Patent ID: 6939351
Filing Date: 2005-09-06
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A diskectomy instrument comprising: a) an elongate body having a distal end and a proximal end, the elongate body having a blade opening proximate the distal end; b) a blade movably mounted at least partially within the elongate body proximate the blade opening, the blade having a distal end, a proximal end, at least one sharp edge extending at least partially between the distal end and the proximal end, a ramped portion and a stem mating portion; and c) a drive stem movably mounted within the elongate body having a distal end, a proximal end and a blade mating portion, the drive stem being configured to slidably engage the blade when the drive stem is moved distally thereby extending the blade radially outward through the blade opening and extending the at least one sharp edge toward a radial cutting direction of the diskectomy instrument relative to a longitudinal axis of the diskectomy instrument and the blade mating portion being configured to cooperatively engage the stem mating portion of the blade when the drive stem is moved proximally thereby retracting the blade.