Surgical instrument and attachment

A drive unit for use with a rotary-type surgical instrument, the drive unit comprising:

• a first interface for connecting to a power source;
• a second interface for connecting to a surgical tool;
• a motor connected to the first and second interfaces;
• and
• means for making the drive unit disposable.

A surgical instrument for the dissection of bone and other tissue, the surgical instrument comprising:

• a rotary cutting member;
• a motor assembly for driving the rotary cutting member including a collet assembly for receiving the rotary cutting member;
• and
• an attachment including a hollow main body portion circumferentially surrounding a substantial portion of the rotary cutting member, a tubular sleeve disposed in the main body portion and a pair of bearings disposed in the tubular sleeve, the pair of bearings rotatably supporting the rotary cutting member, the main body portion releasably attached to the motor assembly.

A pneumatic drive unit for use with a surgical instrument, comprising:

• a rotor positioned around a rotational axis of the drive unit;
• and
• a vane housing surrounding the rotor and having an elongated slot extending in a direction of the rotational axis at a radial distance from the axis;
• wherein the slot is for directing a fluid towards the rotor for turning the rotor about the rotational axis.

A pneumatic drive unit for use with a surgical instrument, comprising:

• a motor;
• and
• a housing surrounding the motor, the housing including a plurality of ridges;
• wherein the housing is operable for receiving a fluid and directing a first portion of the fluid to the motor, and at least temporarily sustaining a second portion of the fluid between the plurality of ridges.

A drive unit for use with a surgical instrument, comprising:

• a motor;
• and
• a first housing surrounding the motor, the first housing being made of a first material;
• a second housing surrounding the first housing being made of a second material.

A single-use coupling for connecting a fluid hose with a surgical instrument having a pneumatically powered motor, the single-use coupling comprising:

• a first portion interconnected to the pneumatically powered motor;
• and
• a second portion interconnected to the fluid hose;
• wherein the first and second portions are selectively couple-able to define a fluid path between the pneumatically powered motor and the fluid hose;
• and
• wherein one of the first and second portions includes at least one retainer for securing the first portion to the second portion when coupled, and the other of the first and second portions includes a cutting member for destruction of the at least one retainer upon decoupling of the first and second portions.

A kit for a surgical procedure, the kit comprising:

• a motor for coupling to a source of power;
• at least one dissection tool to be driven by the motor unit;
• and
• a sealed package enveloping the motor and the at least one dissection tool;
• wherein the sealed package maintains sterility of the motor and the at least one dissection tool prior to the surgical procedure.

A kit for a surgical procedure, the kit comprising:

• an attachment for coupling to a motor;
• a dissection tool to be driven by the motor unit and positioned inside the attachment;
• and
• a sealed package enveloping the attachment and the dissection tool;
• wherein the sealed package maintains sterility of the attachment and the dissection tool prior to the surgical procedure.

A method of using a surgical instrument having a rotary cutting member driven by a motor assembly to dissect bone or other tissue, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a pre-sterilized attachment for circumferentially surrounding a substantial length of the rotary cutting member;
• intra-operatively removing the attachment from a sealed package;
• removably attaching the attachment to the motor assembly such that the attachment circumferentially surrounds a substantial length of the rotary cutting member;
• using the surgical instrument to dissect bone or other tissue;
• removing the attachment from the motor portion;
• and
• discarding the attachment.

A method of using a surgical instrument, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a pre-sterilized drive unit for providing a rotational force to a dissection tool;
• intra-operatively removing the attachment from a sealed package;
• attaching the drive unit so the dissection tool to construct the surgical instrument;
• using the surgical instrument to dissect bone or other tissue;
• and
• discarding the drive unit.

A method of providing a surgical instrument, the method comprising the steps of:

• manufacturing a disposable motor for use with the surgical instrument;
• providing the disposable motor to an end user for performing a surgical operation;
• and
• receiving the disposable motor from the end user upon completion of the surgical operation.