Rotary oscillating/reciprocating surgical tool

1. A surgical tool having a rotary oscillating cutter comprising:

a handle;

a motor associated with said handle;

a transmission operably coupled to the motor, the motor being operable for selectively providing rotary motion to the transmission, the transmission having:

a first driver coupled to the motor and operable to effect rotary oscillation of a cutter shaft, the cutter shaft having a cutter on a distal end thereof, the cutter shaft being secured to a transmission output for oscillating rotation of the cutter about a longitudinal axis of the cutter shaft, the cutter shaft and cutter having an angular displacement of rotation of least ninety degrees;

a second driver having a gear mounted to the cutter shaft and coupled to the first driver to effect oscillating rotation of the cutter shaft, wherein the second driver is configured to effect linear reciprocation of the cutter shaft upon the rotary oscillation of the cutter shaft.

2. A surgical tool having a rotary oscillating cutter of claim 1 wherein the angular displacement of rotation of the cutter shaft and cutter is less than one hundred and eighty degrees.

3. A surgical tool having a rotary oscillating cutter of claim 1 wherein the first driver includes a curved gear rack which oscillates along a curved path during operation of the motor.

4. A surgical tool having a rotary oscillating cutter of claim 3 wherein the first driver includes a crank assembly coupled to the motor and a follower assembly operably associated with the crank assembly for oscillating the curved gear rack, the second driver gear being meshed with the curved gear rack to effect oscillating rotation of the cutter shaft.

5. A surgical tool having a rotary oscillating cutter of claim 4 wherein the second driver including a helical bearing associated with the cutter shaft and operable to effect the linear reciprocation of the cutter shaft in response to rotary oscillation of the cutter shaft effected by the first driver.

6. A surgical tool having a rotary oscillating cutter of claim 5 wherein the helical bearing including an inner race secured to the cutter shaft and operable to move rotationally and oscillationally with the shaft.

7. A surgical tool having a rotary oscillating cutter of claim 6 wherein the helical bearing including an outer race associated with said inner race and a plurality of bearing balls retained between the inner and outer races.

8. A surgical tool having a rotary oscillating cutter of claim 7 wherein the outer race being fixed against movement relative to said handle.

9. A surgical tool having a rotary oscillating cutter of claim 8 including a housing, the handle being part of the housing and being configured to be gripped in a person's hand for use in a surgical procedure.

10. A surgical tool having a rotary oscillating cutter of claim 7 wherein the handle being configured to be mounted to a surgical robot.

11. A surgical tool having a rotary oscillating cutter of claim 7 wherein the motor is an electric motor.

12. A surgical tool having a rotary oscillating cutter of claim 7 wherein the motor is a pneumatic motor.

13. A surgical tool having a rotary oscillating cutter of claim 12 wherein the pneumatic motor is a vacuum motor.

14. A surgical tool having a rotary oscillating cutter of claim 12 wherein the pneumatic motor is a pressurized air motor.

15. A surgical tool having a rotary oscillating cutter comprising:

a handle;

a motor associated with said handle and configured to provide a rotary motion;

a crank assembly coupled to the motor and having a bearing offset radially from a center of rotation of the crank assembly;

a first driver operable to effect rotary oscillation of a cutter shaft, the cutter shaft having a cutter on a distal end thereof, the first driver including:

an arm coupled to the bearing and also offset radially from the center of rotation of the crank assembly;

a follower coupled to the arm, the follower and arm together providing an oscillating motion from the rotary motion of the crank assembly;

a gear rack attached to the follower and configured to oscillate along a curved path;

the cutter shaft and cutter having an angular displacement of rotation of least ninety degrees;

a second driver including:

a circular bevel gear mounted to the cutter shaft and configured to be in mesh with the gear rack to effect the oscillating motion of the cutter shaft.