Patent ID: 8080011

Claim:
A surgical instrument comprising: a handle assembly comprising a drive output configured to output linearly reciprocating motion; an elongate blade having opposing first and second sides and a generally straight proximal portion, a flexible medial portion, and a distal cutting portion, the proximal portion comprising a connection configured to engage the drive output of the handle assembly so that the blade slidably moves in a reciprocating linear manner with the drive output of the handle assembly, the distal cutting portion configured to remove bone from a mammal through the linear reciprocating motion, the medial portion and the distal cutting portion being integrally formed; a generally rigid blade guide adjacent the blade and coupled to the handle assembly, the blade guide having a bent portion in which the blade guide is curved and the blade guide having an opening through which the distal cutting portion of the blade is exposed; the flexible medial portion of the blade flexing to conform to the curve of the blade guide bent portion as the blade slidably moves in a reciprocating linear manner with the drive output, and the bent portion of the blade guide exerting a force on the first side of the blade.