Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A surgical instrument is provided for performing surgery to relieve the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. The surgical instrument includes a pair of pivotally connected legs with each leg including a handle portion and a blade portion with the blade portions terminating in a nose. The nose is inserted through an incision in the wrist area and progressively 'worked' into an area between the transverse carpal ligament. The surgical instrument is rotated approximately 90 degrees and the handle portions are then squeezed to spread the blade portions to create a surgical area fully exposing the transverse carpal ligament. One of the blade portions carries illuminating means for illuminating the surgical area or arena to assure that only the transverse carpal ligament is severed to prevent damage to the median nerve, tendons and the like passing through the carpal tunnel. Upon the severance of the transverse carpal ligament, the surgical instrument is reversed relative to the movements just described for effecting the withdrawal thereof and the incision is subsequently sutured.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim