Blade guard for a surgical tool
US6001115A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 21, 1998 |
| Grant date | Dec 14, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 21, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2090/08021
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A blade guard (12) for preventing a saw blade (16) or other cutting member from cutting into tissue the cutting member is not intended to cut. The blade guard includes a body (20) that is attached to the surgical tool (10) from which the cutting member extends. A leg (24) extends from the body. A foot (34) is attached to the end of the leg. The foot encapsulates the end of the cutting member to prevent it from penetrating into tissue the cutting member is not intended to cut. The leg is formed with a tapered profile such that it has a leading edge (29) adjacent the cutting member that is narrow in width than the trailing edge (30) spaced from the cutting member. The tapered profile of the leg provides the leg with structural strength. The tapered profile also facilitates the separation of the sections of the bone that define the kerf as the cutting member and blade guard pass through the bone.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.