Surgical instrument suitable for closed surgery such as of the knee
First Claim
1. A surgical instrument for a joint space of the body characterized in that the instrument comprises an intra-articular shaver comprising an external stationary tube sized for insertion into said joint space, said external tube having a closed distal end and defining a side-facing, axially extending shaving port on the periphery only of said external tube and an internal member with close running fit with said external tube, defining an internal, rotary blade at said shaving port, said blade during each cycle constructed to open said port to the interior of the instrument and said blade having an axially extending edge adapted to co-act in shearing action with a cooperative axial edge defined by said external tube at said port to produce a succession of discrete shavings with progressive revolutions of said blade, said internal member having radial bearing portions at both proximal and distal ends of said blade, rotatably supported by corresponding portions of said external tube and effective to maintain said blade and edge in shearing relation, a vacuum conduit for drawing fluid and articles to be shaved into said shaving port and to draw said discrete shavings through the instrument, and a drive motor adapted to rotate said blade at a shearing speed of the order of 200 rpm or below that enables degenerated cartilage and synovial tissue of the joint to enter and be severed by said blade into discrete shavings for being transported away in succession through said vacuum conduit.
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Reexamination
Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical instrument useful in joint surgery for instance closed surgery of the knee. When in the form of a rotary vacuum shaver it comprises an external stationary tube having a side-facing, axially extending shaving port and an internal rotary blade capable of rotating at a slow speed, of the order of 200 rpm or below. Radial bearing portions at both proximal and distal ends radially support the blade in shearing relation to the external tube. A vacuum conduit draws fluid and articles to be shaved into the shaving port, and draws discrete shavings through the instrument, while the blade is driven at shearing speeds.
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Citations
55 Claims
- 1. A surgical instrument for a joint space of the body characterized in that the instrument comprises an intra-articular shaver comprising an external stationary tube sized for insertion into said joint space, said external tube having a closed distal end and defining a side-facing, axially extending shaving port on the periphery only of said external tube and an internal member with close running fit with said external tube, defining an internal, rotary blade at said shaving port, said blade during each cycle constructed to open said port to the interior of the instrument and said blade having an axially extending edge adapted to co-act in shearing action with a cooperative axial edge defined by said external tube at said port to produce a succession of discrete shavings with progressive revolutions of said blade, said internal member having radial bearing portions at both proximal and distal ends of said blade, rotatably supported by corresponding portions of said external tube and effective to maintain said blade and edge in shearing relation, a vacuum conduit for drawing fluid and articles to be shaved into said shaving port and to draw said discrete shavings through the instrument, and a drive motor adapted to rotate said blade at a shearing speed of the order of 200 rpm or below that enables degenerated cartilage and synovial tissue of the joint to enter and be severed by said blade into discrete shavings for being transported away in succession through said vacuum conduit.
- 24. A surgical instrument for a joint space of the body characterized in that the instrument is an intra-articular shaver capable of performing closed surgery through a puncture wound, such as an operation on the knee, by arthroscopy, said instrument comprising an external stationary tube sized and constructed for insertion through a puncture in the flesh of the body into said joint space, said external tube having a closed distal end and defining a side-facing shaving port on the periphery only of said external tube and an internal member with close fit with said external tube defining an internal blade at said shaving port, said blade during each cycle constructed to open said port to the interior of the instrument and said blade having an edge set at an acute angle to and adapted to co-act in shearing action with a cooperative edge defined by said external tube at said port to produce a succession of discrete shavings with progressive passes of said blade, portions of said internal member adjacent to said blade supported by portions of said external tube to maintain said blade and edge in shearing relation, a vacuum conduit for drawing fluid and articles to be shaved into said shaving port and to draw said discrete shavings through the instrument, and a drive motor adapted to repeatedly move said blade at shearing speed past said edge of said port with a frequency of the order of about 3 times per second or below, that enables degenerated cartilage and synovial tissue of the joint to enter and be severed by said blade into discrete shavings for being transported away in succession through said vacuum conduit.
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35. A surgical instrument for a joint space of the body,
the instrument capable of performing intra-articular closed surgery through a puncture wound, such as an operation on the knee, by arthroscopy, comprising an external stationary tube sized and constructed for insertion through a puncture in the flesh of the body into said joint space, said external tube defining a surgical port and an internal member with close fit with said external tube defining an internal blade at said port, said blade during each cycle constructed to open said port to the interior of the instrument and said blade having an edge set at an acute angle to and adapted to co-act in shearing action with a cooperative edge defined by said external tube at said port to produce a succession of discrete particles with progressive passes of said blade, portions of said internal member adjacent to said blade supported by portions of said external tube to maintain said blade and edge in shearing relation, a vacuum conduit for drawing fluid and articles to be sheared into said port and to draw said discrete particles through the instrument, and a drive motor adapted to repeatedly move said blade at shearing speed past said edge of said port with a frequency of the order of about 3 times per second or below, that enables degenerated cartilage and synovial tissue of the joint to enter and be severed by said blade into discrete particles for being transported away in succession through said vacuum conduit.
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45. A surgical instrument for a joint space of the body,
the instrument capable of performing intra-articular closed surgery through a puncture wound, such as an operation on the knee, by arthroscopy, comprising an external stationary tube sized and constructed for insertion through a puncture in the flesh of the body into said joint space, said external tube defining a surgical port and internal member with close running fit with said external tube defining an internal rotary blade at said port, said blade during each cycle constructed to open said port to the interior of the instrument and said blade having an axially extending edge set at an acute angle to and adapted to co-act in shearing action with a cooperative edge defined by said external tube at said port to produce a succession of discrete particles with progresive revolutions of said blade, said internal member having bearing portions at both proximal and distal ends of said blade, rotatably supported by corresponding portions of said external tube and effective to maintain said blade and edge in shearing relation, a vacuum conduit for drawing fluid and articles to be sheared into said port and to draw said discrete particles through the instrument, and a drive motor adapted to rotate said blade at a shearing speed of the order of 200 rpm or below that enables degenerated cartilage and synovial tissue of the joint to enter and be severed by said blade into discrete particles for being transported away in succession through said vacuum conduit.
Specification