# US 2019/0167283 A1 · Flexible Acl Instrumentation, Kit And Method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0167283 A1 - Document ID: US20190167283A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/269,143 - Filed: 2019-02-06 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2009-08-20 - Assignees: Howmedica Osteonics Corp. - Applicants: Howmedica Osteonics Corp. - Inventors: Mark Steiner; Kyle Craig Pilgeram; Ran Oren; Eran Zakai; Elad Rash - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190167283A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/1764: {for the knee} - A61B 17/1631: {Special drive shafts, e.g. flexible shafts (A61B17/1642, A61B17/164 take precedence)} - A61B 17/1637: {Hollow drills or saws producing a curved cut, e.g. cylindrical (A61B10/025, A61B17/1695 take precedence)} - A61B 17/1675: {for the knee} - A61B 17/1714: {for applying tendons or ligaments (implements for applying tendons or ligaments A61F2/0805)} - A61B 17/1615: {Drill bits, i.e. rotating tools extending from a handpiece to contact the worked material} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract In a first embodiment, the present invention includes an instrumentation system for preparing a bone for soft tissue repair, the instrumentation system including a flexible drill pin capable of bending along a curved path; an aimer capable of engaging the flexible pin to bend the flexible pin; and a flexible reamer having a flexible portion along at least a portion of its length, the flexible portion comprising a plurality of laser cuts. In an alternate embodiment, the present invention may also include a method for preparing a bone tunnel in a femur adjacent a knee joint, the method including introducing a flexible drill pin into the knee joint; guiding the flexible drill pin towards a surface of the femur with an instrument introduced into the knee joint; drilling the flexible drill pin into the femur; removing the instrument from the knee joint; introducing a cannulated flexible reamer into the knee joint by placing the flexible pin within the cannulation of the flexible reamer; and reaming the bone tunnel in the femur along the path of the flexible pin. ## Claims ### Claim 1 (canceled) ### Claim 2 A guide tool comprising: a handle; and a curved guide having a length extending along a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being linear and the second portion extending to a distal end remote from the first portion, the first portion of the curved guide connected to the handle, wherein the second portion has an outer surface including an inside length and an outside length, at least a portion of the inside length defining an inner curve surface, at least a portion of the outside length defining an outer curve surface, wherein the second portion has an annular shape with a first thickness at a first location on the length and a second thickness at a second location on the length, the first thickness and the second thickness measured at the outer surface on the outside length of the second portion, wherein the second location is distal to the first location and the second thickness is greater than the first thickness, and wherein the outer surface on the outside length of the second portion includes a tapered tip at the distal end. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The guide tool of claim 2, wherein the curved guide is hollow. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The guide tool of claim 2, wherein the outside length is longer than the inside length. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The guide tool of claim 3, wherein the second portion of the curved guide includes an open segment adjacent to the distal end that separates a distalmost end of the tapered tip and a fully enclosed cannulated segment of the curved guide. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The guide tool of claim 3, wherein the second portion of the curved guide includes a distal most segment having a generally C-shaped open cross-section. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The guide tool of claim 3, wherein the second portion of the curved guide includes a distal most segment having an opening in a longitudinal direction that is generally C-shaped. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The guide tool of claim 2, further comprising an outrigger connected to one of the handle and the curved guide, the outrigger pivotable about an axis through the curved guide. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The guide tool of claim 8, wherein the outrigger and the curved guide are pivotable together about the axis through the curved guide. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The guide tool of claim 8, wherein the outrigger has a length extending from the connection to one of the handle and the curved guide to a free end, a majority of the length being linear. ### Claim 11 A guide tool comprising: a handle; and a curved guide having a length extending along a first portion and a second portion, the second portion extending to a distal end remote from the first portion and including a curve, wherein the curved guide has a body with a depth measured perpendicularly relative to the length, wherein the curved guide includes a spiked tip at the distal end, and wherein, in a direction along the length of the curved guide and towards the distal end, the depth of the body of the second portion decreases along part of the length to define the spiked tip. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The guide tool of claim 11, wherein, in a direction along the length of the curved guide and towards the distal end, the depth of the body in the second portion increases along a second part of the length towards the spiked tip. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The guide tool of claim 11, wherein the curved guide is hollow. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The guide tool of claim 13, wherein the second portion of the curved guide includes a first segment with an open cross section that is distal to a second segment, the second segment being fully enclosed and cannulated. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The guide tool of claim 13, wherein the second portion of the curved guide includes a distal most segment having an opening in a longitudinal direction that is generally C-shaped. ### Claim 16 A guide tool comprising: a handle; and a cannulated curved guide having a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the cannulated curved guide connected to the handle and having a spiked tip at the distal end, wherein a distal most portion of the cannulated curved guide includes an open cross-section, and wherein the spiked tip forms a part of the open cross-section. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The guide tool of claim 16, further comprising an outrigger connected to one of the handle and the curved guide. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The guide tool of claim 17, wherein the outrigger is pivotable about an axis through a linear portion of the curved guide such that a line of sight provided by the outrigger varies as the outrigger is pivoted. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The guide tool of claim 18, wherein pivoting of the outrigger about the axis through the linear portion occurs commensurate with pivoting of the curved guide. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) A system comprising: the guide tool of claim 16; and a flexible drill pin adapted to pass through an entirety of a cannula of the cannulated curved guide. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The system of claim 20, wherein when the flexible drill pin is passed through the cannula and extends distally therefrom, an outrigger connected to one of the handle and the curved guide is adjustable to operate as a line of sight to locate portions of the flexible drill pin distal to the cannulated curved guide.