Tracheotomy surgical device

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a novel surgical instrument, and method of using same, designed for performing tracheotomy. According to specific embodiments, the subject surgical instrument comprises a novel foot plate that is anatomically curved to follow the contours of the inner wall of the trachea.

1 . A surgical instrument designed for performing a tracheotomy comprising a foot plate that is anatomically curved to follow the contours of the inner wall of a trachea; a cutting means, said cutting means comprising at least two cutting edges, and an actuation means communicatingly engaged to said cutting means and said foot plate, whereby upon actuation of said actuation means, said cutting means is drawn toward said foot plate, or said foot plate is drawn toward said cutting means, or both said foot plate and said cutting means are simultaneously brought together, whereby tissue disposed between said cutting means and said foot plate is incised.  
   
   
       2 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1 , wherein said cutting means comprises three cutting edges: a horizontally oriented cutting edge comprising a left end and a right end; a left vertically oriented cutting edge attached to or integral with said left end; and a right vertically oriented cutting edge attached to or integral with said right end.  
   
   
       3 . The surgical instrument of  claim 2 , wherein said horizontally oriented cutting edge is anatomically curved such that said horizontally oriented cutting edge follows the contours of the outer surface of the trachea.  
   
   
       4 . The surgical instrument of  claim 2 , wherein said cutting edges are made of metal.  
   
   
       5 . A surgical instrument for performing a tracheotomy procedure on a patient in need thereof, comprising: 
 an elongated body comprising a forward and a rearward end, and a handle extending transversely from said elongated body at a position proximal to said rearward end; said elongated body comprising a first shaft and a second shaft, wherein said first shaft and said second shaft portion are disposed such that the second shaft is longitudinally moveable;    a cutting portion integral with or attached to said first shaft at its forward end, said cutting portion comprising at least two cutting edges;    a foot plate integral with or attached to said elongated shaft at its forward end; and    a handle mounted to said body portion, said handle comprising a lever communicatingly engaged to or integral with said second shaft, wherein upon actuation of said lever, said foot plate on said second shaft is drawn toward said cutting portion, thereby punching a window in the trachea of said patient;    wherein an elongated body portion comprises a casing, and wherein said first and second shaft are housed in said casing    
   
   
       6 . The surgical instrument of  claim 5 , wherein said casing is tubular.