US20080033466A1
Active / In Force
US
⏱️ 0.8 years remaining
Surgical cutter with exchangeable cutter blades
Assignee: Trans1 Inc
•
Filing: 2007-08-10
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2027-08-10
Abstract
Abstract Cutters for disrupting tissue include a cutter body and replaceable cutter blades. The cutter blades may be placed in one of three positions (sheathed for transport, unsheathed for use, and sufficiently exposed for blade exchange) by the relative movement of a cutter sheath with respect to the engagement zone between the cutter blade and the cutter body. The relative movement of the cutter sheath may be limited to an operational range to preclude inadvertent exposure of the cutter blade to prevent unintended disengagement from the cutter body. Various sheath limiters are disclosed that selectively limit movement of the cutter sheath to an operational range or allow extraordinary movement to allow blade exchange. In some instances other intermediate stops may be used to further limit the relative motion. The relative motion could be imparted by the movement of a cutter rod (rather than the movement of the cutter sheath) and thus limited by a rod limiter. Cutter blades with different attributes (such as throw length, cutter blade angle, type and location of blade edges) are adapted to achieve different objectives.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Assell
- 👤 Eugene Dickhudt
- 👤 Thomas Womble
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:51
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/320016; A61B17/3205; A61B17/3207; A61B17/320708; A61B17/3209; A61B17/3211; A61B17/3213; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00261; A61B2017/00362; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/00867; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B2017/2901; A61B2017/2905
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 114
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
1 . A cutter for disrupting tissue, the cutter comprising: a cutter blade; a cutter sheath; and a cutter rod and handle sub-assembly including: a handle; a cutter rod with a distal end that is distal from the handle; wherein the cutter blade is adapted to engage the cutter rod at an engagement zone on the perimeter of the cutter rod near the distal end of the cutter rod such that a portion of the cutter blade extends beyond the distal end of the cutter rod when the cutter blade is constrained by the cutter sheath; the cutter sheath adapted to allow a proximal end of the cutter sheath to pass over the distal end of the cutter rod to engage a sheath limiter that limits movement of the cutter sheath to a range of movement along a long axis of the cutter rod.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
1 . A cutter for disrupting tissue, the cutter comprising: a cutter blade; a cutter sheath; and a cutter rod and handle sub-assembly including: a handle; a cutter rod with a distal end that is distal from the handle; wherein the cutter blade is adapted to engage the cutter rod at an engagement zone on the perimeter of the cutter rod near the distal end of the cutter rod such that a portion of the cutter blade extends beyond the distal end of the cutter rod when the cutter blade is constrained by the cutter sheath; the cutter sheath adapted to allow a proximal end of the cutter sheath to pass over the distal end of the cutter rod to engage a sheath limiter that limits movement of the cutter sheath to a range of movement along a long axis of the cutter rod.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
2 . The cutter of claim 1 wherein the sheath limiter includes: a forward stop to limit the movement of the proximal end of the cutter sheath from moving towards the distal end of the cutter rod; and a back stop to limit the movement of the proximal end of the cutter sheath from moving towards the handle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
3 . The cutter of claim 1 wherein the sheath limiter is adapted to limit the movement of a sheath grip and thus limit the movement of the cutter sheath.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
4 . The cutter of claim 1 wherein the cutter sheath has a sheath grip and has a separate component other than the sheath grip for engagement with the sheath limiter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
5 . The cutter of claim 2 wherein the sheath limiter has an anti-slip feature on the forward stop such that a cutter sheath engaged with the forward stop must be moved along the long axis towards the handle before the sheath limiter may be disengaged to allow the cutter sheath to move distal of the forward stop.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
6 . The cutter of claim 5 wherein the anti-slip feature is a recessed portion of a sheath limiter face that at least partially engages with a corresponding surface on the cutter sheath to prevent the sheath limiter from disengaging from the cutter sheath when the corresponding surface is in contact with the face.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
7 . The cutter of claim 2 wherein the sheath limiter has an anti-slip feature on the back stop such that a cutter sheath engaged with the back stop must be moved along the long axis away from the handle before the sheath limiter may be disengaged to allow the cutter sheath to move beyond the back stop towards the handle to expose an engagement zone of the cutter rod.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
8 . The cutter of claim 7 wherein the anti-slip feature is a recessed portion of a sheath limiter face that at least partially engages with a corresponding surface on the cutter sheath to prevent the sheath limiter from disengaging from the cutter sheath when the corresponding surface is in contact with the sheath limiter face.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
9 . The cutter of claim 2 wherein the sheath limiter has a third stop between the forward stop and the back stop.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
10 . The cutter of claim 2 wherein the sheath limiter has a third stop between the forward stop and the back stop and this third stop maintains the cutter sheath at the limit imposed by the forward stop.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
11 . The cutter of claim 2 wherein the sheath limiter includes a biasing means to bias the cutter against non-intended movement of the proximal end of the cutter sheath beyond the forward stop.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
12 . The cutter of claim 11 wherein the biasing means involves elastic deformation of at least one component.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
13 . The cutter of claim 11 wherein the biasing means includes a threaded engagement between the biasing means and the sheath limiter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
14 . The cutter of claim 2 wherein the engagement zone is at least partially obstructed to prevent loading a cutter blade on the cutter rod when the sheath limiter is limiting the movement of the proximal end of the cutter sheath between the forward stop and the back stop.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
52 words
15 . The cutter rod of claim 14 wherein a cutter blade can become engaged with the cutter rod when the sheath limiter is manipulated to allow the proximal end of the cutter sheath to move beyond the back stop towards the handle to expose the engagement zone of the cutter rod.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
51 words
16 . The cutter of claim 1 wherein the cutter blade is made from a shape memory material such that the cutter assumes one shape when constrained by the cutter sheath and assumes a second shape when the cutter sheath is moved away from the distal end of the cutter rod.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
17 . The cutter of claim 1 wherein the cutter blade engages a post on the cutter rod.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
18 . The cutter of claim 1 wherein the cutter sheath includes: a sheath; and a sheath grip affixed to the proximal end of the sheath.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
19 . The cutter of claim 1 wherein the cutter sheath includes: a sheath; a sheath grip affixed to the sheath; and a sheath liner at the distal end of the sheath whereby a worn sheath liner may be replaced without replacing the sheath.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
20 . The cutter of claim 19 wherein the sheath liner is at least partially fabricated from a biocompatible metal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
21 . The cutter of claim 1 wherein the cutter sheath includes: at least one component that has a hydrophilic coating.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
22 . The cutter of claim 1 wherein the cutter sheath includes at least one component that has a electroless nickel surface treatment.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
23 . The cutter of claim 22 wherein the surface treatment is an electroless nickel surface treatment with a polytetrafluoroethylene coating.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
24 . The cutter of claim 1 wherein the cutter sheath includes at least one component that has a polytetrafluoroethylene coating.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
25 . The cutter of claim 1 wherein the cutter sheath includes at least one component that has received a processing to reduce friction between the component and the cutter blade.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
76 words
26 . The cutter of claim 1 wherein the cutter sheath includes: a sheath; a sheath grip affixed to the sheath; and a sheath liner at the distal end of the sheath, the sheath liner selected from a material that has a coefficient of friction between the cutter blade and the sheath liner that is less than the coefficient of friction between the cutter blade and a material used for the distal end of the sheath.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
27 . The cutter of claim 26 wherein the sheath liner engages a set of threads within the sheath.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
28 . The cutter of claim 26 wherein the sheath liner has a snap-lock engagement with the sheath.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
49 words
29 . The cutter of claim 26 wherein the sheath liner when engaged has a distal portion of the sheath liner that is distal to a distal end of the sheath such that the distal end of the sheath liner is the most distal portion of the cutter sheath.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
215 words
30 . A cutter for disrupting tissue, the cutter comprising: a cutter blade; a cutter sheath; and a cutter rod and handle sub-assembly including: a handle; a cutter rod with: a distal-end that is distal from the handle; and a cutter blade engagement zone; and a sheath limiter, the sheath limiter adapted to engage and disengage from a portion of the cutter sheath so that the portion of the cutter sheath assembly may be constrained to move axially between a back stop and a forward stop; the cutter sheath adapted to interact with a sheath limiter to operate in at least two positions: a blade change position exposing the cutter rod blade engagement zone by allowing movement of the portion of the cutter sheath beyond a sheath limiter back stop towards the handle to allow engagement or disengagement of a cutter blade with the cutter rod; and an operational position limiting the movement of the portion of the cutter sheath within a limited range between the back stop and forward stop where the range is sufficient to allow a cutter body with an engaged cutter blade to have the cutter blade sheathed for transport and selectively unsheathed to allow the engaged cutter blade to assume a cutting position without becoming disengaged from the cutter rod.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
215 words
30 . A cutter for disrupting tissue, the cutter comprising: a cutter blade; a cutter sheath; and a cutter rod and handle sub-assembly including: a handle; a cutter rod with: a distal-end that is distal from the handle; and a cutter blade engagement zone; and a sheath limiter, the sheath limiter adapted to engage and disengage from a portion of the cutter sheath so that the portion of the cutter sheath assembly may be constrained to move axially between a back stop and a forward stop; the cutter sheath adapted to interact with a sheath limiter to operate in at least two positions: a blade change position exposing the cutter rod blade engagement zone by allowing movement of the portion of the cutter sheath beyond a sheath limiter back stop towards the handle to allow engagement or disengagement of a cutter blade with the cutter rod; and an operational position limiting the movement of the portion of the cutter sheath within a limited range between the back stop and forward stop where the range is sufficient to allow a cutter body with an engaged cutter blade to have the cutter blade sheathed for transport and selectively unsheathed to allow the engaged cutter blade to assume a cutting position without becoming disengaged from the cutter rod.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
54 words
31 . The cutter of claim 30 wherein the cutter sheath is adapted to interact with a sheath limiter to operate in a disassembly position that allows the portion of the cutter sheath to move beyond the forward stop to allow the disengagement of the cutter sheath from the cutter rod and handle sub-assembly.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
32 . The cutter of claim 30 wherein the portion of the cutter sheath is a portion of a sheath grip.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
33 . The cutter of claim 30 wherein the portion of the cutter sheath is located at a proximal end of the cutter sheath.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
41 words
34 . The cutter of claim 30 wherein the disassembly position of the sheath limiter allows the portion of the cutter sheath to move from distal of the forward stop to proximal of the forward stop during assembly of the cutter.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
67 words
35 . The cutter of claim 30 wherein the manipulation to place the sheath limiter in the disassembly position is sufficient to place the sheath limiter in the blade change position such that a sheath limiter in a disassembly position will allow the portion of a cutter sheath to move from the distal end of the cutter rod past the forward stop and past the back stop.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
50 words
36 . The cutter of claim 30 wherein the sheath limiter is associated with a pivot such that at least a portion of the sheath limiter rotates in an arc relative to a long axis of the cutter rod to move from the operational position to the blade change position.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
37 words
37 . The cutter of claim 30 wherein at least a portion of the sheath limiter translates relative to the long axis of the cutter rod to move from the operational position to the blade change position.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
177 words
38 . A cutter for disrupting tissue, the cutter comprising: a cutter blade; a cutter sheath; and a cutter rod and handle sub-assembly including: a handle; a cutter rod with: a distal end that is distal from the handle; and a cutter blade engagement zone; and a sheath limiter, with a forward stop, an intermediate stop, and a back stop; the cutter sheath adapted to interact with a sheath limiter to operate the cutter in at least four modes: a blade change mode exposing the cutter rod blade engagement zone by allowing movement of the portion of the cutter sheath beyond a sheath limiter back stop towards the handle to allow engagement or disengagement of a cutter blade with the cutter rod; a first cutting mode involving the back stop with the cutter blade assuming a first cutting position; a second cutting mode involving the intermediate stop with the cutter blade assuming a second cutting position different from the first cutting position; and a sheathed mode involving the forward stop that sheathes the cutter blade for transport.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
177 words
38 . A cutter for disrupting tissue, the cutter comprising: a cutter blade; a cutter sheath; and a cutter rod and handle sub-assembly including: a handle; a cutter rod with: a distal end that is distal from the handle; and a cutter blade engagement zone; and a sheath limiter, with a forward stop, an intermediate stop, and a back stop; the cutter sheath adapted to interact with a sheath limiter to operate the cutter in at least four modes: a blade change mode exposing the cutter rod blade engagement zone by allowing movement of the portion of the cutter sheath beyond a sheath limiter back stop towards the handle to allow engagement or disengagement of a cutter blade with the cutter rod; a first cutting mode involving the back stop with the cutter blade assuming a first cutting position; a second cutting mode involving the intermediate stop with the cutter blade assuming a second cutting position different from the first cutting position; and a sheathed mode involving the forward stop that sheathes the cutter blade for transport.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
55 words
39 . The cutter of claim 38 wherein the cutter sheath adapted to interact with a sheath limiter to operate the cutter in a fifth mode that allows the relative motion of the cutter sheath to the cutter rod to separate the cutter sheath from the cutter rod as part of disassembly of the cutter.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
190 words
40 . A cutter for disrupting tissue, the cutter comprising: a cutter blade; a cutter rod with: a distal end that is distal from the handle; and a cutter blade engagement zone; a cutter sheath and handle sub-assembly including: a handle; a cutter sheath with a distal end that is distal from the handle; and a rod limiter, the rod limiter adapted to engage and disengage from a portion of the cutter rod so that the portion of the cutter rod assembly may be constrained to move axially between a back stop and a forward stop; the cutter rod adapted to interact with a rod limiter to operate in: a blade change position exposing the cutter rod blade engagement zone by allowing movement of the portion of the cutter rod beyond a rod limiter forward stop towards the distal end of the cutter sheath to allow engagement or disengagement of a cutter blade with the cutter rod; and at least one cutting position with the engaged cutter blade at least partially unsheathed without becoming disengaged from the cutter rod; and a sheathed position with the cutter blade sheathed for transport.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
190 words
40 . A cutter for disrupting tissue, the cutter comprising: a cutter blade; a cutter rod with: a distal end that is distal from the handle; and a cutter blade engagement zone; a cutter sheath and handle sub-assembly including: a handle; a cutter sheath with a distal end that is distal from the handle; and a rod limiter, the rod limiter adapted to engage and disengage from a portion of the cutter rod so that the portion of the cutter rod assembly may be constrained to move axially between a back stop and a forward stop; the cutter rod adapted to interact with a rod limiter to operate in: a blade change position exposing the cutter rod blade engagement zone by allowing movement of the portion of the cutter rod beyond a rod limiter forward stop towards the distal end of the cutter sheath to allow engagement or disengagement of a cutter blade with the cutter rod; and at least one cutting position with the engaged cutter blade at least partially unsheathed without becoming disengaged from the cutter rod; and a sheathed position with the cutter blade sheathed for transport.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
40 words
41 . The cutter of claim 40 wherein the cutter rod is adapted to interact with the rod limiter to operate in a disassembly position which allows the cutter rod to be disengaged from the cutter sheath and handle sub-assembly.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
27 words
42 . The cutter of claim 40 wherein the portion of the cutter rod that engages with the rod limiter is associated with a cutter rod grip.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
50 words
43 . The cutter of claim 40 wherein the rod limiter is associated with a pivot such that at least a portion of the rod limiter rotates in an arc relative to a long axis of the cutter sheath to move from a cutting position to the blade change position.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
37 words
44 . The cutter of claim 40 wherein at least a portion of the rod limiter translates relative to the long axis of the cutter sheath to move from a cutting position to the blade change position.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
198 words
45 . A cutter, for disrupting tissue, the cutter comprising: a cutter blade; a cutter sheath; and a cutter rod and handle sub-assembly including: a handle; a cutter rod with: a distal end that is distal from the handle; and a cutter blade engagement zone; and a sheath limiter, the sheath limiter adapted to selectively serve as a back stop to limit the movement of the cutter sheath towards the handle; the cutter sheath adapted to limit the forward movement of the cutter sheath towards the distal end of the cutter rod by interaction with a forward stop associated with the cutter rod and handle sub-assembly but independent of the sheath limiter; the assembled cutter adapted to operate in at least three modes: a blade change mode exposing the cutter rod blade engagement zone by allowing movement of the portion of the cutter sheath beyond a sheath limiter back stop towards the handle to allow engagement or disengagement of a cutter blade with the cutter rod; a first cutting mode involving the back stop with the cutter blade assuming a first cutting position; and a sheathed mode involving the forward stop that sheathes the cutter blade for transport.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
198 words
45 . A cutter, for disrupting tissue, the cutter comprising: a cutter blade; a cutter sheath; and a cutter rod and handle sub-assembly including: a handle; a cutter rod with: a distal end that is distal from the handle; and a cutter blade engagement zone; and a sheath limiter, the sheath limiter adapted to selectively serve as a back stop to limit the movement of the cutter sheath towards the handle; the cutter sheath adapted to limit the forward movement of the cutter sheath towards the distal end of the cutter rod by interaction with a forward stop associated with the cutter rod and handle sub-assembly but independent of the sheath limiter; the assembled cutter adapted to operate in at least three modes: a blade change mode exposing the cutter rod blade engagement zone by allowing movement of the portion of the cutter sheath beyond a sheath limiter back stop towards the handle to allow engagement or disengagement of a cutter blade with the cutter rod; a first cutting mode involving the back stop with the cutter blade assuming a first cutting position; and a sheathed mode involving the forward stop that sheathes the cutter blade for transport.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
39 words
46 . The cutter of claim 45 wherein the assembled cutter is adapted to operate in a second cutting mode involving an intermediate stop with the cutter blade assuming a second cutting position different from the first cutting position.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
15 words
47 . The cutter of claim 45 wherein the cutter sheath is a single component.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
20 words
48 . The cutter of claim 45 wherein the cutter sheath is a sub-assembly with at least two different components.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
20 words
49 . The clutter of claim 48 wherein the cutter sheath includes a sheath liner which is a replaceable component.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
38 words
50 . The cutter of claim 45 wherein the cutter moves to the to the blade change mode from the first cutting mode by movement of the sheath limiter from a sheath limiting position to a retracted position.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
18 words
51 . The cutter of claim 50 wherein the sheath limiter may be secured in the retracted position.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
19 words
52 . The cutter of claim 51 wherein the sheath limiter may be secured in the sheath limited position
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
40 words
53 . The cutter of claim 51 wherein a user holding the handle of the cutter would be able to receive input to the palm of the user to indicate that the sheath limiter was secured in the retracted position.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
111 words
54 . The cutter of claim 45 wherein the cutter blade engagement zone is positioned relative to the handle so that a hand grip portion of the handle has a first radial orientation with respect to the long axis of the cutter rod and an unstressed radially extended cutter blade in the cutting position also has the first radial orientation with respect to the long axis of the cutter rod such that a user of the cutter may estimate the current radial orientation of the radially extended cutter blade in the cutting position within a patient's body based on the current radial position of the hand grip portion of the handle.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
114 words
55 . The cutter of claim 45 wherein the cutter blade engagement zone is positioned relative to the handle so that a hand grip portion of the handle has a first radial orientation with respect to the long axis of the cutter rod and an unstressed radially extended cutter blade in the cutting position has a known relationship with the first radial orientation with respect to the long axis of the cutter rod such that a user of the cutter may estimate a current radial orientation of the radially extended cutter blade in the cutting position within a patient's body based on the current radial position of the hand grip portion of the handle.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
21 words
56 . The cutter of claim 45 wherein the forward stop is implemented using a cutter rod with a stepped shaft.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
120 words
57 . A cutter for disrupting tissue, the cutter comprising: a cutter blade; a cutter body, the cutter body comprising: a cutter sheath; and a cutter rod and handle sub-assembly including: a handle; a cutter rod with a distal end that is distal from the handle; wherein: the cutter blade is adapted to engage the cutter rod at an engagement zone on the perimeter of the cutter rod near the distal end of the cutter rod such that an engaged cutter blade may be retained by movement of the cutter sheath relative to the engagement zone; and while the cutter blade is retained, the cutter blade may be selectively sheathed for transport and selectively unsheathed for use to disrupt tissue.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
120 words
57 . A cutter for disrupting tissue, the cutter comprising: a cutter blade; a cutter body, the cutter body comprising: a cutter sheath; and a cutter rod and handle sub-assembly including: a handle; a cutter rod with a distal end that is distal from the handle; wherein: the cutter blade is adapted to engage the cutter rod at an engagement zone on the perimeter of the cutter rod near the distal end of the cutter rod such that an engaged cutter blade may be retained by movement of the cutter sheath relative to the engagement zone; and while the cutter blade is retained, the cutter blade may be selectively sheathed for transport and selectively unsheathed for use to disrupt tissue.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
15 words
58 . The cutter of claim 57 wherein the cutter sheath is a single component.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
19 words
59 . The cutter of claim 57 wherein the cutter sheath is a sub-assembly with more than one component.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
27 words
60 . The cutter of claim 57 wherein subsequent movement of the cutter sheath relative to the engagement zone allows for disengagement of the engaged cutter blade.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
90 words
61 . The cutter of claim 60 wherein the cutter sheath is adapted to interact with a sheath limiter, the sheath limiter, when in a first position, limiting movement of the cutter sheath to a range of movement along a long axis of the cutter rod such that the engaged cutter blade remains engaged with the cutter rod, and the sheath limiter, when in a second position, allowing the movement of the cutter sheath to expose the engagement zone and allow for the engagement or disengagement of the cutter blade.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
42 words
62 . The cutter of claim 61 wherein the sheath limiter in the first position has a forward stop and abutting a portion of the cutter sheath against the forward stop places an engaged cutter blade in a sheathed position for transport.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
42 words
63 . The cutter of claim 62 wherein the sheath limiter in the first position has a back stop and abutting the portion of the cutter sheath against the back stop partially unsheathes an engaged cutter blade for use to disrupt tissue.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
23 words
64 . The cutter of claim 63 wherein the sheath limiter has an intermediate stop between the back stop and the forward stop.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
37 words
65 . The cutter of claim 64 wherein the intermediate stop maintains the portion of the cutter sheath in proximity to the forward stop to help maintain the engaged cutter blade in the sheathed position for transport.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
35 words
66 . The cutter of claim 64 wherein abutting the portion of the cutter sheath against the intermediate stop sheathes a portion of the cutter blade to alter the blade angle of the cutter blade.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
60 words
67 . The cutter of claim 57 wherein the unsheathed cutter blade extends out radially from the long axis of the cutter rod and current radial orientation of the handle with respect to the long axis of the cutter rod indicates the approximate radial orientation of the unsheathed cutter blade with respect to the long axis of the cutter rod.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
39 words
68 . The cutter of claim 57 wherein the radial orientation of a grip portion of the handle is aligned with the radial orientation of the unsheathed cutter blade with respect to the long axis of the cutter rod.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
103 words
69 . A cutter blade retention system to retain a reversibly engaged cutter blade in a position for disrupting tissue, the cutter blade retention system comprising: a cutter rod slot in a cutter rod for receiving a longitudinal portion of the cutter blade; a post oriented radially outward from the longitudinal axis of the cutter rod and located within the cutter rod slot; and a sheath that precludes the longitudinal portion of the cutter blade positioned in the cutter rod slot and reversibly engaged with the post from becoming disengaged from the post as long as the sheath is an blade retaining position;
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
103 words
69 . A cutter blade retention system to retain a reversibly engaged cutter blade in a position for disrupting tissue, the cutter blade retention system comprising: a cutter rod slot in a cutter rod for receiving a longitudinal portion of the cutter blade; a post oriented radially outward from the longitudinal axis of the cutter rod and located within the cutter rod slot; and a sheath that precludes the longitudinal portion of the cutter blade positioned in the cutter rod slot and reversibly engaged with the post from becoming disengaged from the post as long as the sheath is an blade retaining position;
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
30 words
70 . The cutter blade retention system of claim 69 wherein the cutter blade retention system prevents rotation and axial movement of the longitudinal portion of the retained cutter blade.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
44 words
71 . The cutter blade retention system of claim 69 wherein the width of the cutter rod slot is close to the width of the longitudinal portion of the cutter blade in order to provide torsional support to the cutter blade while disrupting tissue.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
43 words
72 . The cutter blade retention system of claim 69 wherein a curved portion of the cutter rod slot at the distal end of the cutter rod accommodates a curved portion of a reversibly engaged cutter blade in the position for disrupting tissue.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
37 words
73 . The cutter blade retention system of claim 72 wherein a pair of cutter rod extensions extend beyond the curved portion of the cutter rod slot to support the cutter blade when used for disrupting tissue.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
74 words
74 . The cutter blade retention system of claim 69 wherein the longitudinal portion of the cutter blade has a first leg with a post hole and a second leg with a slot and the post engages the post hole and the slot to allow the second leg to move relative to the first leg while the retained reversibly engaged cutter blade transitions from a sheathed transport position to the position for disrupting tissue.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
39 words
75 . The cutter blade retention system of claim 74 wherein the post engages the post hole before engaging the post slot as the cutter rod slot in the cutter rod receives the longitudinal portion of the cutter blade.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
39 words
76 . The cutter blade retention system of claim 74 wherein the post engages the post slot before engaging the post hole as the cutter rod slot in the cutter rod receives the longitudinal portion of the cutter blade.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
50 words
77 . The cutter blade retention system of claim 69 wherein the longitudinal portion of the cutter blade has a first leg with a post hole and a second leg with a second post hole and the post engages the two post holes to engage the reversibly engaged cutter blade.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
47 words
78 . The cutter blade retention system of claim 74 wherein the sheath includes an outer sheath and a sheath liner that receives contact from the cutter blade as the retained reversibly engaged cutter blade transitions from the sheathed transport position to the position for disrupting tissue.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
40 words
79 . The cutter blade retention system of claim 69 wherein the sheath component may be advanced towards the distal end of the cutter rod to sheathe the cutter blade to place the cutter blade in the sheathed transport position.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
52 words
80 . The cutter blade retention system of claim 69 wherein the sheath component may be moved away from the distal end of the cutter rod to sufficiently unsheathe the cutter blade to allow the cutter blade to be removed from the cutter rod slot and replaced with a different cutter blade.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
162 words
81 . A cutter body and blade kit for disrupting tissue, the cutter body and blade kit comprising: a cutter blade of a first type; a cutter blade of a second type, different from the cutter blade of the first type; a cutter body, the cutter body comprising: a cutter sheath; and a cutter rod and handle sub-assembly including: a handle; a cutter rod with a distal end that is distal from the handle; wherein the cutter blade of the first type and the cutter blade of the second type are both adapted to engage the cutter rod at an engagement zone on the perimeter of the cutter rod near the distal end of the cutter rod such that an engaged cutter blade of the first type or the second type may be retained by movement of the cutter sheath relative to the engagement zone and while retained may be selectively sheathed for transport and selectively unsheathed for use to disrupt tissue.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
162 words
81 . A cutter body and blade kit for disrupting tissue, the cutter body and blade kit comprising: a cutter blade of a first type; a cutter blade of a second type, different from the cutter blade of the first type; a cutter body, the cutter body comprising: a cutter sheath; and a cutter rod and handle sub-assembly including: a handle; a cutter rod with a distal end that is distal from the handle; wherein the cutter blade of the first type and the cutter blade of the second type are both adapted to engage the cutter rod at an engagement zone on the perimeter of the cutter rod near the distal end of the cutter rod such that an engaged cutter blade of the first type or the second type may be retained by movement of the cutter sheath relative to the engagement zone and while retained may be selectively sheathed for transport and selectively unsheathed for use to disrupt tissue.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
24 words
82 . The kit of claim 81 wherein the cutter blade of the first type forms a loop with an inner and outer perimeter.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
37 words
83 . The kit of claim 82 wherein the cutter blade of the first type has at least one cutting edge located on the outer perimeter of the loop adapted to abrade vertebral endplates and promote bleeding.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
35 words
84 . The kit of claim 82 wherein the cutter blade of the first type has all of its cutting edges on the inner perimeter of the loop so as to avoid abrading vertebral endplates.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
26 words
85 . The kit of claim 81 wherein the cutter blade of the first type is a thin cutter blade for use in a thin disc.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
63 words
86 . The kit of claim 81 wherein the cutter blade of the first type has a shorter blade throw than the cutter blade of the second type such that use of the cutter blade of the second type to disrupt tissue after using the cutter blade of the first type to disrupt tissue will result in an enlarged region of disrupted tissue.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
75 words
87 . The kit of claim 81 wherein the cutter blade of the first type first cutter blade angle and the cutter blade of the second type has a second type of cutter blade angle, different from the first type, such that use of the cutter blade of the second type to disrupt tissue after using the cutter blade of the first type to disrupt tissue will result in an enlarged region of disrupted tissue.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
141 words
88 . A cutter blade kit for use with a cutter body that receives exchangeable cutter blades to form a surgical cutter for disrupting tissue, the cutter blade kit comprising: a cutter blade of a first type; a cutter blade of a second type, different from the cutter blade of the first type; wherein the cutter blade of the first type and the cutter blade of the second type are both adapted to engage a cutter rod at an engagement zone on the perimeter of the cutter rod near the distal end of the cutter rod such that an engaged cutter blade of the first type or the second type may be retained by movement of the cutter sheath relative to the engagement zone and while retained may be selectively sheathed for transport and selectively unsheathed for use to disrupt tissue.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
141 words
88 . A cutter blade kit for use with a cutter body that receives exchangeable cutter blades to form a surgical cutter for disrupting tissue, the cutter blade kit comprising: a cutter blade of a first type; a cutter blade of a second type, different from the cutter blade of the first type; wherein the cutter blade of the first type and the cutter blade of the second type are both adapted to engage a cutter rod at an engagement zone on the perimeter of the cutter rod near the distal end of the cutter rod such that an engaged cutter blade of the first type or the second type may be retained by movement of the cutter sheath relative to the engagement zone and while retained may be selectively sheathed for transport and selectively unsheathed for use to disrupt tissue.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
24 words
89 . The kit of claim 88 wherein the cutter blade of the first type forms a loop with an inner and outer perimeter.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
37 words
90 . The kit of claim 89 wherein the cutter blade of the first type has at least one cutting edge located on the outer perimeter of the loop adapted to abrade vertebral endplates and promote bleeding.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
35 words
91 . The kit of claim 89 wherein the cutter blade of the first type has all of its cutting edges on the inner perimeter of the loop so as to avoid abrading vertebral endplates.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
26 words
92 . The kit of claim 88 wherein the cutter blade of the first type is a thin cutter blade for use in a thin disc.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
63 words
93 . The kit of claim 88 wherein the cutter blade of the first type has a shorter blade throw than the cutter blade of the second type such that use of the cutter blade of the second type to disrupt tissue after using the cutter blade of the first type to disrupt tissue will result in an enlarged region of disrupted tissue.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
75 words
94 . The kit of claim 88 wherein the cutter blade of the first type first cutter blade angle and the cutter blade of the second type has a second type of cutter blade angle, different from the first type, such that use of the cutter blade of the second type to disrupt tissue after using the cutter blade of the first type to disrupt tissue will result in an enlarged region of disrupted tissue.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
24 words
95 . The kit of claim 88 wherein the kit includes a sheath liner for use in the distal end of the cutter sheath.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
147 words
96 . A method of replacing a cutter blade in a cutter for disrupting tissue, the cutter comprising a cutter blade and a cutter body, the method comprising: moving a sheath limiter from an operational position to a blade change position; after the sheath limiter is in the blade change position, moving a cutter sheath relative to an engagement zone on a cutter rod to expose the engagement zone; disengaging a previously engaged first cutter blade from the engagement zone; engaging a second cutter blade in the engagement zone previously engaged with the first cutter blade; moving the cutter sheath relative to the engagement zone to retain the second cutter blade; and moving the sheath limiter to the operational position to allow for movement of the sheath relative to the engagement zone that is insufficient to expose the engagement zone for disengagement of the second cutter blade.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
147 words
96 . A method of replacing a cutter blade in a cutter for disrupting tissue, the cutter comprising a cutter blade and a cutter body, the method comprising: moving a sheath limiter from an operational position to a blade change position; after the sheath limiter is in the blade change position, moving a cutter sheath relative to an engagement zone on a cutter rod to expose the engagement zone; disengaging a previously engaged first cutter blade from the engagement zone; engaging a second cutter blade in the engagement zone previously engaged with the first cutter blade; moving the cutter sheath relative to the engagement zone to retain the second cutter blade; and moving the sheath limiter to the operational position to allow for movement of the sheath relative to the engagement zone that is insufficient to expose the engagement zone for disengagement of the second cutter blade.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
25 words
97 . The method of claim 96 wherein the first cutter blade is not the same type of cutter blade as the second cutter blade;
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
51 words
98 . The method of claim 97 wherein the first cutter blade has a shorter blade throw than the second cutter blade such that use of the second cutter blade to disrupt tissue after using the first cutter blade to disrupt tissue will result in an enlarged region of disrupted tissue.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
84 words
99 . The method of claim 97 wherein the first cutter blade has a first cutter blade angle with respect to the cutter rod and the second cutter blade has a second cutter blade angle with respect to the cutter rod wherein the first cutter blade angle is different from the second cutter blade angle such that use of the second cutter blade to disrupt tissue after using the first cutter blade to disrupt tissue will result in an enlarged region of disrupted tissue.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
30 words
100 . The method of claim 96 further including after use of the second cutter blade and any subsequently engaged cutter blades, removing the cutter sheath from the cutter body.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
28 words
101 . The method of claim 100 further including removing a sheath liner from the removed cutter sheath and inserting a replacement sheath liner into the cutter sheath.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
34 words
102 . The method of claim 96 wherein the movement of the sheath limiter from the blade change position to the operational position includes rotating the sheath limiter with respect to the cutter rod.
Claim 113
Dependent Claim
34 words
103 . The method of claim 96 wherein the movement of the sheath limiter from the blade change position to the operational position includes translating the sheath limiter with respect to the cutter rod.
Claim 114
Dependent Claim
33 words
104 . The method of claim 96 wherein the sheath limiter may be reversibly affixed to the cutter body to preclude movement from the operational position to the blade change position while affixed.
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