Low cost modular tapered hollow reamer for medical applications

• US 20080195105A1
• Filed: 02/27/2008
• 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. Lewis
• Inventors: Sidebotham, Christopher G., Lewis, Randall J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,449,545 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/80
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1617 with mobile or detachable parts
• 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

Abstract

An easy-to-assemble modular reamer for medical applications includes a shaft portion, a disposable tapered hollow reamer and a modular pilot. The shaft portion has a proximal end for attachment to a drill, two or more torque transmitting tabs and a distal threaded end. The disposable tapered hollow reamer has an integrally attached cutter sleeve with externally protruding cutters, apertures through the sleeve thickness for discharging bone fragments and cement debris and inwardly protruding anchoring projections. A central molded polymeric portion attaches to the anchoring projection and is fixed to the shaft through central holes and slots in the polymeric portion, which engage torque transmitting shaft tabs. Channels in the polymeric portion collect bone fragments and bone debris. A threaded modular pilot coaxially secures the disposable tapered hollow reamer to the threaded distal end of the shaft, permitting rotation of the tapered hollow reamer without wobbliness.

Claims

1. A modular tapered hollow reamer for medical applications, comprising:

a. a shaft portion having an elongated body with a proximal end, a central portion, and a distal end, said proximal end having a coupling portion appointed for attachment of said reamer to a drilling device, said central portion having two or more torque transmitting tabs integrally attached thereto, and said distal end having a male threaded portion;

b. a disposable tapered hollow reamer portion, comprising;

1. a tapered hollow reamer sleeve having a plurality of externally protruding cutters, a plurality of apertures extending through the thickness of the sleeve and inwardly protruding anchoring projections;

2. a central molded polymeric portion contacting said reamer sleeve at cutting teeth anchoring locations;

3. said central molded polymeric portion having molded channels directly below apertures forming a space for collection of bone fragments or bone cement debris;

4. said central molded polymeric portion having a central aperture for receiving said shaft and having two or more slots extending from said aperture to receive said shaft torque transmitting tabs;

c. two end plates at each end containing said disposable tapered hollow reamer at each end to contain bone fragment or bone debris within a collection space;

d. a modular pilot with a central aperture having female threading;

e. said disposable tapered hollow reamer being adapted to slide over said distal end of said elongated shaft portion causing said torque transmitting tabs of said shaft to engage with slots of said tapered hollow reamer sleeve; and

f. said modular pilot being inserted at a distal end of said shaft engaging threads, thereby attaching said disposable tapered hollow reamer;

whereby, during drilling, torque from the shaft is transferred to said disposable tapered hollow reamer with substantial coincidence of centerlines, preventing reamer wobbliness, and bone and bone cement debris are collected in the space within the central molded polymeric portion.

2. A reamer for medical applications as recited by claim 1, wherein said molded polymer is a medically compatible polymer comprising acetyl polymer and polysulfone polymer.

3. A reamer for medical applications as recited by claim 2, wherein said molded polymer is injection molded.

4. A reamer for medical applications as recited by claim 2, wherein said molded polymer is hot poured into the mold.

5. A reamer for medical applications as recited by claim 1, wherein said tapered hollow reamer sleeve is a metallic cutter sleeve.

6. A reamer for medical applications as recited by claim 5, wherein said metallic cutter sleeve has inwardly protruding anchoring projections and externally protruding cutters at the same location.

7. A reamer for medical applications as recited by claim 5, wherein said metallic cutter sleeve has inwardly protruding anchoring projections and externally protruding cutters at the same location for each of said protruding cutters.

8. A reamer for medical applications as recited by claim 1, wherein said tapered hollow reamer sleeve is a polymeric sleeve with inserted cutter elements.

9. A reamer for medical applications as recited by claim 8, wherein said cutter elements have cutting extension, ring portion and anchoring extension present at the same location.

10. A reamer for medical applications as recited by claim 1, wherein said disposable tapered hollow reamer is easily assembled.

11. A reamer for medical applications as recited by claim 1, wherein said threaded portion of said distal end of said shaft portion has a male thread for assembly into said modular pilot having a female thread.

12. 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.

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

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

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

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