Abstract:
A surgical cutting device is described having a main body having an integral rear handle and a forward handle connected thereto. A sliding member sits atop a rail integral with the main body such that the sliding member is also moveably attached to the forward handle. The sliding member has a forward cutting device that is easily separable, reusable, disposable and replaceable using a simple mechanical engagement of perforations in the cutting device and protrusions in the sliding member. A strike end plate acts in conjunction with the sliding cutting device to grasp and cut bio matter from a patient during surgical procedures.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention is generally directed to surgical devices. More particularly, the present invention is related to a type of surgical device known as a rongeur; this device is used to remove tissues and bone matter during surgery from a region of the human body. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A rongeur is a heavy duty device that is utilized during surgery to remove tissues and bones as needed by medical personnel. It is typically used in orthopedic or neurosurgery to gouge out bones and tissue thereby exposing structures for further surgical treatment. Other uses for rongeurs include in oral maxillofacial surgery and hand surgery to cut traumatic amputated bone. One type of rongeur is known as a Kerrison type that is used during spinal surgery to remove bone, cartilage and soft tissue from the spinal posterior in order to gain access into the spinal canal. Such rongeurs typically have a moveable cutting member that strikes a stationary plate. 
         [0003]    Typically, a surgeon places bone and other biomaterial in an open region or mouth between a moveable member and a stationary strike plate; then the moveable member is translated against the tissue or other biological matter that in turn is compressed against the stationary plate. At this point the surgeon squeezes the handle of the rongeur so that the moveable member doses the mouth by further compressing the bio-matter against the stationary plate. This of course separates that bio-matter from the nearby tissue and bone. In most examples of a rongeur, the stationary plate is flat and the jaw is provided with peripheral cutting edges that bear directly against the flat plate at completion of the cutting motion, 
         [0004]    Numerous alternative approaches to rongeur design have been proposed over the years. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,214,010 to Farley and herein incorporated by reference, teaches a rongeur that has a frame and a reciprocating member slidably associated with the frame. A blade is disposed on the distal end of the reciprocating member. The frame has a handle that is coupled with the reciprocating member for slideable movement of the reciprocating member. In this fashion, the blade is moved into a cutting position against a footplate formed in the distal end of the frame. A flexure is associated with the handle which allows the handle to be flexed. To reduce the potential for breakage of the footplate, a stop mechanism is provided for preventing further movement of the reciprocating member when the flexure is flexed. The patent to Farley teaches a handle attached to a main body via a pin  63  associated with a slot for activation of the handle mechanism. Prior Art  FIG. 17  reproduces a similar arrangement as shown. 
         [0005]    This drawing has a rear handle  2  disposed at an angle to and integrally formed with a shaft portion that extends out forwards and to the right in the figure. The juncture between the shaft and the handle  2  has a hole passing completely therethrough from the top to the bottom of the device; it should be easily understood that the two curved portions one on either side of the hole bound the right and left side of this hole. The hole permits the entry of the top of the pivoting forward handle  8  within this hole out and above the horizontal level of the shaft; this because the pivoting forward handle has a cutout at its end that is designed to engage a pin  15   a  integral with or inserted within the slide member sitting atop a guide rail integrally formed from the shaft. 
         [0006]    As stated above, the pin  15   a  is either integral with or inserted within two corresponding holes on either side of the slide member as shown. If integral, it is formed from the inner surface of the slide member that has a space permitting this as a transverse device; otherwise, it is a separate component that is inserted in holes  15  on either side of the slide member for use as a male female screw combination for secure attachment thereto. Thus, the top cutout portion of the forward handle  8  acts against this pin  15   a  to move the slide member forwards as a hammer thereby cutting tissue, bone or otherwise. To complete the pivoting motion, the forward handle  8  is also attached to the two curved portions at the juncture between the shaft and the rear handle  2  using a pin male female screw attachment  13  (or the like) through corresponding holes  12   a  on both of the curved portions and a hole  12  on the handle  8 . Finally, a user compresses the forward pivoting handle  8  on pin screw attachment  15   a  pivoting it on the screw attachment  13  thereby forcing the slide member at the top of the device down a rail in the shaft. 
       Problems with this Approach 
       [0007]    The type of cutting mechanism described heretofore, however, has inherent deficiencies. For example, the compression-type cut often results in splintering or fragmentation of the bone and or tissues that may be lost or dispersed into the surgical site. Additionally, the removed bone or tissue may become compacted into the rongeur mouth, potentially jamming the mechanism of the mouth preventing further actuation of the device. This is a severe maintenance problem and could lead to surgical complications as any cleaning of devices is time consuming and cumbersome. Further, the blades of the rongeur can become dulled after repeated uses or even pose a health threat if not properly disinfected. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, there needs to be some solution to overcome the aforementioned problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
             The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the known art and the problems that remain unsolved by providing the following novelties. 
           
         
       
     
         [0010]    A surgical rongeur comprising:
       a main shaft integrated with
           a rear handle having an attachment for   
           a forward handle that cooperates with   a slide drive member loaded onto the main shaft and having an attached surgical blade.       
 
         [0015]    In another aspect, wherein the surgical blade is a disposable blade. 
         [0016]    In another aspect, wherein the surgical blade is substantially hollow. 
         [0017]    In another aspect, wherein the surgical blade is attached to the slide drive member by a reusable mechanism. 
         [0018]    In another aspect, wherein the surgical blade is attached to the slide drive member by a reversible mechanism. 
         [0019]    In another aspect, wherein the surgical blade is removably attached to the slide drive member. 
         [0020]    In another aspect, wherein said surgical blade further comprises:
       a leading edge disposed at an angle such that the top portion of the blade is farther forward than the bottom portions of the blade.       
 
         [0022]    In another aspect, wherein said surgical blade further comprises:
       an end plate integral with the shaft having an obtuse angle to the shaft that corresponds with the leading edge of the blade thereby leaving no empty space there between.       
 
         [0024]    In another aspect, wherein the surgical blade further comprises:
       a perforation.       
 
         [0026]    In another aspect, wherein the slide drive member further comprises:
       a protrusion.       
 
         [0028]    In another aspect, further comprising:
       a perforation in the surgical blade that attaches it to   a protrusion on the slide drive member.       
 
         [0031]    In another aspect, further comprising:
       a recessed region of the slide drive member.       
 
         [0033]    In another aspect, further comprising:
       a rail integral with the top portion of the shaft formed for the moveable engagement of the slide drive member atop thereof.       
 
         [0035]    In another aspect, wherein the shaft further comprises:
       an integral ledge on both sides of the the rail.       
 
         [0037]    In another aspect, wherein the slide drive member has a longitudinal depression along a portion of the underside thereof and formed for the moveable engagement atop the shaft thereto. 
         [0038]    A surgical cutting tool comprising:
       a main body having
           a rail and wherein the main body is movably attached to   
           a forward handle along a pivot point wherein the forward handle has another moveable attachment to   a striking device having
           a cutting tool removably connected thereto wherein the striking device is also movably attached to the main body along a slide.   
               
 
         [0044]    In another aspect, wherein the the striking device has a corresponding depression that matches the contoured shaped of the rail thereby permitting the aforementioned to controllably slide upon the rail. 
         [0045]    In another aspect, wherein the cutting tool is connected to a recessed portion of the striking device. 
         [0046]    In another aspect, wherein the cutting tool has a perforation therein that matches a protrusion in the striking device. 
         [0047]    A cutting blade comprising:
       a parabolic longitudinal device having a
           perforation on a side thereof and   
           a front sharpened edge disposed at an angle such that the top of the parabolic curve is further forward than bottom curved legs thereof.   These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.       
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0052]    The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, in which: 
           [0053]      FIG. 1  presents a right side elevation view of an assembled Surgical Rongeur with Disposable and Replaceable Cutting Blade in an embodiment herein. 
           [0054]      FIG. 2  illustrates a right side elevation view of a disassembled Surgical Rongeur with Disposable and Replaceable Cutting Blade in an embodiment herein. 
           [0055]      FIG. 3A  describes a closeup right side elevation view of the front portion of the 
           [0056]    Surgical Rongeur with Disposable and Replaceable Cutting Blade in an embodiment herein. 
           [0057]      FIG. 3B  presents a closeup right side isometric view of an assembled front portion of the Surgical Rongeur with Disposable and Replaceable Cutting Blade in an embodiment herein. 
           [0058]      FIG. 3C  illustrates a closeup right side isometric view of an a cutting blade used with the Surgical Rongeur in an embodiment herein. 
           [0059]      FIG. 3D  describes a closeup right side isometric view of the front portion of the slide used in the Surgical Rongeur in an embodiment herein. 
           [0060]      FIG. 3E  presents a closeup right side isometric view of the front portion of the base runner used in the Surgical Rongeur to mount the slide thereon in an embodiment herein. 
           [0061]      FIG. 4  illustrates the cross section of cutting blade  20   a  as depicted by the dashed line  24  in  FIG. 3C   
           [0062]      FIG. 5  describes the cross section at the distal end of the slide drive member  7  where it receives the cutting blade  20   a  and is depicted by dashed line  25  in  FIG. 3D . 
           [0063]      FIG. 6  presents the cross section of the near distal end of the shaft  4  and is depicted by dashed line  26  in  FIG. 3E . 
           [0064]      FIG. 7  illustrates the cross section of the far distal end of the shaft  4  proximal to the end plate  5   a  along cross section  27 . 
           [0065]      FIG. 8  describes a side view of the mechanism of the surgical rongeur in an embodiment. 
           [0066]      FIG. 9  presents a front cross section view along line  29  of  FIG. 1  of the slide drive member in physical union with the shaft. 
           [0067]      FIG. 10  illustrates a front cross section view of the far distal end of the shaft  4  proximal to the end plate  5   a  along cross section  27  of  FIG. 3E ; this view permits a showing of the flanges  5   f  but the rail  23   b  is no longer part of the profile. 
           [0068]      FIG. 11  describes a front cross section view along line  30  of  FIG. 3B  showing of the blade placed atop the slide drive member in physical union with the shaft. 
           [0069]      FIG. 12  presents a front cross section view along line  31  of  FIG. 1  showing the blade front portion thereof atop the shaft. 
           [0070]      FIG. 13  illustrates a front cross section view along line  32  of  FIG. 2  showing the shaft. 
           [0071]      FIG. 14  describes a front cross section view along line  28  of  FIG. 2  showing the shaft having the central rail. 
           [0072]      FIG. 15  presents a front cross section view along line  34  of  FIG. 2  showing the forward portion of the slide drive member. 
           [0073]      FIG. 16  illustrates a front cross section view along line  33  of  FIG. 2  showing the blade. 
           [0074]      FIG. 17  illustrates a handle portion of a prior art rongeur illustrating various connection points thereof. 
       
    
    
       [0075]    Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0076]    The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in each figure. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
         [0077]      FIG. 1  presents a right side elevation view of an assembled Surgical Rongeur with Disposable and Replaceable Cutting Blade in an embodiment herein. This drawing has a rear handle  2  disposed at an angle to and integrally formed with a shaft  4  portion that extends out forwards and to the right in the figure. The juncture  17  between the shaft and the handle  2  has a hole passing completely therethrough from the top to the bottom of the device; it should be easily understood that the two curved portions one on either side of the hole bound the right and left side of this hole. The hole permits the entry of the top of the pivoting forward handle  8  within this hole out and above the horizontal level of the shaft; this because the pivoting forward handle has a cutout  11  at its end that is designed to engage a pin  15   a  integral with or inserted within the slide drive member  7  that is sitting atop a guide rail  18  integrally formed from the shaft. 
         [0078]    As stated above, the pin  15   a  is either integral with or inserted within two corresponding holes on either side of the slide member as shown. If integral, it is formed from the inner surfaces of the slide member that has a space permitting this as a transverse device from the inner right side of the space to the inner left side therein; otherwise, it is a separate component that is inserted in holes  15  on either side of the slide member for use as a male female screw combination for secure attachment thereto. 
         [0079]    Thus, the top cutout portion of the forward handle  8  acts against this pin  15   a  to move the slide drive member  7  forwards as a hammer thereby cutting tissue, bone or otherwise. To complete the pivoting motion, the forward handle  8  is also attached to the two curved portions at the juncture between the shaft and the rear handle  2  using a pin male female screw attachment  13  through holes  12   a  on both of the curved portions and corresponding hole  12  on the handle  8 . Finally, a user compresses the forward pivoting handle  8  on pin  13  and against the pin  15   a  thereby forcing the slide member at the top of the device down a rail  11  in the shaft  7 . 
         [0080]    The improved surgical device shown herein comprises various items as described in the following. First, a curved body  1  having a hole passing from the top to bottom is integral with a rear handle  2  depending at an angle from the proximal end  3  of the body  1 , and has a shaft  4  extending outwards and terminating at its distal end in an angled plate  5 A. A support protrusion  6  extends from the upper portion of the rear handle  2 ; this helps a user maintain a proper grasp of the device as it provides support for the area of the hand between the thumb and the first finger. Mounted on the shaft  4  is a slide drive member  7  for reciprocating movement on the shaft  4 . 
         [0081]      FIG. 2  illustrates a right side elevation view of a disassembled Surgical Rongeur with Disposable and Replaceable Cutting Blade in an embodiment herein. The figure shows a pivoting forward handle  8  (that is a separate part to be attached to main body  1 ) that includes a lower finger grip portion  9  and an upper finger portion  10  for a user&#39;s finger control of the device. The uppermost part of the forward handle  8  is a portion having a cutout  11  and a hole  12  (pin  13  inserted therein or integrally formed within) below it through which passes a pivot pin  13  such as a male female screw arrangement therethrough; the pivot pin  13  likewise passes through two corresponding holes  12   a  on the two curved under portions  17  of body  1 . 
         [0082]    It should be understood that holes  12   a  are located opposite each other such that the hole  12  on the forward handle  8  is located between the two corresponding holes  12   a  and the two curved under portions  17  are disposed laterally thereto for insertion of a pivot pin  13  screw arrangement; the pin  13  is typically made of two components male and female; one a threaded hollow cylinder for insertion of the male screw, but it should be understood that other types of attachments are possible. The portion of the handle  8  having the slot  11  fits into the body  1  through an hole extending top to bottom (not shown in the figure) in the region of the curved portion  17 . This slot  11  grasps and engages a transverse integral member  15  formed within a space  16  (not shown) in the slide drive member  7 . This transverse member  15  is formed integrally from the walls of the opening  16  of the slide member  7 ; thus, the transverse member extends from one inner side  16   a  to the other inner side  16   b  of the opening  16 . 
         [0083]    Alternatively, hole(s)  15   a , running from one side to the other or on two sides having a hollow space therebetween in the slide member  7  permits the entry of a pivot pin  15  and or screw type arrangement (a male screw head with threaded body inserted in a female pin having an internally threaded cylinder) therein; this operates in conjunction with the slot  11  of the forward handle  8  that engages the pivot pin  15  (or transverse integral member) thereby permitting the motion of the forward handle that as a consequence actuates the slide drive member  7  to ride the rail  18  downline thereby cutting tissues forward of the device. In order to complete this action, one has to first attach the forward handle to the curved portion or main body  1  between the shaft  4  and the rear handle  2 . The cutout slot  11  engages pin/member  15   a  located within the of slide drive member  7  that is mounted on the shaft  4  so that the forward handle  8  grabs the pin  15   a  and drives the slide drive member  7  forwards down the rail  18  as the forward handle  8  pivots on pin  13  within holes  12 ,  12   a . This rail is integrally formed down the top center of the shaft  4  and begins forward of the juncture or main body  1  and ends down a portion of the operational plate  5   b . Finally, the forward handle  8  and the rear handle  2 ,  3  are biased away from each other by spring means  19  and  19   a.    
         [0084]      FIG. 3A  describes a closeup right side elevation view of the front portion of the Surgical Rongeur with Disposable and Replaceable Cutting Blade in an embodiment herein. A slide drive member  7  sits atop the shaft  4  and is actuated by a user manipulating the handles to actuate a cutting movement whereby the slide and its associated blade  20   a  cuts through any bio-material placed in the space between the blade  20   a  and the end plate  5   a  on the operational plate  5   b . It should be understood from the drawings that the end of the blade  20   a  and the end plate or anvil  5   a  forms a gapless interface there between. This end plate  5   a  is disposed at an obtuse angle (that is likewise matched by the forward part of the blade  20   a  ) to the operational plate  5   b  that juts out integrally and parallel thereto from the end of the shaft  4 ; moreover, two flanges  5   f  extend the operational plate  5   b  beyond the width of the slide drive member  7  as they reach outwards and upwards on either side thereof. 
         [0085]    It should be understood that the cutting blade  20   a  is a disposable approximately upside down U shaped integral metal piece contoured to match the top surface of the end portion of the slide drive member  7 . This end portion is otherwise known as the recessed end  20   b  of the slide drive member and has exposed protrusions that enable the easy attachment and removal of the blade  20   a  upon corresponding perforations in the blade portion  20   a  that engage the protrusions. 
         [0086]      FIG. 3B  presents a closeup right side isometric view of an assembled front portion of the Surgical Rongeur with Disposable and Replaceable Cutting Blade in an embodiment herein showing essentially the same components as one shown in  FIG. 3A .  FIGS. 3C, 3D, 3E  together show the disassembled components comprising the front portions of the device having a shaft  4 , a sliding member  7  and a cutting blade  20   a.    
         [0087]      FIG. 3C  illustrates a closeup right side isometric view of an a cutting blade used with the Surgical Rongeur in an embodiment herein. The cutting blade  20   a  is a surgical metal piece shaped as an elongated thin parabolic curve formed from two arcs that unite in the center; further, the blade  20   a  is uniform longitudinally until it reaches the forward portion  22  thereof. At that point it is longer at the top of blade between the two curved parabolic legs than at the end of the two arcs; in other words, the arcs taper down so that the high point of the blade  20   a  is further forward than the endpoints of the two arcs. This identically matches the obtuse angular shape of the end plate  5   a  or anvil such that they form a gapless interface when juxtaposed. Finally, the two posterior right and left lateral surfaces of the blade  20   a  are perforated with three circular holes  21   a  linearly arranged near the bottom portion of the blade and on either side thereof for a total of six holes; these are to be used to attach the blade  20   a  to the forward recessed zone of the sliding member  7 . 
         [0088]      FIG. 3D  describes a closeup right side isometric view of the front portion of the slide used in the Surgical Rongeur in an embodiment herein. It should be understood from the previous drawings that the slide drive member  7  is an elongated piece of surgical metal that starts as a gentle curved rounded shape and tapers until the approximate midpoint thereof at which point the device becomes linear in shape. This linear portion  20   c  proceeds forward until a breakpoint is reached whereupon the final portion of the slide drive member is formed as a recessed region  20   b  whose surface is smaller than the previous linear portion. 
         [0089]    This recessed region  20   b  serves as a holder for the blade  20   a  that is attached by two sets of three laterally disposed protrusions  21   b  arranged linearly near the bottom edge of the recessed portion  20   b . To complete the attachment of the two together, a user places the blade  20   a  near the recessed region  20   b  and opens the blade  20   a  slightly by hand and snaps it on the recessed region  20   b  such that the six holes  21   a  engage the protrusions  21   b  thereby locking the blade onto slide drive member  7 . The blade  20   a  extends over and beyond the end of the recessed region  20   b  so as to be able to cut material between its forward leading edge  22  and the end plate  5   a.    
         [0090]    Finally, a sizable portion of the slide drive member  7  has a depression or trapezoidal type cutout (three sides of the trapezoid are visible the fourth side is virtual) that serves as a slide depression  23   a  to carry the aforementioned member  7  atop the rail  23   b  ( 18  in  FIG. 1 ); to accomplish this, the rail is also a trapezoidal shape (three sides likewise visible whilst the fourth is integral with the rail) or any convenient shape that matches the depression  23   a . The forward end of the depression  23   a , the forward end of the recessed region  20   b  and the forward end of the rail  23   b  ( 18 ) can be placed together so that the forward portion of the recessed region  20   b  and the forward end of the rail  23   b  ( 18 ) form a fairly flat parallel surface; then it should be understood that this depression  23   a  begins at the end of the slide drive member  7  where the recessed region  20   b  is and proceeds backwards therein until somewhat after the matching rail  23   b  ends before the two curved under portions  17 . Of course, the undersurface of the slide drive member is appropriately provided with any other necessary depressions to permit the forward motion of the slide drive member and the resetting thereof to its non-operational state whereby the slide drive member  7  is fully extended away from the end plate  5   a . Finally, it is clear that a trapezoid shape was chosen here as it is larger at the top and tapers to the bottom on both sides so that the slide driver member  7  slide depression  23   a  does not disengage from the rail  23   b.    
         [0091]      FIG. 3E  presents a closeup right side isometric view of the front portion of the base runner used in the Surgical Rongeur to mount the slide thereon in an embodiment herein. The bottom portion of the shaft  4  has a central longitudinal trapezoidal protrusion  23   b  or rail  18  disposed down the center of the shaft  4  thereby leaving space forming a ledge  23   d  on either side thereof; thus, along either side of the shaft or rail  23   b  there is a ledge  23   d  for the placement of the slide drive member  7  support surface  23   c  to rest thereon. The slide drive member  7  is loaded onto the rail  23   b  by inserting the posterior portion of the rail  23   b  into the forward opening of depression  23   a  where the recessed region  20   b  is located. It should be understood that this rail  23   b  and the shaft  4  is integrally formed along with the end plate  5   a , operational plate  5   b  and flanges  5   f  previously described; further, it is clear that the rail  23   b  ends before the end plate  5   a . This end plate  5   a  is disposed at an obtuse angle to the operational plate  5   b  that juts out integrally and parallel thereto from the end of the shaft  4 ; moreover, two flanges  5   f  extend the operational plate  5   b  beyond the width of the slide drive member  7  as they reach outwards and upwards on either side thereof. 
         [0092]      FIG. 4  illustrates the cross section of cutting blade  20   a  as depicted by the dashed line  24  in  FIG. 3C . The inner face of the cutting blade  20   a  mates with the recessed face  20   b  when the cutting blade  20   a  is securely affixed to the slide drive member  7 . The holes  21   a  are located on both sides of the cutting blade  20   a . The holes  21   a  mate and nest with protrusions  21   b  on the slide drive member  7  when the cutting blade  20   a  is securely affixed to mobile shaft  7 . 
         [0093]      FIG. 5  describes the cross section at the distal end of the slide drive member  7  where it receives the cutting blade  20   a  and is depicted by dashed line  25  in  FIG. 3D . The recessed face  20   b  is the outer profile of the cross section. The protrusions  21   b  linearly disposed are shown on both sides of the slide drive member  7 . The slide depression  23   a  is seen cut through the bottom surface of the slide drive member  7 . It should be noted that the slide drive member  7  has a slide depression  23   a  that is symmetrically trapezoidal.  FIG. 5  also illustrates the slide drive members support surface  23   c  that rest upon the ledge  23   d  on either side of the rail  23   b.    
         [0094]      FIG. 6  presents the cross section of the near distal end of the shaft  4  and is depicted by dashed line  26  in  FIG. 3E . The rail  23   b  is seen to have an outer profile that mates with depression  23   a . The flanges  5   f  are illustrated on either side of the forward portion of the shaft  4  and form a channel for the support surface  23   c  of the slide drive member  7 . 
         [0095]      FIG. 7  illustrates the cross section of the far distal end of the shaft  4  proximal to the end plate  5   a  along cross section  27 ; this view permits a showing of the flanges  5   f  but the rail  23   b  is no longer part of the profile. 
         [0096]      FIG. 8  describes a side view of the mechanism of the surgical rongeur in an embodiment. 
         [0097]      FIG. 9  presents a front cross section view along line  29  of  FIG. 1  of the slide drive member in physical union with the shaft. 
         [0098]      FIG. 10  illustrates a front cross section view of the far distal end of the shaft  4  proximal to the end plate  5   a  along cross section  27  of  FIG. 3E ; this view permits a showing of the flanges  5   f  but the rail  23   b  is no longer part of the profile. 
         [0099]      FIG. 11  describes a front cross section view along line  30  of  FIG. 3B  showing of the blade placed atop the slide drive member in physical union with the shaft. 
         [0100]      FIG. 12  presents a front cross section view along line  31  of  FIG. 1  showing the blade front portion thereof atop the shaft. 
         [0101]      FIG. 13  illustrates a front cross section view along line  32  of  FIG. 2  showing the shaft. 
         [0102]      FIG. 14  describes a front cross section view along line  28  of  FIG. 2  showing the shaft having the central rail. 
         [0103]      FIG. 15  presents a front cross section view along line  34  of  FIG. 2  showing the forward portion of the slide drive member. 
         [0104]      FIG. 16  illustrates a front cross section view along line  33  of  FIG. 2  showing the blade. 
       CONCLUSION 
       [0105]    Dull surgical instruments put the patient at risk due to ineffective and imprecise removal of tissue. Further, blunt surgical tools tear tissue and can damage structures and tissues not intended to be damaged. Thus, these are ineffective at removing tissue and as a consequence they can increase surgical time and the effort a surgeon makes in completing an operation. It is very common indeed that during the course of a surgical procedure cutting surgical tools become dulled and need to be changed during the course of a single operation. It is for this reason that an easy, effective and reproducible way is needed to maintain the sharpness of surgical rongeurs used in spinal surgery and other similar procedures that require an effective cutting device. This problem has been solved in the instant description and has been enabled in the Surgical Rongeur with Disposable and Replaceable Cutting Blade description and claimed below. 
         [0106]    Further, the improved cutting mechanics and reduction of forces at the anvil allow for a smaller anvil that decreases the intrusion of the surgical tool into delicate neural tissues. This promotes the current trend in new techniques being used in spinal surgery that are aimed at reducing surgical trauma by reducing surgical exposures; a small exposure needs less bulky tools. 
         [0107]    The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations, combinations, modifications or equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all the embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.