Hollow reamer for medical applications

• US 20080195103A1
• Filed: 02/09/2007
• Published: 08/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lrs Science And Technology, LLC
• Original Assignee: Christopher G. Sidebotham, Randall J. Lawis
• Inventors: Sidebotham, Christopher G., Lawis, Randall J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,535,316 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/80
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1637 Hollow drills or saws producing a curved cut, e.g. cylindrical A61B10/025, A61B17/1695 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0023 disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00464 for use with different instruments

Abstract

A reamer for medical applications includes a shaft portion and a disposable hollow cutter assembly. The shaft portion having an elongated body with a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end has a coupling portion appointed for attachment of the reamer to a drilling device, and the proximal end has a threaded portion. The hollow cutter assembly includes: a disposable hollow cutter sleeve portion and a pilot tip. The disposable hollow cutter sleeve has an outer surface and a hollow construction, and is preferably appointed for a single, one-time use. Alternatively, the cutter sleeve is used more than once before it is discarded. In addition, the disposable hollow cutter sleeve portion has a plurality of cutting teeth and a plurality of apertures on the outer surface. The pilot tip having a threaded inner surface and is attached to the disposable hollow cutter sleeve portion. The disposable hollow cutter assembly is adapted to slide over the proximal end of the elongated shaft portion and extend over a portion of the elongated body thereof, thereby enabling the pilot tip to be threaded with the threaded portion of the proximal end of the shaft portion.

Claims

1. A reamer for medical applications, comprising:

a. a shaft portion having an elongated body with a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end having a coupling portion appointed for attachment of said reamer to a drilling device, said proximal end having a threaded portion; and

b. a disposable hollow cutter assembly comprising;

1. a disposable hollow cutter sleeve portion having an outer surface and a hollow construction, said disposable hollow cutter sleeve portion further comprising a plurality of cutting teeth and a plurality of apertures on said outer surface; and

2. a pilot tip having a threaded inner surface and being attached to said disposable hollow cutter sleeve portion;

c. said disposable hollow cutter assembly being adapted to slide over said proximal end of said elongated shaft portion and extend over a portion of said elongated body thereof, thereby enabling said pilot tip to be threaded with said threaded portion of said proximal end of said shaft portion.

2. A reamer for medical applications as recited by claim 1, wherein said shaft portion is reusable.

3. A reamer for medical applications as recited by claim 1, wherein said disposable hollow cutter sleeve portion is tapered.

4. A reamer for medical applications as recited by claim 1, wherein said disposable hollow cutter sleeve portion is cylindrical.

5. A reamer for medical applications as recited by claim 1, wherein said threaded portion of said proximal end of said shaft portion has a left-hand thread for assembly into said pilot tip.

6. A reamer for medical applications as recited by claim 1, wherein said elongated body of said shaft portion further comprises a plurality of graduations to determine the depth of said disposable hollow cutter assembly in the canal of the bone during use.

7. A reamer for medical applications as recited by claim 1, wherein said elongated body of said shaft portion further comprises a marking to indicate its size.

8. A reamer for medical applications as recited by claim 1, wherein said pilot tip further comprises a marking to indicate its size.

9. A reamer for medical applications as recited by claim 1, wherein said elongated body of said shaft portion further comprises a tapered portion for securing said disposable hollow cutter assembly.

10. A reamer for medical applications as recited by claim 1, wherein said disposable hollow cutter assembly is manufactured so that said pilot tip is sheared from said disposable hollow cutter sleeve portion when removing said disposable hollow cutter assembly from said shaft portion, in order to prevent reuse thereof.

11. A reamer for medical applications as recited by claim 1, wherein said pilot tip includes a flat portion being appointed for insertion with a wrench.

12. A reamer for medical applications as recited by claim 1, wherein said disposable hollow cutter sleeve portion is appointed for a single, one-time use.

13. A reamer for medical applications as recited by claim 1, wherein said disposable hollow cutter sleeve portion is appointed for more than a single use depending on the amount of damage to said cutter sleeve portion after its initial use.

14. A reamer for medical applications as recited by claim 1, wherein said shaft portion is cannulated.

15. A reamer for medical applications as recited by claim 1, wherein said shaft portion is solid.

16. A reamer for medical applications as recited by claim 1, wherein said shaft portion is flexible.

17. A reamer for medical applications as recited by claim 1, wherein said shaft portion is rigid.