Abstract: A two stage releasing interlocking system for mounting a medical device tool which includes a jaw head having an aperture. A collet having an upper portion and a lower portion is rotatably mounted within the jaw head. The upper portion of the collet has an aperture and is substantially aligned with the aperture of the jaw head. A moving means moves the lower portion of the collet into an opened position and a closed position with respect to the upper portion of the collet. Actuating means prevents the moving means from moving the lower portion of the collet into the opened position when the actuating means is in a first position and permits the moving means to move the lower portion of the collet into the opened position when the actuating means is in a second position.

Abstract: An ablation and cutting catheter (10), which may be used for angioplasty, includes a rotary shaft (20) adapted to be driven by a rotary motor (22). The shaft (20) is free for rotation and for some axial motion. The shaft (20) is coupled to a rotational-to-axial motion converter (FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c; 3a, 3b, 3c) which is affixed to the shaft. The converter moves axially in response to rotation of the shaft, and also rotates. The axial motion is converted into acoustic energy for ablation, and the rotation can be used with a cutting tool for cutting. A guide-wire lumen exteds through the shaft and the cutter/acoustic applicator head, for accepting a guide-wire for guiding the catheter.

Abstract: A powered surgical tool includes a battery-operated motor that has an eccentrically mounted drive wheel for engaging a longitudinally movable drive wire that operates to incrementally rotate a ratchet wheel. A work wheel in the form of a cutting blade or a grinding wheel is mounted for rotational movement with the ratchet wheel at the distal end of the surgical tool. In another version, the cutting blade has a periphery of cutting teeth, which are driven directly by the longitudinally movable drive wire. A grinding wheel version discloses two grinding wheels that are incrementally driven in opposite angular directions by a pair of longitudinally movable drive wires.

Abstract: A method of and instrumentation for implanting a spherical prosthesis in a joint between a first bone and a second bone. The method includes the steps of exposing a joint between a first bone and a second bone; forming a semispherical cavity in the proximal surface of the first bone; forming a semispherical cavity in the distal surface of the second bone; and inserting a spherical prosthesis into the semispherical cavities in the proximal surface of the first bone and in the distal surface of the second bone.

Abstract: A counter-balanced oscillating surgical saw for use in surgical procedures is described which greatly reduces the vibrations caused when the saw blades contact the patient's anatomy. The reduction of vibration is achieved by the present saw which uses two oscillating blades to counter the kinetic energy typically lost when only one blade is used. The preferred embodiment of the present invention includes at least two cutting blades mounted on at least two actuator blocks. The actuator blocks are preferably mounted on at least two shafts which extend from the top of the saw handle: a pivot shaft and a rotatable shaft which is rotated by an electric motor. At least two eccentric bearings are mounted to the rotatable shaft (one bearing for each actuator block) such that the bearings orbit about the rotatable shaft 180.degree. out-of-phase with respect to one another.

Abstract: A wrenchless collet for attaching a surgical saw blade to an oscillating handpiece. The collet is provided within a housing attached to the handpiece and contains a clamping means for holding the blade and a bi-stable operating mechanism capable of holding the clamping means in either an open position to receive the blade or in a closed position to hold the blade for use with the handpiece. The bi-stable operating mechanism is activated into either position by simply being pushed in one direction or another. In one embodiment, the bi-stable operating mechanism comprises a shaft which may be positioned to one axial extreme or the other and which is held in the chosen position by a spring which frictionally engages the collet housing to maintain the clamping means in either an open or closed position.

Abstract: A saw blade has two portions that are adjustable relative to one another in order to vary the overall length of the saw blade. A hub portion includes a hub adapted to engage a saw. Opposite the hub is an engagement end. A blade portion carries cutting teeth. Opposite the teeth is an engagement end. The engagement end of the blade portion engages the engagement end of the hub portion. The engagement ends carry a releasable lock to hold them in engagement to form a saw blade of a particular length. To change the saw blade length, the lock is released, the engagement ends moved relative to one another, and the lock reengaged. A locking sleeve can be slid to enclose the engagement portions to more securely hold them in engagement.

Abstract: A wrenchless collet for attaching a surgical saw blade to an oscillating handpiece. The collet is provided within a housing attached to the handpiece and contains a clamping means for holding the blade and a bi-stable operating mechanism capable of holding the clamping means in either an open position to receive the blade or in a closed position to hold the blade for use with the handpiece. The bi-stable operating mechanism is activated into either position by simply being pushed in one direction or another. In one embodiment, the bi-stable operating mechanism comprises a shaft which may be positioned to one axial extreme or the other and which is held in the chosen position by a spring which frictionally engages the collet housing to maintain the clamping means in either an open or closed position.

Abstract: A powered medical handpiece including an oscillatingly driveable chuck, and a blade fixable on the chuck and oscillating driveable thereby at a small amplitude for cutting. The chuck comprises a platform, a holddown screw having an enlarged head surrounded by a frictionally engaged cup washer and a shank structure threaded down into a central portion of the platform. A set screw limits the extent of unthreading of the screw from the platform. The blade is plate-like and has a forward cutting portion and a rearward mounting portion. The rearward mounting portion comprises a key hole having locking structure at the small diameter end thereof for resisting unthreading of the screw from a tightened position clamping the blade atop the platform. The blade further has drive openings flanking the narrow portion of the key hole for receiving upstanding drive pins and guide pins fixed on the platform.

Abstract: A surgical saw blade for removable mounting in clamps having rectangular lugs and in clamps having circular pins, by way of closed slots having semi-circular distal ends, and arranged to have the respective centers of the semi-circular ends about a pattern radius. Each slot has a side face forming an included angle with a radial line from the hub center to the center of the slot semi-circular end. The included angle is alternating in rotational direction or, with a common offset about the pattern radius of the semi-circular ends, is in an identical direction for each slot.

Abstract: Rotary oscillatory coupling includes a pair of opposed hubs which are independently rotatable about a common axis. Pairs of permanent magnets are provided in the opposed faces of the hubs. The proximal hub is continuously rotated in a selected rotational direction by a suitable motor. During a portion of the proximal hub's rotation, the distal hub will concurrently be rotated by virtue of the magnetic field interaction that occurs between the magnet pairs. The distal hub is, however, prevented from rotating a complete cycle by virtue of a mechanical stop. Upon encountering the mechanical stop, the rotation direction of the distal hub will be reverse to that of the continuously rotating proximal hub. When the magnets of the proximal and distal hubs again are in proximity to one another, the distal hub will then experience another reversal of rotation direction so that it rotates in the same direction as the proximal hub.

Abstract: An acoustic catheter (10) has a shaft (18) driven by a rotary motor (60). The shaft drives a rotary-to-axial motion converter (30) near the distal end (14) of the catheter. The converter (30) includes a rotary driver (42) with a wavy or sinusoidal bearing surface (36) facing a similarly wavy face (38) of a follower element (44). As the rotary driver (42) rotates, the follower (44) moves axially with a reciprocating motion. High rotational speeds are required to achieve high acoustic frequencies. The high speeds and high acceleration rate of the follower result in frictional forces which cause undesired heating. The heating effects are reduced by a magnetic bearing arrangement associated with the mating bearing surfaces of the rotary driver and follower, which tends to keep them slightly separated, and thereby reduce friction. Other embodiments use magnets to restore the follower to its proximal position following each excursion, and use magnetic thrust bearings for the rotary driver.

Abstract: A powered bone cutting saw is used from within the intramedullary canal of a bone. A cutting blade is inserted through a bored intramedullary canal to a predetermined cutting depth. A motor is coupled to the cutting blade to rotate the cutting blade. The blade is extended to a cutting position and operated by a surgeon to cut the bone radially from the inside outwardly, transversely, to the intramedullary canal. Gearing selectable by the surgeon permits the blade to oscillate. The motor can also be coupled to a reamer tip for boring the intramedullary canal. The apparatus, including the reamer tip, can be cannulated to accept a guide wire.

Abstract: The surgical saw blade and hub of this invention includes a saw blade and instrument hub which connect the saw blade to the instrument such that no portion of the instrument extends beyond the blade. The blade includes a washer having a plurality of radially extending slots in communication with the central bore of the washer. Alternating slots of the washer are truncated or otherwise do not fully extend through the washer. The truncated slots form shoulders or lans within the washer. The center opening of the washer is in alignment with a base opening in the blade and accommodates a hub from the powered instrument. The hub of the powered instrument includes a plurality of radial fins extending outwardly therefrom. The fins abut against the shoulders of the washer to lock the blade to the hub. A helical spring is provided to maintain pressure against the blade and thereby retain the blade and hub in a locked configuration.

Abstract: A bone plug cutting blade for a peripheral drive oscillating surgical saw. The blade has a split stem so that it can be placed around a tendon attached to the bone before being inserted into the saw's blade holder.

Abstract: A powered medical handpiece including an oscillatingly driveable chuck, and a blade fixable on the chuck and oscillating driveable thereby at a small amplitude for cutting. The chuck comprises a platform, a holddown screw having an enlarged head surrounded by a frictionally engaged cup washer and a shank structure threaded down into a central portion of the platform. A set screw limits the extent of unthreading of the screw from the platform. The blade is plate-like and has a forward cutting portion and a rearward mounting portion. The rearward mounting portion comprises a key hole having locking structure at the small diameter end thereof for resisting unthreading of the screw from a tightened position clamping the blade atop the platform. The blade further has drive openings flanking the narrow portion of the key hole for receiving upstanding drive pins and guide pins fixed on the platform.

Abstract: A blade for a surgical saw has an elongate body with distal and proximal ends, and a plurality of teeth formed on an outwardly facing edge surface of the distal end. The spaces between adjacent teeth are defined by surfaces which lie in planes which are non-perpendicular to the substantially flat surfaces which define the body of the blade. These non-perpendicular surfaces guide cuttings generated by the teeth laterally toward the flat surfaces of the blade and outwardly toward the proximal end of the blade as the blade advances in a cut. Each of the teeth formed on the edge of the blade has a pointed form. Approximately half of the teeth lie in a row in which the respective points lie in a first cutting plane which extends in parallel with, and lies adjacent a first side of, a plane which extends longitudinally through the center of the blade body.

Abstract: Apparatus and method is provided for shaping bone, in which, individually or together, a gaseous fluid such as air is delivered along the shaping member to impinge upon aerosols created by the shaping of the bone and to deliver the aerosols back toward the bone away from an operator, and a cooling liquid is delivered along the shaping member, in order to cool the shaping member where it contacts the bone. Preferably, the gaseous fluid is air and it is delivered through a manifold carried by the shaping member, forming an air curtain. Preferably, the cooling liquid is at least partially water, with or without a curative substance carried therein, with the liquid preferably being delivered through the shaping member and opening in a direction toward the shaped bone. Where the shaping member is a saw, the liquid may be delivered through the interior of the saw, for discharge through at least one narrow side thereof. Alternatively, the cooling liquid may be delivered externally of the saw.

Abstract: Apparatus and method is provided for shaping bone, in which a cooling, lubricating and/or curative fluid is delivered by means of the shaping member, in order to cool or lubricate the shaping member where it contacts the bone and/or to provide a curative fluid to the shaped surface of the bone. Preferably, the cooling fluid is at least partially water, with or without a curative substance carried therein, with the liquid being delivered at the shaping end of the member, in a direction toward the shaped bone. The fluid may be provided through the interior of the shaping member to at least one relatively narrow opening located at the shaping end of the member, or may be provided by at least one exterior channel that runs along at least one wide side of the shaping member. Optionally, cooling liquid may also be delivered through the interior of the shaping member for discharge through at least one narrow side thereof.

Abstract: A cutting saw blade for use with an oscillatory power tool used in surgical bone cutting procedures including a blade having a distal end provided with teeth whose tips are oriented in a substantially linear row so that the terminus of all teeth lie in a solitary plane. Other tooth profiles assist in the cutting phenomena. The cutting blade has several spaced-apart pairs of notches disposed in the blade edges. Each pair of notches is adapted to cooperate with a pair of pins disposed on the oscillatory power tool to firmly retain the cutting blade to the saw. By providing the cutting blade with several sets of notches, the cutting blade is adjustable, in that it can be retained within the oscillatory power tool at different lengths. It has been found that such an adjustable cutting blade, having teeth oriented in a solitary plane, does not lose efficiency as the length of the blade is changed.

Abstract: A surgical saw blade comprises a cutting edge, blade body and hub for connecting the blade body to a handpiece. The cutting edge comprises two rows of cutting teeth. Each tooth has a face and an opposing hollow trough at the base thereof, the distal end of the trough terminating at beveled sides. The beveled sides and face opposing the hollow trough terminate at a cutting point. The hollow trough and cutting point combine to provide a straight, fast and accurate cut with no cutting debris build up. The dispersion of cutting debris dramatically reduces the danger of thermal necrosis, produces a cooler cut and extends the saw blade life.

Abstract: A power transmission device for converting rotational movement of a rotation shaft having a rotation shaft axis and a top end, into oscillatory movement having a primary component of movement in a direction perpendicular to the rotation shaft axis in a plane parallel to or containing the rotation shaft axis, includes a recessed portion formed in the top end of the rotation shaft, a bearing with an outer race rockably mounted in the recessed portion, an inner race positioned within the outer race, and balls positioned between the outer race and the inner race for permitting relative rotation between the outer race and the inner race, an extending link having a first end fit in the inner race such that rotation of the rotating shaft causes rotation of the outer race therewith about the inner race, the link also having a second, opposite end, a rotary plate, a pin for connecting the rotary plate to the second end of the extending link, the pin having a central axis, and a supporting mechanism for providing that

Abstract: A circularly oscillating saw, used mainly in the surgical field which, while having minimal dimensions, must have a high cutting capacity with an atraumatic cool cut, without running hot itself. The saw provides a direct connection of the saw blade with an eccentric and a suitable bearing approximately in the center between the saw blade tip and the eccentric, which provides a circularly oscillating cutting. The saw allows a cut to take place not only in parallel to the saw blade but in all directions of a plane. In addition, contamination of a wound by lubricants and bearing debris is prevented because of the excellent transport of chips and coolant. Also, the saw is to easily cleaned, sterilized and repaired while the manufacturing of this precision instrument is efficient. An internal cooling protects from the saw running-hot and ensures an optimal coolant supply. Drive-side and output-side sealing devices achieve a hermetic sealing-off of the saw mechanism.

Abstract: A surgical saw having a base blade portion, a plurality of staggered teeth and an intermediate blade portion, the thickness of which is less than the thickness of the base blade portion. The thickness of the intermediate blade portion is sufficiently less than the thickness of the base blade portion to permit passage of bone cuttings and other material away from the staggered teeth during operation of the surgical saw.

Abstract: A laser lithotriptor includes a laser adapted to emit pulsed light which is absorbed by water in the vicinity of a human stone or concrement to cause rapid erosion of the stone. A light transmitting device such as a fibreoptic cable is employed inside of an endoscope to direct the laser pulses to the vicinity of the stones. An irrigation apparatus also ensures that the tip of the light transmitting device and the stone are continuously immersed in water and also serves to remove the powder-like debris of the disintegrated stone from the body. Preferably, a NdYAG laser operating at 1.44 .mu.m which emits 27 pulses per second is coupled to the body stone through an anhydrous quartz fibreoptic cable passing through the interior of an endoscope.

Abstract: The surgical saw blade includes a main body portion and a cover portion joined to provide an enclosed manifold space. Irrigation channels extend from the manifold space to saw teeth provided on the saw blade. In one embodiment of the invention the saw teeth are provided at an end portion of the saw blade. In another embodiment of the invention the irrigation channels extend toward saw teeth provided along the longitudinal side edge of the saw blade. In either embodiment of the invention the irrigation channels commonly communicate with the fluid manifold and are uniformly distributed among the cutting teeth to provide a uniform distribution of fluid during a cutting action. Depending upon the positioning of the saw teeth on the blade and the movement provided to the blade, one embodiment of the saw blade can be used for oscillatory cutting action and another embodiment of the saw blade can be used for reciprocating cutting action.

Abstract: A power saw for cutting the bone plug portions of a tendon graft which is to be transplanted. The saw blade is a circular ring of teeth which is oscillated about the circle center by a peripheral drive, thereby enabling circular bone plugs to be cut and eliminating the need to manually trim the bone plugs to an approximately circular cross section.

Abstract: A biradial saw including a biradial saw blade having an elongate, arcuate body with a cutting end that is constructed to penetrate a solid substance. The blade's body is formed with inner and outer arcuate surfaces whose curvature radii are substantially equal but oriented relative to offset axes of curvature. Also included is a means for producing oscillating motion, and a means for attaching the blade's rear end to the oscillating-motion-producing means.

Abstract: A high speed short stroke saw for cutting plaster casts, bone and the like, is constructed to operate with minimal noise from the mechanism. The motor driven rotary shaft and the oscillating saw blade shaft are mounted in bearing support structures in a casing. The rotary motion of the motor shaft is translated to the oscillating motor of the saw blade by a bearing mounted cam that fits within a drive rod and receives the motor shaft. The drive rod is connected to a bearing mounted crank which receives the saw blade shaft. This entire mechanism is sealed in oil.