US20150289885A1 - Rongeur with vented t-slide and/or increased strength - Google Patents
Rongeur with vented t-slide and/or increased strength Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20150289885A1 US20150289885A1 US14/662,331 US201514662331A US2015289885A1 US 20150289885 A1 US20150289885 A1 US 20150289885A1 US 201514662331 A US201514662331 A US 201514662331A US 2015289885 A1 US2015289885 A1 US 2015289885A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- shaft
- top shaft
- rongeur
- tongue
- groove
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
- A61B17/16—Bone cutting, breaking or removal means other than saws, e.g. Osteoclasts; Drills or chisels for bones; Trepans
- A61B17/1604—Chisels; Rongeurs; Punches; Stamps
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
- A61B17/16—Bone cutting, breaking or removal means other than saws, e.g. Osteoclasts; Drills or chisels for bones; Trepans
- A61B17/1604—Chisels; Rongeurs; Punches; Stamps
- A61B17/1606—Chisels; Rongeurs; Punches; Stamps of forceps type, i.e. having two jaw elements moving relative to each other
- A61B17/1608—Chisels; Rongeurs; Punches; Stamps of forceps type, i.e. having two jaw elements moving relative to each other the two jaw elements being linked to two elongated shaft elements moving longitudinally relative to each other
- A61B17/1611—Chisels; Rongeurs; Punches; Stamps of forceps type, i.e. having two jaw elements moving relative to each other the two jaw elements being linked to two elongated shaft elements moving longitudinally relative to each other the two jaw elements being integral with respective elongate shaft elements
Abstract
A rongeur comprising:
-
- a bottom shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a substantially flat upper surface extending along at least a portion of the bottom shaft, the distal end terminating in a footplate;
- a top shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a substantially flat bottom surface extending along at least a portion of the top shaft;
- wherein the bottom shaft comprises a groove characterized by a wider proximal recess and a narrower distal recess, the distal recess comprising an undercut;
- wherein the top shaft comprises a tongue characterized by a crossbar connected to the bottom surface of the top shaft by a vertical riser;
- wherein at least a portion of the flat bottom surface of the top shaft rests on at least a portion of the flat upper surface of the bottom shaft and the tongue is slidably disposed in the groove so that when the top shaft is moved distally relative to the bottom shaft, the tongue slides from the wider proximal recess into the narrower distal recess;
- and further wherein the top shaft comprises at least one passageway for admitting air into the portion of the wider proximal recess vacated by the tongue.
Description
- This patent application claims benefit of:
- (1) pending prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/574,098, filed Jul. 28, 2011 by David Martin Funnell for RONGEUR WITH VENTED T-SLIDE AND METHOD FOR REMANUFACTURE (Attorney's Docket No. FUNNELL-3 PROV);
- (2) pending prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/626,283, filed Sep. 26, 2011 by David Martin Funnell for RONGEUR WITH A VENTED T-SLOT AND METHOD FOR REMANUFACTURE (Attorney's Docket No. FUNNELL-6 PROV); and
- (3) pending prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/630,693, filed Dec. 19, 2011 by David Martin Funnell for STRENGTHENED RONGEUR WITH VENTED T-SLOT AND METHOD FOR REMANUFACTURE (Attorney's Docket No. FUNNELL-7 PROV).
- The three (3) above-identified patent applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
- This invention relates to medical devices and apparatus in general, and more particularly to rongeurs for removing bone and other tissue.
- Rongeurs are medical devices that are typically used to remove bone and other tissue (e.g., cartilage) from a surgical site during a surgical procedure. Rongeurs of varying types and constructions are well known in the art.
- Looking first at
FIGS. 1-12 , there is shown a typicalprior art rongeur 5.Rongeur 5 comprises abottom shaft 10 and atop shaft 15. - Bottom shaft 10 (
FIGS. 1-5 and 9-12) generally comprises an elongated rigid shank having a proximal end 16 (FIG. 1 ) and a distal end 17 (FIG. 1 ).Bottom shaft 10 comprises a substantially flatupper surface 20 and terminates in afootplate 25 at the distal end of the shaft.Footplate 25 typically extends at a moderate obtuse angle with respect to the plane ofupper surface 20. The proximal end ofbottom shaft 10 typically terminates in a handle 30 (FIG. 1 ), which may be formed integral withbottom shaft 10 or may be otherwise connected thereto. - Top shaft 15 (
FIGS. 1 , 2, 6-12) generally comprises an elongated rigid shank having a proximal end 31 (FIG. 1 ) and a distal end 32 (FIG. 1 ).Top shaft 15 comprises a substantiallyflat bottom surface 35 and terminates in aconcave surface 40 at the distal end of the shaft.Concave surface 40 is configured such that the edges of the distal end of the top shaft form acutting edge 45 whentop shaft 15 is applied againstfootplate 25 ofbottom shaft 10. The proximal end oftop shaft 15 is typically connected to a lever 50 (FIG. 1 ), which in turn is spring-biased away fromhandle 30, as will hereinafter be discussed in further detail. -
Bottom shaft 10 further comprises agroove 55. Groove 55 is characterized by a widerproximal recess 60 and a narrowerdistal recess 65. Narrowerdistal recess 65 comprises an undercut 70. -
Top shaft 15 further comprises atongue 75 extending frombottom surface 35.Tongue 75 is characterized by acrossbar 80 which is connected tobottom surface 35 by avertical riser 85.Tongue 75 of top shaft is sized to be slidably received ingroove 55 ofbottom shaft 10, whereby to form a T-slide connection. -
Bottom shaft 10 andtop shaft 15 are assembled together so thatbottom surface 35 oftop shaft 15 slides againsttop surface 20 ofbottom shaft 10 andtongue 75 oftop shaft 15 is slidably disposed ingroove 55 ofbottom shaft 10. This construction allowstop shaft 15 to reciprocate longitudinally relative tobottom shaft 10 while remaining substantially parallel to, and in sliding engagement with, one another whentop shaft 15 moves between (i) a resting position (i.e., wherecutting edge 45 oftop shaft 15 is spaced fromfootplate 25 ofbottom shaft 10, as shown inFIGS. 1 , 2 and 11), and (ii) a cutting position (i.e., where cuttingedge 45 oftop shaft 15 is in engagement withfootplate 25 ofbottom shaft 10, as shown inFIG. 12 ). - The reciprocating movement of
top shaft 15 relative tobottom shaft 10 is typically effected by moving lever 50 (FIG. 1 ) proximally towardshandle 30. More particularly, by virtue of the connection betweentop shaft 15 andlever 50, movement oflever 50 proximally causestop shaft 15 to slide distally relative tobottom shaft 10. - Preferably,
springs 90 extend betweenhandle 30 and lever 50 so thathandle 30 andlever 50 remain separated from one another whenrongeur 5 is in its resting (i.e., non-cutting) position (FIGS. 1 , 2 and 11). - In use, the distal portion of
rongeur 5 is deployed at a surgical site. Tissue targeted for removal is disposed betweencutting edge 45 andfootplate 25.Lever 50 is pulled proximally towardshandle 30, which causestop shaft 15 to move distally alongbottom shaft 10 untilcutting edge 45 is brought into contact with footplate 25 (FIG. 12 ), thereby cutting the tissue disposed betweencutting edge 45 andfootplate 25. After cutting,lever 50 is released andtop shaft 15 returns to its resting position (FIGS. 1 , 2 and 11). - During use of
rongeur 5, astop shaft 15 reciprocates relative tobottom shaft 10,top shaft 15 andbottom shaft 10 are kept in close vertical and horizontal alignment with each other as a result of the T-slide (i.e., tongue-and-groove) construction described above, withbottom surface 35 oftop shaft 15 sliding alongtop surface 20 ofbottom shaft 10. Astop shaft 15 advances relative tobottom shaft 10, the distal movement oftongue 75 withingroove 55 moves the proximal portion oftongue 75 fromwider recess 60 intonarrower recess 65. As this occurs, the volume ofgroove 55 which is disposed proximal to movingtongue 75 increases astongue 75 moves distally. Inasmuch asbottom surface 35 oftop shaft 15 makes a close sliding fit withtop surface 20 ofbottom shaft 10, this distal motion oftongue 75 creates a substantial suction force in the space proximal to the moving tongue, i.e., inwider recess 60. The result of this suction is that bone fragments, tissue debris and other bio-matter are drawn intowider recess 60, where they can collect and migrate to other portions ofgroove 55. - Unfortunately, it is difficult to remove bio-matter that collects in
wider recess 60 without undertaking a time-consuming and uneconomical disassembly ofrongeur 5. However, unlesswider recess 60 and the rest of the rongeur can be effectively cleaned, the rongeur should not be used again because of the risk of contamination and spreading of pathogens. However, one-time use of an expensive piece of surgical equipment is undesirable at best, and effectively impractical with rongeurs. - As a result, one object of the present invention is to provide a novel rongeur that eliminates the suction force resulting from the movement of
tongue 75 intonarrower recess 65 so as to prevent the collection of bio-matter and other debris inwider recess 60 ofbottom shaft 10 ofrongeur 5. - An additional problem associated with prior art rongeurs is that the formation of
groove 55 in general, and the formation of undercut 70 alongnarrower recess 65 in particular, tends to weaken the distal portion ofbottom shaft 10 because it requires the removal of a substantial amount of the material that makes up the distal portion of bottom shaft 10 (e.g., metal). This is a particular problem as users of rongeurs frequently apply a substantial amount of force when actuating the device in order to cut tough tissue, which can cause the distal portion ofbottom shaft 10 to bend during use, asinclined cutting edge 45 exerts a significant force againstinclined footplate 25. SeeFIG. 12A . Such bending can substantially impair the efficiency and effectiveness of prior art rongeurs. - Accordingly, another object of the present invention is to provide for a strengthened rongeur.
- These and other objects of the present invention are addressed by the provision and use of a novel rongeur that (i) eliminates the suction force resulting from the advancement of a top shaft relative to a bottom shaft in order to prevent the collection of bio-matter and other debris in a groove formed in the bottom shaft; and (ii) provides for a strengthened rongeur by altering the shape of the tongue in the top shaft and the groove in the bottom shaft so that less of the material in the bottom shaft needs to be removed from the bottom shaft in order to form the groove.
- In one preferred form of the present invention, there is provided a rongeur comprising:
- a bottom shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a substantially flat upper surface extending along at least a portion of the bottom shaft, the distal end terminating in a footplate;
- a top shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a substantially flat bottom surface extending along at least a portion of the top shaft;
- wherein the bottom shaft comprises a groove characterized by a wider proximal recess and a narrower distal recess, the distal recess comprising an undercut;
- wherein the top shaft comprises a tongue characterized by a crossbar connected to the bottom surface of the top shaft by a vertical riser;
- wherein at least a portion of the flat bottom surface of the top shaft rests on at least a portion of the flat upper surface of the bottom shaft and the tongue is slidably disposed in the groove so that when the top shaft is moved distally relative to the bottom shaft, the tongue slides from the wider proximal recess into the narrower distal recess;
- and further wherein the top shaft comprises at least one passageway for admitting air into the portion of the wider proximal recess vacated by the tongue.
- In another preferred form of the present invention, there is provided a rongeur comprising:
- a bottom shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end, and an upper surface having a groove formed therein, the distal end terminating in a footplate;
- a top shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end, and a bottom surface having a tongue projecting downwardly therefrom;
- the bottom surface of the top shaft being slidably disposed on the upper surface of the bottom shaft, and the tongue being slidably disposed in the groove, so that when the top shaft is moved distally relative to the bottom shaft, the tongue slides distally within the groove;
- and further wherein the top shaft comprises at least one passageway for admitting air into the portion of the groove vacated by the tongue, whereby to eliminate the potential to generate suction force in the portion of the groove vacated by the tongue as the top shaft moves distally.
- In another preferred form of the present invention, there is provided a rongeur comprising:
- a bottom shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a substantially flat upper surface extending along at least a portion of the bottom shaft, the distal end terminating in a footplate;
- a top shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a substantially flat bottom surface extending along at least a portion of the top shaft;
- wherein the bottom shaft comprises a groove characterized by a wider proximal recess and a narrower distal recess, the distal recess comprising an undercut;
- wherein the top shaft comprises a tongue characterized by a crossbar connected to the bottom surface of the top shaft by a vertical riser;
- wherein at least a portion of the flat bottom surface of the top shaft rests on at least a portion of the flat upper surface of the bottom shaft and the tongue is slidably disposed in the groove so that when the top shaft is moved distally relative to the bottom shaft, the tongue slides from the wider proximal recess into the narrower distal recess;
- and further wherein the floor of the undercut is formed with rounded edges and the bottom of the crossbar is formed with rounded edges.
- These and other objects and features of the present invention will be more fully disclosed or rendered obvious by the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which is to be considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts, and further wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a prior art rongeur; -
FIG. 2 is a side view of the distal portion of the prior art rongeur ofFIG. 1 , with the top shaft in its resting (or open) position; -
FIG. 3 is side view of the bottom shaft of the prior art rongeur ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 4 is a top view of the bottom shaft of the prior art rongeur ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the bottom shaft of the prior art rongeur ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 6 is a side view of the top shaft of the prior art rongeur ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the top shaft of the prior art rongeur ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the top shaft of the prior art rongeur ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 10 is an exploded side view of the top shaft and bottom shaft of the prior art rongeur ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 11 is a side view of the top shaft and bottom shaft of the prior art rongeur ofFIG. 1 , with the top shaft in its resting (or open) position; -
FIG. 12 is a side view of the top shaft and bottom shaft of the prior art rongeur ofFIG. 1 , with the top shaft in its cutting position; -
FIG. 12A is a schematic view showing how the bottom shaft of the rongeur can become bent during heavy use; -
FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a novel rongeur formed in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 13A is a side view of the distal portion of the novel rongeur ofFIG. 13 , with the top shaft in its resting (or open) position; -
FIG. 13B is a schematic view showing how arcuate surfaces formed on the top shaft of the rongeur can direct a jet of cleaning fluid into the groove formed in the bottom shaft; -
FIG. 14 is an exploded side view of the top shaft and bottom shaft of the novel rongeur shown inFIGS. 13 and 13A ; -
FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the top shaft of the novel rongeur shown inFIGS. 13 and 13A ; -
FIG. 16 is a side view of the distal portion of another novel rongeur formed in accordance with the present invention, with the top shaft in its resting (or open) position; -
FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the top shaft of the novel rongeur ofFIG. 16 ; -
FIG. 18 is a side view of the novel rongeur ofFIG. 16 , with the top shaft in its cutting position; -
FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 19-19 ofFIG. 16 ; -
FIG. 19A is a schematic view showing how arcuate surfaces formed on the top shaft of the rongeur can direct a jet of cleaning fluid into the groove formed in the bottom shaft; and -
FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the top shaft and bottom shaft of another novel rongeur formed in accordance with the present invention. - Looking now at
FIGS. 13 , 13A, 14 and 15, there is shown anovel rongeur 105 formed in accordance with the present invention.Rongeur 105 comprises abottom shaft 110 and atop shaft 115. -
Bottom shaft 110 generally comprises an elongated rigid shank having a proximal end 116 (FIG. 13 ) and a distal end 117 (FIG. 13 ).Bottom shaft 110 comprises a substantially flatupper surface 120 and terminates in afootplate 125 at the distal end of the shaft.Footplate 125 extends at a moderate obtuse angle with respect to the plane ofupper surface 120. The proximal end ofbottom shaft 110 terminates in a handle 130 (FIG. 13 ), which may be formed integral withbottom shaft 110 or may be otherwise connected thereto. -
Top shaft 115 generally comprises an elongated rigid shank having a proximal end 131 (FIG. 13 ) and a distal end 132 (FIG. 13 ).Top shaft 115 comprises a substantially flatbottom surface 135 and terminates in aconcave surface 140 at the distal end of the shaft.Concave surface 140 is configured such that the edges of the distal end of the top shaft form acutting edge 145 whentop shaft 115 is applied againstfootplate 125 ofbottom shaft 110. The proximal end oftop shaft 115 is connected to a lever 150 (FIG. 13 ), which in turn is spring-biased away fromhandle 130, as will hereinafter be discussed in further detail. -
Bottom shaft 110 further comprises agroove 155.Groove 155 is characterized by a widerproximal recess 160 and a narrowerdistal recess 165. Narrowerdistal recess 165 comprises an undercut 170. -
Top shaft 115 further comprises atongue 175 extending frombottom surface 135.Tongue 175 is characterized by acrossbar 180 which is connected tobottom surface 135 by avertical riser 185.Tongue 175 of the top shaft is sized to be slidably received ingroove 155 ofbottom shaft 110, whereby to form a T-slide connection. -
Bottom shaft 110 andtop shaft 115 are assembled together so thatbottom surface 135 oftop shaft 115 slides againsttop surface 120 ofbottom shaft 110 andtongue 175 oftop shaft 115 is slidably disposed ingroove 155 ofbottom shaft 110. This construction allowstop shaft 115 to reciprocate longitudinally relative tobottom shaft 110 while remaining substantially parallel to, and in sliding engagement with, one another whentop shaft 115 moves between (i) a resting position (i.e., where cuttingedge 145 oftop shaft 115 is spaced fromfootplate 125 ofbottom shaft 110, as shown inFIGS. 13 and 13A ), and (ii) a cutting position (i.e., where cuttingedge 145 oftop shaft 115 is in engagement withfootplate 125 of bottom shaft 110). - In accordance with the present invention,
top shaft 115 further comprises at least one passageway for allowing air to pass through top shaft and into widerproximal recess 160 ofgroove 155, whereby to eliminate the potential to generate a suction force in widerproximal recess 160 ofgroove 155 whentop shaft 115 advances relative tobottom shaft 110. - More particularly, in one form of the present invention, a
passageway 190 is formed vertically throughtop shaft 115, opening on thetop surface 191 oftop shaft 115 and on thebottom surface 135 oftop shaft 115.Passageway 190 is preferably in the form of an elongated slit extending longitudinally from the proximal end oftongue 175 to a point ontop shaft 115 approximately adjacent to the proximal end ofwider recess 160 whentop shaft 115 ofrongeur 105 is in its resting (or open) position. SeeFIG. 13A .Passageway 190 allows air to pass into widerproximal recess 160 ofgroove 155 ofbottom shaft 110, whereby to eliminate the potential to create suction by the distal movement oftongue 175 intonarrower recess 165 ofgroove 155, whereby to prevent the collection of bio-matter and other debris ingroove 155 of the bottom shaft of the rongeur. - The dimension and relative position of
passageway 190 on thetop shaft 115 is a significant aspect of the present invention. More particularly,passageway 190 must be sufficiently long, and appropriately positioned, so as to ensure that at least a portion ofpassageway 190 is always in fluid communication withwider recess 160 ofgroove 155 regardless of the longitudinal position oftop shaft 115 vis-à-visbottom shaft 110. - Further, it has been discovered that, by forming
top shaft 115 with theaforementioned passageway 190, cleaning and sterilization ofrongeur 105 is significantly facilitated, sincepassageway 190 allows jets of cleaning fluid to reach the portions ofgroove 155 proximal totongue 175 during cleaning, and sincepassageway 190 allows high temperature steam to reach the portions ofgroove 155 proximal totongue 175 during autoclaving. This makes it possible to clean and sterilize rongeur 105 without requiring disassembly. Significantly, by formingpassageway 190 with upwardly rounded proximal and distal ends 195 (seeFIGS. 13A and 14 ), the jets of cleaning fluid and/or high temperature steam are better able to pass throughpassageway 190 to clean and/or sterilize the portions ofgroove 155 proximal totongue 175. See, for example,FIG. 13B , which shows acleaning tool 196 directing ajet 197 of cleaning fluid intopassageway 190, withjet 197 being directed intowider recess 160 ofgroove 155 by one of the arcuate surfaces 195. - In another form of the present invention, and looking now at
FIGS. 16-19 , at least onepassageway 200 is formed in the side wall oftop shaft 115 so as to allow air to pass bytop shaft 115 and into widerproximal recess 160 ofgroove 155. The at least onepassageway 200 extends, longitudinally, from the proximal end oftongue 175 to a point ontop shaft 115 approximately adjacent to the proximal end ofwider recess 160 whentop shaft 115 ofrongeur 105 is in its resting (or open) position (FIG. 16 ). The at least onepassageway 200 may be formed intop shaft 115 by removing material from a portion of a side of top shaft 115 (e.g., through grinding, cutting or other ways well known in the art of machining parts). The at least onepassageway 200 serves to admit air into widerproximal recess 160 ofgroove 155 ofbottom shaft 110, whereby to eliminate the potential to create suction by the distal movement oftongue 175 intonarrower recess 165 ofgroove 155, whereby to prevent the collection of bio-matter and other debris ingroove 155 of the bottom shaft of the rongeur. - In one preferred form of the invention, two
passageways 200 are formed intop shaft 115, one opening on eachside surface 202, 203 (FIG. 17 ) oftop shaft 115, so as to form two alignedopenings 200, with a portion 210 (FIGS. 17 and 19 ) ofbottom surface 135 remaining between the twoopenings 200. Leavingportion 210 ofbottom surface 135 helps stabilizetop shaft 115 as it reciprocates alongtop surface 120 ofbottom shaft 110 during use ofrongeur 105. - The dimension and relative position of
passageways 200 on thetop shaft 115 is a significant aspect of the present invention. More particularly,passageways 200 must be sufficiently long, and appropriately positioned, so as to ensure that at least a portion ofpassageways 200 are always in fluid communication withwider recess 160 ofgroove 155 regardless of the longitudinal position oftop shaft 115 vis-à-visbottom shaft 110. - In addition to the foregoing, passageways 200 (
FIGS. 16-19 ) formed intop shaft 115 facilitate cleaning and sterilization ofrongeur 105, sincepassageways 200 allow jets of cleaning fluid to reach the portions ofgroove 155 proximal totongue 175 during cleaning, and sincepassageways 200 allow high temperature steam to reach the portions ofgroove 155 proximal totongue 175 during autoclaving. This makes it possible to clean and sterilize rongeur 105 without requiring disassembly. Significantly, by formingportion 210 with arcuate edges 212 (FIG. 19 ), the jets of cleaning fluid and/or high temperature steam are better able to pass throughpassageways 200 to clean and/or sterilize the portions ofgroove 155 proximal totongue 175. See, for example,FIG. 19A , which shows acleaning tool 213 directing ajet 214 of cleaning fluid intopassageway 200, withjet 214 being directed intowider recess 160 ofgroove 155 by one of the arcuate surfaces 212. - If desired, the
aforementioned passageways - Significantly, the
aforementioned passageway 190 and/orpassageway 200 may be provided at the time of manufacture of the rongeur or, alternatively, they may be provided retroactively to existing rongeurs. - In yet another form of the present invention, a rongeur having a strengthened bottom shaft is provided. The bottom shaft of the rongeur is strengthened by altering the configuration of the groove formed in the bottom shaft of the rongeur, (and, correspondingly, by altering the configuration of the tongue formed on the top shaft of the rongeur) so that less of the material in the bottom shaft needs to be removed from the bottom shaft in order to form the
groove 155. Thus, altering the configuration of thegroove 155 in thebottom shaft 115 provides for a bottom shaft that better resists bending in response to the forces exerted by thetop shaft 115 onfootplate 125 during use of the rongeur. - More particularly, and looking now at
FIG. 20 , in this form of the invention,bottom shaft 110 comprises agroove 220 which is generally similar to thegroove 155 discussed above, except that at least the undercut 170 of groove 220 (and, if desired, the entire length of groove 220) is formed with a rounded floor (i.e., a rounded bottom surface) instead of a flat floor (i.e., a flat bottom surface). Correspondingly,top shaft 115 comprises atongue 175 which comprises acrossbar 225 which is formed with a rounded bottom surface which is the inverse of the rounded floor of undercut 170. - In essence, the shape of undercut 170 of
bottom shaft 110 andcrossbar 225 oftop shaft 115 are formed in complementary shapes that roughly resemble the shape of an inverted mushroom. Forming undercut 170 andcrossbar 225 in this manner requires that less material be removed frombottom shaft 110 during formation ofgroove 220 than wheregroove 220 andcrossbar 225 are formed with flat bottoms. The retention of a larger amount of rigid material inbottom shaft 110 provides enhanced resistance against the undesirable bending ofbottom shaft 110 when a significant force is applied by the user of the rongeur totop shaft 115 againstfootplate 125 during use of the rongeur. Further, the concave shape of the floor of undercut 170 distributes stresses in a superior manner to a flat floor, thereby providing additional strength and rigidity tobottom shaft 110. - Preferably, the interior angles of undercut 170 and
crossbar 180 are square and not filleted or otherwise rounded (i.e., the ceiling of undercut 170, and the upper surface ofcrossbar 180, are flat). It has been discovered that filleted interior angles can lead to an undesirably loose or less robust engagement oftongue 175 of thetop shaft 115 withingroove 220 ofbottom shaft 110. A tight, slidable engagement betweentongue 175 and groove 220 is important to the proper functioning of the rongeur during use, as “play” betweentop shaft 115 andbottom shaft 110 can degrade performance of the rongeur by dispersing forces intended to cut tissue or bone positioned between cuttingedge 145 oftop shaft 115 andfootplate 125 ofbottom shaft 110, could cause the rongeur to operate outside of tolerances, could cause the T-slide connection to bind during use or, in an extreme case, could lead to disengagement ofbottom shaft 110 andtop shaft 115 during use of the rongeur. - It should be understood that many additional changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangements of parts, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the present invention, may be made by those skilled in the art while still remaining within the principles and scope of the invention.
Claims (24)
1. A rongeur comprising:
a bottom shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a substantially flat upper surface extending along at least a portion of the bottom shaft, the distal end terminating in a footplate;
a top shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a substantially flat bottom surface extending along at least a portion of the top shaft;
wherein the bottom shaft comprises a groove characterized by a wider proximal recess and a narrower distal recess, the distal recess comprising an undercut;
wherein the top shaft comprises a tongue characterized by a crossbar connected to the bottom surface of the top shaft by a vertical riser;
wherein at least a portion of the flat bottom surface of the top shaft rests on at least a portion of the flat upper surface of the bottom shaft and the tongue is slidably disposed in the groove so that when the top shaft is moved distally relative to the bottom shaft, the tongue slides from the wider proximal recess into the narrower distal recess;
and further wherein the top shaft comprises at least one passageway for admitting air into the portion of the wider proximal recess vacated by the tongue.
2. A rongeur according to claim 1 wherein the at least one passageway extends vertically through the top shaft.
3. A rongeur according to claim 2 wherein the at least one passageway comprises a longitudinal slit.
4. A rongeur according to claim 3 wherein the distal and proximal ends of the longitudinal slit comprise arcuate surfaces.
5. A rongeur according to claim 1 wherein the at least one passageway is formed in a side wall of the top shaft.
6. A rongeur according to claim 5 wherein the at least one passageway extends across only a portion of the full width of the top shaft.
7. A rongeur according to claim 6 wherein the at least one passageway comprises a second passageway formed in the side wall of the top shaft.
8. A rongeur according to claim 7 wherein the two passageways are offset from one another.
9. A rongeur according to claim 8 wherein the two passageways are separated by a midline ridge.
10. A rongeur according to claim 9 wherein the outboard surfaces of the midline ridge comprise arcuate surfaces.
11. A rongeur according to claim 5 wherein the at least one passageway extends across the complete width of the top shaft.
12. A rongeur according to claim 1 wherein the at least one passageway comprises a longitudinal slit extending vertically through the top shaft and a passageway formed in the side wall of the top shaft.
13. A rongeur according to claim 1 wherein the crossbar is formed with square edges.
14. A rongeur according to claim 5 wherein the undercut is formed with square edges.
15. A rongeur according to claim 1 wherein the bottom of the crossbar is formed with rounded edges.
16. A rongeur according to claim 15 wherein the floor of the undercut is formed with rounded edges.
17. A rongeur according to claim 15 wherein the top of the crossbar is formed with square edges.
18. A rongeur according to claim 17 wherein the ceiling of the undercut is formed with square edges.
19. A rongeur comprising:
a bottom shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end, and an upper surface having a groove formed therein, the distal end terminating in a footplate;
a top shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end, and a bottom surface having a tongue projecting downwardly therefrom;
the bottom surface of the top shaft being slidably disposed on the upper surface of the bottom shaft, and the tongue being slidably disposed in the groove, so that when the top shaft is moved distally relative to the bottom shaft, the tongue slides distally within the groove;
and further wherein the top shaft comprises at least one passageway for admitting air into the portion of the groove vacated by the tongue, whereby to eliminate the potential to generate suction force in the portion of the groove vacated by the tongue as the top shaft moves distally.
20. A rongeur according to claim 19 wherein the tongue-and-groove collectively form a T-slide connection.
21. A rongeur according to claim 19 wherein the at least one passageway extends vertically through the height of the top shaft.
22. A rongeur according to claim 21 wherein the at least one passageway comprises a longitudinal slit.
23. A rongeur according to claim 19 wherein the at least one passageway is formed in the bottom surface of the top shaft and opens on a side wall of the top shaft.
24. A rongeur comprising:
a bottom shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a substantially flat upper surface extending along at least a portion of the bottom shaft, the distal end terminating in a footplate;
a top shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a substantially flat bottom surface extending along at least a portion of the top shaft;
wherein the bottom shaft comprises a groove characterized by a wider proximal recess and a narrower distal recess, the distal recess comprising an undercut;
wherein the top shaft comprises a tongue characterized by a crossbar connected to the bottom surface of the top shaft by a vertical riser;
wherein at least a portion of the flat bottom surface of the top shaft rests on at least a portion of the flat upper surface of the bottom shaft and the tongue is slidably disposed in the groove so that when the top shaft is moved distally relative to the bottom shaft, the tongue slides from the wider proximal recess into the narrower distal recess;
and further wherein the floor of the undercut is formed with rounded edges and the bottom of the crossbar is formed with rounded edges.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/662,331 US20150289885A1 (en) | 2011-07-28 | 2015-03-19 | Rongeur with vented t-slide and/or increased strength |
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201161574098P | 2011-07-28 | 2011-07-28 | |
US201161626283P | 2011-09-26 | 2011-09-26 | |
US201161630693P | 2011-12-19 | 2011-12-19 | |
US13/562,120 US9089345B2 (en) | 2011-07-28 | 2012-07-30 | Rongeur with vented T-slide and/or increased strength |
US14/662,331 US20150289885A1 (en) | 2011-07-28 | 2015-03-19 | Rongeur with vented t-slide and/or increased strength |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/562,120 Continuation US9089345B2 (en) | 2011-07-28 | 2012-07-30 | Rongeur with vented T-slide and/or increased strength |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20150289885A1 true US20150289885A1 (en) | 2015-10-15 |
Family
ID=47677999
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/562,120 Expired - Fee Related US9089345B2 (en) | 2011-07-28 | 2012-07-30 | Rongeur with vented T-slide and/or increased strength |
US14/662,331 Abandoned US20150289885A1 (en) | 2011-07-28 | 2015-03-19 | Rongeur with vented t-slide and/or increased strength |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/562,120 Expired - Fee Related US9089345B2 (en) | 2011-07-28 | 2012-07-30 | Rongeur with vented T-slide and/or increased strength |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (2) | US9089345B2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USRE48184E1 (en) | 2010-12-29 | 2020-09-01 | DePuy Synthes Products, Inc. | Electric motor driven tool for orthopedic impacting |
Families Citing this family (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20140100593A1 (en) * | 2012-10-09 | 2014-04-10 | Paul Sand | Plastic Surgical Instruments |
CN104146753B (en) * | 2014-08-25 | 2016-04-20 | 王秀红 | A kind of rongeur of interchangeable binding clip |
US9931127B2 (en) * | 2014-11-19 | 2018-04-03 | Specialty Surgical Instrumentation, Inc. | Adjustable rongeur |
EP3162307A1 (en) * | 2015-10-30 | 2017-05-03 | Norbert Heinemann | Surgical instrument |
US10709459B2 (en) * | 2017-03-16 | 2020-07-14 | Jan ECKERMANN | Anti-durotomy kerrison rongeur |
USD901689S1 (en) * | 2017-08-11 | 2020-11-10 | Karl Storz Se & Co. Kg | Bone punch |
USD884173S1 (en) * | 2017-08-11 | 2020-05-12 | Karl Storz Se & Co. Kg | Bone punch |
CN111658120B (en) * | 2020-07-01 | 2022-05-03 | 李华 | Orthopedic operation forceps |
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US20070093843A1 (en) * | 2005-09-30 | 2007-04-26 | Schneiter James A | Rongeur |
US7621932B2 (en) * | 2004-10-14 | 2009-11-24 | Jörg Wenzler Medizintechnik GmbH | Surgical punching instrument |
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US4990148A (en) | 1989-01-13 | 1991-02-05 | Codman & Shurtleff, Inc. | Thin footplate rongeur |
US5273519A (en) | 1990-11-02 | 1993-12-28 | Tibor Koros | Bongeur surgical instrument |
FR2778084B1 (en) | 1998-04-29 | 2000-09-15 | Soprane Sa | LINKING DEVICE FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENT |
DE19949422A1 (en) | 1999-10-13 | 2001-04-19 | Tontarra Medizintechnik Gmbh | Surgical instrument |
DE10061512A1 (en) | 2000-12-08 | 2002-06-20 | Tontarra Medizintechnik Gmbh | Surgical instrument |
USD460553S1 (en) | 2001-08-02 | 2002-07-16 | Tibor Koros | Ejector plus rongeur |
US6991633B2 (en) | 2001-10-10 | 2006-01-31 | Codman & Shurtleff, Inc. | Rongeur with detachable crossbar |
US6685710B2 (en) | 2001-10-10 | 2004-02-03 | Codman & Shurtleff, Inc. | Rongeur with detachable crossbar |
US6638280B2 (en) | 2001-10-10 | 2003-10-28 | Codman & Shurtleff, Inc. | Rongeur with drainage |
US7377933B2 (en) | 2004-11-29 | 2008-05-27 | S.U.A. Martin Gmbh & Co. Kg | Surgical instrument |
DE102006012754B4 (en) * | 2006-03-17 | 2020-07-30 | Karl Storz Se & Co. Kg | Surgical instrument |
-
2012
- 2012-07-30 US US13/562,120 patent/US9089345B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2015
- 2015-03-19 US US14/662,331 patent/US20150289885A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (2)
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---|---|---|---|---|
US7621932B2 (en) * | 2004-10-14 | 2009-11-24 | Jörg Wenzler Medizintechnik GmbH | Surgical punching instrument |
US20070093843A1 (en) * | 2005-09-30 | 2007-04-26 | Schneiter James A | Rongeur |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USRE48184E1 (en) | 2010-12-29 | 2020-09-01 | DePuy Synthes Products, Inc. | Electric motor driven tool for orthopedic impacting |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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US20130041378A1 (en) | 2013-02-14 |
US9089345B2 (en) | 2015-07-28 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |