CHONDROTOME

Abstract

A surgical cutting device for cutting and removing cartilage from a diseased area. The surgical cutting device includes an elongated shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion connected between a proximal end and a distal end. 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 being 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 relative 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.

Claims

1. A surgical cutting device, comprising: an elongated shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion connected between a proximal end and a distal end; a central longitudinal axis extending through the elongated shaft; wherein the proximal portion has a first diameter and the distal portion has a second diameter, the first diameter being larger than the second diameter; a cutting tip at the distal end of the elongated shaft, extending at an angle relative to the central longitudinal axis; wherein the cutting tip comprises a curved blade.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the distal narrowing portion is tapered, decreasing in diameter in a distal direction.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein a cross-section of the curved blade is crescent-shaped.

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

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a flat portion on the cutting tip, wherein the flat portion is connected to the curved blade and extends in a proximal direction.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the flat portion extends along a plane which is substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis.

7. A surgical cutting device, comprising: an elongated shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion connected between a proximal end and a distal end; a central longitudinal first axis extending through the elongated shaft; a cutting tip at the distal end of the elongated shaft, extending along a second axis, which is at an angle relative to the central longitudinal first axis; and wherein the cutting tip comprises a curved blade which is open in a proximal direction.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the curved blade comprises an inner wall extending to a base of the cutting tip.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the base is semi-circular.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the base extends along a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the second axis.

11. The device of claim 8, further comprising a flat portion connected to the base of the cutting tip by a flange.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the flat portion is D-shaped.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the flat portion extends in a proximal direction along a third axis which is substantially parallel to the central longitudinal first axis.

14. A surgical cutting device, comprising: an elongated shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion connected between a proximal end and a distal end; a central longitudinal first axis extending through the elongated shaft; a cutting tip at the distal end of the elongated shaft, extending along a second axis, which is at an angle relative to the central longitudinal first axis; wherein the cutting tip comprises a curved blade which is open in a proximal direction; and a handle attached at the proximal end of the elongated shaft.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the curved blade comprises an inner wall extending to a base of the cutting tip.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the base is sloped toward the elongated shaft.

17. The device of claim 14, wherein the base extends to and at least partially around a flat portion of the cutting tip.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the flat portion is circular or semi-circular.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the flat portion extends in a proximal direction along a third axis which is substantially parallel to the central longitudinal first axis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

[0016] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view schematic representation of a cutting device, according to an embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 2 is a close-up, side perspective view schematic representation of the distal end of the cutting device, according to an embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 3 is a side view schematic representation of a cutting device, according to an alternative embodiment; and

[0019] FIG. 4 is a close-up, top perspective view schematic representation of the distal end of the cutting device, according to an alternative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Aspects of the present invention and certain features, advantages, and details thereof, are explained more fully below with reference to the non-limiting examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Descriptions of well-known structures are omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the invention in detail. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific non-limiting examples, while indicating aspects of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, and are not by way of limitation. Various substitutions, modifications, additions, and/or arrangements, within the spirit and/or scope of the underlying inventive concepts will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

[0021] Referring now to the figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, FIG. 1 shows a side perspective view schematic representation of a cutting device 10, according to an embodiment. The cutting device 10 comprises an elongated shaft 12 extending along a central longitudinal y-y axis between a proximal end 14 and a distal end 16. In the depicted embodiment, the elongated shaft 12 is cylindrical; however, any other suitable geometry may be used. The elongated shaft 12 may have a uniform diameter or a varied diameter. In the depicted embodiment, the elongated shaft 12 has a first diameter and a second diameter that is different from the first diameter.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the elongated shaft 12 has proximal portion 18 and a distal portion 20 (which can be narrowing and taper in the distal direction, but does not need to be). The proximal portion 18 has the first diameter and the distal narrowing portion 20 has the second diameter. In the depicted embodiment, the second diameter of the distal narrowing portion 20 is smaller than the first diameter of the proximal portion 18. In an embodiment, the distal narrowing portion 20 can be tapered in the distal direction and the second diameter is any diameter along the distal narrowing portion 20. The narrowing portion 20 allows the cutting device 10 to access and cut smaller surgical areas, such as in the hand and wrist.

[0023] Turning now to FIG. 2, there is shown a close-up, side perspective view schematic representation of the distal end 16 of the cutting device 10, according to an embodiment. The narrowing portion 20 of the elongated shaft 12 extends to the distal end 16. The distal end 16 comprises a cutting tip 22, as shown in FIG. 2. In the depicted embodiment, the cutting tip 22 extends along an x-x axis. In general, the cutting tip 22 extends at angle relative to the central longitudinal y-y axis (which extends through the elongated 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.

[0024] Still referring to FIG. 2, the cutting tip 22 comprises a curved blade 24. In the depicted embodiment, the curved blade 24 has a semi-circular cross-section such that the curved blade 24 is crescent-shaped and open toward the proximal direction. The curved blade 24 comprises an inner wall 26 extending to a flat, semi-circular base 28. Further, the base 28 of the curved blade 24 extends to and abuts a flat portion 30 of the cutting tip 22. In the depicted embodiment, the flat portion 30 is D-shaped and extends proximally.

[0025] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the base 28 of the curved blade 24 and the flat portion 30 are connected at a flange 32 or edge. The base 28 extends at an angle relative to the flat portion 30. In an embodiment, the flat portion 30 extends along both a plane and an axis (z-z axis) that are substantially parallel to the central longitudinal y-y axis, while the base 28 extends along a plane and axis that is transverse to both the central longitudinal y-y axis and the x-x axis. In one embodiment, the base 28 extends along which is substantially perpendicular to the x-x axis. The angular configuration and curvature of the cutting tip 22 is optimized for use in hand and wrist procedures.

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a side view schematic representation of a cutting device 10, according to an alternative embodiment. In the depicted embodiment, the proximal end 14 of the cutting device 10 comprises a handle 34. In accordance with an embodiment, there is no motor or automated actuation for the described device 10, which include curved blade(s) or cutting tip on a shaft that will be stuck into a handle 34 so the surgeon can cut and pry and scrape away cartilage. Thus, the cutting device 10 can be manipulated directly by the user via the hanlde 34 (or otherwise at the proximal end 14 f the device 10).

[0027] Similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the embodiment of the cutting device 10 in FIG. 3 comprises an elongated shaft 12 extending along a central longitudinal y-y axis between a proximal end 14 and a distal end 16. The elongated shaft 12 may be cylindrical and have a uniform diameter or a varied diameter, as described above. As also similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the elongated shaft 12 of the cutting device 10 in FIG. 3 comprises a proximal portion 18 and a distal narrowing portion 20. As shown, the distal narrowing portion 20 is tapered in the distal direction. The distal narrowing portion 20 allows the cutting device 10 to access and cut small surgical areas, such as in the foot and ankle.

[0028] The distal end 16 of the cutting device 10 comprises a cutting tip 22. In the depicted embodiment, the cutting tip 22 extends along an x-x axis. In general, the cutting tip 22 extends at angle relative to the central longitudinal y-y axis (which extends through the elongated 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 in 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 in FIGS. 1 and 2. Accordingly, the cutting tip 22 of the cutting device 10 in FIGS. 3 and 4 varies from that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0029] Turning now to FIG. 4, there is shown a close-up, side perspective view schematic representation of the distal end 16 of the cutting device 10, according to an alternative embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the cutting tip 22 comprises a curved blade 24 which is open in the proximal direction. In the depicted embodiment, the curved blade 24 has a semi-circular cross-section such that the curved blade 24 is crescent-shaped. The curved blade 24 comprises an inner wall 26 extending to a base 28. The base 28 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3-4 is sloped, extending toward the central longitudinal y-y axis (and elongated shaft 12). Further, the sloped base 28 of the curved blade 24 extends to and abuts a flat portion 30 of the cutting tip 22. In the depicted embodiment, the flat portion 30 is circular or semi-circular and extends proximally.

[0030] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, the base 28 of the curved blade 24 slopes or extends to the flat portion 30 of the curved blade 24. The base 28 also extends at least partially around the flat portion 30, as shown in FIG. 4. The flat portion 30 extends along a plane and a z-z axis, which are substantially parallel to the central longitudinal y-y axis, as shown in FIG. 3. The angular configuration and curvature of the cutting tip 22 is optimized for use in foot and ankle procedures.

[0031] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0032] While various embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the 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 meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings is/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. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, 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. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0033] 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 indicates 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” (any form of contain, such as “contains” and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a method or device that “comprises”, “has”, “includes” or “contains” one or more steps or elements. Likewise, a step of method or an element of a device 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 certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

[0034] The corresponding structures, materials, acts and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below, if any, are intended to include any structure, material or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as 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 limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of one or more aspects of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand one or more aspects of the present invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.