# US 2016/0256174 A1 · Surgical instrument and method

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- Number: US 2016/0256174 A1
- Document ID: US20160256174A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/640,189
- Filed: 2015-03-06
- Published: 2016-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2015-03-06
- Assignees: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
- Applicants: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
- Inventors: Darren Davis; Richard Hynes; Eric Lange; Anthony Melkent; Paul F. Wheeler
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160256174A1

## CPC

- A61B 17/1671: {for the spine}
- A61B 17/1659: {Surgical rasps, files, planes, or scrapers}
- A61B 17/32002: {with continuously rotating, oscillating or reciprocating cutting instruments}
- A61B 17/1644: {using fluid other than turbine drive fluid}
- A61B 2017/00261: {Discectomy}
- A61B 2017/320032: {Details of the rotating or oscillating shaft, e.g. using a flexible shaft}
- A61B 2217/005: with suction drainage system
- A61B 2217/007: with irrigation system
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

A surgical instrument includes a first member defining an axis and including a cutting surface. A second member includes a cutting surface that is rotatable relative to the first member. A third member includes an outer surface. The cutting surface of the second member is rotatable relative to the outer surface to transfer the cut tissue along the axis. Systems and methods are disclosed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A surgical instrument comprising:
a first member defining an axis and including a cutting surface;
a second member including a cutting surface being rotatable relative to the first member; and
a third member including an outer surface defining at least a portion of a passageway configured for disposal of cut tissue,
wherein the cutting surface of the second member is rotatable relative to the third member to transfer the cut tissue along the axis.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A surgical instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein the outer surface includes a helical surface.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A surgical instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein the cutting surface of the second member comprises a helical configuration.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A surgical instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein the third member is fixed with the first member.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A surgical instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein the cutting surface of the second member rotates about the outer surface to transfer the cut tissue in a first direction along the axis.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A surgical instrument as recited in claim 1, further comprising a fluid flow in a first direction along the axis and the cut tissue being transferred in a second direction along the axis.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A surgical instrument as recited in claim 1, further comprising a fluid flow within the first member, the fluid flow providing a bearing between the second member and the third member.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

A surgical instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein the first member comprises a housing and the cutting surface of the first member defines at least two spaced openings of the housing.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

A surgical instrument as recited in claim 8, wherein the housing includes an inner surface that defines a cavity configured for disposal of the second member and the third member.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

A surgical instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein the cutting surface of the second member includes a plurality of spaced cutting flutes.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

A surgical instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein the second member includes an inner surface that defines a cavity configured for disposal of the third member.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

A surgical instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein the third member is cannulated.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

A surgical instrument as recited in claim 1, further comprising a fourth member being connected with the second member and including a cutting surface engageable with the cut tissue.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

A surgical instrument as recited in claim 13, wherein the cutting surface of the fourth member includes at least one arcuate cutting blade.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

A surgical instrument as recited in claim 13, wherein the fourth member is connected with a vacuum source.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

A surgical instrument as recited in claim 13, wherein the fourth member is connected with a fluid flow that communicates with the third member.

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

A surgical instrument as recited in claim 13, wherein the fourth member is rotatable relative to the third member.

### Claim 18

A surgical instrument comprising:
a housing defining a longitudinal axis and including an inner surface that defines a cavity, the housing further including a cutting surface that defines at least two spaced openings; and
an auger comprising a rotatable cutter disposed within the cavity and being rotatable relative to the housing, the rotatable cutter defining an interior cavity, the auger further comprising a stationary member disposed within the interior cavity and being fixed with the housing, the stationary member including a helical outer surface such that the rotatable cutter rotates about the helical outer surface to transfer cut tissue in a first direction along the axis.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

A surgical instrument as recited in claim 18, further comprising a grinder connected with the rotatable cutter and including a cutting surface engageable with the cut tissue.

### Claim 20

A surgical instrument comprising:
a first member defining an axis and including a cutting surface;
a second member being fixed relative to the first member; and
a third member including a cutting surface that is rotatable relative to the second member and an inner surface defining at least a portion of a passageway configured for disposal of cut tissue,
wherein the cutting surface of the third member is rotatable to transfer the cut tissue along the axis.