Patent ID: 12245775

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It should be understood that the language used in the present disclosure has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and not to limit the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein in any manner. Further, reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, but mean “one or more but not all embodiments” unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “including,” “comprising,” “having,” and variations thereof mean “including, but not limited to” unless expressly specified otherwise. An enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive and/or mutually inclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” also refer to “one or more” unless expressly specified otherwise.

In addition, as used herein, the term “set” can mean “one or more,” unless expressly specified otherwise. The term “sets” can mean multiples of or a plurality of “one or mores,” “ones or more,” and/or “ones or mores” consistent with set theory, unless expressly specified otherwise.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the embodiments may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments.

The present technology may include any type of surgical instrument and is not limited to the style of surgical instrument depicted in the drawings. Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the various embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, and/or materials are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of an embodiment.

Turning now to the Figures,FIGS.1A through1Dare schematic diagrams illustrating various views of one embodiment of a surgical instrument100. In various embodiments, the surgical instrument100can be utilized to perform a wedge-shaped osteotomy. Further, the wedge-shaped osteotomy can be achieved with a single cut or pass utilizing the surgical instrument100.

A surgical instrument100may be constructed of any suitable material that can cut bone. In various embodiments, the surgical instrument100is constructed of a sterilized suitable material that can cut bone. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument100includes stainless steel, among other suitable materials that are possible and contemplated herein. In additional or alternative embodiments, the surgical instrument100includes surgical grade stainless steel, among other suitable surgical grade materials that are possible and contemplated herein.

At least in the illustrated embodiment, the surgical instrument100includes, among other features, a body102including at least a bottom surface104, a top surface106, a distal end108, and a proximal end110, a set of cutting blades112positioned on the body102, a set of cutting teeth114positioned on the distal end108, and an attachment mechanism116positioned on the proximal end110. A body102may include any suitable dimensions that can perform an osteotomy. In various embodiments, the body102includes dimensions that are suitable for performing an osteotomy on a human.

In various embodiments, the body102includes a length L1(seeFIG.1B) in the range of about 15 mm to about 70 mm, among other ranges of length and/or lengths that are possible and contemplated herein. In some embodiments, the body102includes a length L1of about 20 mm, among other lengths that are possible and contemplated herein.

The body102further includes a width W1(seeFIG.1B) at the distal end108and a width W2(seeFIG.1B) at the proximal end110. In various embodiments, the width W1is in the range of about 5 mm to about 30 mm, among other ranges of widths and/or widths that are possible and contemplated herein. In some embodiments, the width W1is about 7.5 mm, among other widths that are possible and contemplated herein. In additional or alternative embodiments, the width W2is in the range of about 5 mm to about 70 mm, among other ranges of widths and/or widths that are possible and contemplated herein. In some embodiments, the width W2is about 11 mm, among other widths that are possible and contemplated herein.

In some embodiments, the width W1and the width W2are the same width or substantially the same width. In other embodiments, the width W2is greater than the width W1such that the proximate end110is wider than the distal end108or, alternatively, the distal end108is narrower than the proximate end110(e.g., the width W1is less than the width W2). That is, in various embodiments, the surgical instrument100includes a tapered shape and/or tapers from the distal end108to the proximate end110.

A bottom surface104may include any suitable shape and/or profile that can facilitate or assist the surgical instrument100in performing an osteotomy (e.g., a wedge-shaped osteotomy). In various embodiments, the bottom surface104includes a flat or substantially flat surface, among other profiles and/or planes that are possible and contemplated herein.

A top surface106may include any suitable profile upon which one or more cutting blades112can be positioned. In various embodiments, the top surface106includes a slope118(seeFIGS.1C and1D) that extends upward and/or away from the bottom surface104and the distal end108. The slope118may include any suitable grade (e.g., rise over run) that can facilitate and/or assist the surgical instrument100in performing an osteotomy and particularly, a wedge-shaped osteotomy. That is, the top surface106and/or surgical instrument100may include any suitable grade that can facilitate and/or assist the surgical instrument100in performing a wedge-shaped osteotomy in one cut and/or one pass.

In various embodiments, the slope118includes a grade in the range of about zero degrees (0° or flat) to about fifteen degrees (15°), among other ranges of grades, grades, and/or slopes that are possible and contemplated herein. In other words, an angle θ in the range of about 0° to about 15° (e.g., the angle θ=0°, 1°, 2°, 3°, 4°, 5°, 6°, 7°, 8°, 9°, 10°, 11°, 12°, 13°, 14°, or 15° and/or the angle θ≈0°, 1°, 2°, 3°, 4°, 5°, 6°, 7°, 8°, 9°, 10°, 11°, 12°, 13°, 14°, or 15°) is defined between the top surface106and the bottom surface104beginning at the distal end108and extending upward and toward the proximate end110, as shown inFIGS.1C and1D. In some embodiments, the slope118includes a grade of about seven (7°) degrees (e.g., the angle θ=7° or the angle θ≈7°), among other suitable grades and/or slopes that are possible and contemplated herein.

In several embodiments, the top surface106includes a set of cutting blades112positioned thereon. As illustrated, the set of cutting blades112are spaced apart and positioned vertically to form a set of columns of cutting blades112.

A set of cutting blades112may include any suitable quantity of cutting blades112and/or quantity of columns of cutting blades112that can facilitate and/or assist the surgical instrument100in performing an osteotomy and particularly, a wedge-shaped osteotomy. In various embodiments, the top surface106includes a suitable quantity of cutting blades112so that the surgical instrument100can perform a wedge-shaped osteotomy in one cut and/or one pass.

In various embodiments, the top surface106includes a quantity of cutting blades112in the range of about 2 cutting blades112to about 40 cutting blades112, among other ranges of quantities of cutting blades112and/or quantities of cutting blades112that are possible and contemplated herein. In some embodiments, the top surface106includes 12 cutting blades112, among other quantities of cutting blades112that are possible and contemplated herein.

While the surgical instrument100is shown with a top surface106including 8 cutting blades112, the various embodiments of the surgical instrument100are not limited to 8 cutting blades112. That is, various other embodiments of a surgical instrument100can include a different quantity of cutting blades112such that the top surface106can include a greater quantity of cutting blades112than 8 cutting blades112or a smaller quantity of cutting blades112than 8 cutting blades112.

In some embodiments, the cutting blades112may be included on the entirety or substantially the entirety of the top surface106. In other embodiments, the cutting blades112may be included on a portion or at least a portion of the top surface106. That is, the cutting blades112may extend partially or fully from the distal end108to the proximal end110.

The portion of the top surface106including the cutting blades112may include any suitable sized portion that can produce a wedge-shaped osteotomy. Various embodiments of the surgical instrument100may include varying sized portions of the top surface106including the cutting blades112so that different sized and/or wedge-shaped osteotomies can be obtained. That is, different embodiments may include cutting blades112with differing lengths to produce different sized and/or wedge-shaped osteotomies.

A cutting blade112may include any suitable shape that can facilitate and/or assist the surgical instrument100in performing an osteotomy (e.g., a wedge-shaped osteotomy). In various embodiments, a cutting blade112can include a curved blade (e.g., a vertically curved blade), a straight blade, waved blade (e.g., a horizontally curved blade), or a wavy blade (e.g., a blade with multiple horizontal curves), among other suitable shapes that can facilitate cutting bone that are possible and contemplated herein. In additional or alternative embodiments, a cutting blade112can include a straight cutting edge and/or a serrated cutting edge, among other cutting edges that are possible and contemplated herein.

In some embodiments, all of the cutting blades112in the set of cutting blades112on the top surface106include the same or substantially the same shape. In alternative embodiments, at least two cutting blades112in the set of cutting blades112on the top surface106include different shapes or substantially different shapes. In one non-limiting example, at least one cutting blade112includes a straight blade and at least one cutting blade112includes a curved blade (or other non-straight blade), among other shapes and/or combinations of shapes that are possible and contemplated herein. In an additional or alternative non-limiting example, the straight blade(s) and/or the curved blade(s) include a serrated cutting edge.

In additional or alternative embodiments, a set of cutting blades112can include at least two subsets of cutting blades112in which a first subset includes two or more cutting blades112including a first shape and at least a second subset that includes two or more cutting blades112including a second, different shape. In some embodiments, one or more of the cutting blades112in one or more of the subsets of cutting blades112includes a serrated edge.

In further additional or alternative embodiments, the first subset of cutting blades112and the second subset of cutting blades112include the same quantity of cutting blades112. In other embodiments, the first subset of cutting blades112and the second subset of cutting blades112include different quantities of cutting blades112.

In yet further additional or alternative embodiments, the cutting blades112in the first subset of cutting blades112and the cutting blades112in the second subset of cutting blades112can be positioned in a pattern. The pattern may include any suitable pattern that can assist in and/or facilitate performing an osteotomy (e.g., a wedge-shaped osteotomy). In some embodiments, the pattern may include cutting blades112with different shapes in an alternating pattern to provide alternating columns of cutting blades112.

A cutting blade112may include any suitable height that can facilitate and/or assist the surgical instrument100in performing an osteotomy (e.g., a wedge-shaped osteotomy). In various embodiments, the cutting blades112can include a height in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 30 mm, among other suitable heights that can facilitate cutting bone that are possible and contemplated herein. In some embodiments, the cutting blades112include a height of 0.75 mm.

In some embodiments, all of the cutting blades112in the set of cutting blades112on the top surface106include a uniform height (seeFIG.1C). In alternative embodiments, one or more of the cutting blades112on the top surface106include a height that gradually increases from the distal end108to the proximal end110(seeFIG.1D).

As shown, the distal end108includes a set of cutting teeth114(e.g., a single tooth114or multiple teeth114) positioned thereon. A set of cutting teeth114may include any suitable quantity of teeth114that can assist in and/or facilitate initiating an osteotomy and particularly, a wedge-shaped osteotomy, when oscillated.

In various embodiments, the set of cutting teeth114includes a quantity of cutting teeth114in the range of one (1) cutting tooth114to about 50 cutting teeth114, among other ranges of quantities and/or quantities of cutting teeth114that are possible and contemplated herein. In some embodiments, a set of cutting teeth114includes about 8 cutting teeth114, among other quantities of cutting teeth114that are possible and contemplated herein.

In some embodiments, the set of cutting teeth114are positioned on the distal end110in a straight line or substantially straight line. In other embodiments, the set of cutting teeth114are positioned along a curve on the distal end110defined by a radius R1.

The radius R1may be any suitable radius and/or curvature that can assist in and/or facilitate initiating an osteotomy (e.g., a wedge-shaped osteotomy) when oscillated. In various embodiments, the radius R1is in the range of about 5 mm to about 80 mm, among other ranges of lengths and/or lengths that can define an amount and/or degree of curvature that are possible and contemplated herein. In some embodiments, the radius R1is about 25 mm, among other lengths that can define an amount and/or degree of curvature that are possible and contemplated herein.

In some embodiments, the set of cutting teeth114on the distal end108may define a cutting tip120that can initiate an osteotomy (e.g., a wedge osteotomy). Further, the cutting blades112positioned along the single-plane slope118may define a cutting slope118that can perform the osteotomy to produce a wedge-shaped cut. In various embodiments, the coordination of the cutting tip120and the cutting slope118can allow the surgical instrument100to produce a wedge-shaped osteotomy in a single cut and/or single pass.

As further shown, the proximal end110includes an attachment mechanism116positioned thereon. The attachment mechanism116may include any suitable size dimensions, shape, and/or configuration that enables attachments of the surgical instrument100to a surgical instrument (not shown). That is, while the attachment mechanism116is shown as including particular relative size dimensions, shapes, and configurations, the various embodiments of the surgical instrument100are not limited to the illustrated attachment mechanism116. That is, other embodiments of the surgical instrument100may include one or more different relative size dimension(s), shapes, and/or configurations.

FIGS.2A through2Dare schematic diagrams illustrating various views of another embodiment of a surgical instrument200. In various embodiments, the surgical instrument200can be utilized to perform a wedge-shaped osteotomy. Further, the wedge-shaped osteotomy can be achieved with a single cut or pass utilizing the surgical instrument200.

A surgical instrument200may be constructed of any suitable material that can cut bone. In various embodiments, the surgical instrument200is constructed of a sterilized suitable material that can cut bone. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument200includes stainless steel, among other suitable materials that are possible and contemplated herein. In additional or alternative embodiments, the surgical instrument200includes surgical grade stainless steel, among other suitable surgical grade materials that are possible and contemplated herein.

At least in the illustrated embodiment, the surgical instrument200includes, among other features, a body202including at least a bottom surface204, a top surface206, a distal end208, and a proximal end210, a set of cutting blades212positioned on the body202, a set of cutting teeth214positioned on the distal end208, and an attachment mechanism216positioned on the proximal end210. A body202may include any suitable dimensions that can perform an osteotomy. In various embodiments, the body202includes dimensions that are suitable for performing an osteotomy on a human.

In various embodiments, the body202includes a length L2(seeFIG.2B) in the range of about 15 mm to about 70 mm, among other ranges of length and/or lengths that are possible and contemplated herein. In some embodiments, the body202includes a length L2of about 20 mm, among other lengths that are possible and contemplated herein.

The body202further includes a width W3(seeFIG.2B) at the distal end208and a width W4(seeFIG.2B) at the proximal end210. In various embodiments, the width W3is in the range of about 5 mm to about 30 mm, among other ranges of widths and/or widths that are possible and contemplated herein. In some embodiments, the width W3is about 7.5 mm, among other widths that are possible and contemplated herein. In additional or alternative embodiments, the width W4is in the range of about 5 mm to about 70 mm, among other ranges of widths and/or widths that are possible and contemplated herein. In some embodiments, the width W4is about 11 mm, among other widths that are possible and contemplated herein.

In some embodiments, the width W3and the width W4are the same width or substantially the same width. In other embodiments, the width W4is greater than the width W3such that the proximate end210is wider than the distal end208or, alternatively, the distal end208is narrower than the proximate end210(e.g., the width W3is less than the width W4). That is, in various embodiments, the surgical instrument200includes a tapered shape and/or tapers from the distal end208to the proximate end210.

A bottom surface204may include any suitable shape and/or profile that can facilitate or assist the surgical instrument200in performing an osteotomy (e.g., a wedge-shaped osteotomy). In various embodiments, the bottom surface204includes a flat or substantially flat surface, among other profiles and/or planes that are possible and contemplated herein.

A top surface206may include any suitable profile upon which one or more cutting blades212can be positioned. In various embodiments, the top surface206includes a slope218(seeFIGS.2C and2D) that extends upward and/or away from the bottom surface204and the distal end208. The slope218may include any suitable grade (e.g., rise over run) that can facilitate and/or assist the surgical instrument200in performing an osteotomy and particularly, a wedge-shaped osteotomy. That is, the top surface206and/or surgical instrument200may include any suitable grade that can facilitate and/or assist the surgical instrument200in performing a wedge-shaped osteotomy in one cut and/or one pass.

In various embodiments, the slope218includes a grade in the range of about 0° (or flat) to about 15°, among other ranges of grades, grades, and/or slopes that are possible and contemplated herein. In other words, an angle θ in the range of about 0° to about 15° (e.g., the angle θ=0°, 1°, 2°, 3°, 4°, 5°, 6°, 7°, 8°, 9°, 10°, 11°, 12°, 13°, 14°, or 15° and/or the angle θ≈0°, 1°, 2°, 3°, 4°, 5°, 6°, 7°, 8°, 9°, 10°, 11°, 12°, 13°, 14°, or 15°) is defined between the top surface206and the bottom surface204beginning at the distal end208and extending upward and toward the proximate end210, as shown inFIGS.2C and2D. In some embodiments, the slope218includes a grade of about 7° degrees (e.g., the angle θ=7° or the angle θ≈7°), among other suitable grades and/or slopes that are possible and contemplated herein.

In several embodiments, the top surface206includes a set of cutting blades212positioned thereon. As illustrated, the set of cutting blades212are spaced apart and positioned horizontally to form a set of rows of cutting blades212.

A set of cutting blades212may include any suitable quantity of cutting blades212and/or quantity of rows of cutting blades212that can facilitate and/or assist the surgical instrument200in performing an osteotomy and particularly, a wedge-shaped osteotomy. In various embodiments, the top surface206includes a suitable quantity of cutting blades212or rows of cutting blades212so that the surgical instrument200can perform a wedge-shaped osteotomy in one cut and/or one pass.

In various embodiments, the top surface206includes a quantity of cutting blades212in the range of about two (2) cutting blades212to about 40 cutting blades212, among other ranges of quantities of cutting blades212and/or quantities of cutting blades212that are possible and contemplated herein. In some embodiments, the top surface206includes 12 cutting blades212, among other quantities of cutting blades212that are possible and contemplated herein.

While the surgical instrument200is shown with a top surface206including 9 cutting blades212, the various embodiments of the surgical instrument200are not limited to 9 cutting blades212. That is, various other embodiments of a surgical instrument200can include a different quantity of cutting blades212such that the top surface206can include a greater quantity of cutting blades212than 9 cutting blades212or a smaller quantity of cutting blades212than 9 cutting blades212.

In some embodiments, the cutting blades212may be included on the entirety or substantially the entirety of the top surface206. In other embodiments, the cutting blades212may be included on a portion or at least a portion of the top surface206. That is, the quantity of rows of cutting blades212may extend partially or fully along the slope208on the top surface106.

The portion of the top surface206including the cutting blades212may include any suitable sized portion that can produce a wedge-shaped osteotomy. Various embodiments of the surgical instrument200may include varying sized portions of the top surface206including the cutting blades212so that different sized and/or shaped wedge-shaped osteotomies can be obtained.

A cutting blade212may include any suitable shape that can facilitate and/or assist the surgical instrument200in performing an osteotomy (e.g., a wedge-shaped osteotomy). In various embodiments, a cutting blade212can include a curved blade, a straight blade, waved blade, or a wavy blade, among other suitable shapes that can facilitate cutting bone that are possible and contemplated herein. In additional or alternative embodiments, a cutting blade212can include a straight cutting edge and/or a serrated cutting edge, among other cutting edges that are possible and contemplated herein.

In some embodiments, all of the cutting blades212in the set of cutting blades212on the top surface206include the same or substantially the same shape. In alternative embodiments, at least two cutting blades212in the set of cutting blades212on the top surface206include different shapes or substantially different shapes. In one non-limiting example, at least one cutting blade212includes a straight blade and at least one cutting blade212includes a non-straight blade, among other shapes and/or combinations of shapes that are possible and contemplated herein. In an additional or alternative non-limiting example, the curved blade(s) and/or the straight blade(s) include a serrated edge.

In additional or alternative embodiments, a set of cutting blades212can include at least two subsets of cutting blades212in which a first subset includes two or more cutting blades212including a first shape and at least a second subset that includes two or more cutting blades212including a second, different shape. In some embodiments, one or more of the cutting blades212in one or more of the subsets of cutting blades212include a serrated edge.

In further additional or alternative embodiments, the first subset of cutting blades212and the second subset of cutting blades212include the same quantity of cutting blades212. In other embodiments, the first subset of cutting blades212and the second subset of cutting blades212include different quantities of cutting blades212.

In yet further additional or alternative embodiments, the cutting blades212in the first subset of cutting blades212and the cutting blades212in the second subset of cutting blades212can be positioned in a pattern. The pattern may include any suitable pattern that can assist in and/or facilitate performing an osteotomy (e.g., a wedge-shaped osteotomy). In some embodiments, the pattern may include cutting blades212with different shapes in an alternating pattern to provide alternating rows of cutting blades212.

A cutting blade212may include any suitable height that can facilitate and/or assist the surgical instrument200in performing an osteotomy (e.g., a wedge-shaped osteotomy). In various embodiments, the cutting blades212can include a height in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 30 mm, among other suitable heights that can facilitate cutting bone that are possible and contemplated herein. In some embodiments, the cutting blades212include a height of 0.75 mm.

In some embodiments, all of the rows of cutting blades212on the top surface206include a uniform height (seeFIG.2C). In alternative embodiments, the rows of cutting blades212on the top surface206include a gradually increasing height (seeFIG.2D). In some embodiments, the height of the rows of cutting blades212gradually increases from the distal end208to the proximal end210.

As shown, the distal end208includes a set of cutting teeth214(e.g., a single tooth214or multiple teeth214) positioned thereon. A set of cutting teeth214may include any suitable quantity of teeth214that can assist in and/or facilitate initiating an osteotomy and particularly, a wedge-shaped osteotomy, when oscillated.

In various embodiments, the set of cutting teeth214includes a quantity of cutting teeth214in the range of one cutting tooth214to about 50 cutting teeth214, among other ranges of quantities and/or quantities of cutting teeth214that are possible and contemplated herein. In some embodiments, a set of cutting teeth214includes about 8 cutting teeth214, among other quantities of cutting teeth214that are possible and contemplated herein.

In some embodiments, the set of cutting teeth214are positioned on the distal end210in a straight line or substantially straight line. In other embodiments, the set of cutting teeth214are positioned along a curve on the distal end210defined by a radius R2.

The radius R2may be any suitable radius and/or curvature that can assist in and/or facilitate initiating an osteotomy (e.g., a wedge-shaped osteotomy) when oscillated. In various embodiments, the radius R2is in the range of about 5 mm to about 80 mm, among other ranges of lengths and/or lengths that can define an amount and/or degree of curvature that are possible and contemplated herein. In some embodiments, the radius R2is about 25 mm, among other lengths that can define an amount and/or degree of curvature that are possible and contemplated herein.

In some embodiments, the set of cutting teeth214on the distal end may define a cutting tip220that can initiate an osteotomy (e.g., a wedge osteotomy). Further, the cutting blades212positioned along the single-plane slope218may define a cutting slope218that can perform the osteotomy to produce a wedge-shaped cut. In various embodiments, the coordination of the cutting tip220and the cutting slope218can allow the surgical instrument200to produce a wedge-shaped osteotomy in a single cut and/or single pass.

As further shown, the proximal end210includes an attachment mechanism216positioned thereon. The attachment mechanism216may include any suitable size dimensions, shape, and/or configuration that enables attachments of the surgical instrument200to a surgical instrument (not shown). That is, while the attachment mechanism216is shown as including particular relative size dimensions, shapes, and configurations, the various embodiments of the surgical instrument200are not limited to the illustrated attachment mechanism216. That is, other embodiments of the surgical instrument200may include one or more different relative size dimension(s), shapes, and/or configurations.

The various embodiments discussed herein may be practiced in other specific forms and the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the technology is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. That is, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that modifications and/or adaptations to the various aspects may be made without departing from the scope of the present technology, as set forth in the following claims.