Patent ID: 7666181
Filing Date: 2010-02-23
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A multi-purpose minimally invasive instrument for medical, non-medical, surgical, therapeutic, and investigative applications in spaces and cavities having a wall blocking access thereto, and also having a larger entry port opening and at least one smaller entry port opening formed in the wall, said instrument comprising: a handle; an electrically operated tool that uses electrical power to perform at least one function, said electrically operated tool has a working end configured for performing said at least one function and an opposed connecting end; a small diameter elongated rod having a first end in fixed association with said handle, and a second end configured for removable engagement with said connecting end of said electrically operated tool; an optical system; an introducer with a pivoting cradle configured for engaging and transporting said electrically operated tool through the larger entry port opening in the wall, said pivoting cradle also configured for easy release of said electrically operated tool once said connecting end of said operated tool becomes engaged with said second end of said elongated rod, said introducer further comprising a longitudinal bore configured and dimensioned to allow insertion of said optical system so that said introducer and said optical system can concurrently extend through the larger entry port opening in the wall, and said introducer also having a control knob configured to adjust the degree of tilting of said cradle for tool attachment from a location outside the space; supportive entry port means for facilitating entry and exit of said elongated rod through the smaller entry port opening in the wall and support of said elongated rod during its use, said supportive entry port means also comprising a first part configured for extending through the smaller entry port opening in the wall and a second part configured for connection to said handle; electrical transmission means adapted for connecting said handle and said electrically operated tool to a power source; and activation means adapted for initiating, controlling, and terminating performance of said at least one function of said electrically operated tool, said activation means also in electrical communication with said electrical transmission means, wherein when said introducer is inserted through the larger entry port opening in the wall visually guided by said optical system concurrently inserted with said introducer through the wall via positioning within said longitudinal bore of said introducer, and when said cradle of said introducer also engages and transports said electrically operated tool through the wall, and further when under guidance of said optical system said supportive entry port means transports said elongated rod through the smaller entry port opening in the wall so that said second end of said elongated rod extends beyond the wall and also beyond said supportive entry port means, under guidance of said optical system said control knob manipulates said cradle while said handle manipulates said elongated rod to join said second end of said elongated rod to said connecting end of said electrically operated tool and release said electrically operated tool from said cradle, after which removal of said introducer from the larger entry port opening in the wall with said optical system being concurrently removed, and reintroduction of said optical system through the larger entry port opening in the wall, allows said electrically operated tool via said electrical transmission means and said activation means to perform said at least one function under optical system guidance, and after said electrically operated tool has performed said at least one function, removal of said optical system from the larger entry port opening in the wall and re-insertion of said introducer through the larger entry port opening in the wall under guidance of said optical system housed within said longitudinal bore of said introducer, said control knob manipulates said cradle while said handle concurrently manipulates said elongated rod to remove said connecting end of said electrically operated tool from said second end of said elongated rod and transfer said electrically operated tool therefrom to said cradle, after which said introducer and said optical system are removed from the larger entry port opening in the wall while said electrically operated tool is secured to said cradle, whereafter if use of said elongated rod is complete, it also may be removed from the smaller entry port opening in the wall assisted by said supportive entry port means.