Surgical cutting device

Abstract

A surgical cutting device for cutting and removing cartilage from a diseased area includes an elongated shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion connected between the proximal and distal ends. A central longitudinal axis extends through the elongated shaft. The proximal portion has a first diameter and the distal portion has a second diameter. The first diameter is larger than the second diameter. The cutting device also includes a cutting tip at the distal end of the elongated shaft. The cutting tip extends along a second axis at an angle to the central longitudinal axis and includes a curved blade. The curved blade includes an inner wall extending to a base of the cutting tip. [Selection diagram] None

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 735,290, entitled "Chondratome," filed September 24, 2018.

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed generally to surgical cutting devices and, more particularly, to blades for cutting and removing cartilage from affected areas. [Background technology]

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art Various conditions, including arthritis, ligamentous laxity, and local trauma, can adversely affect the human knee. These conditions can be treated surgically by repairing portions of the knee cartilage, meniscus, or ligaments, or by replacing them with natural or artificial replacements. Such treatments often require correcting the knee's alignment to relieve pressure from the damaged area of ​​the joint and balance the load on the joint. In some cases, correcting the knee's alignment alone, without additional repair or replacement of damaged or diseased tissue, is sufficient to bring about remission and improve function. In young arthritic patients, correcting the knee's alignment can often be the first surgical option, resulting in years of remission before resorting to more aggressive total knee replacement surgery. Typically, an injured or diseased knee causes a varus deformity, in which the inside of the patient's knee joint is compressed, resulting in a bow-legged alignment of the lower leg.

[0004] A frequently used procedure to correct knee alignment is high tibial osteotomy. This procedure involves cutting one side of the tibia and then expanding or compressing the cut side to change the angle between the axes of the tibia and femur, thereby altering knee alignment. For example, in a closed high tibial osteotomy, a wedge of bone is removed from the tibia, and then the two sides of the cut are aligned to tilt the tibia toward the cut side. In an open high tibial osteotomy, a cut is made midway through the tibia, which is then opened to create a wedge-shaped gap, tilting the tibia to face away from the cut side. A fixation device, such as a bone plate or external fixator, is then applied to the tibia to maintain tibial alignment until the bone heals. Typically, for a high tibial osteotomy, bone is harvested from the patient's pelvis and applied to the tibial gap to aid in bone healing. A high tibial osteotomy can be performed on the medial side of a patient's knee to treat varus deformity.

[0005] Another procedure used to correct knee alignment is a distal femoral osteotomy. For example, in an open lateral distal femoral osteotomy, a cut is made midway down the femur from the outside, which is then opened to create a wedge-shaped gap, tilting the femur to face away from the outside.

[0006] Surgical procedures often require the use of powered tissue cutting tools. These tools typically include a handpiece that periodically moves a tissue cutting device, such as a blade or burr, in some oscillatory or reciprocating fashion. Handpieces typically include a pneumatic or electric drive motor with an output shaft to which the cutting device is attached, the shaft being axially aligned with the handpiece's drive shaft. As used herein, the term "drive shaft" refers to the axis of the motor output shaft through which power is supplied from the motor. Handpieces can be "pencil"-type handpieces, with an elongated body and a drive shaft aligned with the body's axis, or pistol-grip-type handpieces, with the drive shaft aligned in a selected direction relative to the grip. The handpiece's drive motor generates a driving force that moves the output shaft and cutting device back and forth longitudinally, i.e., linearly along the drive shaft (such as a saber saw), or in an arc in a plane perpendicular to the drive shaft. Handpieces utilizing the former type of motion are commonly referred to as reciprocating saws, while handpieces utilizing the latter type of motion are commonly referred to as oscillating saws. In some cases, the oscillating saw may transmit the oscillatory drive motion so that it is periodic in a plane parallel to the axis of the elongated body of the handpiece. A sagittal saw is a type of oscillating saw in which the periodic reciprocating motion is in a plane aligned with the drive axis.

[0007] In all cases, a number of conventional tissue-cutting blades or burrs or other devices (all collectively referred to herein as "blades") are adapted to be secured to the handpiece via a collet mechanism, which is utilized to selectively attach and detach the desired blade. Depending on the blade's shape, a variety of different cuts can be made using a single saw. For oscillating saws, the blade is often in the form of a flat, elongated body with a cutting edge (e.g., teeth, grinder, etc.) at one end and a hub at the other end shaped and adapted to fit into a particular collet. Such flat blades are used to make cuts in a plane perpendicular to the drive shaft. Oscillating saws can also be used to perform cuts in a plane parallel to the handpiece axis by attaching a transverse hub to the flat blade. Crescent-shaped blades, which have a curved body instead of a flat body, can be used for curved cuts. The body of a crescent-shaped blade has teeth (or other cutting edges) at its distal end that follow the shape of an arcuate body, so that as the blade oscillates around its axis, the teeth follow an arcuate pattern with the center of curvature on the axis. Some flat blades have cutting edges at an angle to the blade body, allowing them to cut in an inclined plane. An inclined blade can have an axially elongated body either on or off the blade axis. That is, the proximal end of the blade body can have a sideways hub or simply be mounted in line with the drive shaft. The resulting cut is arc-shaped and faces away from the axis.

[0008] Any of the blades described above may be used to make cuts into the bone. However, in most surgical procedures involving the knee (or foot, ankle, hand and / or wrist), damaged or diseased cartilage may also need to be removed from the surgical site for proper repair of the particular surgical site.

[0009] Therefore, a need exists for specialized tools for cutting and removing diseased cartilage.

[0010] Description of Related Art Section Disclaimer: To the extent that specific patents / publications / products are discussed in this Description of Related Art section or elsewhere in this disclosure, these discussions should not be construed as an admission that the discussed patents / publications / products are prior art for purposes of patent law. For example, some or all of the discussed patents / publications / products may not be sufficiently early, may not reflect subject matter developed early enough, and / or may not be sufficiently authoritative to amount to prior art for purposes of patent law. To the extent that specific patents / publications / products are discussed above in this Description of Related Art section and / or throughout the application, the descriptions / disclosures thereof are incorporated herein by reference in their respective entireties. Summary of the Invention

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a surgical cutting device for cutting and removing cartilage from a diseased area. In particular, embodiments of the present invention are used to cut and scrape diseased or damaged cartilage (e.g., extremity procedures (foot and ankle / hand and wrist)). According to one aspect, the surgical cutting device includes an elongated shaft having a proximal portion and a distal narrowed portion connected between the proximal and distal ends. A central longitudinal axis extends through the elongated shaft. The proximal portion has a first diameter and the distal narrowed portion has a second diameter. The first diameter is larger than the second diameter. The cutting device also includes a cutting tip at the distal end of the elongated shaft. The cutting tip extends at an angle relative to the central longitudinal axis and includes a curved blade.

[0012] According to another aspect, a surgical cutting device includes an elongate shaft having a proximal portion and a distal narrowed portion connected between the proximal and distal ends. A central longitudinal first axis extends through the elongate shaft. The surgical cutting device also includes a cutting tip at the distal end of the elongate shaft. The cutting tip extends along a second axis at an angle to the central longitudinal first axis. The cutting tip includes a curved blade that opens proximally.

[0013] According to yet another aspect, a surgical cutting device includes an elongate shaft having a proximal portion and a distal narrowed portion connected between the proximal and distal ends. A central longitudinal first axis extends through the elongate shaft. The surgical cutting device also includes a cutting tip at the distal end of the elongate shaft. The cutting tip extends along a second axis at an angle to the central longitudinal first axis. The cutting tip includes a curved blade that opens proximally. The surgical cutting device also includes a handle attached to the proximal end of the elongate shaft.

[0014] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] One or more aspects of the present invention are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed as examples at the end of this specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic side perspective view of a cutting device, according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a close-up, side perspective schematic view of the distal end of a cutting device, according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a cutting device according to an alternative embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a close-up, top perspective schematic view of the distal end of a cutting device according to an alternative embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Aspects of the present invention and its specific features, advantages, and details are more fully described below with reference to non-limiting examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Descriptions of well-known structures are omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the details of the invention. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific non-limiting examples, while indicating aspects of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, and not by way of limitation. Various substitutions, modifications, additions, and / or arrangements within the spirit and / or scope of the underlying inventive concept will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

[0018] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, FIG. 1 shows a side perspective schematic view of a cutting device 10, according to one embodiment. The cutting device 10 includes an elongate shaft 12 extending along a central longitudinal y-y axis between a proximal end 14 and a distal end 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the elongate shaft 12 is cylindrical; however, any other suitable shape may be used. The elongate shaft 12 may have a uniform diameter or a variable diameter. In the illustrated embodiment, the elongate shaft 12 has a first diameter and a second diameter that is different from the first diameter.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1 , the elongate shaft 12 has a proximal portion 18 and a distal portion 20 (which may, but need not, be distally tapered). The proximal portion 18 has a first diameter and the distal narrowed portion 20 has a second diameter. In the illustrated embodiment, the second diameter of the distal narrowed portion 20 is smaller than the first diameter of the proximal portion 18. In one embodiment, the distal narrowed portion 20 may be distally tapered, and the second diameter may be any diameter along the distal narrowed portion 20. The narrowed portion 20 allows the cutting device 10 to access and cut in smaller surgical areas, such as those in the hand and wrist.

[0020] Referring now to FIG. 2, an enlarged, side perspective schematic view of the distal end 16 of the cutting device 10 is shown, according to one embodiment. The narrowed portion 20 of the elongate shaft 12 extends to the distal end 16. The distal end 16 includes a cutting tip 22, as shown in FIG. 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the cutting tip 22 extends along an x-x axis. Generally, the cutting tip 22 extends at an angle relative to a central longitudinal y-y axis (which passes through the elongate shaft 12). In FIG. 2, the cutting tip 22 extends at an angle greater than 90 degrees relative to the central longitudinal y-y axis.

[0021] 2, the cutting tip 22 includes a curved blade 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the curved blade 24 has a semicircular cross-section such that the curved blade 24 is crescent-shaped and opens proximally. The curved blade 24 includes an inner wall 26 that extends to a flat, semicircular base 28. Furthermore, the base 28 of the curved blade 24 extends to and abuts a flat portion 30 of the cutting tip 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the flat portion 30 is D-shaped and extends proximally.

[0022] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , the base 28 and flat portion 30 of the curved blade 24 are connected by a flange 32 or edge. The base 28 extends at an angle relative to the flat portion 30. In one embodiment, the flat portion 30 extends along both a plane and an axis substantially parallel to the central longitudinal y-y axis (z-z axis), while the base 28 extends along a plane and an axis transverse to both the central longitudinal y-y axis and the x-x axis. In one embodiment, the base 28 extends substantially perpendicular to the x-x axis. The angular configuration and curvature of the cutting tip 22 are optimized for use in hand and wrist procedures.

[0023] 3, a side schematic view of a cutting device 10 is shown according to an alternative embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the proximal end 14 of the cutting device 10 includes a handle 34. According to one embodiment, there is no motor or automatic actuation for the described device 10, which includes a curved blade or cutting tip on a shaft that would be pressed into the handle 34 so that the surgeon can cut, peel, and scrape the cartilage. Thus, the cutting device 10 can be directly manipulated by the user via the handle 34 (or otherwise at the proximal end 14f of the device 10).

[0024] Similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the embodiment of cutting device 10 of FIG. 3 includes an elongate shaft 12 extending along a central longitudinal y-y axis between a proximal end 14 and a distal end 16. The elongate shaft 12, as described above, may be cylindrical and have a uniform or variable diameter. Also similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the elongate shaft 12 of the cutting device 10 of FIG. 3 includes a proximal portion 18 and a distal narrowed portion 20. As shown, the distal narrowed portion 20 is distally tapered. The distal narrowed portion 20 allows the cutting device 10 to access and cut in smaller surgical areas, such as those at the foot and ankle.

[0025] The distal end 16 of the cutting device 10 includes a cutting tip 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the cutting tip 22 extends along an x-x axis. Generally, the cutting tip 22 extends at an angle relative to a central longitudinal y-y axis (which passes through the elongate shaft 12). In FIG. 3, the cutting tip 22 extends at an angle greater than 90 degrees relative to the central longitudinal y-y axis. The cutting tip 22 of FIG. 3 is configured and optimized for use in foot and ankle procedures. For example, the cutting tip 22 is longer than the cutting tip 22 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. Accordingly, the cutting tip 22 of the cutting device 10 of FIGS. 3 and 4 differs from that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 4, an enlarged, side perspective schematic view of the distal end 16 of the cutting device 10 is shown, according to an alternative embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the cutting tip 22 includes a curved blade 24 that opens proximally. In the illustrated embodiment, the curved blade 24 has a semicircular cross-section, such that the curved blade 24 is crescent-shaped. The curved blade 24 includes an inner wall 26 that extends to a base 28. The base 28 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-4 is sloped and extends toward the central longitudinal y-y axis (and the elongated shaft 12). Furthermore, the sloped base 28 of the curved blade 24 extends into and abuts a flat portion 30 of the cutting tip 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the flat portion 30 is circular or semicircular and extends proximally.

[0027] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, the base 28 of the curved blade 24 is angled or extends into a flat portion 30 of the curved blade 24. The base 28 also extends at least partially around the flat portion 30, as shown in Figure 4. The flat portion 30 extends along a plane substantially parallel to the central longitudinal y-y axis and the z-z axis, as shown in Figure 3. The angular configuration and curvature of the cutting tip 22 are optimized for use in foot and ankle procedures.

[0028] All definitions defined and used herein should be understood to control for dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0029] While various embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those skilled in the art will readily envision various other means and / or structures for performing the functions and / or obtaining the results and / or one or more advantages described herein, and each of such variations and / or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are exemplary, and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend on the particular application or applications for which the teachings are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein. Accordingly, the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only, and it will be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, the embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and / or method described herein. Furthermore, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods is within the scope of the present disclosure, provided that such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods are not mutually inconsistent.

[0030] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprise" (and any form of comprise such as "comprises" and "comprising"), "have" (and any form of have such as "has" and "having"), "include" (and any form of include such as "includes" and "including"), and "contain" (and any form of contain such as "contains" and "containing") are open-ended linking verbs. Consequently, a method or device "comprises," "has," "includes," or "contains" one or more steps or elements. Similarly, a method step or device element that "comprises," "has," "includes," or "contains" one or more features possesses those one or more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more features. Furthermore, a device or structure that is configured in a particular way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways not listed.

[0031] Corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or steps plus functional elements in the following claims are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing a function, if any, in combination with elements of other claims that are specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiments were chosen and described to best explain the principles and practical application of one or more aspects of the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to understand one or more aspects of the invention in various embodiments with various modifications suitable for the particular uses contemplated.

Claims

1. 1. A surgical cutting device for cutting and removing cartilage from an affected area, comprising: an elongate shaft extending along a central longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end, the elongate shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion connected between the proximal end and the distal end; a cutting tip at the distal end of the elongate shaft, the cutting tip extending along a second axis that is at an angle to the central longitudinal axis; Equipped with The cutting tip is a transition section extending from the distal portion and transitioning from the central longitudinal axis to the second axis; a base portion extending from the transition portion along the second axis; a curved blade extending from the base along the second axis and opening proximally; the curved blade includes an inner wall extending from the base; the base includes a flat portion that connects to the inner wall of the curved blade, the flat portion extending along a plane that is substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis; the base has a surface connected to the inner wall that slopes downwardly toward and extends at least partially around the flat portion; Surgical cutting device.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the distal portion is tapered and reduces in diameter distally.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the cutting tip extends at an angle greater than 90 degrees relative to the central longitudinal axis.

4. The surgical cutting apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a handle attached to the proximal end of the elongate shaft.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the flat portion is circular or semicircular.

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