Patent · US Expired

Flexible cutting tool and methods for its use

US5695513A · kind A · utility

253Cited by
5References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 1, 1996
Grant dateDec 9, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 1, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2017/320733
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A cable comprising helically wound superelastic fibers and having a drilling tip provided at its distal end is housed in an elongated holder through which the cable may be advanced, the holder having a distal end for supporting the cable during a drilling operation and through which the distal end of the cable may protrude. The holder includes contains a cable support shaped to bend the cable through a predetermined angle adjacent its distal end and to support the cable as it is rotated and advanced. A motor is attached to the cable remote from the distal end of the cable to rotate the cable in a direction tending to tighten the cable fibers.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.