Patent ID: 7276073

Claim:
A straightening tool for straightening an elongate angled member of an angled tissue cutting instrument in which the elongate angled member has a proximal length portion and an initial bend connecting the proximal length portion to a distal length portion extending from the bend to a distal end, comprising a positioning block attached to a handle, said positioning block having an external surface; an unbending channel within said positioning block including a confinement passage for confinably receiving the distal length portion of the elongate angled member and an unbending slot extending from said confinement passage to an exit opening of said unbending slot disposed along said external surface to accommodate passage of the proximal length portion of the angled member through said exit opening to the exterior of said positioning block, said unbending slot having a dimension between superior and inferior internal walls of said positioning block defining a range of pivotal movement for the proximal length portion of the angled member within said unbending slot in a plane of pivotal movement coincident with a central longitudinal axis of said confinement passage and in a direction opposite the initial bend and relative to the distal length portion confinably received in said confinement passage to effect straightening of the elongate angled member; and a guide template associated with said unbending channel and comprising a guide slot within said positioning block extending from said unbending channel in a direction transverse to said plane of pivotal movement to an entry opening of said guide slot disposed along said external surface of said positioning block, said entry opening defining a longitudinal profile that matches the longitudinal profile of a forward aspect of the elongate angled member extending from the distal end to proximally of the bend prior to straightening, said guide slot having an exit opening along said external surface of said positioning block extending from said entry opening to said exit opening of said unbending slot to allow the forward aspect of the elongate angled member to be introduced in said guide slot through said entry opening with the proximal length portion of the angled member passing through said exit opening of said guide slot to the exterior of said positioning block and to allow the forward aspect of the angled member to be moved alone said guide slot in said direction transverse to said plane of pivotal movement for guided introduction of the forward aspect into said unbending channel prior to straightening of the angled member.