266 results about "Arthroscopy" patented technology

A method for gaining access to and removing mechanical fasteners such as pedicle screws. A small arthroscopic incision is made over the location of the fastener. A guide wire is then placed into the incision and attached to the fastener. A series of progressively enlarging dilator tubes are slipped into the incision to progressively enlarge its diameter. A screw extractor tube is placed into the incision, over the largest dilator tube. The screw extractor tube is advanced until its lower extreme surrounds the head of the fastener. The dilator tubes are then removed. At this point, the screw extractor tube holds open the incision and provides access to the fastener through its hollow interior. A specially designed extractor tool is inserted into the screw extractor tube. An arthroscope is preferably also inserted through the screw extractor tube so that the surgeon can visualize the process. Jaws on the end of the extractor tool are clamped to the fastener's head. The extractor tool is then rotated to back out the fastener. Once the fastener is freed from its installed position, the extractor tool withdraws it through the screw extractor tube. Other conventional processes—such as debridement—may then be performed through the screw extractor tube. Finally, the surgeon withdraws the screw extractor tube and closes the small incision.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of an electrosurgical device that include one or more floating electrodes and are specifically adapted to remove, cut, resect, ablate, vaporize, denaturize, drill, coagulate and form lesions in soft tissues, with or without externally supplied liquids, preferably in combination with a resectoscope, particularly in the context of urological, gynecological, laparoscopic, arthroscopic, and ENT procedures. Specific adaptations for urological and gynecological applications, for example kidney stone removal and BPH treatment, are also described.