Surgical sagittal blade cartridge with reinforced guide bar

Abstract

To provide a surgical sagittal blade cartridge that has a static guide bar and a blade head that is pivotally mounted to the guide bar.SOLUTION: A surgical sagittal saw cartridge (60) that includes a guide bar (62) formed from an inner plate having a head and opposed outer plates. The cartridge has a blade that is disposed against the head of the inner plate. The inner plate is formed to have an inner tine and two opposed outer tines. The inner tine is formed to define the head against which the blade is disposed. The outer tines extend forward of the inner tine so as to define a space between the outer tines in which the blade is seated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention comprises a stationary guide bar and a blade head pivotally mounted to the guide bar. More particularly, the present invention relates to a surgical sagittal blade cartridge having a reinforced The present invention relates to a surgical sagittal blade cartridge having a guide bar. [Background technology]

[0002] The sagittal saw blade is a surgical instrument having a head that pivots about an axis perpendicular to the blade. Patent documents 1 and 2 each disclose a surgical saw blade cartridge. The disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. The blade cartridge includes a stationary guide bar and a blade head. A handpiece that operates the cartridge, i.e., a fine-particle saw that is removably attached to the saw. The blade head is pivotally attached to the guide bar. The bar has teeth extending forward from it. One or more drive links are connected to the blade head. The drive link extends from the drive assembly in the saw to the proximal end of the guide bar. The reciprocating motion of the drive link causes the blade head to pivot back and forth. This pivoting of the blade head causes the teeth to penetrate the tissue against which the blade head is pressed. This type of cartridge is an oscillating tip saw blade cartridge. It is also sometimes called a ji.

[0003] The advantage of the sagittal blade cartridge is that the only part of the cartridge that pivots is located distally. In comparison, a conventional sagittal saw blade has a blade head that is The cartridge pivots from the mounting point on the saw to which it is attached. When activated, the handpiece The surgeon's hand holding the blade vibrates very little. Proper positioning of the sagittal saw blade relative to the tissue that the saw is intended to resect is When a conventional blade is activated, the vibration motion of the blade creates Significant wear occurs on the surfaces of the cutting guide that define the slot in which the blade seats. The guide bar of the blade cartridge has very little movement within this slot. Therefore, by using a cartridge instead of a conventional blade, a cutting guide can be formed. This means that very little material that forms the guide is worn away from the guide. Reducing the extent to which the lost cutting guide material must be flush with the surgical site In addition, the use of a vibrating tip blade allows the material forming the guide to be This reduces the degree to which the blade itself wears out to the point where it is no longer useful.

[0004] The surgical sagittal blade cartridge has other advantages over conventional sagittal saw blades: The guide bar is stationary when the blade head is activated. Or you can press two fingers against the guide bar. This will allow the cartridge to be The cartridge can be easily held in the desired position as it is advanced toward the tissue to be cut. become.

[0005] When either a conventional sagittal blade or a sagittal blade cartridge is advanced into the bone, The blade head experiences resistance, which becomes evident when the cut is deeper than 5 cm. In many cases, the bone adjacent to the underside of the cartridge is directly above the cartridge. It offers a greater cutting resistance than the bone in which it is located. As with most mechanical devices, the cartridge When moving forward, it moves along the path of least resistance. The bone above the cartridge Because the cutting resistance is less than that of the bone under the ridge, the cartridge will make the desired cut as it advances. This upward deflection of the blade is called "skiving." Also, depending on the density of the bone, the cartridge will move forward with the cutting edge. It may also bend downwards. This type of bending is known as "diving." .

[0006] Regardless of the direction in which the blade is deflected, the deflection is undesirable because the sagittal saw blade Cartridges are typically created by removing bone and inserting a bone graft into the space previously occupied by the removed bone. The implant is attached to the bone. The implant is formed to have a surface designed to seat precisely on a complementary surface of the bone to which it is attached. If the cut does not leave a surface in the bone with the desired shape, the implant attachment procedure will be The placement results will not be optimal.

[0007] Theoretically, by increasing the thickness of the guide bar, the surgical sagittal blade cart This increases the stiffness of the ridges. However, the length of the cutting guide into which the cartridge is inserted is increased. It should be understood that the holes tend to be relatively narrow. In many cases, the height of the slots is The height is about 1.5 mm or less. This height is set to the guide of the cartridge inserted into the slot. This limits the thickness of the bar. Furthermore, if the thickness of the guide bar is increased, Therefore, it is necessary to increase the cutting thickness formed by the cartridge. If it gets too big, the cartridge may produce cut surfaces that are not as flat as desired. Therefore, increasing the thickness of the guide bar usually reduces the deflection of the cartridge. This does not provide a viable solution for [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] International Patent Application Publication No. 2006 / 017066A2 / U.S. Patent No. 7,497,860 [Patent Document 2] International Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 030793A2 / U.S. Patent No. 7,704,254 Summary of the Invention

[0009] The present invention relates to a new and useful surgical sagittal blade cartridge. The cartridge is a guide bar designed to resist deformation when subjected to uneven resistance. It is equipped with

[0010] The surgical sagittal blade cartridge of the present invention has a guide formed by three plates. The plate is provided with an upper plate and a bottom plate facing the upper plate. Between the top plate and the bottom plate, an inner plate is located. The plate is formed with a curved head. The curved head is adapted to be attached to the cart. It acts as a boss around which the ridge blade head pivots.

[0011] In many aspects of the invention, the medial plate is configured to have a base that defines the proximal end of the plate. Three subsections extend forward from the base. The two outer subsections and and an inner subsection, the subsections being spaced apart from one another in the lateral direction. The part is formed with a curved head that acts as a pivot boss. When the cartridge with the guide bar is assembled, a drive that pivots the blade head is The link will be disposed within the space between the inner and outer subsections.

[0012] In some aspects of the invention, the outer subportion extends distally and forwardly of the inner subportion. Thus, in these versions of the invention, the outer minor portion extends forward of the pivot boss. In these versions of the invention, the base of the blade head is located on the outer (forward of the pivot boss) It should be understood that the side portions are disposed between spaced apart areas of the side portions.

[0013] In aspects of the invention where the outer subsection extends forward of the inner subsection, the outer subsections are Thus, the outer portion of the inner circumferential groove is formed with an inwardly extending lobe. These distal sections reinforce the guide bar and reduce the possibility of deflection of the guide bar. do.

[0014] In some embodiments of the invention, the plates forming the guide bar are made of three different plates. These plates are welded together or otherwise joined to form the guide bar. In some embodiments of the invention, two of these plates are fixed by the method The above may be machined, molded, or otherwise assembled as a single unit. The formation of the slab is achieved by

[0015] The invention is particularly pointed out in the claims. The advantages and benefits of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. cormorant. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembly of the saw and surgical sagittal blade cartridge of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the cartridge of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the inner plate of the cartridge of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a plan view of an alternative inner plate of the cartridge of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a plan view of an alternative assembly integral with the cartridge of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates an assembly 30 of the present invention. The assembly 30 is a surgical sagittal blade. The saw 32 includes a body or a saw blade 60 removably attached thereto. The housing 34 includes a housing 34. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the housing 34 includes The head 38 is piston-shaped to receive the proximal end of the cartridge 60. (where "proximal" refers to the side that is closest to the surgeon holding the saw 32.) "towards," i.e., away from the site where cartridge 60 is to be applied. "Distal" refers to the side away from the surgeon holding the saw, i.e., the side closest to the cart. (It should be understood that this means the direction toward which the ridge 60 is applied). The saw head 38 is slidably mounted thereon (note that the head of the connecting rod 40 is not shown). When the connecting rod 40 is in the operating position, a part of the rod is pressed against the cartridge. , which holds the cartridge in the head. When the connecting rod 40 is in the loading position, the connecting rod 4 0 does not press the cartridge 60. This allows the cartridge 60 to be removed from the head. This allows the cartridge to be removed and a new cartridge to be removably attached to the head. A wing nut 42 attached to the connecting rod 40 moves the connecting rod 40 between the working position and the loading position. It is now possible to do so.

[0018] A motor 48, represented by an imaginary cylinder, is disposed within the barrel of the housing 34. The motor 48 is connected to a pair of drive pins 50 (one of which is labeled with a part number). The drive pin 50 is attached to the head 38 and is positioned such that the cartridge 60 is seated therein. These drive pins 50 project above the surface on which the bearing is mounted. A trigger located below the saw head 38 is attached to the saw head 38 to perform the action. 52 is a manual actuating member that is depressed to control the operation of the saw. The power supply that provides the signal is not shown. In most cases, this power supply is located inside the saw housing 34. A battery or power cord is attached to the base of the gripping portion of the device.

[0019] The cartridge 60 shown in FIG. 2 includes a guide bar having a blade 136 attached thereto. The blade 136 is attached to the distal section of the guide bar 62. Drive links 112 extend proximally from either side of blade 136. The drive link 112 terminates at a location forward of the proximal end of the guide bar 62.

[0020] The guide bar 62 is connected to a bottom plate 64, an inner plate 66 disposed on the bottom plate 64, and The laminated structure includes a top plate 102 disposed on the inner plate 76. Thus, the inner plate 76 is located between the two outer plates, i.e., the bottom plate 6 4 and upper plate 102. Together, these plates form the The side bar 62 is formed to have a proximal section 63. The proximal section 63 is From the proximal end of the proximal section, the proximal section first tapers outward and then tapers inward. Forward of region 63, the guide bar has a central section 66 and a distal section 68. The plates 64, 76, and 102 are the guide bars that form the sides of the central and distal sections 68. The central and distal sections 66 and 67 of the bar are formed so that the opposing sides are parallel. The width across section 68 is less than the width across the outwardly tapered portion of the proximal section 63 of the bar. It is also smaller.

[0021] The bottom plate 64 has two laterally spaced apart proximal ends immediately forward of the bottom plate 64. The housing is formed to have openings 67 (one of which is labeled with a part number). The openings 67 are Each opening 67 has a curved periphery facing toward the proximal end of the plate and a cartridge In front of the opening 67, the bottom plate has a straight periphery that faces the distal end of the edge. The port is formed with a keyhole-shaped opening 69. The opening 69 has a maximum width of The opening is shaped to receive the head of the connecting rod 40 of the saw. 69 has its centerline aligned along the proximal-distal longitudinal axis along the guide bar 62. Plate 64 is positioned such that the narrow portion of aperture 69 is distally forward of the wide portion of the aperture. Further formation has been achieved.

[0022] The bottom plate 64 has two openings 70 (one labeled with the part number) on the proximal side of the distal plate. Each of the openings 70 is aligned with a respective one of the openings 67. The openings 70 are aligned in a straight line in the hand direction. The orientation of the opening 70 is opposite to that of the opening 67. That is, the curved end of the opening 70 faces the distal side. The straight edge of the opening 70 faces toward the proximal end of the plate 64. In front of the opening 70, the bottom plate 64 has two elongated The device is formed with long holes 72 (each of which is assigned a part number). Each long hole 72 is , (located near the edge of the adjacent opening 70 and closest to the long axis of the plate 64) In front of the proximal end, the slot 72 faces the side edge of the plate. The slot 72 is located proximally spaced from the distal end of the plate 64. The signal terminates at the

[0023] As best seen in FIG. 3, an inner plate 76 forms the proximal end of the plate. The base 78 is formed into three laterally spaced apart subsections 8 0, 86, 99 extend forward from base 78. Subsections 80, 99 are outer subsections The outer surfaces of the small portions 80, 99 are in contact with the plate 76 which forms the outer surface of the guide bar 62. Thus, the outer subportions 80, 99 extend forward from the plate base 78. The proximal section has a proximal section that is initially tapered inwardly and then tapered outwardly. The outer subsections 80, 99 are symmetrically disposed about the longitudinal axis of the guide bar 62. The outer subsections 80, 99 are further shaped to be mirror images of each other. Adjacent the distal end of each of the subsections 80, 99, each subsection extends longitudinally along the middle of the plate 76. having tabs 82 (one bearing a part number) extending inwardly toward the axle. Proximal to the tab 82, each of the subsections 80, 99 is formed along the length of the plate 76. The handpiece has lobes 84 (one of which is numbered) extending inwardly toward the central hand axis. From the proximal to the distal side along the minor portion 80 or 99, The associated lobe 84 first curves inwardly and then outwardly. 76 is formed such that lobe 84 is spaced proximally from tab 82 .

[0024] The inner portion 86 of the inner plate 76 has its centerline located on the major axis of the plate. The minor portion 86 is formed with a keyhole opening 90. The inner plate 76 is , the opening 90 has the same shape as the opening 69 in the bottom plate 64 and is aligned with the opening 69. The inner portion 86 is shaped so as to be positioned so as to be aligned with the inner portion 86 except for its distal end. At its distal most end, the minor portion 86 has a curved distal surface. The small portion has a head 95. Between the constant width area of ​​the small portion and the head 95, the small portion The portion has a neck 94. The neck 94 is curved inwardly relative to the head 95. It has an aspect that faces the future.

[0025] Since the sub-portions 80, 86, and 99 are spaced apart from one another, each of the outer sub-portions 80, 99 and the inner Between the side portion 86 and the small portion 86, an elongated slot 96 with one end closed is formed. When cartridge 60 is assembled, each slot 96 has: The inner plates 76 are disposed over each pair of openings 67, 70 in the bottom plate 64. The proximal end portion 98 of the hole 96 has a shape substantially equal to the shape of the opening 67 in the bottom plate. Thus, the lateral width of the proximal end portion 98 of each slot 96 is 4. The width of the distal front slot 96 of the distal section is greater than the width of the distal front slot 96 of the distal section.

[0026] Returning to FIG. 2, the top plate 102 has a circumference substantially the same as the circumference of the bottom plate 80. It can be seen that the upper plate 102 is shaped to have a proximal end in front of it. The plate 102 has two openings 104 (one of which is labeled with a part number). The opening 104 has the same shape as the opening 67 in the bottom plate. 7. In front of the opening 104, the upper plate The upper plate 102 is formed with an elliptical opening 106. When the dowel 60 is assembled, the opening 106 is positioned over the opening 90 in the inner plate. The upper plate 102 is formed so as to surround the opening 90. 8 (one labeled with a part number). The opening 70 is shaped to have the same shape as the opening 70 in the bottom plate and to be aligned with the opening 70. It has been made.

[0027] The blade 136 is formed with a centrally located web 142. The cord 136 is configured such that the web 142 has a thickness no greater than the thickness of the inner plate 76. The web 142 of the blade 136 shown in FIG. When the blade 136 is positioned in a central position within the guide bar 62, the web 142 The main axis is collinear with the main axis of the guide bar. The guide bar extends proximally from the web 142. The blade 136 extends to the side and away from the longitudinal axis of the web. The foot 138 is configured to have a thickness of the web 142. Each leg 138 extends from the open end of the adjacent slot 96 in the inner subsection 86 to the open end of the adjacent slot 96 in the inner subsection 86. An opening 140 extends vertically through each leg 138. In this embodiment, the blade 136 is formed to have a curved proximal surface 144. The blade 136 has a blade surface 144 seated against the head 95 integral with the inner portion 86. The blade foot 13 is shaped so that it can pivot about the head 95. 8 and web 142 are sometimes referred to as the base of blade 136 .

[0028] The distal end of the blade web 142 extends to the distal end of the guide bar 60. A head 146 is integral with and extends forward of the distal end of the web 142. The blade 136 has a head 146 formed with teeth 148. The blade 136 has a head 146 that is aligned with the web 14. 2. More specifically, The head is adapted so that the kerf formed by the cutting action of the blade 136 receives the guide bar 60. The insulating layer 14 is formed to have a thickness sufficient to cover the insulating layer 14.

[0029] A drive link 112 is disposed in each of the slots 96 of the guide bar 62. The drive link 112 is in the form of a flat strip of metal. Each link is formed with a proximal end that is provided with a stud (part number affixed to the link). 114 has a through hole 116 (one of which is marked with a part number) located at its center. The through holes 116 are formed to allow the associated drive rod foot 114 to be fitted to the drive pin of the saw head. Each drive link 112 is sized to be mounted on the drive link 50. is shaped to have a thickness greater than the thickness of the metal piece forming the body of the link. The thickness of the legs 114 is usually not greater than the thickness of the guide bar 62. When the casing 10 is assembled, the feet 114 are generally seated within the proximal end portions 98 of the associated slots 96. The portion of each link 112 that projects outwardly from the body of the link 114 fits into the bottom plate opening 67. and seated within upper plate opening 104 .

[0030] Two fingers 118 (one labeled with a part number) are attached to the body of each drive link 112. The fingers 118 overlap each other and extend distally forward from the distal end of the More specifically, the fingers 118 are spaced apart such that the blade feet 138 are Spaced apart far enough to allow seating between finger pairs Each finger 118 has a hole 120 formed therein. The holes 120 are aligned in a straight line with each other.

[0031] As part of the process of assembling the cartridge of the present invention, the blades 136 are The drive link is positioned such that the foot 138 is disposed between a pair of drive link fingers 118. A pivot pin 122 (one with part number 1221) extends through the finger hole 120 and the blade foot opening 140. 1) pivotally holds the leg 38 to the associated drive link 112. It is.

[0032] During assembly of the cartridge 60, the inner plate 76 is first attached to the bottom plate 64 or the upper plate 66. 102. After this step is completed, The drive link / blade assembly is assembled such that the drive link 112 is seated within the slot 96 and the blade The curved proximal surface 144 of the head 136 is curved relative to the curved portion of the head 95 integral with the medial plate 76. The upper plate 102 or The bottom plate 64 is welded or otherwise attached to the exposed surface of the inner plate 76. At the end of the process of assembling the cartridge 60, the drive link feet 11 4 seats in plate openings 67, 104. Fingers 118 of the drive link are The openings 70, 102 are formed in the bottom plate 64 and the top plate 102 of the guide bar, respectively. 08. The blade head 146 is located immediately forward of the distal end of the guide bar 62. This will be done.

[0033] As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cartridge 60 includes two parallel ribs 150. Ribs 150 extend upwardly from the outer surface of the upper plate 102 of the bar. The ribs are positioned so that each rib is aligned with the major axis of a respective one of the openings 104. The ribs 150 extend forward from a position approximately 2 mm forward of the opening 104. The rib 150 terminates at a position approximately 10 mm forward of the plate opening 106. The ribs 150 are formed separately from the plate 102. The ribs 150 are welded to the rest of the cartridge 60. The mounting structure is adapted to be attached or otherwise permanently fixed to the mounting surface.

[0034] International Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 016472A1 / US Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0 As discussed in US Pat. No. 163558, once assembly 30 is ready for use, Once aligned, the cartridge rib 150 is positioned above the saw head 38. No. 6,399,433, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. The ribs 150 reduce deflection in the area of ​​the cartridge 60 located above the saw head 38. This will allow us to do so.

[0035] To prepare the assembly 30 of the present invention for use, the cartridge 60 is inserted into the saw head 3 8. As a result of this attachment, each drive pin 50 is attached to a drive link foot 114 The connecting rods 40 are seated in respective ones of the holes 116 formed in the overlapping cartridges. The connecting rod 40 is (not numbered) The head of the connecting rod contacts the surface of the inner plate 72 exposed through the upper plate opening 106. The guide bar is lowered from above so as to press the cartridge. The cartridge 60 is held in the saw head 38. When the cartridge 60 is secured to the drive head, the drive The drive pin and drive link cooperate to bias the blade 136 proximally. The positioning surface 144 is biased against the curved surface of the head 95 within the cartridge 60 .

[0036] Depressing trigger 52 actuates assembly 30. When the motor 44 is operated, the drive pin 50 vibrates back and forth. This movement of the drive pin 50 causes the drive links 112 to reciprocate back and forth relative to one another. As the moving links 112 move back and forth relative to each other, the blades center the heads 95 within the guide bars 62. This pivoting of the blade teeth 148 causes them to rotate about the cartridge This will cut the tissue against which it is pressed.

[0037] During the advancement of the cartridge 60, it is subjected to a resistive force. 6 provides structural strength to the guide bar 62. This structural strength is what is exposed to these forces. This limits the degree to which the bar 62 will bend when the guide bar 62 is pulled. The area of ​​the outer subsection 80, 99 extending forward of the head 95 of the inner subsection 86 Tabs 82 and lobes 84 are structured on the guide bar at the distal portion of the guide bar. This distal portion is the portion of the guide bar that is first exposed to resistive forces. Thus, the presence of tabs 82, 84 prevents the distal portion of the guide bar from being skived or This further reduces the possibility of diving. The prevention of skiving or diving prevents the entire cartridge 60 from being skived or dived. This will reduce the possibility of diving.

[0038] A further feature of the present invention is that both sides of the drive link 112 are enclosed within the inner plate 76. This means that if the surgeon is unable to hold both ends of the guide bar when the cartridge is activated, When holding or touching the side, the surgeon's fingers do not come into contact with the reciprocating drive link 112. At the very least, this reduces the force of the surgeon's fingers as the drive link moves. It becomes essentially impossible to tear the bag. Yet another advantage of this configuration of the present invention is that This facilitates efficient welding of the side portions of the guide bars 62, 76, and 102. This side welding of the plates 64, 76, 102 to form side welds along both sides of This will help strengthen the guide bar.

[0039] FIG. 4 shows an alternative inner plate 160 forming part of the guide bar of the cartridge of the present invention. The inner plate 160 has the base 78 of the inner plate 76 described above. Extending forward from base 78 are outer subsections 162, 170. 162, 170 are laterally spaced from the inner subportion 165. The proximal portion of 2,170 has the same shape as the proximal portions of subportions 80 and 99. The distal portion of each of the portions 162, 170 is a single piece that projects inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of the plate 160. This single protrusion is a lobe 164. From proximal to distal along portions 162 or 170, the lobes are arranged in an inner subportion 165 A small hole is formed in the head 95. The small hole is located somewhat proximal to the distal end of the head 95 (toward the longitudinal axis of the plate). The lobe 164 extends outwardly from the head portion. From the point of maximum thickness, the lobe is curved to a position in front of the dome 95. The distal end of each lobe 164 is curved inwardly toward the outer surface of portion 162 or 170. It is at the distal end of the subsection 162 or 170 where the lobes join together.

[0040] The inner plate 160 is formed to have an inner subportion 165. 165 has a shape similar to the inner subsection 86 described above. The difference between the two subsections is the At the proximal side of the lock 95, the inner portion 165 tapers. Proximally from neck 95, minor portion 165 increases in width.

[0041] The inner plate 160 is one of the cartridges that has a blade with a relatively wide web. For this type of cartridge, the inner plate of the guide bar is Providing the tab 82 on the cartridge 60 is difficult because the presence of the tab In the case of a cartridge having a lobe 164, the guide bar The lobes reduce skiving or diving adjacent the distal portion of the This provides the guide bar with structural strength that is useful for supporting the

[0042] FIG. 5 shows an alternative component of the cartridge of the present invention. The inner plate 180 is the inner plate 76 described above. The inner plates 180 are mirror images of each other. Each subsection 182 has a single lobe 184. The inner plate 180 is formed such that each lobe 184 has a minor head. At a distal forward location of the blade 95, a portion extending inwardly from the associated subportion 182 or 197 Each lobe 184 is formed so as to extend essentially directly from a subsection 182 or 197. The small portion 182 extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the inner plate 180. At the front, the lobes begin to taper outward from the long axis. The end is essentially the distal end of the portion 182 or 197 integral with the lobe. The lateral thickness of the lobe proximal to the distal end of 0 is the minor portion 182,1 at the proximal side of the lobe. It is larger than the lateral thickness of 97.

[0043] The inner plate has a number of through holes (not numbered), i.e., located at the base. through holes located in the inner subsection 86 and through holes located in the lobes 184. These holes are provided for manufacturing reasons.

[0044] A drive link 196 is provided between the inner subsection 88 and the outer subsection 18 spaced laterally from each other. 2, 197. Each drive link is disposed in a slot between the drive link 11 and the drive link 12. Each drive link 196 has a head 198 at its distal end. Each head 198 has teeth 199 (one for each set of teeth). The teeth 199 of the drive link are formed on the link. 196 are spaced apart from one another along the proximal-distal longitudinal axis of the integral cartridge.

[0045] The blades 202 are disposed between the minor lobes 184. The web 210 has two legs 206 (one leg is labeled with a part number) integral with the web 210. Extending proximally from the web are legs 206 such that the minor head 95 is disposed between the legs. The blades 202 are spaced apart from each other so that they can seat. The teeth are formed so that they extend outwardly from the legs 206. 204 is sized to engage teeth 199 integral with the adjacent drive link 196. The blade 202 is a curved, axially extending blade 202 located between the legs 206 at the distal end of the web 210. The blade 136 is further formed to have a proximal surface 208. The surface 208 is Similar to surface 144.

[0046] A blade web 210 extends to the distal end of the guide bar. A head 212 extends from the web. The head 212 is integral with and located forward of the distal end of the head 210. The head 212 is essentially the same as the blade head 146. Teeth 148 extend forward of the head 212. do.

[0047] A portion of the lower bottom plate 220 is also shown in FIG. The bottom plate 64 has a structure similar to that of the bottom plate 64 described above. The slots 72 are shown.

[0048] When a cartridge having the components of FIG. 5 is assembled, these components The drive link 196 is positioned such that the drive teeth 204 engage the teeth 199 integral with the drive link 196. The cartridge is used in the same manner as the cartridge 60 described above is used. When a trough is used, the reciprocating motion of the drive link 196 is braked by the engagement of teeth 199. As a result of this engagement, the longitudinal back and forth movement of the drive link is transmitted to the brake. This causes the head 202 to pivot back and forth about the small section head 95.

[0049] The cartridge components of FIG. 5 are such that the outer subsections 182, 197 are adjacent to the drive link 196. It will be appreciated that the present invention is configured to restrict outward lateral movement of the abutting head 198. More specifically, the outer surface of the drive link head 198 is preferably 6. This restriction of the movement of the drive link head 198 When the link reciprocates to pivot the blade, the blade leg 206 pivots. It has been found that pushing the moving link head 198 away from the adjacent teeth 204 does not pose a problem. If this motion were to occur unconstrained, the teeth 199 on the drive link would This will result in a departure from 204.

[0050] The above description is directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternative forms of the invention are described. The invention may have different characteristics from those described herein.

[0051] For example, various features of different aspects of the invention may be combined.

[0052] Likewise, all embodiments of the invention may not have all of the described features. In all aspects of the invention, the outer minor portion need not extend forward of the inner minor portion. In an embodiment of the invention in which the lateral portion has a distal section located anterior to the medial portion, The side subportions do not necessarily have to include inwardly extending lobes.

[0053] Not all embodiments of the present invention need include ribs 150. In some embodiments of the present invention, The ribs may be stamped, molded, or otherwise integral with the upper plate. good.

[0054] Similarly, in some embodiments of the present invention, all or a portion of the inner plate 76 is a bottom plate. 64 or upper plate 102. In these aspects of the invention, once the blank is formed, it is attached to the drive rotor. The rod is machined to define a slot in which the rod seats and to define the periphery of the minor portion. Alternatively, the portions of the guide bar defining the openings or slots may be molded. It may be formed by:

[0055] In some versions of the invention, a single drive link is required to pivot the blade head. In some aspects of the invention, one or more drive links may include: It is not necessary that the cartridge is parallel to the longitudinal axis. Thus, in these aspects of the invention, one or The guide bar openings in which the drive link elements are seated are similarly aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cartridge. It does not have to be located on a line parallel to

[0056] In an embodiment of the invention in which at least one drive link and blade have complementary teeth, The guidebars may have structures different from those shown. The bar is formed so that the blade head is not an integral part of one of the plates forming the bar. In these aspects of the invention, the blade may be centered as it pivots. The structure is a pin attached to or integral with at least one of the plates forming the bar. This is also possible.

[0057] In some embodiments of the invention, two of the plates forming the guide bar or their plates All three of the ports are made of three different In these alternative aspects of the invention, the plates may be a single unit. They may be machined as knit or may be molded together.

[0058] The various shapes of the elements may be varied from those depicted.

[0059] Therefore, it is the object of the appended claims to cover such modifications as will encompass within the true spirit and scope of the invention. and all amendments thereto.

Claims

1. A surgical saw cartridge (60) that oscillates a blade (136, 202), comprising: a guide bar (62) including a proximal end and a distal end; a blade (136, 202) connected to the guide bar (62); At least one drive link (112, 196); Equipped with The guide bar (62) Two outer plates (64, 102); an inner plate (76, 160, 180) located between the two outer plates (64, 102) and defining a base at the proximal end of the guide bar (62); an outer subsection (80, 99, 162, 170, 182, 197) disposed between the two outer plates (64, 102) and extending distally from the base; an inner subsection (86, 165) disposed between the two outer plates (64, 102), extending distally from the base and configured to define a head; Equipped with The blade (136, 202) is formed with teeth (148) located distally of the guide bar (62); the blade (136, 202) is configured to contact and pivot about the head of the inner subsection (86, 165); the at least one drive link (112, 196) is movably disposed in a space between the inner subsection (86, 165) and the outer subsection (80, 99, 162, 170, 182, 197) and between the two outer plates (64, 102); The at least one drive link (112, 196) has a proximal end and a distal end; a proximal end of the at least one drive link (112, 196) configured to be attached to a drive element of a saw; a distal end of the at least one drive link (112, 196) is connected to the blade (136, 202) such that reciprocating motion of the at least one drive link (112, 196) can cause the blade (136, 202) to pivot about the head of the inner subsection (86, 165); A surgical saw cartridge (60).

2. 2. The surgical saw cartridge of claim 1, wherein the outer subportion (80, 99, 162, 170, 182, 197) is comprised of a pair of spaced apart outer subportions (80, 99, 162, 170, 182, 197), the pair of outer subportions (80, 99, 162, 170, 182, 197) being mirror images of one another.

3. The surgical saw cartridge (60) of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the blade (136, 202) is located between the pair of outer subportions (80, 99, 162, 170, 182, 197).

4. The surgical saw cartridge (60) of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the pair of outer subportions (80, 99, 162, 170, 182, 197) are symmetrically disposed about a longitudinal axis passing through the guide bar (62).

5. The surgical saw cartridge (60) of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the two outer plates (64, 102) and the inner plate (76, 160, 180) are three separate plates secured together to form the guide bar (62).

6. an outer surface of said outer subsection (80, 99, 162, 170, 182, 197) forms a part of the outer surface of said guide bar (62); 6. The surgical saw cartridge of claim 1, wherein the guide bar includes a side weld formed along the portion of the outer surface of the guide bar, the side weld connecting the outer subportion to each of the two outer plates.

7. The surgical saw cartridge (60) of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the inner subsection (86,165) has an opening that aligns with an opening in one of the two outer plates (64,102).

8. A surgical saw cartridge (60) that oscillates a blade (136, 202), comprising: a guide bar (62) including a proximal end and a distal end; a blade (136, 202) connected to the guide bar (62); At least one drive link (112, 196); Equipped with The guide bar (62) Two outer plates (64, 102); two outer subsections (80, 99, 162, 170, 182, 197) extending distally from the proximal end of said guide bar (62); an inner subsection (86, 165) disposed between the two outer subsections (80, 99, 162, 170, 182, 197) and extending distally from the proximal end of the guide bar (62); Equipped with Each of the two outer subportions (80, 99, 162, 170, 182, 197) is located between the two outer plates (64, 102) and is spaced apart from each other; said inner subsection (86, 165) is shaped to define a head and has an opening aligned with an opening in one of said two outer plates (64, 102); The blade (136, 202) is formed with teeth (148) located distally of the guide bar (62); the blade (136, 202) is configured to contact and pivot about the head of the inner subsection (86, 165); the at least one drive link (112, 196) is movably disposed within the space between the two outer subsections (80, 99, 162, 170, 182, 197) and between the two outer plates (64, 102); the at least one drive link (112, 196) is configured to connect a drive element of a saw to the blade (136, 202) such that reciprocating motion of the at least one drive link (112, 196) by the drive element of the saw causes the blade (136, 202) to pivot about the head of the inner subsection (86, 165); A surgical saw cartridge (60).

9. a base forming a proximal end of the inner plate (76, 160, 180); The surgical saw cartridge (60) of claim 8, wherein each of the two outer subportions (80, 99, 162, 170, 182, 197) and the inner subportion (86, 165) extend distally from the base.

10. The surgical saw cartridge (60) of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the two outer sub-portions (80, 99, 162, 170, 182, 197) are mirror images of each other.

11. The surgical saw cartridge (60) of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein at least a portion of the blade (136, 202) is located between the two outer subportions (80, 99, 162, 170, 182, 197).

12. The surgical saw cartridge (60) of any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the two outer subportions (80, 99, 162, 170, 182, 197) are symmetrically disposed about a longitudinal axis passing through the guide bar (62).

13. The surgical saw cartridge (60) of any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the two outer plates (64, 102) and the two outer subsections (80, 99, 162, 170, 182, 197) are secured together to form the guide bar (62).

14. the outer surface of each of said two outer subsections (80, 99, 162, 170, 182, 197) forms a part of the outer surface of said guide bar (62); 14. The surgical saw cartridge (60) of any one of claims 8-13, wherein the guide bar (62) includes a side weld formed along the portion of the outer surface of the guide bar (62), the side weld connecting each of the two outer subportions (80, 99, 162, 170, 182, 197) to each of the two outer plates (64, 102).

15. The at least one drive link (112, 196) has a proximal end and a distal end; a proximal end of the at least one drive link (112, 196) configured to be attached to the drive element; The surgical saw cartridge (60) of any one of claims 8-14, wherein a distal end of the at least one drive link (112,196) is connected to the blade (136,202).

16. A surgical saw cartridge (60) that oscillates a blade (136, 202), comprising: a guide bar (62) including a proximal end and a distal end; a blade (136, 202) connected to the guide bar (62); At least one drive link (112, 196); Equipped with The guide bar (62) Two outer plates (64, 102); an inner plate (76, 160, 180) located between the two outer plates (64, 102) and having a proximal end formed by a base; two outer subsections (80, 99, 162, 170, 182, 197) extending distally from said base and spaced apart from one another; an inner subsection (86, 165) disposed between the two outer subsections (80, 99, 162, 170, 182, 197) and extending distally from the base and formed to define a head; Equipped with The blade (136, 202) is formed with teeth (148) located distally of the guide bar (62); the blade (136, 202) is configured to contact and pivot about the head of the inner subsection (86, 165); the at least one drive link (112, 196) is movably disposed in a space between the inner subsection (86, 165) and one of the two outer subsections (80, 99, 162, 170, 182, 197) and between the two outer plates (64, 102); The at least one drive link (112, 196) has a proximal end and a distal end; a proximal end of the at least one drive link (112, 196) configured to be attached to a drive element of a saw; a distal end of the at least one drive link (112, 196) is connected to the blade (136, 202) such that reciprocating motion of the at least one drive link (112, 196) can cause the blade (136, 202) to pivot about the head of the inner subsection (86, 165); A surgical saw cartridge (60).

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