Surgical Instrument

The present invention refers to a surgical instrument especially designed to facilitate the dilatation and enlargement of the span or inner diameter of the corpora cavernosa of the penis, in the surgical process of implantation of a penial prosthesis.

The instrument is useful in nearly all phases of implantation, and absolutely necessary when there is a fibrosis of corpora cavernosa.

Certain diseases of the corpora cavernosa of the penis produce impotence or erectile disfunction which does not allow a normal erection, due to a sclerosis of the corpora cavernosa. On occasion, the correct and essential treatment consists in the implant of a penile prosthesis.

The surgical technique for the implantation of a penile prosthesis consists in all cases in the opening of both corpora cavernosa and the introduction into them of the mentioned prosthesis.

Previous to the introduction of the prosthesis it is necessary to dilate both corpora cavernosa to obtain an internal diameter which allows the prosthesis appropriate to the diameter or width of the penis before the disease to be introduced.

The dilation of the corpora cavernosa has until now been achieved with Hegar's instrument or scissors. In some cases, when the sclerosis is marked and quite advanced, the dilation with Hegar's instrument is almost impossible, and with scissors it is dangerous, as the pectiniform wall which separates the corpora cavernosa is easily perforated. There is also the danger of perforating the proximal or distal portion of the corpora cavernosa. Furthermore, neither the Hegar's instrument nor the scissors serve to increase the interior diameter of the corpora cavernosa, as they cannot remove tissue.

Specifically described, the surgical instrument is made up of a mono-unit body, preferently of stainless steel, of a basically cylindrical shape and a slightly curved trajectory, with a slight flattening of its concave area. One of its ends is rounded and the other extends into a handle that, in line with a preferent embodiment of the invention, can have a spatulous configuration, but can be given any other shape without detriment to the essential characteristics of the invention.

The mentioned cylindrical body is completely smooth in the sector opposite to its flattened and concave area, and the remaining face is occupied by a plurality of longitudinal nerves--generally a total of ten--separated by grooves or furrows that are also longitudinal. Each of these nerves has numerous small protuberances in the form of sawteeth. The instrument can therefore be used as a scraper that, as a result of the inclination of the mentioned jagged edges or protuberances, can be easily lodged in the recess of each of the corpora cavernosa of the penis. When the instrument is pulled contrariwise, furrows are carved in the cavernous tissues, thereby increasing their span. The smooth surface of the instrument, however, must be placed against the pectiniform wall seperating the two corpora cavernosa, so that this inner area of the bodies will remain unaffected by the scraping action of the instrument.

Following, a complete description is made of the mentioned surgical instrument as displayed in the attached drawings. These drawings show, as an example, a preferent embodiment of the instrument, although this is in no way limitative, since the instrument is susceptible of variations in respect of some of its features, provided these variations do not fundamentally alter its essential characteristics.

FIG. 1 is a lateral view of a surgical instrument designed in accordance with the present invention. What is here shown is its curved/concave and smooth side. The handle of the instrument has been drawn with a broken line, since its configuration is totally secondary and outside the scope of the invention.

FIG. 2A is another lateral view of the same instrument that is 90% out of phase in respect of the previous Figure. In this Figure the curvature of the body can be clearly appreciated; and FIG. 2B is a view of the nerves and furrows in the body shown on a larger scale.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section of a specific feature of the instrument, as per the A-B cut line in FIG. 2A.

Finally FIG. 4 is a longitudinal view of one of the sawtooth protuberances in the body, as per the enlarged C-D cross section of FIG. 2B.

After an examination of these Figures, it can be concluded that the surgical instrument that is envisaged, which could be called a `cavernotome` consists of a mono-unit body of stainless steel with two sectors: an operative sector (1) and a handle or shaft (2) that can have the spatulous configuration represented in the Figures, a double-elbow configuration, or any other shape that may be deemed convenient, since this does not in any way affect the essential characteristics of the invention. The previously mentioned operative sector (1), which is basically cylindrical, presents a slight curvature, as can be especially observed in FIG. 2A, and is joined at one of its ends to the handle (2), with no break in continuity. The opposite end is topped by a rounded penetration point (3) that is roughly semi-ellipsoidal.

In this sector (1) of the instrument, and directly opposite its concave zone, a smooth area of the cylinder that constitutes the said body is slightly flattened. This affects, approximately, one fourth of its extension, while on the remaining surface there are numerous longitudinal nerves (5)--generally a total of ten--arranged parallely and in close proximity. These groups of nerves are separated by grooves (6) which are also longitudinal. The said longitudinal nerves (5) have numerous protuberances (7) with the shape of a rectangular pointed stem similar to a sawtooth, the profile of which can be clearly appreciated in FIG. 4. The layout of these protuberances is on an inclined plane (8) facing the extremity (3) of the instrument, in order to facilitate penetration in the recesses of the corpora cavernosa of the penis. Due to the fact that contrariwise to this inclined plane (8) is a straight grading (series of steps), the operative sector of the instrument can be employed in the manner of a scraper when, after introduction of the instrument in one of the corpora cavernosa, with its smooth sector (4) against the wall that seperates both corpora cavernosa, a traction is exerted on the handle (2) in the direction of the extraction of the instrument. This extraction does not entail any vacuum problems, since the grooves (6) arranged along the body (1) facilitate the penetration of air into the hollow interior of the corpora cavernosa.

In the example of practical embodiment shown in Figures, 12 protuberances have been provided to each one of the longitudinal nerves, and therefore the protuberances of the different longitudinal nerves also have, of their own, a transversal alignment. In this instance, as well, this number is only an example, since it can be increased or decreased without prejudice to the essential characteristics of the invention.

Based on this structuration, and for the purpose of adapting the surgical instrument to the specific requirements in each case, provision has been made for an ample range of variations. In the case of the body of the instrument (1) or operative sector, it can range between 115 and 250 mm, with widths of 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 mm; there can also be variations in respect of the handle, as has been previously stated.

The form, dimensions and materials are also variable, and, in general, variations can be introduced in all that which is accessory or secondary, provided there is no change or modification in the essential character of the instrument described.

The terms employed in this specification are a true and precise reflection of the object described, and should always be considered from an ample viewpoint, rather than in a limitative way.