Patent ID: 9089345
Filing Date: 2015-07-28
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
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, at least one side surface disposed between the proximal end and the 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 at least one laterally-extending passageway formed within the top shaft for admitting air into the portion of the wider proximal recess vacated by the tongue, wherein the at least one passageway opens on the at least one side surface and the bottom surface of the top shaft and is in fluid communication with the groove, wherein the at least one passageway is laterally aligned with at least a portion of the wider proximal recess of the groove in the bottom shaft regardless of the disposition of the top shaft relative to the bottom shaft.