Reciprocating saw blade cartridge that includes a static bar to which a reciprocating rack is attached
A blade cartridge for use with a surgical saw includes a bar and a rack. The bar includes a first holding feature for removably holding the bar static to the saw. The rack includes a base moveably disposed in the bar and has cutting teeth defining extending beyond the bar. A drive link extends from the base, providing a second holding feature for releasably engaging a reciprocating drive integral with the saw. One of the base and the bar includes a guide slot. The other of the base and the bar includes a static member extending into the guide slot. The guide slot and the static member allow the rack to reciprocally move from proximal to distal to proximal along a longitudinal axis of the bar. The bar includes two plates and a spacer between the plates. The base is located between the plates.
1. A blade cartridge for use with a surgical saw comprising:
a bar including a first holding feature for removably holding the bar static to the saw;
a rack including:
a base moveably disposed in the bar,
a head extending from the base and located outside of a perimeter of the bar and having cutting teeth with a width defining a kerf cut by the teeth of sufficient width to accommodate the perimeter of the bar adjacent the head, and
a drive link extending from the base of the rack and having a second holding feature for releasably engaging a reciprocating drive integral with the saw,
wherein:
one of the base and the bar includes a guide slot,
the other of the base and the bar includes a static member extending into the guide slot so as to retain the rack in the bar, and the guide slot and the static member are collectively shaped to allow the rack to engage in reciprocal movement in a proximal direction and a distal direction along a longitudinal axis of the bar, and
the bar includes two plates and a spacer located between the plates separating the plates from each other, and the base of the rack is located between the plates.
2. The blade cartridge of claim 1 , wherein:
the base of the rack includes the guide slot; and
the bar includes the static member.
3. The blade cartridge of claim 2 , wherein the guide slot extends between opposed sides of the base.
4. The blade cartridge of claim 2 , wherein the guide slot is accessible through an opening in the outer perimeter of the rack.
5. The blade cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the static member is an elongated member extending proximally and distally.
6. The blade cartridge of claim 5 , wherein:
the base of the rack includes the guide slot; and
the static member extends from the spacer and is disposed in the guide slot.
7. The blade cartridge of claim 6 , wherein the first holding feature is included in a one of the plates.
8. The blade cartridge of claim 6 , wherein the first holding feature extends from the spacer.
9. The blade cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the guide slot is one of a plurality of guide slots and the static member is one of a plurality of static members that extend into the plurality of guide slots.
10. The blade cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the bar includes opposed outer surfaces that are planar and parallel.
11. The blade cartridge claim 1 , wherein the bar includes a debris slot in a one of the plates at a distal end of the bar.
12. The blade cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the rack includes a head that extends outwardly from an outer surface of the bar adjacent a distal end of the bar.