Patent ID: 8591537
Filing Date: 2013-11-26
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical system for separating a dura membrane from underlying tissue and dissecting the dura membrane, comprising: a separation member operable to separate the dura membrane from the underlying tissue by being inserted between the dura membrane and the underlying tissue, wherein the separation member comprises a footplate in the form of an outer rim defining in internal cutout and a top surface and a bottom surface that together define a height that elevates the dura membrane from the underlying tissue during insertion of the separation member therebetween, wherein the bottom surface is generally smooth so that the underlying tissue is not damaged and the top surface is generally smooth so that the dura membrane is not damaged during insertion of the separation member between the dura membrane and the underlying tissue; and a cutting element that includes a single fixed lower blade with a cutting edge and a single movable upper blade with a cutting edge that cooperate to dissect the elevated membrane, wherein the lower blade has a bottom surface that is generally smooth and a top edge that forms the lower blade cutting edge, wherein the fixed lower blade is positioned within the cutout of the separation member footplate, wherein the height of the footplate is generally greater than or equal to the height of the lower blade, wherein the lower blade bottom surface is positioned not below the bottom surface of the footplate and the lower blade top cutting edge is position below the top surface of the footplate, wherein the fixed lower blade is a separate element not defined by the separation member footplate, and wherein the cutout extends vertically all the way through the separation member footplate and, because the separation member is a separate element from the lower blade, a gap is formed between the footplate outer rim and the lower blade at a leading edge of and at both sides of the lower blade, wherein during insertion between the dura membrane and the underlying tissue to separate and elevate the dura membrane from the underlying tissue, the generally smooth bottom surface of the separation member contacts and slides along the underlying tissue with the generally smooth bottom surface of the lower blade positioned not below the separation member bottom surface so that the lower blade bottom surface does not damage the underlying tissue, and the top surface of the separation member contacts and slides along the elevated dura membrane with the top cutting edge of the lower blade positioned below the separation member top surface so that the lower blade top cutting edge does not contact and damage the dura membrane, wherein the separation member separates and protects the dura membrane and the underlying tissue from damage by the lower blade.