Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A cutting device for removing matter from a surgical site during a surgical procedure comprising: means for emulsifying the matter during the surgical procedure said emulsifying means including an entry tip portion and at least three cutting blades located one each on opposed leading edges of a window extending through the emulsifying means such that each cutting blade faces in the same direction of rotation, said entry tip portion having a cutting edge adjacent an outer surface thereof to facilitate entry into the matter; and means for rotatably supporting the emulsifying means during the surgical procedure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A cutting device for removing matter from a surgical site during a surgical procedure comprising: means for emulsifying the matter during the surgical procedure said emulsifying means including an entry tip portion and at least three cutting blades located one each on opposed leading edges of a window extending through the emulsifying means such that each cutting blade faces in the same direction of rotation, said entry tip portion having a cutting edge adjacent an outer surface thereof to facilitate entry into the matter; and means for rotatably supporting the emulsifying means during the surgical procedure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The cutting device of claim 1 wherein the window in the emulsifying means defines at least three walls extending at an angle from each cutting blade.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The cutting device of claim 2 wherein the support means comprises a main shaft and a mounting shaft, the mounting shaft having a diameter adapted for insertion into a surgical drill.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The cutting device of claim 3 wherein the main shaft, mounting shaft and cutting head are formed from a single piece of hardened surgical steel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The cutting device of claim 1 wherein said emulsifying means has a center of gravity located at a central axis extending along a length thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cutting device of claim 1 wherein the cutting edge on the entry tip is semicircular.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cutting device of claim 1 further comprising means for protecting an area adjacent the surgical site.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The cutting device of claim 7 wherein the means for protecting an area adjacent the surgical site is a cannula.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cutting device of claim 8 wherein the means for protecting an area adjacent the surgical site is a drill guard.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cutting device of claim 8 further comprising means for reducing friction between the main shaft and the cannula.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cutting device of claim 10 wherein the means for reducing the friction is at least one bushing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cutting device of claim 10 wherein the means for reducing friction is at least one bearing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
103 words
A cutting device for removing matter from a surgical site during a surgical procedure, which comprises: means for emulsifying the matter during the surgical procedure; said emulsifying means including an entry tip and at least three cutting blades located one each on opposed leading edges of a window extending through the emulsifying means such that each cutting blade faces in the same direction of rotation; means for rotatably supporting the emulsifying means during the surgical procedure; and a guard for sliding onto a collet of a drill, said guard having an opening extending along a length thereof for insertion of said supporting means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
103 words
A cutting device for removing matter from a surgical site during a surgical procedure, which comprises: means for emulsifying the matter during the surgical procedure; said emulsifying means including an entry tip and at least three cutting blades located one each on opposed leading edges of a window extending through the emulsifying means such that each cutting blade faces in the same direction of rotation; means for rotatably supporting the emulsifying means during the surgical procedure; and a guard for sliding onto a collet of a drill, said guard having an opening extending along a length thereof for insertion of said supporting means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
116 words
A cutting device for removing matter from a surgical site during a surgical procedure comprising: means for emulsifying the matter during the surgical procedure; said emulsifying means including a cutting head having an entry tip and at least three cutting blades located one each on opposed leading edges of window extending through the cutting head such that each cutting blade faces in the same direction of rotation, said entry tip having at least one cutting blade positioned on an outer surface of said entry tip, said cutting blade on said entry tip being a raised spiral flute circling a diameter of said cutting head; and means for rotatably supporting the emulsifying means during the surgical procedure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
116 words
A cutting device for removing matter from a surgical site during a surgical procedure comprising: means for emulsifying the matter during the surgical procedure; said emulsifying means including a cutting head having an entry tip and at least three cutting blades located one each on opposed leading edges of window extending through the cutting head such that each cutting blade faces in the same direction of rotation, said entry tip having at least one cutting blade positioned on an outer surface of said entry tip, said cutting blade on said entry tip being a raised spiral flute circling a diameter of said cutting head; and means for rotatably supporting the emulsifying means during the surgical procedure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
110 words
A cutting device for removing matter from a surgical site during a surgical procedure comprising: means for emulsifying the matter during the surgical procedure; said emulsifying means including a cutting head having an entry tip and at least three cutting blades located one each on opposed leading edges of window extending through the cutting head such that each cutting blade faces in the same direction of rotation, said entry tip having a plurality of cutting blades on an outer surface of the entry tip, the cutting blades being criss-crossing spiral flutes circling a diameter of the cutting head; and means for rotatably supporting the emulsifying means during the surgical procedure.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
110 words
A cutting device for removing matter from a surgical site during a surgical procedure comprising: means for emulsifying the matter during the surgical procedure; said emulsifying means including a cutting head having an entry tip and at least three cutting blades located one each on opposed leading edges of window extending through the cutting head such that each cutting blade faces in the same direction of rotation, said entry tip having a plurality of cutting blades on an outer surface of the entry tip, the cutting blades being criss-crossing spiral flutes circling a diameter of the cutting head; and means for rotatably supporting the emulsifying means during the surgical procedure.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
108 words
A cutting device for removing matter from a surgical site during a surgical procedure which comprises: means for emulsifying the matter during the surgical procedure; said emulsifying means including an entry tip and at least three cutting blades located one each on opposed leading edges of a window extending through the emulsifying means so that each cutting blade faces in the same direction of rotation; and a support member for rotatably supporting the emulsifying means during the surgical procedure, the support member having a main shaft and a mounting shaft, the main shaft being threaded, the mounting shaft having a diameter adapted for insertion into a surgical drill.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
108 words
A cutting device for removing matter from a surgical site during a surgical procedure which comprises: means for emulsifying the matter during the surgical procedure; said emulsifying means including an entry tip and at least three cutting blades located one each on opposed leading edges of a window extending through the emulsifying means so that each cutting blade faces in the same direction of rotation; and a support member for rotatably supporting the emulsifying means during the surgical procedure, the support member having a main shaft and a mounting shaft, the main shaft being threaded, the mounting shaft having a diameter adapted for insertion into a surgical drill.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
143 words
A surgical apparatus for cutting tissue, which comprises: an elongated shaft having proximal and distal ends and defining a longitudinal axis, the elongated shaft adapted for rotational movement about the longitudinal axis; and a cutting head disposed adjacent the distal end of the elongated shaft and adapted for rotational movement therewith, the cutting head having at least three cutting elements arranged about the longitudinal axis to define an opening therebetween for at least partial reception of hard tissue, the cutting elements each defining a leading cutting edge dimensioned and configured to cut tissue upon rotation of the cutting head in a first rotational direction, the cutting head further including an entry tip portion disposed distal of the cutting elements, the entry tip portion defining an entry cutting edge dimensioned to cut bony tissue to facilitate entry of the cutting head within the tissue.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
143 words
A surgical apparatus for cutting tissue, which comprises: an elongated shaft having proximal and distal ends and defining a longitudinal axis, the elongated shaft adapted for rotational movement about the longitudinal axis; and a cutting head disposed adjacent the distal end of the elongated shaft and adapted for rotational movement therewith, the cutting head having at least three cutting elements arranged about the longitudinal axis to define an opening therebetween for at least partial reception of hard tissue, the cutting elements each defining a leading cutting edge dimensioned and configured to cut tissue upon rotation of the cutting head in a first rotational direction, the cutting head further including an entry tip portion disposed distal of the cutting elements, the entry tip portion defining an entry cutting edge dimensioned to cut bony tissue to facilitate entry of the cutting head within the tissue.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The surgical apparatus of claim 17 wherein the cutting edges of the cutting elements are in general parallel relation with the longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surgical apparatus of claim 17 wherein the cutting elements and the entry tip portion are the sole cutting elements of the cutting head.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The surgical apparatus of claim 17 wherein the cutting elements of the cutting head are symmetrically arranged about the longitudinal axis.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
32 words
The surgical apparatus of claim 17 wherein the elongated shaft includes a groove defined in an outer surface thereof dimensioned to convey tissue removed by the cutting head in a proximal direction.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The surgical apparatus of claim 17 wherein the cutting edges of the cutting elements are dimensioned and configured to cut intervertebral disc material.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
The surgical apparatus of claim 17 wherein the cutting edges of the cutting elements are dimensioned and configured to at least partially emulsify the tissue.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
The surgical apparatus of claim 17 wherein the elongated shaft defines an aspirating channel to convey tissue removed by the cutting head in a proximal direction.