Patent ID: 8241290
Filing Date: 2012-08-14
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A rongeur for cutting tissue including bone or cartilage, said rongeur comprising: a body; a first shaft and a second shaft extending from said body and capable of reciprocating motion relative to each other, said first shaft terminating in a foot plate, said second shaft including a combined cutting element and storage member having a leading end and a trailing end opposite said leading end, said leading end having a first opening and a cutting edge adapted to contact said foot plate, said cutting edge and said foot plate moveable from an open position to a closed position, the maximal volume of the tissue capable of being cut when said cutting edge and said foot plate are moved from said open position to said closed position determining a full cut of the tissue; a storage area in communication with said first opening in said leading end of said combined cutting element and storage member, said storage area configured to collect and store more than two full cut pieces of the tissue within said storage area, said combined cutting element and storage member in cooperation with said rongeur preventing the ejection of the full cut pieces of the tissue from said storage area during operation of said rongeur; and an actuator associated with said first and second shafts for providing reciprocating motion between said first and second shafts.