Abstract: A surgical sagittal saw with an indexing head. The saw actuates a blade assembly that includes a bar from which a blade head extends. An oscillating head extends upwardly from the saw head. The oscillating head, in addition is mounted to the saw head to be able to rotate around its longitudinal axis and so that it can move along the saw head. A biasing spring normally holds the oscillating head in a fixed position. When the oscillating head is in the fixed position, the oscillating head holds the blade assembly against a restraining bracket integral with the saw head. Manual force is used to overcome the biasing spring to allow replacement and removal of the blade assembly.

Abstract: A surgical sagittal saw blade with a static blade bar and to which a blade head is mounted. Distal from the proximal end of the blade bar, the sides of the bar taper outwardly. These outer taper sides facilitate the coupling of the blade bar to the complementary saw used to actuate the blade.

Abstract: In a method of assembling a surgical saw blade assembly with an blade bar that contains an oscillating head, the blade bar is formed from opposed plates. One of the plates is punch stamped to define a boss around which blade head pivots. The plates are secured to one another in a series of steps in which spaced apart sections of the plates are welded together.

Abstract: A powered surgical handpiece that actuates a cutting accessory releasably attached to it. A drive shaft is connected to a motor internal to the handpiece that rotates upon actuation of the motor. The drive shaft has a bore for receiving an elongated shaft of the cutting accessory. A collet attached to the drive shaft has feet that releasably engage the cutting accessory shaft. The cutting accessory shaft has longitudinally spaced apart retention features with surfaces against which the collet feet can bear. The drive shaft bore is formed so that each retention feature can be aligned with the collet. This facilitates the selective coupling of the cutting accessory to the handpiece so that the extent to which the distal end of the cutting accessory extends forward of the handpiece can be selectively set.

Abstract: A powered tool for performing surgical procedures. The tool includes a handpiece in which a power generating unit is housed. A control member is mounted to the handpiece. The control member is mounted to the handpiece so that the orientation of the control member can be selectively set relative to the point to which it is mounted to the handpiece and so it can move relative to a reference point on the handpiece. A control module monitors the orientation of the control member and its position relative to the reference point. Based on the control member orientation and position, the control module generates signals to regulate the operation of the power generating unit. When the power generating unit is a motor, the control module generates signals to ensure that the maximum speed at which the motor can be driven is less than the no load speed.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for injecting cement from a cartridge includes a cradle, a cartridge, a button, and a threaded rod. The cradle has an axial cavity extending therethrough for supporting the cartridge of cement. The cartridge dispensing mechanism is coupled to the cradle. The button includes threads and defines an axial bore. The button is moveable into and out of threaded engagement with the threaded rod. The threaded rod extends into the axial cavity of the cradle.

Abstract: A powered tool for performing surgical procedures. The tool includes a handpiece in which a power generating unit is housed. A control member is mounted to the handpiece. The control member is mounted to the handpiece so that the orientation of the control member can be selectively set relative to the point to which it is mounted to the handpiece and so it can move relative to a reference point on the handpiece. A control module monitors the orientation of the control member and its position relative to the reference point. Based on the control member orientation and position, the control module generates signals to regulate the operation of the power generating unit. When the power generating unit is a motor, the control module generates signals to ensure that the maximum speed at which the motor can be driven is less than the no load speed.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for injecting cement from a cartridge includes a cradle, a cartridge, a button, and a threaded rod. The cradle has an axial cavity extending therethrough for supporting the cartridge of cement. The cartridge dispensing mechanism is coupled to the cradle. The button includes threads and defines an axial bore. The button is moveable into and out of threaded engagement with the threaded rod. The threaded rod extends into the axial cavity of the cradle.

Abstract: A powered surgical handpiece that actuates a cutting accessory releasably attached to it. A drive shaft is connected to a motor internal to the handpiece that rotates upon actuation of the motor. The drive shaft has a bore for receiving an elongated shaft of the cutting accessory. A collet attached to the drive shaft has feet that releasably engage the cutting accessory shaft. The cutting accessory shaft has longitudinally spaced apart retention features with surfaces against which the collet feet can bear. The drive shaft bore is formed so that each retention feature can be aligned with the collet. This facilitates the selective coupling of the cutting accessory to the handpiece so that the extent to which the distal end of the cutting accessory extends forward of the handpiece can be selectively set.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for injecting cement from a cartridge includes a cradle, a cartridge, a button, and a threaded rod. The cradle has an axial cavity extending therethrough for supporting the cartridge of cement. The cartridge dispensing mechanism is coupled to the cradle. The button includes threads and defines an axial bore. The button is moveable into and out of threaded engagement with the threaded rod. The threaded rod extends into the axial cavity of the cradle.

Abstract: A cutting accessory (40a) for use with a powered surgical tool. The cutting accessory includes a head (42) with a cutting surface that is applied to a surgical site and a shaft (44a) that extends from the head. A plurality of retention features (530) are formed on the shaft. This makes it possible to longitudinally adjust the position of the cutting accessory relative to the tool with which the accessory is used. The interstitial sections of the shaft located between the retention features have an-asymmetric profile relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. This facilitates the auto-alignment of the cutting accessory to a handpiece when clamping members integral to the handpiece are pressed against the accessory.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for injecting cement from a cartridge includes a cradle, a cartridge, a button, and a threaded rod. The cradle has an axial cavity extending therethrough for supporting the cartridge of cement. The cartridge dispensing mechanism is coupled to the cradle. The button includes threads and defines an axial bore. The button is moveable into and out of threaded engagement with the threaded rod. The threaded rod extends into the axial cavity of the cradle.

Abstract: A cutting accessory (40a) for use with a powered surgical tool. The cutting accessory includes a head (42) with a cutting surface that is applied to a surgical site and a shaft (44a) that extends from the head. A plurality of retention features (530) are formed on the shaft. This makes it possible to longitudinally adjust the position of the cutting accessory relative to the tool with which the accessory is used. The interstitial sections of the shaft located between the retention features have an asymmetric profile relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. This facilitates the auto-alignment of the cutting accessory to a handpiece when clamping members integral to the handpiece are pressed against the accessory.

Abstract: A surgical tool system (20) with replaceable surgical cutting accessories (26) and attachments (34) for holding the tools. This system includes a handpiece (22) to which the cutting accessory and attachment are releasably attached. Collet (50) located inside a drill housing (44) located at one end of the handpiece securely fastens the surgical tool to a motor (24) also located in the handpiece. Leaf spring assembly (46) flush with the drill housing releasably secures the attachment in place. A single actuating collar (52) located around the outside of the drill housing both controls the locking force supplied by the collet and selectively relaxes the leaf spring assembly.

Abstract: A surgical tool system (20) with replaceable surgical cutting accessories (26) and attachments (34) for holding the tools. This system includes a handpiece (22) to which the cutting accessory and attachment are releasably attached. Collet (50) located inside a drill housing (44) located at one end of the handpiece securely fastens the surgical tool to a motor (24) also located in the handpiece. Leaf spring assembly (46) flush with the drill housing releasably secures the attachment in place. A single actuating collar (52) located around the outside of the drill housing both controls the locking force supplied by the collet and selectively relaxes the leaf spring assembly.

Abstract: A surgical tool system (20) with replaceable surgical cutting accessories (26) and attachments (34) for holding the tools. This system includes a handpiece (22) to which the cutting accessory and attachment are releasably attached. Collet (50) located inside a drill housing (44) located at one end of the handpiece securely fastens the surgical tool to a motor (24) also located in the handpiece. Leaf spring assembly (46) flush with the drill housing releasably secures the attachment in place. A single actuating collar (52) located around the outside of the drill housing both controls the locking force supplied by the collet and selectively relaxes the leaf spring assembly.

Abstract: A replaceable rotary patient tissue working tool and a high speed rotational surgical handpiece having a centrifugal chuck for axial push-in chucking and pull-out release of such a tool includes a chuck including a centrifugal locking member with a mass portion located on one side of a rotational axis of a drive shaft. The centrifugal locking member is pivoted on an axis transverse to the drive shaft axis and has a leg extending past said rotational axis. The leg has tool gripping structure on the opposite side of such rotational axis for receiving a tool rear shank rearward axially therepast and for more strongly radially gripping such a tool shank in response to faster rotation of the drive shaft. The invention, in another aspect, includes a tool having an elongate shank, patient tissue working structure at a front end of the shank and mounting structure at the rear end of the shank. The mounting structure includes a radially depressed plateau engageable by such centrifugal locking member.

Abstract: A replaceable rotary patient tissue working tool and a high speed rotational surgical handpiece having a centrifugal chuck for axial push-in chucking and pull-centrifugal locking member having a mass portion located on one side of a rotational axis of a drive shaft. The centrifugal locking member is pivoted on an axis transverse to the drive shaft axis and has a leg extending past said rotational axis. The leg has tool gripping structure on the opposite side of such rotational axis for receiving a tool rear shank rearward axially therepast and for more strongly radially gripping such a tool shank in response to faster rotation of the drive shaft. The invention, in another aspect, includes a tool having an elongate shank, patient tissue working structure at a front end of the shank and mounting structure at the rear end of the shank. The mounting structure includes a radially depressed plateau engageable by such centrifugal locking member.

Abstract: A replaceable rotary patient tissue working tool and a high speed rotational surgical handpiece having a centrifugal chuck for axial push-in chucking and pull-out release of such a tool includes a chuck including a centrifugal locking member with a mass portion located on one side of a rotational axis of a drive shaft. The working tool includes an elongate shank, patient tissue working structure at a front end of the shank and mounting structure at the rear end of the shank. The mounting structure includes several plateaus and a ramped hill. One radially depressed plateau is engageable by the centrifugal locking member.