US 12,004,884 B2
Tray for a soft tissue cutting device and methods of use
Darryl E. Barnes, Eagan, MN (US); Aaron Keenan, Austin, MN (US); Jay Smith, Byron, MN (US); Kevin Arnal, Excelsior, MN (US); and Sara Schlick, Excelsior, MN (US)
Assigned to Sonex Health, Inc., Eagan, MN (US); and Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Rochester, MN (US)
Filed by Sonex Health, Inc., Eagan, MN (US); and Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Rochester, MN (US)
Filed on Jul. 25, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/226,138.
Application 18/226,138 is a continuation of application No. 17/114,022, filed on Dec. 7, 2020.
Application 17/114,022 is a continuation of application No. 15/783,224, filed on Oct. 13, 2017, granted, now 10,864,055, issued on Dec. 15, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0363848 A1, Nov. 16, 2023
Int. Cl. A61B 50/33 (2016.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 17/32 (2006.01); A61B 17/3209 (2006.01); A61B 50/00 (2016.01); A61B 50/20 (2016.01); A61B 50/30 (2016.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01); A61M 25/10 (2013.01)
CPC A61B 50/33 (2016.02) [A61B 17/3209 (2013.01); A61B 50/20 (2016.02); A61B 2017/00557 (2013.01); A61B 17/320036 (2013.01); A61B 2017/320052 (2013.01); A61B 2050/005 (2016.02); A61B 2050/006 (2016.02); A61B 2050/3008 (2016.02); A61B 2090/062 (2016.02); A61M 25/10182 (2013.11)] 7 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for cutting a transverse carpal ligament in a hand of a patient, the method comprising:
advancing a distal end of a shaft of a device into the patient's hand below the transverse carpal ligament;
verifying a position of the distal end with an ultrasound device positioned outside the hand;
depressing a balloon activation lever on a handle of the device to activate a bellows in the handle to inflate at least one balloon coupled at or near the distal end of the shaft, wherein depressing the balloon activation lever causes a locking mechanism on the balloon activation lever to lock the balloon activation lever to the handle in a depressed position and thus lock the at least one balloon in an inflated state;
moving a blade of the device proximally along the shaft to cut the transverse carpal ligament;
positioning the blade at least partially within the shaft;
releasing the locking mechanism to release the balloon activation lever and thus allow the at least one balloon to deflate; and
removing the shaft from the hand.