Patent ID: 7674266

Claim:
An apparatus for cutting bone, said apparatus comprising: a shaft member extending between a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, said shaft member, proximal end portion and distal end portion extending substantially along a central axis, said proximal end portion having a first surface adapted to receive repetitive impacts, said distal end portion including a cutting blade adapted to cut through the bone and extending in a first plane between a shield section and a guide section that extends axially beyond said shield section, said shield section and said guide section being oppositely disposed about said central axis, said shield section and said guide section projecting axially beyond said cutting blade to recess said cutting blade in said distal end portion, said shield section including an inwardly facing shield surface which extends in a second plane that is transverse to said first plane of said cutting blade, said shield surface being substantially wider in width in said second plane than said guide section, said guide section including an enlarged substantially sphere shaped terminal end.