Tissue incision device

Abstract

A minimally invasive tissue incision system for creating joint capsulotomies and releasing/incising various tissues, tendons, and fibrous band structures is described. The system contains a penetrating needle which is retractable so as to expose a cutting element, and which may be used as a penetrating needle to pierce the skin and other soft tissue structures. The cutting element provided within the penetrating needle may be used to incise subsequent tissue structures after the initial penetration. The system facilitates such procedures by providing the cutting element with the confines of the needle which provides safe introduction of the cutting element directly to the site via the needle.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A surgical method comprising:
 supporting a penetrating needle via a handle;   penetrating a distal tip of the penetrating needle through skin and underlying tissue of a patient;   inserting a surgical tool into a lumen of the penetrating needle;   exposing a surgical implement of the surgical tool by operating a mechanism to reposition the penetrating needle proximally relative to the handle and the patient or rotates the penetrating needle relative to the surgical implement of the surgical tool;   performing an internal surgical task via the surgical implement of the surgical tool.   
     
     
         3 . The surgical method of  claim 2 , wherein operating the mechanism repositions the penetrating needle proximally relative to the handle. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical method of  claim 2 , wherein operating the mechanism rotates the penetrating needle proximally relative to the surgical implement of the surgical tool. 
     
     
         5 . The surgical method of  claim 4 , wherein the operating the mechanism aligns the surgical implement of the surgical tool with an aperture in a side of the penetrating needle. 
     
     
         6 . The surgical method of  claim 2 , further comprising coupling the surgical tool with the handle to fix a position of the surgical implement of the surgical tool relative to the handle. 
     
     
         7 . The surgical method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the surgical implement of the surgical tool comprises a cutting blade; and   performing the internal surgical task comprises incising tissue with the cutting blade.   
     
     
         8 . The surgical method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the surgical implement of the surgical tool comprises a remodeling member; and   performing the internal surgical task comprises removing tissue with the remodeling member.   
     
     
         9 . The surgical method of  claim 2 , wherein performing the internal surgical task comprises applying energy to tissue. 
     
     
         10 . The surgical method of  claim 2 , wherein performing the internal surgical task comprises applying radiofrequency electrical energy to tissue. 
     
     
         11 . The surgical method of  claim 2 , further comprising injecting fluid through the lumen into the patient. 
     
     
         12 . The surgical method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 removing the surgical tool from the lumen;   inserting a second surgical tool into the lumen, wherein the second surgical tool configured different than the surgical tool; and   operating the second surgical tool to perform a second internal surgical task via the surgical implement of the second surgical tool.   
     
     
         13 . The surgical method of  claim 12 , further comprising exposing the surgical implement of the second surgical tool by operating a mechanism that repositions the penetrating needle proximally relative to the handle and the patient or rotates the penetrating needle relative to the surgical implement of the second surgical tool. 
     
     
         14 . The surgical method of  claim 13 , wherein operating the mechanism repositions the penetrating needle proximally relative to the handle. 
     
     
         15 . The surgical method of  claim 13 , wherein operating the mechanism rotates the penetrating needle proximally relative to the surgical implement of the second surgical tool. 
     
     
         16 . The surgical method of  claim 12 , further comprising coupling the second surgical tool with the handle to fix a position of the surgical implement of the second surgical tool relative to the handle. 
     
     
         17 . The surgical method of  claim 12 , wherein performing the second internal surgical task comprises incising tissue. 
     
     
         18 . The surgical method of  claim 12 , wherein performing the second internal surgical task comprises removing tissue. 
     
     
         19 . The surgical method of  claim 12 , wherein performing the internal surgical task comprises applying energy to tissue. 
     
     
         20 . The surgical method of  claim 12 , wherein performing the internal surgical task comprises applying radiofrequency electrical energy to tissue. 
     
     
         21 . The surgical method of  claim 12 , further comprising injecting fluid through the lumen into the patient after removing the surgical tool from the lumen.