Cauterizing surgical saw
OwnerLawrence L. Garrisoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A surgical saw and method for cauterizing tissue, especially bone tissue, substantially immediately after the tissue is cut. The saw preferably includes a body portion defining a handle. A saw blade extends from the body portion of the saw and defines a cutting surface. A cauterizing element is fixed for movement with the saw and generally trails the cutting surface of the saw blade when the saw is moved in a cutting direction. The cauterizing element may be disposed on at least a portion of the saw blade. The saw may also comprise a blade guard and a cauterizing element may optionally be disposed on the blade guard. The cauterizing element may be activated simultaneously with activation of the saw blade.
Claims24
A surgical saw, comprising:
- a body portion defining a handle;
- a saw blade coupled to said body portion;
- a motor for imparting motion to said saw blade;
- and
- at least one cauterizing element configured to produce a cauterization area proximate said saw blade, said cauterization area being moveable with said surgical saw.
A method of cauterizing bone tissue, comprising;
- providing a surgical saw;
- providing a cauterizing element moveable with said surgical saw;
- directing said surgical saw so as to cut said bone tissue, said cauterizing element moving with said surgical saw to cauterize said cut portion of said bone tissue.
A stemotomy surgical saw, comprising:
- a body portion defining a handle;
- a saw blade coupled to said body portion, said saw blade comprising a cutting portion having a cutting surface facing a first direction;
- a motor for imparting a cutting motion to said saw blade;
- a cauterizing element fixed for movement with said surgical saw, said cauterizing element generally trailing said saw blade when said surgical saw is moved in said first direction.
A method of cutting and cauterizing a sternum, comprising:
- providing a surgical saw having a saw blade and a motor for imparting a cutting motion to said saw blade;
- directing said surgical saw to cut through said sternum, said cut portions of said sternum forming two opposing surfaces defining a kerf;
- providing a cauterizing element generally fixed for movement with said surgical saw;
- passing said cauterizing element through said kerf thereby cauterizing said opposing surfaces of said sternum.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.