US20020193799A1 — Surgical instrumentation and method for forming a…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 89 words

1 . A surgical instrument, comprising: an elongate member extending along an axis; and at least one cutting element engaged with said elongate member and being transitionable between a retracted configuration for extending through a first portion of a passage in bone and an expanded configuration for forming a second portion of the passage having an enlarged cross-section; and wherein axial displacement of said at least one cutting element relative to said elongate member causes said at least one cutting element to transition between said retracted and expanded configurations.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 89 words

1 . A surgical instrument, comprising: an elongate member extending along an axis; and at least one cutting element engaged with said elongate member and being transitionable between a retracted configuration for extending through a first portion of a passage in bone and an expanded configuration for forming a second portion of the passage having an enlarged cross-section; and wherein axial displacement of said at least one cutting element relative to said elongate member causes said at least one cutting element to transition between said retracted and expanded configurations.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 54 words

2 . The instrument of claim 1 , wherein said elongate member and said cutting element define bearing surfaces slidably engaging one another during said axial displacement, at least one of said bearing surfaces including a ramped section configured to transition said cutting element between said retracted and expanded configurations during said axial displacement.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 52 words

3 . The instrument of claim 1 , wherein said elongate member defines an axial channel including a ramped section, said at least one cutting element being at least partially disposed within said channel and slidably displaced along said ramped section to transition said cutting element between said retracted and expanded configurations.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 62 words

4 . The instrument of claim 3 , further comprising an actuator mechanism engaged with said elongate member and coupled to said at least one cutting element, wherein axial displacement of said actuator mechanism relative to said elongate member slidably displaces said cutting element along said ramped section of said channel to transition said cutting element between said retracted and expanded configurations.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 55 words

5 . The instrument of claim 4 , wherein said actuator mechanism comprises a collet slidably engaged about said elongate member wherein axial displacement of said collet relative to said elongate member slidably displaces said cutting element along said ramped section of said channel to transition said cutting element between said retracted and expanded configurations.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 77 words

6 . The instrument of claim 1 , wherein said elongate member comprises a sleeve, said at least one cutting element being outwardly biased toward said expanded configuration and being at least partially disposed within said sleeve to selectively maintain said at least one cutting element in said retracted configuration, said at least one cutting element being transitionable between said retracted and expanded configurations by axially displacing said at least one cutting element relative to said sleeve.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 49 words

7 . The instrument of claim 6 , further comprising an actuator mechanism including a shaft disposed within said sleeve and coupled to said cutting element, wherein axial displacement of said shaft relative to said sleeve transitions said at least one cutting element between said retracted and expanded configurations.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 42 words

8 . The instrument of claim 6 , wherein said at least one cutting element is pivotally coupled to said shaft and is aligned in an axial orientation when in said retracted configuration and in angular orientation when in said expanded configuration.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 30 words

9 . The instrument of claim 1 , wherein a portion of said elongate member defines a tapping thread configured to cut threads along the first portion of the passage.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 70 words

10 . A surgical instrument, comprising: an elongate member; a first cutting element disposed along said elongate member for forming a first portion of a passage in bone; and a second cutting element disposed along said elongate member and being transitionable between a retracted configuration for extending through the first portion of the passage and an expanded configuration for forming a second portion of the passage having an enlarged cross-section.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 70 words

10 . A surgical instrument, comprising: an elongate member; a first cutting element disposed along said elongate member for forming a first portion of a passage in bone; and a second cutting element disposed along said elongate member and being transitionable between a retracted configuration for extending through the first portion of the passage and an expanded configuration for forming a second portion of the passage having an enlarged cross-section.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 17 words

11 . The instrument of claim 10 , wherein said first cutting element comprises a tapping thread.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 17 words

12 . The instrument of claim 10 , wherein said first cutting element comprises a drill flute.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 22 words

13 . The instrument of claim 10 , wherein said first cutting element comprises a distal end portion of said elongate member.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 24 words

14 . The instrument of claim 13 , wherein said distal end portion of said elongate member is configured to be self-drilling and self-tapping.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 29 words

15 . The instrument of claim 10 , wherein said second cutting element comprises a cutting blade extending laterally from said elongate member when transitioned toward said expanded configuration.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 67 words

16 . The instrument of claim 15 , wherein said elongate member defines a channel extending along an axis with said cutting blade being at least partially disposed within said channel, at least one of said channel and said cutting blade including a ramped section configured to transition said cutting blade between said retracted and expanded configurations when said cutting blade is axially displaced along said channel.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 55 words

17 . The instrument of claim 16 , further comprising an actuator mechanism engaged with said elongate member and coupled to said cutting blade, wherein axial displacement of said actuator mechanism relative to said elongate member axially displaces said cutting blade along said channel to transition said cutting blade between said retracted and expanded configurations.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 27 words

18 . The instrument of claim 10 , wherein said first cutting element comprises a tapping thread and wherein said second cutting element comprising a cutting blade.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 27 words

19 . The instrument of claim 18 , wherein said cutting blade includes a cutting edge having a profile corresponding to a profile of said tapping thread.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 68 words

20 . A surgical instrument, comprising: an elongate member; a tapping thread defined along a portion of said elongate member for forming a threaded portion of a passage in bone; and a cutting blade engaged with said elongate member and being transitionable between a retracted configuration for extending through the threaded portion of the passage and an expanded configuration for forming an enlarged cross-sectional portion of the passage.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 68 words

20 . A surgical instrument, comprising: an elongate member; a tapping thread defined along a portion of said elongate member for forming a threaded portion of a passage in bone; and a cutting blade engaged with said elongate member and being transitionable between a retracted configuration for extending through the threaded portion of the passage and an expanded configuration for forming an enlarged cross-sectional portion of the passage.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 49 words

21 . The instrument of claim 20 , wherein said elongate member defines an axial channel including a ramped section, said cutting blade being at least partially disposed within said channel and slidably displaceable along said ramped section to transition said cutting blade between said retracted and expanded configurations.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 65 words

22 . The instrument of claim 21 , further comprising a collet engaged with said comprises a collet slidably engaged about said elongate member and coupled to said cutting blade so that axial displacement of said collet relative to said elongate member slidably displaces said cutting blade along said ramped section of said channel to transition said cutting blade between said retracted and expanded configurations.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 27 words

23 . The instrument of claim 20 , wherein said cutting blade includes a cutting edge having a profile corresponding to a profile of said tapping thread.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 62 words

24 . A surgical instrument, comprising: means for tapping threads along a portion of a passage in bone; means for forming an enlarged cross-sectional portion of the passage; and means for transitioning said means for forming between a retracted configuration for extending through the threaded portion of the passage and an expanded configuration for forming the enlarged cross-sectional portion of the passage.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 62 words

24 . A surgical instrument, comprising: means for tapping threads along a portion of a passage in bone; means for forming an enlarged cross-sectional portion of the passage; and means for transitioning said means for forming between a retracted configuration for extending through the threaded portion of the passage and an expanded configuration for forming the enlarged cross-sectional portion of the passage.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 48 words

25 . A surgical instrument, comprising: an elongate member extending along an axis and including an expandable portion having at least one cutting element transitionable between an axial orientation for forming an axial passage in bone and an angular orientation for enlarging a portion of the axial passage.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 48 words

25 . A surgical instrument, comprising: an elongate member extending along an axis and including an expandable portion having at least one cutting element transitionable between an axial orientation for forming an axial passage in bone and an angular orientation for enlarging a portion of the axial passage.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 22 words

26 . The instrument of claim 25 , wherein said at least one cutting element is pivotally coupled to said elongate member.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 27 words

27 . The instrument of claim 26 , wherein said at least one cutting element is pivotally coupled to a distal end portion of said elongate member.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 34 words

28 . The instrument of claim 25 , wherein said at least one cutting element is outwardly biased toward said angular orientation and is initially maintained in said axial orientation by a retention element.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 69 words

29 . The instrument of claim 28 , wherein said retention element is a sleeve, said at least one cutting element being at least partially disposed within said sleeve to selectively maintain said at least one cutting element in said axial orientation, said at least one cutting element being transitionable between said retracted and expanded configurations by axially displacing said at least one cutting element relative to said sleeve.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 52 words

30 . The instrument of claim 29 , further comprising an actuator mechanism including a shaft disposed within said sleeve and coupled to said at least one cutting element, wherein axial displacement of said shaft relative to said sleeve transitions said at least one cutting element between said axial and angular configurations.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 21 words

31 . The instrument of claim 30 , wherein said at least one cutting element is pivotally coupled to said shaft.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 39 words

32 . The instrument of claim 25 , wherein the axial passage is formed by applying an axial force to said elongate member; and wherein the axial passage is enlarged by applying a rotational force to said elongate member.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 31 words

33 . The instrument of claim 32 , further comprising a handle coupled to said elongate member, said handle configured to transmit said axial and rotational forces to said elongate member.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 27 words

34 . The instrument of claim 25 , further comprising a retention element configured to selectively maintain said at least one cutting element in said axial orientation.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 83 words

35 . A surgical instrument, comprising: an elongate member; and at least one cutting element engaged with said elongate member and being transitionable between a retracted configuration for extending through a passage in bone and an expanded configuration for enlarging a portion of the passage, said at least one cutting element being outwardly biased toward said expanded configuration; and a retention element interacting with said at least one cutting element to selectively maintain said at least one cutting element in said retracted configuration.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 83 words

35 . A surgical instrument, comprising: an elongate member; and at least one cutting element engaged with said elongate member and being transitionable between a retracted configuration for extending through a passage in bone and an expanded configuration for enlarging a portion of the passage, said at least one cutting element being outwardly biased toward said expanded configuration; and a retention element interacting with said at least one cutting element to selectively maintain said at least one cutting element in said retracted configuration.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 42 words

36 . The instrument of claim 35 , wherein said retention element comprises a sleeve, said at least one cutting element being at least partially disposed within said sleeve to selectively maintain said at least one cutting element in said retracted configuration.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 52 words

37 . The instrument of claim 36 , further comprising an actuator mechanism including a shaft disposed within said sleeve and coupled to said at least one cutting element, wherein axial displacement of said shaft relative to said sleeve transitions said at least one cutting element between said retracted and expanded configurations.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 21 words

38 . The instrument of claim 37 , wherein said at least one cutting element is pivotally coupled to said shaft.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 22 words

39 . The instrument of claim 35 , wherein said at least one cutting element is pivotally coupled to said elongate member.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 22 words

40 . The instrument of claim 39 , further comprising a pair of said cutting elements pivotally coupled to said elongate member.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 26 words

41 . The instrument of claim 35 , wherein said at least one cutting element is coupled to a distal end portion of said elongate member.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 36 words

42 . The instrument of claim 35 , wherein said at least one cutting element is arranged in an axial orientation when is said retracted configuration and in an angular orientation when in said expanded configuration.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 39 words

43 . The instrument of claim 35 , wherein the axial passage is formed by applying an axial force to said elongate member; and wherein the axial passage is enlarged by applying a rotational force to said elongate member.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 31 words

44 . The instrument of claim 43 , further comprising a handle coupled to said elongate member, said handle configured to transmit said axial and rotational forces to said elongate member.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 87 words

45 . A surgical method, comprising: providing a surgical instrument including an elongate member and at least one cutting element engaged with the elongate member and being transitionable between a retracted configuration and an expanded configuration; forming a passage in bone; displacing the cutting element along the passage while in the retracted configuration; transitioning the cutting element to the expanded configuration and forming an enlarged cross-section portion of the passage; and transitioning the cutting element to the retracted configuration and removing the surgical instrument from the passage.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 87 words

45 . A surgical method, comprising: providing a surgical instrument including an elongate member and at least one cutting element engaged with the elongate member and being transitionable between a retracted configuration and an expanded configuration; forming a passage in bone; displacing the cutting element along the passage while in the retracted configuration; transitioning the cutting element to the expanded configuration and forming an enlarged cross-section portion of the passage; and transitioning the cutting element to the retracted configuration and removing the surgical instrument from the passage.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 37 words

46 . The method of claim 45 , further comprising: providing a bone anchor; inserting the bone anchor into the passage; and at least partially filling the enlarged cross-section portion of the passage with an anchoring material.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 72 words

47 . The method of claim 46 , wherein the bone anchor includes an axial opening extending at least partially therethrough and a least one fenestration opening communicating with the axial opening; and wherein the inserting comprises positioning the at least one fenestration opening adjacent the enlarged cross-sectional portion of the passage; and wherein the filling comprises injecting the material through the axial passage and out the at least one fenestration opening.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 15 words

48 . The method of claim 47 , wherein the anchoring material comprises bone cement.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 28 words

49 . The method of claim 46 , wherein the bone anchor is a bone screw; and wherein the inserting comprises threading the bone screw into the passage.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 29 words

50 . The method of claim 45 , wherein the elongate member defines a tapping thread; and wherein the forming comprises tapping at least a portion of the passage.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 29 words

51 . The method of claim 45 , wherein the elongate member includes a drilling portion; and wherein the forming comprises drilling at least a portion of the passage.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 33 words

52 . The method of claim 45 , wherein the cutting element extends from a distal end of the elongate member; and wherein the forming comprises driving the cutting tip into the bone.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 26 words

53 . The method of claim 45 , wherein the transitioning results from axially displacing the at least one cutting element relative to the elongate member.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 52 words

54 . The method of claim 53 , wherein the elongate member defines an axial channel including a ramped section, the at least one cutting element being at least partially disposed within the channel; and wherein the transitioning results from slidably displacing the at least one cutting element along the ramped section.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 68 words

55 . The method of claim 53 , wherein the elongate member comprises a sleeve, the at least one cutting element being outwardly biased toward the expanded configuration and being at least partially disposed within the sleeve to selectively maintain the at least one cutting element in the retracted configuration; and wherein the transitioning results from axially displacing the at least one cutting element relative to the sleeve.

Surgical instrumentation and method for forming a passage in bone having an enlarged cross-sectional portion

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