US5695513A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible cutting tool and methods for its use
Assignee: Distalock LLC
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Filing: 1996-03-01
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Granted: 1997-12-09
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Expires: 2016-03-01
Abstract
Abstract A cable comprising helically wound superelastic fibers and having a drilling tip provided at its distal end is housed in an elongated holder through which the cable may be advanced, the holder having a distal end for supporting the cable during a drilling operation and through which the distal end of the cable may protrude. The holder includes contains a cable support shaped to bend the cable through a predetermined angle adjacent its distal end and to support the cable as it is rotated and advanced. A motor is attached to the cable remote from the distal end of the cable to rotate the cable in a direction tending to tighten the cable fibers.
Inventors
- 👤 Wesley D. Johnson
- 👤 Gregg S. Sutton
- 👤 Bruce Wayne Stursa
- 👤 Francis C. Peterson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:32
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/320016; A61B17/32002; A61B17/16; A61B17/1613; A61B17/1615; A61B17/1631; A61B17/17; A61B17/1739; A61B17/1757; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00261; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/00867; A61B17/3205; A61B17/3207; A61B2017/320733
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
Method for drilling a hole through animal tissue comprising providing a drill including an elongated, flexible cable comprising helically wound fibers and bearing cutting means at its distal end and an elongated holder having an opening through which the cable may be advanced axially, the holder having a distal end for supporting the cable during a drilling operation and through which the distal end of the cable protrudes, the holder including a cable support shaped to bend the cable through a predetermined angle adjacent its distal end and to maintain such bend as the cable is rotated and advanced distally, rotating said cable in a direction tending to tighten the helically wound fibers while continuously maintaining the cutting means at least partially within the hole being drilled, whereby the wall of the hole being drilled serves to support the cutting means so that the latter advances through the tissue.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
Method for drilling a hole through animal tissue comprising providing a drill including an elongated, flexible cable comprising helically wound fibers and bearing cutting means at its distal end and an elongated holder having an opening through which the cable may be advanced axially, the holder having a distal end for supporting the cable during a drilling operation and through which the distal end of the cable protrudes, the holder including a cable support shaped to bend the cable through a predetermined angle adjacent its distal end and to maintain such bend as the cable is rotated and advanced distally, rotating said cable in a direction tending to tighten the helically wound fibers while continuously maintaining the cutting means at least partially within the hole being drilled, whereby the wall of the hole being drilled serves to support the cutting means so that the latter advances through the tissue.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the tissue is bone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the tissue is soft tissue.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said fibers are formed at the distal end of the cable so as to themselves form said cutting means, and wherein said cable is rotated so that fibers at the distal end of the cable separate from each other so as to drill a hole in said bone of a diameter larger than the diameter of the cable adjacent but spaced from its distal end.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-12-08 | 2001-06-09 | 2001-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-12-08 | 2005-06-09 | 2005-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-12-08 | 2009-06-09 | 2009-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |