advantage that it allows for varying the incision depth in a very simple manner, especially during the cutting process.

Abstract: Surgical means for removing a portion of a body comprising means for applying a vacuum upon the portion of the body to be removed sufficient to move such portion away from the remainder of the body immediately adjacent to such portion and means for cutting such portion of the body that has been moved to sever it from the remainder of the body. The invention is also directed to a process for removing a portion of the body wherein a vacuum is applied to such portion and thereafter is severed from the remainder of the body.

Abstract: A surgical device has a first cannula formed to define a first interior channel and a second cannula positioned substantially within the first interior channel of the first cannula. The second cannula is formed to define a second interior cannula. Both the first cannula and the second cannula are attached to a conduit piece that defines a first passageway in fluid communication with the first interior channel of the first cannula and a second passageway in fluid communication with the second interior channel of the second cannula. A third passageway defined by the conduit piece is in fluid communication with the first interior channel of the first cannula. The second passageway is covered by a breachable seal that permits insertion of instruments therethrough while limiting undesired fluid flow. A knife blade can be attached to said first cannula and said second cannula can be positioned around the knife blade to shield the knife blade.

Abstract: The Humble Wax Remover.TM.--a safe ear wax extractor is composed of two parts; a safety stopper (10) and a loop curette wax extractor (26), whereby the second part is inserted into the first part thereby making a functional unit. The entire unit is then placed into the ear canal (FIG. 4). Once the unit is inserted into the canal, the handle (20) is rotated, wax is caught in the loop and then the unit is extracted from the canal. Wax is thereby safely extracted from the ear canal. Reinsertion is done until all wax is extracted. Readjustment of depth of insertion is accomplished by changing position of safety stopper with the loop curette wax extractor. Wax is thereby extracted without visualization of ear drums and thereby can be accomplished by lay persons.

Abstract: A device and method for treating a patient who is experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome is provided. The invention involves a cannula which has a closed blunt end and an open end. The cannula is dimensioned so that an endoscope and a knife can be simultaneously manipulated inside the cannula. A slot is provided between the ends of the cannula for viewing and incising the carpal ligament. The cannula preferably has a handle attached near its open end. The cannula is typically employed in conjunction with an endoscope and a knife to cut the patients transverse carpal ligament through a small wrist incision, thereby minimizing trauma to surrounding tissue, and post-operative recovery time.

Abstract: An electrosurgical loop comprising an insulated shaft with an electrical contact at its proximate end and a pair of extending insulated prongs at its distal end. The extending prongs are configured to give the loop a "Y" shape and each end of a thin wire are connected to each prong to provide a wire loop. Disposed over the shaft in longitudinal sliding engagement is a depth gauge comprising a clasp, a longitudinal intermediate portion, and a transverse cross bar. The clasp may be retrofit to an existing electrosurgical loop and permits the removal of the depth gauge from the loop, if desired. The transverse cross bar is wider than the breadth of the wire loop and has a transverse slot oriented in the same plane as the wire loop through which the wire loop passes as the depth gauge is adjusted for various cutting depths. Disposed on the insulated shaft are markings serving as depth indicators to which the depth gauge may be moved slidably to effect cut depth control for the loop.

Abstract: A safety trocar instrument, for piercing the wall of an anatomical cavity to provide communication with the inside of the cavity, includes a tubular cannula and an elongate trocar having a sharp piercing point. The trocar is mounted for axial reciprocal movement within the cannula between a withdrawn rest position in which the point is received within and shielded by the distal end of the cannula and a projecting position in which said point is exposed beyond the distal end of the cannula. A retraction spring biases the trocar to its withdrawn position. A latch latches the trocar in the projecting position in opposition to the retraction spring, and a trip member can trip the latch to unlatch the trocar and thereby permit the trocar to be moved to its withdrawn rest position by the retraction spring. A mechanical trigger in the form of a trigger sleeve is mounted within the instrument.

Abstract: For protection of the otherwise sharp protruding end of a given instrument for use in ophthalmic or other surgery, as when the instrument is to be used only after it has traversed the major part of a scleral tunnel, a shiftable guard or shield is manipulable after it has served its function of avoiding damage to hemorrhageable tissues adjacent tunnel-wall tissue, thereby exposing the sharp end only after safely passing the hemorrhageable region. Various embodiments are described.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a motor, a dissecting tool coupled to the motor for rotation about an axis of the motor, the motor further including a base at one end thereof. The motor is further provided with an elongate member extending from the base and parallel to the motor axis. A foot member extends laterally from a terminal end of the elongate member for protecting selected portions of tissue from exposure to the cutting action of the dissecting tool. The surgical instrument is further provided with indexing means to permit selective rotation of the elongate member relative to base from one of a plurality of angular positions to another of the plurality of angular positions, and to secure the elongate member in a selected angular position.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention a disposable trochar for use as a gas insufflation needle is provided for insertion through the abdominal wall of a patient and into a body cavity. It has an outer sheath with a tubular body, a distal open end and a proximate open end. The distal end may have means which is expandable after the trochar has been inserted into the body cavity to minimize dislocation of the outer sheath during use. A cannula is removably received within in the sheath which has a sharp distal end extendable beyond the distal end of the sheath and an enlarged head at the proximate end of the cannula. The head has a flat land which is engageable with the proximate end of the sheath to limit the extension of the distal end of the cannula beyond the distal end of the sheath. A rod is mounted within the cannula for longitudinal movement between a retracted position and an extended position.

Abstract: The surgical instrument guard described herein comprises a shield which fits over the blade of a scalpel and prevents accidental contact or "sticks" with the blade when not in surgical use. In one modification pressure of the surgeon's thumb or finger lifts the shield away from the blade so that the blade may be used in surgery. When the pressure is released, the shield returns to its protective position. In another modification the position of the blade is controlled by a peg or short bar extending into a slot in the side of a protective shield. The shield may be moved forward or backward as far as the slot can move with respect to the peg. When the shield is in the forward position, the shield covers the blade and protects against accidental "sticks". When the shield is moved backward, the blade is exposed and is available for surgical use.

Abstract: A surgical device has a longitudinally extending cannula formed to define an interior channel. The cannula is attached to a conduit piece that defines first, second, and third passageways in fluid communication with the interior channel of the cannula. A surgical knife is positioned within the interior channel of the cannula so that its cutting edge extends at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the cannula.

Abstract: The instrument comprises a tubular outer support forming a shell around a determined axis and including a circularly symmetrical annular base portion about the axis defining a substantially spherical annular surface enabling the support to be pressed against the cornea; the support includes a cylindrical inside wall that is resiliently deformable in the radial direction to receive the tubular top section of a template having a transverse wall at its bottom which is delimited by a substantially spherical bottom surface and which includes a central orifice and at least one pair of arcuate slots disposed symmetrically about the center of the wall.

Abstract: A scalpel for eye surgery having a blade member with a plurality of juxtaposed cutting sections arranged successively along the blade member. The cutting sections have respective cutting edges defining respective widths and lengths of incisions. Each cutting section is visually delineated from the other cutting sections by different coloration or other marking indicia, such that each cutting section will visually indicate the depth and width of an incision made by inserting the blade member into a body to the depth of the respective cutting section. The scalpel can include both a keratome type blade member and a scleral dissector blade member on a common support stem.

Abstract: A surgical trocar instrument is provided which includes a trocar spike designed to prevent coring of the needlepoint of a trocar tube and which is secured to a knob or holding assembly in a manner that the trocar tube resists relative rotational movement and the spike assembly is biased outwardly of the needlenose of the trocar tube, but the bias may be overcome upon insertion of the trocar tube through a cavity wall, with the bias moving the spike assembly outwardly of the trocar tube to prevent coring during additional surgical maneuvers.

Abstract: A motor-driven surgical instrument having particular use in arthroscopic procedures has its drive motor operation controllable entirely from a switch cluster mounted on the instrument handpiece. The switch cluster is curved to substantially follow the circumferential profile of the handpiece and thereby avoid large platforms or projections that would add to the weight and bulk of the handpiece and destroy its balance. The switches in the cluster are arranged to minimize the movement of a surgeon's finger in quickly moving from a speed or direction control switch to an on/off switch. A unique arcuate printed circuit board having a small radius of curvature is employed as part of the switch cluster and is able to withstand the high temperatures to which the handpiece is exposed during sterilization between procedures. Disposable, single-use cutting blades are individually coded to provide a sensible parameter representing the optimum operating speed range of the cutting blade.

Abstract: Laparoscopy organ retrieval apparatus and procedures are presented for minimum invasion surgery inclusive of laparoscopic nephrectomy, cholecystectomy and other organ dissection, morsellation removal from the abdomen through a keyhole incision. The apparatus and procedures permit the safe and total removal of an organ from a body cavity in a morsellated condition through the combination utilization of an entrapment envelope sheath. The entrapment envelope having an apparatus for opening and closing, the apparatus controlled from an exterior position of the body cavity wherein the entrapment envelope after entry of the sheath is extruded from the sheath which has been inserted through a laparoscopic port in place in a keyhole surgical opening. The entrapment envelope is constructed of flexible, relatively low bulk fluid impermeable materials having sufficient strength to contain morsellator entry, organ fragmentation and removal.

Abstract: This invention relates to a drill guide particularly useful for drilling an accurately located and oriented bore of limited depth into an orbital implant for purposes of fixating an orbital prosthesis. The drill guide comprises a cylindrical housing, the distal end of the housing defines a plurality of fixation pegs which are engagable with the orbital implant. An adaptor insert is placed on the nonrotating nose of a surgical drill which defines an outer diameter which is closely received by the drill guide housing. Features are provided to limit the depth of insertion of the adaptor insert. After placement of the drill guide on the orbital implant the surgical drill can be advanced until the physical stop is reached providing a limited depth bore which can be accurately located and oriented.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for supporting a Verres needle which includes a mechanism for grasping a portion of the abdomen such that the needle may be moved to penetrate the abdomen to create a space between the abdominal wall and the abdominal organs and includes a mechanism for advancing the Verres needle toward the abdominal cavity by relative movement to the needle with respect to the portion of the apparatus which holds the needle. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for controlling the movement of the needle relative to the grasping portion of the apparatus.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for skullcap and other bone cutting during autopsy. A power driven rotary cutter in the form of a circular blade saw is mounted on a carrier which moves around the skull of the cadaver and permits the cutter to move radially, toward and away from the axis of the skull. A follower which engages the skull controls the depth of cut so that only the skull bone is cut without damage to the brain tissue in the skull. The cutter is driven by a cable from a remote motor to minimize the weight of the cutter assembly on the carrier. The casing in which the cutter is mounted can be a handpiece of a cable driven tool. The cutter can also be used manually by removing the handpiece from the carrier. Power to the cutter is controlled so that the cutter cuts only bone and stops when soft tissue is engaged by the cutter, which avoids serious damage to soft tissue, and also avoids serious injury to the user if the blade slips.

Abstract: A retractable surgical or other instrument is provided with a locking mechanism automatically actuated by sliding an operating element forward to extend it from a protective sheath. The locking mechanism operates by the cooperative action of a plurality of abutment means integrally molded into the interior of the instrument handle and a plurality of transverse bends forming a substantially closed loop profile in the proximal end of the elongated support shaft of the operating element. A longitudinally slidable actuating pin engages the proximal end of the support shaft to move it longitudinally in a selected direction. A portion of the proximal end of the shaft is biased to exert a radially outward force on the inner wall of the instrument handle thereby assuring positive engagement between the support shaft and an abutment surface which prevents rearward motion of the surgical element once it is placed in an extended position.

Abstract: A surgical tool for forming a circular opening through the skin which is of smaller diameter at the outer skin surface than at the inner surface of the skin employs a trephine having a circular cutting edge. The trephine is inserted into a pocket surgically formed beneath the skin with its cutting surface facing the skin. A rod member is then inserted through the skin and threaded into the trephine. The rod member is attached to a spring biassed plunger within a tool housing which is released from a ready position by withdrawal of a locking pin. Upon release of the plunger, the spring drives the plunger to drive the cutting edge of the trephine outwardly through the skin.

Abstract: A hard tissue biopsy instrument includes an outer hollow needle attachable to a housing to project from one end thereof and having a sharpened outer tip; an inner hollow needle attachable to the housing within the outer hollow needle and having a milling outer tip, the inner hollow needle being rotatably and axially movable with respect to the outer hollow needle; and a rotary drive for rotating the inner hollow needle within the outer hollow needle.

Abstract: An electric plastic cast saw control system for cutting off of plastic cast composed of an inner layer of absorbent cotton and an outer layer formed by hardened covering material including a thin conductive plate placed between the inner layer and the outer layer so that a relay device is triggered to cut off power supply to electric saw on the instant the saw gets contact with the thin conductive plate and consequently stop the electric saw instantaneously, and a reset device to resume power supply to the electric saw automatically or manually after cutting off of the power source.

Abstract: The hemostatic surgical instrument comprises a scalpel provided at its anterior end with an upwardly directed surgical blade. A unique guidance means, or plow-like structure, is connected to the anterior end of the scalpel, immediately beneath the surgical blade. The plow-like structure allows the scalpel to be positioned at an appropriate depth and location with respect to individual tissue layers during formation of an incision. The instrument further comprises a stapling device with curved edges that may be used in conjunction with the scalpel to provide for placement of rows of surgical staples on either side of an incision as the incision is formed, thereby minimizing bleeding. The stapling device preferably is composed of wheels pivotally connected with the scalpel, the wheels being rollable along the surface of the tissue and capable of sequentially ejecting staples on either side of an incision as the incision is formed by the scalpel.