1 2
tion of the tissue pneumatic separator of the invention,
TISSUE SEPARATOR METHOD gas used in the separation of tissue and flowing forward
through the calibrated orifice of the floating tip is con
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED trolled by the surgeon's forefinger while moisturizing
APPLICATION 5 fluid is passed forward around the floating tip of the
This Application is a Contiuation in Part of applica- tissue pneumatic separator and controlled by the physi
tion Ser. No. 582,971, filed Nov. 21,1983, now U.S. Pat. cian's thumb. In another modification of the tissue pneu
No. 4,709,697, which is a Contiuation of appliction Ser. matic separator, the gas utilized to separate tissue and
No. 214,006, filed Dec. 9, 1980, now abandoned, which flowing forward through the calibrated orifice of the is a Continuation in Part of application Ser. No. 103,206, 10 float tip is controlled by the surgeon's forefinger while
filed Dec. 13, 1979, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,357,940. excess fluids in the area of the tissue being separated
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION may ^ withdrrawn rearward bv suctioning around the
floating tip of the tissue pneumatic separator under
1. Field of the Invention control of the surgeon's thumb.
The invention relates to a new surgical dissection 15 In a preferred use of the invention, tissue is separated
method based on tissue separation, and relates more by njtr0gen gas passing through a floating tip of the
specifically to using a tissue pneumatic or hydraulic tissue pneUmatic separator, which tip may also be used
separator for directing a suitable fluid, such as nitrogen tQ nud {he tissue ^ separated under a controlled
gas under pressure or a liquid incorporating specific and balanced gas presSure. The gas pressure may be
biological properties, at a controlled fluid pressure 20 variable easurab] nd dictable, Qthe ases such
through a calibrated orifice or jet in a controlled direc- M cafbon ... and u id$ such a water fee ^
tion toward tissue or tissues to be separated, preferably ,. ,. .. . . ■ .. .;, . ,
, , , , .*\ c hzed in practicing the method of the invention if desired
along natural cleavage planes, either before separation , *\ - . • i
or removal of tissue or organ such as in dederminization and ma* be Preferred in specific app jcations
and/or desepidermtation, and also relates to the tissue 25 . In further modifications of the method of the inven
pneumatic separator with which the method of the tlon' moisturizing fluids may be passed to the tissue
invention is practiced for tissue separation or organ beinS separated at the same time the tissue is being
removal instead of blunt or sharp dissection, for tissue separated by gas directed thereon and/or physical
cleaning and for tissue preparation or treatment with nudging. Also fluid, organic material or other debris
jets of fluids or slurries that may be medicinal. 30 may be removed from the area of the tissue being sepa
2. Description of the Prior Art rated in accordance with the method of the invention at In the past, methods for separating tissue such as the same time tissue separation is being accomplished or
tumor sacs or membranes from surrounding healthy alternately therewith. The fluid material may also be tissue or for specifically organ, nerve or blood vessel passed through or around the floating tip of the tissue dissection have usually included using cutting devices 35 separator either alternately or simultaneously, and/or high frequency vibrating structures and/or cau- In a particular embodiment of the invention suitable terizing devices such as electric knives or lasers to sepa- for dental use, the fluid material is water, which is vanrate the tissue. Such methods also used cutting devices, ably regulated and may be pulsed. The water may be such as scalpels, and have sometimes caused undesirable obtained from a municipal water supply through a faudamage to and bleeding from tissue being separated or 40 cet or from a pressurized container, from surrounding tissue. Further more high frequency Aiso, in the method of the invention the tissue separavibrating heads or electrical knives often use cumber- tor structure may include a body portion and the fluid some umbilical connections to nearby generators with medium is passed over a high surface to fluid interactelectncal power inputs and are very expensive. All such • soap-like, replacable cartridge. The cartridge is prior methods for separating tissue have caused unnec- 45 made of at least Qne of an abrading) cleansingi antisep. essary damage to the tissue or organs being separated. ^ astringent; flavoring> fungicidal and bacteriocidal SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION matter within the body portion prior to directing the
. , , . xl_ . . water at the tissue. In its simplest form, the invention comprises a tissue
separator approximately the size of a felt pen having a 50 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
mechanical nudging tip thereon for physically nudging _T/_ „ . . , , e
.. . , * j * -j 5 *• ¥ FIG. 1 is a partly broken away, elevation view of a
the tissue to be separated to provide tissue separation. In 1. v J , . J , .iL ,
a preferred embodiment, the invention is a tissue pneu- tissue seParato' contracted m accordance with the
matic separator wherein a suitable fluid at a controlled mTM*TM for effect,lnf themethod °{the invention,
pressure flows through a calibrated orifice in a floating 55 FIG- 2 15 a Partlal elevation view of a modification of
tip in variously controlled directions to separate or the tlssue separator illustrated in FIG. 1 showing a tip
cleanse tissue rapidly and accurately without damage to extending at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the
the tissue or surrounding membranes. The tip of the separator.
tissue pneumatic separator of the invention floats on FIG- 3 is a partly broken away, elevation view of a balanced cushions of the fluid and is biased thereby 60 tissue pneumatic separator constructed in accordance outwardly of the stem to limit the nudging pressure with the invention for effecting the method of the inapplied by the floating tip, and thus prevent accidental vention.
injury. FIG. 4 is an enlarged section view of a floating tip for
In use of a sophisticated embodiment of the tissue use with the tissue pneumatic separator of FIG. 3.
pneumatic separator, nitrogen gas is variably controlled 65 FIG. 5 is an enlarged section view similar to that of
in pressure and may be passed to the floating tip FIG. 4, showing a modified floating tip.
through at least two separate controls operable either FIG. 6 is a block diagram of hydraulic structure of
by a surgeon's thumb or his forefinger. In one modifica- the invention as shown in FIG. 3 in a dental application.
