Bone biopsy apparatus

Claim 2

A drill for bone biopsy comprising: (a) an outer cylindrical retaining sheath having a first open end and a second open end with cutting teeth, (b) an inner cylindrical retaining sheath which is slidably mounted longitudinally within said outer retaining sheath, said inner retaining sheath having a first end and a second open end with cutting teeth, said inner retaining sheath comprising two separable longitudinal halves, (c) clamping means for releasably locking said inner and outer retaining sheaths together as a single drilling unit, (d) means for rotating said drill about its central longitudinal axis, and (e) means for removing said inner retaining sheath through the second open end of the outer retaining sheath.

Claim 3

A drill as recited in claim 1, wherein each tooth of said cutting teeth of said inner and outer retaining sheaths has at least two facets and the facets of each tooth face outwardly.

Claim 4

A drill as recited in claim 2, wherein the cutting teeth of said inner retaining sheath are complementary with the cutting teeth of said outer retaining sheath so that for at least one predetermined position of said inner retaining sheath relative to said outer retaining sheath the cutting teeth of said inner retaining sheath are aligned with the cutting teeth of said outer retaining sheath to form a single set of cutting teeth.

Claim 5

A drill as recited in claim 3, wherein said inner and outer retaining sheaths are provided with complementary indicator means for aligning said inner retaining sheath relative to said outer retaining sheath in said predetermined position.

Claim 6

A drill as recited in claim 4, wherein said outer retaining sheath has an outer surface which is provided with a plurality of longitudinal grooves which extend from said cutting teeth toward the first end of said outer retaining sheath.

Claim 7

A drill as recited in claim 5, wherein each tooth of said outer retaining sheath has first and second facets and the first facet of one tooth intersects with the second facet of the adjacent tooth, and wherein one of said grooves extends from each intersection of said first and second facets.

Claim 8

A drill as recited in claim 4, wherein said indicator means comprises a notch in the first end of each of said inner and outer retaining sheaths.

Claim 9

A drill as recited in claim 7, wherein the means for rotating said drill comprises a handle which is removably mounted on the end of the drill which has said complementary notches, said handle having a drive pin at one end of the handle which extends transversely of the central longitudinal axis of the drill for insertion into said complementary notches when the notches are in alignment for rotating said drill about said axis.

Claim 10

A drill as recited in claim 8, wherein said set screw has an enlarged head which extends beyond said collar for tightening and releasing said set screw by hand.

Claim 11

A drill as recited in claim 8, wherein said opening is an elongated longitudinal slot which enables said collar to occupy a plurality of clamping positions along said slot.

Claim 12

A drill as recited in claim 7, wherein the means for removing the inner retaining sheath from said outer retaining sheath is an elongated extractor which has a handle at one end and an engaging element at its opposite end for engaging the first end of said inner retaining sheath and for longitudinal sliding movement within said outer retaining sheath.

Claim 13

A drill as recited in claim 11, wherein the opposite end of said extractor has a transverse pin for engaging the notch in the first end of said inner retaining sheath.

Claim 14

A drill as recited in claim 1, wherein said clamping means comprises: (a) a slot in said outer retaining sheath, (b) a collar which is mounted for longitudinal sliding movement on said outer retaining sheath, said collar having a threaded aperture which extends completely through said collar transversely of said slot, and (c) a set screw which is threaded in said aperture for extending through said opening for engaging said inner retaining sheath.

Claim 15

A drilling device for obtaining a bone biopsy comprising: (a) an introducer comprising an elongated cylindrical guide tube which has a central longitudinal axis, said guide having a first open end and a second open end which has a plurality of gripping teeth for maintaining the guide tube in position against the outer surface of the bone, (b) a handle which is attached to the guide tube for holding the introducer during drilling, (c) a cylindrical tubular drill which is inserted within said guide tube for sliding movement along said longitudinal axis relative to said guide tube, said drill having a first end and a second open end which has a plurality of cutting teeth which extend beyond said gripping teeth upon insertion of said drill through said tube, said drill comprising: (1) an outer cylindrical retaining sheath having a first open end and a second open end which is provided with cutting teeth, (2) an inner cylindrical retaining sheath which is slidably mounted longitudinally within said outer retaining sheath, said inner retaining sheath having a first end and a second open end which is provided with cutting teeth, said inner retaining sheath comprising two separable longitudinal halves, and (3) clamping means for releasably locking said inner and outer retaining sheaths together as a single drilling unit, (d) an adjustable stop which is mounted on said drill for limiting the axial movement of said drill toward the second end of said introducer and thereby limiting the distance which the cutting teeth of the drill extend beyond the holding teeth of the introducer, (e) means for rotating said drill about its central longitudinal axis, and (f) means for removing a bone biopsy sample form said drill including means for removing said inner retaining sheath through the second open end of the outer retaining sheath.

Claim 16

A drilling device for obtaining a bone biopsy comprising: (a) an introducer comprising an elongated cylindrical guide tube which has a central longitudinal axis, said guide having a first open end and a second open end which has a plurality of gripping teeth for maintaining the guide tube in position against the outer surface of the bone, (b) a handle which is attached to the guide tube for holding the introducer during drilling, (c) a cylindrical tubular drill which is inserted within said guide tube for sliding movement along said longitudinal axis relative to said guide tube, said drill having a first end and a second open end which has a plurality of cutting teeth which extend beyond said gripping teeth upon insertion of said drill through said tube, said drill comprising: (1) an outer cylindrical retaining sheath having a first open end and a second open end which is provided with cutting teeth, (2) an inner cylindrical retaining sheath which is slidably mounted longitudinally within said outer retaining sheath, said inner retaining sheath having a first end and a second open end which is provided with cutting teeth, said inner retaining sheath comprising two separable longitudinal halves, and (3) clamping means for releasably locking said inner and outer retaining sheaths together as a single drilling unit, (d) an adjustable stop which is mounted on said drill for limiting the axial movement of said drill toward the second end of said introducer and thereby limiting the distance which the cutting teeth of the drill extend beyond the holding teeth of the introducer, (e) means for rotating said drill about its central longitudinal axis, and (f) means for removing a bone biopsy sample form said drill including means for removing said inner retaining sheath through the second open end of the outer retaining sheath.

Claim 17

A drilling device as recited in claim 14, wherein said adjustable stop comprises: (a) a collar which is mounted for longitudinal sliding the first end of said introducer, said collar having a threaded aperture which extends completely through said collar transversely of said central longitudinal axis, and (b) a set screw which is threaded into said aperture for engaging said drill.

Claim 18

A drilling device as recited in claim 15, wherein said clamping means comprises, in part, of said adjustable stop, and an elongated longitudinal slot in said outer retaining sheath which enables said set screw to engage said inner retaining sheath for clamping said inner and outer retaining sheaths together and allowing said collar to be moved to a plurality of positions along the length of said slot.

Claim 19

A drill as recited in claim 16, wherein said set screw has an enlarged head which extends beyond said collar for tightening and releasing said set screw by hand.

Claim 20

A drilling device as recited in claim 14, wherein the means for removing said inner retaining sheath from said outer retaining sheath comprises: (a) a notch in the first end of said inner retaining sheath, and (b) an elongated extractor having a handle at one end and an engaging element at its opposite end for engaging said notch and for longitudinal sliding movement within said outer retaining sheath.

Claim 21

A drilling device as recited in claim 18, wherein the means for rotating said drill comprises a turning handle which has a drive pin at one end for engaging said notch.

Claim 22

A drilling device as recited in claim 19, wherein said turning handle has a cavity at said one end for receiving the first ends of said inner and outer retaining sheaths and wherein said drive pin extends transversely through said cavity.