Discectomy instrument
A discectomy instrument capable of removing portions of the spinal disc between adjacent vertebrae in a controlled manner that is efficient and easy to use. The discectomy instrument may include a handle, a rotary scraper, a barrel, a drive shaft, an outer sleeve and a retaining clip.
1. A discectomy instrument for removing a portion of an intervertebral disc, comprising:
a rotary scraper;
a drive shaft operably attached to the rotary scraper;
a ball joint coupled to the rotary scraper at one end and to the drive shaft at the other end, wherein the rotary scraper is pivotably connected to the ball joint; and
a barrel, wherein the drive shaft is removably connected to the barrel and capable of transmitting torque, and wherein the rotary scraper is configured to pivot as well as rotate with the drive shaft.
2. The instrument of claim 1 further comprising an outer sleeve for coaxially receiving the drive shaft.
3. The instrument of claim 2 , wherein the outer sleeve is connected to the drive shaft in a manner so as to allow the drive shaft to rotate with respect to the outer sleeve but not translate with respect to the outer sleeve.
4. The instrument of claim 2 further comprising a retaining clip that engages the drive shaft and the outer sleeve to connect the drive shaft to the outer sleeve in a rotatable, non-translatable manner.
5. The instrument of claim 2 further comprising a handle portion for being gripped by a user and operably attached to the rotary scraper.
6. The instrument of claim 5 , wherein the handle and outer sleeve are coaxial and share a longitudinal axis.
7. The instrument of claim 6 , wherein the barrel is configured to move along the longitudinal axis.
8. The instrument of claim 7 , wherein when the barrel moves toward the handle, the barrel is configured to disengage the drive shaft from the handle, and when the barrel moves away from the handle, the barrel is configured to engage the drive shaft to the handle.
9. The instrument of claim 2 , wherein the outer sleeve includes an angled edge configured and dimensioned to allow the rotary scraper to rotate but constrains pivoting movement at a predetermined angle.
10. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the rotary scraper comprises a plurality of blades.
11. A discectomy instrument for removing a portion of an intervertebral disc, comprising:
a rotary scraper;
a drive shaft operably attached to the rotary scraper;
an outer sleeve for coaxially receiving the drive shaft; a ball joint coupled to the rotary scraper at one end and to the drive shaft at the other end, wherein the rotary scraper is pivotably connected to the ball joint; and
a barrel, wherein the drive shaft is removably connected to the barrel and capable of transmitting torque, and wherein the rotary scraper is configured to pivot as well as rotate with the drive shaft.
12. The instrument of claim 11 , wherein the outer sleeve is connected to the drive shaft in a manner so as to allow the drive shaft to rotate with respect to the outer sleeve but not translate with respect to the outer sleeve.
13. The instrument of claim 11 further comprising a retaining clip that engages the drive shaft and the outer sleeve to connect the drive shaft to the outer sleeve in a rotatable, non-translatable manner.
14. The instrument of claim 11 further comprising a handle portion for being gripped by a user and operably attached to the rotary scraper.
15. The instrument of claim 14 , wherein the handle and outer sleeve are coaxial and share a longitudinal axis.
16. The instrument of claim 15 , wherein the barrel is configured to move along the longitudinal axis such that when the barrel moves toward the handle, the barrel is configured to disengage the drive shaft from the handle, and when the barrel moves away from the handle, the barrel is configured to engage the drive shaft to the handle.
17. The instrument of claim 11 , wherein the outer sleeve includes an angled edge configured and dimensioned to allow the rotary scraper to rotate but constrains pivoting movement at a predetermined angle.
18. The instrument of claim 11 , wherein the rotary scraper comprises a plurality of blades.