Endoscopic surgical blade and method of use thereof

Abstract

An endoscopic surgical blade is disclosed. The blade is of a low-profile design, having a downward angled cutting surface that is radiused at its upper end. The blade is part of an endoscopic knife assembly which also contains a knife tube. The endoscopic knife assembly is for use in endoscopic surgery by insertion of the assembly through a slotted cannula. The knife tube is hollow and allows the insertion of an endoscope for viewing of the surgical procedure. A method for a performing an operative procedure on a target tissue in a subject using an endoscopic knife assembly having a low-profile, downward angled blade is also described.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . An endoscopic knife assembly, comprising: a knife tube having a distal end and a proximate end and a low-profile blade that has a downward angled cutting surface that is radiused at its upper end attached to the distal end. 
     
     
         9 . The endoscopic knife assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising a handle at the proximate end of the knife tube. 
     
     
         10 . The endoscopic knife assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the handle comprises compression fingers for gripping the knife tube and a threaded region for the attachment of a clamping nut. 
     
     
         11 . The endoscopic knife assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the handle is bonded to the knife tube. 
     
     
         12 . The endoscopic knife assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the handle is bonded with epoxy. 
     
     
         13 . The endoscopic knife assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the knife tube comprises an alignment ring attached near the proximate end and one or more slots at the proximate end for the attachment of a locking assembly to the knife tube and alignment ring. 
     
     
         14 . The endoscopic knife assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the slots are located on a plane that is perpendicular to the blade attached to the distal end of the knife tube. 
     
     
         15 . The endoscopic knife assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the alignment ring comprises a flattened surface that is positioned perpendicular to the hook blade attached to the distal end of the knife tube. 
     
     
         16 . The endoscopic knife assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the knife tube is marked on the top or side surface with gradations. 
     
     
         17 . The endoscopic knife assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the blade is welded to the knife tube. 
     
     
         18 . An instrument kit for implementing an endoscopic surgical procedure comprising: an endoscopic knife assembly comprising a low-profile blade that has a downward angled cutting surface that is radiused at its upper end and a knife tube. 
     
     
         19 . The instrument kit of  claim 18 , wherein the endoscopic knife assembly further comprises a handle at the proximal end of the knife tube. 
     
     
         20 . The instrument kit of  claim 19 , wherein the handle comprises compression fingers for gripping the knife tube and a threaded region for the attachment of a clamping nut. 
     
     
         21 . The instrument kit of  claim 19 , wherein the handle is bonded to the knife tube. 
     
     
         22 . The instrument kit of  claim 18 , wherein the knife tube comprises an alignment ring attached near the proximate end and one or more slots at the proximate end for the attachment of a locking assembly to the knife tube and alignment ring. 
     
     
         23 . The instrument kit of  claim 18 , further comprising a cannula having an open slot extending along the length of the cannula. 
     
     
         24 . The instrument kit of  claim 23 , wherein the cannula is a clear cannula. 
     
     
         25 . The instrument kit of  claim 18 , further comprising an obturator, an elevator and/or an arthroscope. 
     
     
         26 - 27 . (canceled)