Researchers Submit Patent Application, 'Surgical Tool for Selectively Illuminating a Surgical Volume', for Approval

摘要

News editors obtained the following quote from the background information supplied by the inventors: "Surgical tools are commonly known in the art as valuable aids for surgeons performing surgical procedures. Such surgical tools may be especially helpful in minimally invasive surgery (MIS), or surgical procedures that are performed through incisions that are considerably smaller than incisions used in traditional surgical approaches. In an orthopedic application such as total knee replacement surgery, for example, an MIS incision length may be in a range of about 4 to 6 inches whereas an incision length in traditional total knee surgery is typically in a range of about 6 to 12 inches. Although MIS procedures are more difficult to perform due to the limitations associated with smaller incisions, there are several advantages to the less invasive MIS procedures which promote continued use thereof. For instance, the smaller incisions of MIS procedures may help minimize trauma to soft tissue, reduce post-operative pain, promote earlier mobilization, shorten hospital stays and speed rehabilitation of the patient. Accordingly, it is a shared goal in the art to overcome the common drawbacks associated with MIS procedures and minimize the difficulties surgeons face while performing MIS procedures.