FIELD OF THE INVENTION:

This invention relates to the field of biomedical engineering.

Particularly, this invention relates to laparoscopic / endoscopic surgery.

Specifically, this invention relates to a device for insertion of guide wire and providing root blocks in endoscopic spine surgery.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

Back pain is the second most common complaint in the country. Every person suffers from back pain at least once in his lifetime. Medicines have a limited role or almost a negligible role in treating back pain. Even if they do, medicines have a lot of side effects on heart, kidneys, and the entire body as such.

One of the solutions towards alleviating this pain is spine surgery. However, open spine surgery is risky and complications are high. Hence, endoscopic spine surgery is one of the better options. It is safe and can be done under local anaesthesia. Patients can be discharged on the same day with the use of endoscopic surgery. However, endoscopic spine surgery has a high learning curve. Hence, many orthopaedic surgeons, spine surgeons, neurosurgeons, and pain physicians tend to avoid this procedure.

Insertion of a guide wire is the first and most important step in performing this surgery. If the guide wire is inserted properly, this surgery can be performed easily. There is, therefore, a need for a device which helps in proper insertion of a guide wire in standardized manner. Fixation of endoscope by such an instrument should help the surgeon to use both his / her hands freely; thereby, increasing surgical precision.

There is also a need for a device which can be used for giving root blocks and pain management in the lumbar region. Such an instrument will enable all orthopaedic, spine, and neurosurgeons to perform lumbar endoscopic spine surgery in a faster, precise, and safer way. Such an instrument shall enable all pain physicians to give lumbar root blocks in an easy and safe way on an out-patient basis.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION:

An object of the invention is to precisely, and in a standardised manner, insert a guide wire for the purposes of endoscopic spine surgery.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which can be used for giving root blocks and pain management in the lumbar region.

Yet another object of the invention is to permit a surgeon to use both his / her hands freely; thereby, increasing surgical precision.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

According to this invention, there is provided a device for insertion of guide wire and providing root blocks in endoscopic spine surgery, said device comprising:

- a tube consisting of a tubular element with a through hole in order to hold an endoscopic instrument, said tubular element comprises a circumferentially extruding notch which guides said tube through a slot in said protractor in order to provide angular movement to said endoscopic instrument in order to obtain a correct angular orientation for surgery;

- a protractor consisting of an operative horizontal elongate member culminating into a protractor member - having a substantial curvilinear edge at its operative top comer - with markings along a curvilinear slot at an operative distal end of the protractor, said tube being angularly displaceable through said slot as its guide;

- a protractor grip consisting of an operative horizontal elongate element with a gripping element at its operative distal end configured to grip said protractor collinearly, gripping between said protractor and said protractor grip being linearly operatively horizontally displaceable to provide operative horizontal movement to said endoscopic instrument; and

- a vertical support consisting of an operative vertical element with an operative top gripping element to hold on to an operative proximal end of said protractor grip, said vertical support being linearly operatively vertically displaceable to provide operative vertical movement to said endoscopic instmment.

Typically, said tube comprises sensors for measuring angle digitally.

Typically said tube comprises a locking element configured to lock it on said protractor at any angle.

Typically, said protractor being marked with degrees along said curvilinear slot.

Typically, said tube consists of a flange used for measurement of angle with respect to said protractor. Typically, said tube consists of a sensor, said sensor being a 3-axis accelerometer and a 3 -axis gyroscope, said sensor being configured to turn said device into a digital protractor.

Typically, an operative proximal end of said protractor consists of a pair of holes / locking elements to allow locking of said protractor with said protractor grip.

Typically, said operative distal end also consists of holes / locking elements complementary to holes / locking elements of said protractor so that the protractor grip and the protractor are collinearly aligned and locked in position.

Typically, said operative distal end also consists of holes / locking elements complementary to holes / locking elements of said protractor so that the protractor grip and the protractor are collinearly aligned and locked in position, characterised in that, locking between said protractor and said protractor grip being linearly operatively horizontally displaceable to provide operative horizontal movement to the endoscope.

Typically, said vertical support being orthogonal to said protractor grip and said protractor.

Typically, said vertical support being connected to an operation table on which a patient is to be operated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:

The invention will now be described in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a full view of endoscope holding device;

Figure 2 illustrates a tube of the endoscope holding device of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 illustrates a protractor of the endoscope holding device of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 illustrates a protractor grip of the endoscope holding device of Figure 1 ; and

Figure 5 illustrates a vertical support of the endoscope holding device of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS: According to this invention, there is provided a device for insertion of guide wire and providing root blocks in endoscopic spine surgery.

This device is configured to hold, precisely locate, and insert a guide wire or a needle or an endoscope with precise inclination on horizontal as well as in vertical plane for endoscopic spine surgery.

Specifically, this device is an endoscopic holder for spine surgery for proper incursion of guide wire in disk herniation surgeries.

Figure 1 illustrates a full view of endoscope holding device (100). This device is made by combing four assembles:

a) a tube (10);

b) a protractor (20);

c) a protractor grip (30); and

d) a vertical support (40).

Figure 2 illustrates a tube (10) of the endoscope holding device of Figure 1. In at least an embodiment of the endoscope holding device, the tube (10) comprises a tubular element with a through hole (11) in order to hold an endoscopic instrument. The tubular element comprises a circumferentially extruding notch (13) which guides the tube (10) through a slot (21) in the protractor (20) in order to provide angular movement to the endoscope in order to obtain a correct angular orientation for surgery. In at least an embodiment, the tube comprises sensors for measuring angle digitally. In other embodiments, the protractor is marked with degrees and a flange (15) is used for measurement of angle.

In at least an embodiment, the sensor is a 3-axis accelerometer and a 3-axis gyroscope. It allows turning this device into a digital protractor which facilitates accurate measurement of tube’s exact angular position as well as it allows to set the tube is desired angular position so as to guide the needle wire in required angular direction.

Figure 3 illustrates a protractor (20) of the endoscope holding device (100) of Figure 1.

In at least an embodiment of the endoscope holding device, the protractor (20) comprises an operative horizontal elongate member (25) culminating into a protractor member (23) - having a substantial curvilinear edge at its operative top comer - with markings along a curvilinear slot (21) at an operative distal end of the protractor (20). The operative proximal end of the protractor (20) comprises a pair of holes / locking elements (27) to allow locking of the protractor (20) with the protractor grip (30). The tube (21) is angularly displaceable through the slot (21) as its guide.

The protractor guides and supports an endoscope which it holds.

Locking is provided to lock it any angle as per requirement.

Figure 4 illustrates a protractor grip (30) of the endoscope holding device (100) of Figure 1.

In at least an embodiment of the endoscope holding device, the protractor grip (30) comprises an operative horizontal elongate element (35) with a gripping element (31) at its operative distal end. The operative distal end also comprises holes / locking elements (33) complementary to the holes / locking elements (27) of the protractor (20) so that the protractor grip (30) and the protractor (20) are collinearly aligned and locked in position. The locking between the protractor (20) and the protractor grip (30) may be linearly operatively horizontally displaceable to provide operative horizontal movement to the endoscope.

Figure 5 illustrates a vertical support (40) of the endoscope holding device (100) of Figure 1.

In at least an embodiment of the endoscope holding device, the vertical support (40) is connected to an operation table where a patient is to be operated and it comprises an operative vertical element (41) with an operative top gripping element (43). The operative proximal end of the protractor grip (30) is held by the operative top gripping element (43) of the vertical support (40). This support may be linearly operatively vertically displaceable to provide operative vertical movement to the endoscope.

The TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENT of this invention lies in providing a device which allows for precise location of an endoscopic instrument for surgery along with precise insertion of a guide wire (or the like) in a standardized manner using the located endoscopy instrument. The use of this device helps a surgeon to use both his hands freely; thereby, increasing surgical precision. Additionally, the device can also be used to give root blocks and enables orthopaedic, spine, and neurosurgeons to perform lumbar endoscopic spine surgery in a faster, precise, and safer way.

While this detailed description has disclosed certain specific embodiments for illustrative purposes, various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims, and it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.