Abstract: A saw blade cartridge comprises a saw blade and a cassette. The cassette is disposed over a proximal portion of the saw blade and includes first and second cassette portions opposing each other across the proximal portion. Each portion comprises a shell and a damper. The shells are of a first stiffness and have an outer side. The dampers are of a second stiffness less than the first stiffness and are disposed on an inner side of the shell. The cassette portions are substantially fixed relative to the proximal portion and are substantially aligned with each other. The shells are fixed to each other. The dampers contact the proximal portion. A handpiece coupler for engaging either of the saw blade cartridge or a saw blade includes a release button with a lock button slidably disposed therein to resist unintended opening.

Abstract: A surgical saw blade includes a cutting edge, a proximal portion, and a body portion. The cutting edge has teeth and is substantially formed of a first material having a first thermal conductivity. The proximal portion includes a blade hub. The body portion connects the cutting edge and the proximal portion and includes a thermal transit core formed of a second material having a second thermal conductivity at least twice the first thermal conductivity. The core has a at least two longitudinally extending, core surfaces. The body portion includes at least two longitudinally extending flanking members disposed over the longitu dinally extending core suffaces.