Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
An instrument for collection of cuttings, comprising: a tip having a bore for fitting to a cutting tool having a flute, wherein when fitted with a cutting tool having a flute, the tip and the flute form an enclosed channel; and a collection chamber attached to the tip for collecting and holding cuttings; a cutting tool having a flute fitted through the bore of the tip and translatable in and out through the instrument; wherein when in use, the instrument allows continuous unidirectional cutting tool rotation and cutting tool translation in and out through the instrument so as to channel, pull, or fling cuttings for accumulation in the collection chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
An instrument for collection of cuttings, comprising: a tip having a bore for fitting to a cutting tool having a flute, wherein when fitted with a cutting tool having a flute, the tip and the flute form an enclosed channel; and a collection chamber attached to the tip for collecting and holding cuttings; a cutting tool having a flute fitted through the bore of the tip and translatable in and out through the instrument; wherein when in use, the instrument allows continuous unidirectional cutting tool rotation and cutting tool translation in and out through the instrument so as to channel, pull, or fling cuttings for accumulation in the collection chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The instrument of claim 1 is further comprising a cap attachable to the collection chamber, the cap adapted for use with a cutting tool.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The instrument of claim 1 or 2 wherein the cutting tool is a concentrically oriented cutting tool.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The instrument of claim 3 wherein the cutting tool is selected from the group consisting of a drill bit, bur, grinder, rasp, reamer, milling cutter, fluted trocar, and a fluted hole saw.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The instrument of claim 3 wherein the cutting tool is a drill bit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The instrument of claim 3 wherein the cutting tool is fitted with an adjustable stop.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The instrument of claim 3 further comprising means for rotating the cutting tool.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The instrument of claim 7 wherein the means for rotating the cutting tool is an external motor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The instrument of claim 2 wherein the collection chamber further comprises an opening for connection to a vacuum line.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The instrument of claim 1 or 2 further comprising an attachment for processing cuttings.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A materials transplant system comprising: the instrument of claim 1 ; and means for moving cuttings to a site of implantation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The materials transplant system of claim 11 wherein the system is sterile.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The materials transplant system of claim 11 wherein the materials are tissue cuttings and the system further comprises means for processing tissue cuttings.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The materials transplant system of claim 13 wherein means for processing tissue cuttings comprises an encapsulation nozzle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The materials transplant system of claim 11 wherein the collection chamber further comprises an opening for connection to a vacuum line.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method for aseptically transplanting skeletal tissue from a first site to a second site comprising harvesting skeletal tissue from a first site using the materials transplant system of claim 12 ; and aseptically transplanting harvested tissue to a second site.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of processing harvested skeletal tissue before transplanting at the second site.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the processing is washing, grinding, filtering, separating, acid addition, base addition, encapsulant addition, pharmaceutical addition, or growth factor addition.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the first site and the second site are within one subject.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method for collection of cuttings of bone, metal, a ceramic, or a polymer, comprising assembling the instrument of claim 1 ; and harvesting cuttings of bone, metal, the ceramic, or the polymer into the collection chamber thereby, collecting the cuttings.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of flushing the collection chamber of the instrument with an inert gas for minimizing combustion hazard.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method for collection of cuttings in a microgravity environment, comprising assembling the instrument of claim 1 ; and harvesting cuttings in a microgravity environment into the collection chamber thereby, collecting the cuttings.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
110 words
An instrument for collection of cuttings, comprising: a tip having a bore for fitting to a drill bit having a flute, wherein when fitted with a drill bit having a flute, the tip and the flute form an enclosed channel; a collection chamber attached to the tip for collecting and holding cuttings; and a drill bit having a flute fitted through the bore of the tip and translatable in and out through the instrument, wherein when in use, the instrument allows continuous unidirectional drill bit rotation and drill bit translation in and out through the instrument so as to channel, pull, or fling cuttings for accumulation in the collection chamber.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
110 words
An instrument for collection of cuttings, comprising: a tip having a bore for fitting to a drill bit having a flute, wherein when fitted with a drill bit having a flute, the tip and the flute form an enclosed channel; a collection chamber attached to the tip for collecting and holding cuttings; and a drill bit having a flute fitted through the bore of the tip and translatable in and out through the instrument, wherein when in use, the instrument allows continuous unidirectional drill bit rotation and drill bit translation in and out through the instrument so as to channel, pull, or fling cuttings for accumulation in the collection chamber.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The instrument of claim 1 , 2 , or 23 wherein the tip further comprises a tooth.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The instrument of claim 1 , 2 , or 23 wherein the tip is a spherical tip.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The instrument of claim 1 , 2 , or 23 wherein the tip is a swivel tip.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The instrument of claim 1 , 2 , or 23 wherein the collection chamber further comprises a means for measuring volume.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
The instrument of claim 27 wherein the collection chamber has a transparent or translucent wall and the means for measuring volume includes a volumetric marking on the wall.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
The instrument of claim 1 , 2 , or 23 wherein the tip and the collection chamber are fabricated as one unit.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
The instrument of claim 1 , 2 , or 23 wherein the collection chamber is positioned at an angle with respect to the tip.