Cartilage removal tool and method
An instrument for use in cartilage removal comprises an elongate body having a first end and a longitudinal axis having a longitudinal direction. A cartilage removal portion is coupled to the elongate body at the first end. The cartilage removal portion includes a plurality of serrated blades substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and adapted for removing material while moving in the longitudinal direction. Each serrated blade has a centroid located along the longitudinal axis.
1 . A method of removing cartilage, comprising:
contacting a cartilage with a tool comprising a handle having a longitudinal axis and a trapezoidal tube at an end of the handle, the trapezoidal tube having inner walls defining an opening therethrough, the opening having an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle, the trapezoidal tube having at least one cutting edge formed along at least one of a proximal edge and a distal edge and lateral sides so as to form an isosceles trapezoid shaped tube such that a textured outer surface provides fine abrasion of thin layers of cartilage; and
moving the tool, so as to cut the cartilage.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein moving the tool comprises moving the tool in a direction of the longitudinal axis, or in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein moving the tool comprises abrading the cartilage.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one cutting edge includes both a proximal cutting edge and a distal cutting edge of the trapezoidal tube.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein moving the tool comprises reciprocating the tool so as to cut the cartilage with both the proximal cutting edge and the distal cutting edge.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the lateral sides of the isosceles trapezoid shaped tube have additional cutting edges.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein moving the tool comprises cutting the cartilage with the at least one cutting edge while withdrawing the tool from a joint.
8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising contacting the cartilage with a textured outer surface of the trapezoidal tube and manually reciprocating the tool so as to remove a thin layer of remaining cartilage.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the tool comprises stainless steel or titanium.
10 . A cartilage removal tool, comprising:
a handle having a longitudinal axis and a distal end; and
a cartilage removal portion at the distal end of the handle, the cartilage removal portion including a trapezoidal tube at the distal end of the handle, the trapezoidal tube having inner walls defining an opening therethrough, the opening having an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle, the trapezoidal tube having at least one cutting edge formed along at least one of a proximal edge and a distal edge adapted for removing material and includes lateral sides so as to form an isosceles trapezoid shaped tube such that a textured outer surface provides fine abrasion of thin layers of cartilage.
11 . The cartilage removal tool of claim 10 , wherein the tool is configured to be moved in a direction of the longitudinal axis, or in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
12 . The cartilage removal tool of claim 10 , wherein the at least one cutting edge includes a proximal cutting edge and a distal cutting edge of the trapezoidal tube.
13 . The cartilage removal tool of claim 12 , wherein the lateral sides of the isosceles trapezoid shaped tube have additional cutting edges.
14 . The cartilage removal tool of claim 10 , wherein the lateral sides of the isosceles trapezoid shaped tube have additional cutting edges.
15 . The cartilage removal tool of claim 10 , wherein a textured outer surface of the trapezoidal tube is rough for fine abrasion and removal of thin layers of remaining cartilage.
16 . The cartilage removal tool of claim 10 , wherein the tool comprises stainless steel or titanium.
17 . The cartilage removal tool of claim 10 , wherein the handle is adapted for attachment to a powered driver instrument for reciprocal motion.