Safety knife for resection of annulus
OwnerJohn Nordtinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cutting instrument for use in the complete removal of the annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc. The instrument contains a curvature in the shaft that forms a guide which rests upon an intervertebral disc and guides the cutting head around the circumference of the intervertebral disc. The curvature of the shaft of the instrument conforms to the circumference of the intervertebral disc and prevents vessels and extra spinal tissue surrounding the intervertebral disc from being damaged particularly when cutting the posterior portion of the intervertebral disc where visibility is minimal. The cutting instruments contain blunt blade guards further minimizing any potential damage to tissue surrounding the intervertebral disc.
Claims33
A cutting instrument useful in removing the annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc wherein the instrument comprises:
- (a) a cutting head, wherein the cutting head comprises at least two blunt blade guards and at least one blade, said blunt blade guards surrounding said at least one blade with at least one superior blunt blade guard and at least one inferior blunt blade guard;
- and
- (b) a shaft, wherein the shaft contains a curvature, said shaft connecting to said cutting head, said curvature forming a guide which rests upon an intervertebral disc and guides said cutting head around a circumference of said intervertebral disc.
A cutting instrument comprising:
- (a) a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;
- and
- (b) a cutting head attached to the distal end of the shaft, said cutting head formed from at least two blunt blade guards and at least one blade, wherein said shaft is curved so that said cutting head closely conforms to a circumference of a portion of an intervertebral disc.
A safety knife useful for safely removing an annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc comprising:
- a cutting head, wherein said cutting head contains at least two blunt blade guards and at least one blade;
- and
- a shaft, wherein said shaft contains a curvature to closely conform a circumference of an intervertebral disc.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.