| abstract |
An apparatus for performing minimally invasive surgery, for example, percutaneous minimally invasive capsulotomy surgery. The apparatus includes a shaft, a blunt tip, a flange, an energy conductor and an active surgical element, which may be a cutting or heating element. The shaft has a first end and a second end and is generally stiff with a degree of flexure; the shaft may be curved along at least a substantial part of its length to facilitate navigating the blunt tip within a patient's body. The blunt tip is at the second end of the shaft and may be larger in diameter than the shaft and with a recessed area along a surface of the blunt tip. The flange is located at the second end of the shaft and is configured to receive a device that delivers energy, which may be in the form of heat, laser light, radio-frequency, or electricity. The energy conductor is disposed along the length of the shaft from the second end of the shaft to the recess, the energy conductor configured to conduct the energy. The active surgical element, whether it be a cutting or heating element, is located within the recessed area of the blunt tip and coupled to the energy conductor and is configured to make incisions in response to receiving the energy. Also disclosed are methods for performing various surgical procedures using the surgical apparatus, including percutaneous minimally invasive capsulotomy surgery. |