Apparatus for removing a hook with a barb

Abstract

An apparatus for removing a hook embedded within a tissue is presented. The hook has a barb extending from a point section of the hook. The apparatus includes a clamping device configured to secure the hook. A probe is coupled to the clamping device. The probe has a tip portion configured to fit within a space between the barb and the point section of the hook to allow the hook to be removed from the tissue.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for removing a hook embedded within a tissue, the hook having a barb extending from a point section of the hook, the apparatus comprising:
 a clamping device configured to secure the hook; and   a probe coupled to the clamping device, the probe having a tip portion configured to fit within a space between the barb and the point section of the hook to allow the hook to be removed from the tissue.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is a forceps. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the probe is pivotably coupled to the clamping device. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a protrusion disposed on the tip portion of the probe, the protrusion including:
 a sloped surface to fit within the space between the barb and the point section of the hook, and 
 an apex, wherein when the protrusion is inserted into the space between the barb and the point section of the hook, a height of the apex extends above a level of a top surface of the barb. 
   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a notch disposed on a distal end of the tip portion of the probe, the notch being sized to straddle the barb when the tip portion is inserted into the space between the barb and the point section of the hook.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a slot disposed on a lower surface of the tip portion, the slot being sized to engage a shank of the hook that is integrally connected to the tip portion;   wherein the slot functions as a guide for the probe to slide down the shank to the barb.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , comprising:
 a groove disposed on the sloped surface of the protrusion, the groove configured to receive the barb of the hook therein when the probe is inserted into the space between the barb and the point section of the hook.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein, when the tip portion is fit within the space between the barb and the point section of the hook, the probe and the barb form a surface which enables the hook to be removed from the tissue without the barb preventing such removal. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising a probe handle pivotably coupled to the clamping device, the probe handle including:
 a distal end portion pivotably coupled to the probe; and   a proximal end portion having a finger grip section sized to engage a finger.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , comprising a spring mechanism operatively connected to the probe and the distal end portion of the probe handle, the spring mechanism applying a force to the probe to bias the tip portion of the probe against the barb when the tip portion of the probe is inserted within the space between the barb and the point section of the hook. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for removing a hook embedded within a tissue, the hook having a barb extending from a point section of the hook, the apparatus comprising:
 a forceps configured to secure the hook, the forceps including:
 a first arm having a first jaw disposed on a first distal end portion and a first finger grip section disposed on a first proximal end portion, and 
 a second arm pivotally connected to the first arm, the second arm having a second jaw disposed on a second distal end portion and a second finger grip section disposed on a second proximal end portion; 
   a probe handle pivotally coupled to the forceps, the probe handle including a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, the proximal end portion having a finger grip section sized to engage a finger; and   a probe pivotally coupled to the distal end portion of the probe handle, the probe having a tip portion configured to fit within a space between the barb and the point section of the hook to allow the hook to be removed from the tissue.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , comprising:
 a protrusion disposed on the tip portion of the probe, the protrusion including:
 a sloped surface to fit within the space between the barb and the point section of the hook, and 
 an apex, wherein when the protrusion is inserted into the space between the barb and the point section of the hook, a height of the apex extends above a level of a top surface of the barb. 
   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , comprising:
 a notch disposed on a distal end of the tip portion of the probe, the notch being sized to straddle the barb when the tip portion is inserted into the space between the barb and the point section of the hook.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , comprising:
 a slot disposed on a lower surface of the tip portion, the slot being sized to engage a shank of the hook that is integrally connected to the tip portion;   wherein the slot functions as a guide for the probe to slide down the shank to the barb.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , comprising:
 a groove disposed on the sloped surface of the protrusion, the groove configured to receive the barb of the hook therein when the probe is inserted into the space between the barb and the point section of the hook.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the probe is configured to be removably coupled to the distal end portion of the probe handle. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , comprising a plurality of probes having a plurality of sizes and shapes, each probe configured to be removably coupled to the distal end portion of the probe handle. 
     
     
         18 . A method of removing a hook embedded within tissue, the hook having a point section and a barb extending from the point section, wherein the point section of the hook has entered the tissue at an area of entry on the tissue to create a wound in the tissue, the method comprising:
 providing an apparatus for removing the hook embedded within the tissue, the apparatus including:
 a clamping device configured to secure the hook, and 
 a probe pivotally coupled to the clamping device, the probe having a tip portion configured to fit within a space between the barb and the point section of the hook; 
   grasping the hook with the forceps;   inserting the probe into the area of entry of the wound;   fitting the tip portion of the probe within a space between the barb and the point section of the hook to form a surface between the probe and the barb; and   removing the hook from the tissue, wherein, due to the surface, further damage to the tissue by the barb is significantly reduced compared to further damage to the tissue caused by the hook being removed without formation of the surface.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , comprising:
 providing the apparatus with a protrusion disposed on the tip portion of the probe, the protrusion including:
 a sloped surface to fit within the space between the barb and the point section of the hook, and 
 an apex, wherein when the protrusion is inserted into the space between the barb and the point section of the hook, a height of the apex extends above a level of a top surface of the barb; and 
   utilizing the protrusion to lift the tissue away from the barb.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the grasping, inserting, fitting and removing are done in a one handed operation.