Apparatus for use in grafting articular cartilage

• US 6,537,278 B1
• Filed: 06/13/2000
• Issued: 03/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Inventors: Johnson, Lanny L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Willse, David H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GHERBI, SUZETTE JAIME J
• Application Number:
  US09/593,037
• Time in Patent Office: 1,015 Days
• Field of Search: 606/167, 606/79, 606/170, 81/34.1
• US Class Current: 606/79
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1617 with mobile or detachable parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1635 for grafts, harvesting or transplants
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32053 Punch like cutting instruments, e.g. using a cylindrical or oval knife A61B17/326 takes precedence; trepans A61B17/1695; for use on the cornea A61F9/007
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/08 Muscles; Tendons; Ligaments sutures A61B17/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30756 Cartilage endoprostheses A61F2/3603 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4618 of cartilage
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30225 Flat cylinders, i.e. discs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30761 Support means for artificial cartilage, e.g. cartilage defect covering membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0069 cylindrical

Abstract

A device for dovetailing a wall of a cavity formed in cartilage includes a handle from which a pair of flexible blades extend, the blades having outwardly bent distal ends provided with cutting edges. A spike, fixed to the handle in a position substantially coaxial with the handle'"'"'s longitudinal axis, is disposed between the blades.

Claims

1. A device for dovetailing a wall of a cavity formed in cartilage, said device comprising:

a handle;

at least two flexible blades joined to, and projecting beyond, a distal end of the handle, said blades being offset from an axis passing through the handle and having distal ends, each of which is bent outwardly in opposite directions relative to said axis and is provided with a cutting edge on an outward side of its distal end; and

a spike positioned between the blades and projecting from said distal end of the handle substantially along the axis that passes through the handle;

wherein the device forms a dovetail cut in cartilage when said device is rotated about the axis that passes through the handle.