Surgical instruments for minimally invasive surgical procedures

Abstract

The present invention provides a group or kit of surgical instruments for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures. In one embodiment, the invention is an instrument with a generally central longitudinal axis and a generally toroidal surface generally transverse to the axis, wherein the convex portion of the surface does not extend beyond a line parallel with the longitudinal axis along an outer diameter of the instrument, and the surface has a continuous edge having a first end at a shoulder and a second end at the shoulder and spaced from the first end; in another embodiment, the instrument has a working end with a generally longitudinal axis, the working end defined by a generally curved surface along the longitudinal axis, wherein the curved surface has a concave portion and a convex portion, and wherein the working end has a generally flat tip; in another embodiment, the surgical instrument includes a working end having a generally central longitudinal axis and a surface generally transverse to the axis, wherein the surface is generally spatulate and oval, and wherein the surface is set at a selected angle relative to the axis; and in yet another embodiment, the surgical instrument comprises a straight pin for being placed into bone, the pin having a sharp tip, a number of spaced steps generally adjacent to the tip, marks adjacent to the steps, and an end opposite the tip for hammering.

1 - 12  (cancelled)  
     
     
         13 . A surgical instrument for use in surgical procedures, comprising: 
 (a) a working end having a generally central longitudinal axis and a surface generally transverse to the axis; and    (b) wherein the surface is generally spatulate and oval, and wherein the surface is set at a selected angle relative to the axis.    
     
     
         14 . The surgical instrument of  claim 13  wherein the surface is set at approximately a right angle relative to the axis.  
     
     
         15 . The surgical instrument of  claim 13  wherein the surface is set at an angle of between 0 and 90 degrees relative to the axis.  
     
     
         16 . The surgical instrument of  claim 15  wherein the surface has a substantially flat upper and lower surface.  
     
     
         17 . The surgical instrument of  claim 16  wherein the surface is offset in reference to the working end.  
     
     
         18 . The surgical instrument of  claim 17  wherein the surface has a continuous edge, the edge having a selected degree of curvature on a first side and a substantially straight second side opposite the first side.  
     
     
         19 . The surgical instrument of  claim 13  wherein the surface has a diameter of approximately 5 to 10 millimeters.  
     
     
         20 . The surgical instrument of  claim 13  wherein the working end is connected to a shaft.  
     
     
         21 . The surgical instrument of  claim 20  wherein the working end is removably connected to the shaft.  
     
     
         22 . The surgical instrument of  claim 20  wherein the shaft is tapered toward the working end and is gnarled for grip at an end opposite the working end.  
     
     
         23 - 27  (cancelled)  
     
     
         28 . A surgical instrument for use in surgical procedures, comprising: 
 (a) a working end having a generally central longitudinal axis and a surface generally transverse to the axis; and    (b) wherein the surface is generally spatulate and oval, and wherein the surface is set at a selected angle relative to the axis; and    (c) wherein the surgical instruments are for use in the manipulation of tissues during minimally invasive surgical procedures.    
     
     
         29 . The surgical instrument of  claim 29  wherein the surface is set at approximately a right angle relative to the axis.  
     
     
         30 . The surgical instrument of  claim 29  wherein the surface is set at an angle of between 0 and 90 degrees relative to the axis.  
     
     
         31 . The surgical instrument of  claim 31  wherein the surface has a substantially flat upper and lower surface.  
     
     
         32 . The surgical instrument of  claim 32  wherein the surface is offset in reference to the working end.  
     
     
         33 . The surgical instrument of  claim 33  wherein the surface has a continuous edge, the edge having a selected degree of curvature on a first side and a substantially straight second side opposite the first side.  
     
     
         34 . The surgical instrument of  claim 29  wherein the surface has a diameter of approximately 5 to 10 millimeters.  
     
     
         35 . The surgical instrument of  claim 29  wherein the working end is connected to a shaft.  
     
     
         36 . The surgical instrument of  claim 36  wherein the working end is removably connected to the shaft.  
     
     
         37 . The surgical instrument of  claim 36  wherein the shaft is tapered toward the working end and is gnarled for grip at an end opposite the working end.