Abstract: A rongeur comprising: a bottom shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a substantially flat upper surface extending along at least a portion of the bottom shaft, the distal end terminating in a footplate; a top shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a substantially flat bottom surface extending along at least a portion of the top shaft; wherein the bottom shaft comprises a groove characterized by a wider proximal recess and a narrower distal recess, the distal recess comprising an undercut; wherein the top shaft comprises a tongue characterized by a crossbar connected to the bottom surface of the top shaft by a vertical riser; wherein at least a portion of the flat bottom surface of the top shaft rests on at least a portion of the flat upper surface of the bottom shaft and the tongue is slidably disposed in the groove so that when the top shaft is moved distally relative to the bottom shaft, the tongue slides from the wider proximal recess into the narrower distal recess; and fur

Abstract: A rongeur comprising a bottom shaft comprising a proximal end, a distal end terminating in a footplate, a substantially flat upper surface extending along the bottom shaft, and a groove characterized by a wider proximal recess and a narrower distal recess comprising an undercut; a top shaft comprising a proximal end, a distal end, a substantially flat bottom surface extending along the top shaft, and a tongue characterized by a crossbar connected to the flat bottom surface by a vertical riser; wherein the flat bottom surface rests on the flat upper surface and the tongue is slidably disposed in the groove so that when the top shaft is moved distally relative to the bottom shaft, the tongue slides from the proximal recess into the distal recess; and further wherein the top shaft comprises a passageway for admitting air into the portion of the proximal recess vacated by the tongue.

Abstract: A rongeur comprising a bottom shaft comprising a proximal end, a distal end terminating in a footplate, a substantially flat upper surface extending along the bottom shaft, and a groove characterized by a wider proximal recess and a narrower distal recess comprising an undercut; a top shaft comprising a proximal end, a distal end, a substantially flat bottom surface extending along the top shaft, and a tongue characterized by a crossbar connected to the flat bottom surface by a vertical riser; wherein the flat bottom surface rests on the flat upper surface and the tongue is slidably disposed in the groove so that when the top shaft is moved distally relative to the bottom shaft, the tongue slides from the proximal recess into the distal recess; and further wherein the top shaft comprises a passageway for admitting air into the portion of the proximal recess vacated by the tongue.

Abstract: A surgical instrument useful as a biopsy tool and other related cutting or manipulating apparatus having two or more complementary mating jaws for securing and cutting the selected tissue, pivoted and operable remote from the operator handle. The surgical instrument includes elements to prevent the relative dislocation, or `racking`, of the cutting elements when the instrument is rotated on an axis perpendicular to the pivot point of the jaws. Further features of the present invention include an asymmetric continuous cutting surface about the major portion of the perimeter of the jaws, and a protruding tip of each of the jaw cutting surfaces, forming an incisor-like cutting region to insure that the sampled tissue is secured within the region of the jaw and cleanly cut free from the surrounding tissue. When fully engaged, the surgical instrument encloses the sample to be removed.