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Publication Number
US-12336718-B2
Publication Date
2025-06-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
A sheathed blade assembly for minimizing or preventing contact between the moving interior blade and the exterior sheath. The assembly includes an exterior sheath having a first portion and second portion with an inner lumen therebetween, an interior blade movable within the inner lumen of the exterior sheath, a first pocket within a first surface of the interior blade, and a first ball bearing within the first pocket. The first ball bearing creates a clearance amount between the first surface of the interior blade and the first portion of the exterior sheath. The assembly may also include a second pocket within a second surface of the interior blade for a second ball bearing. The second ball bearing creates a clearance amount between the second surface of the interior blade and the second portion of the exterior sheath. The second pocket is in a staggered configuration relative to the first pocket.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a sheathed blade assembly in which an exterior metal sheath having a top portion and a bottom portion encloses an inner lumen, and an interior blade is movable within the inner lumen of the exterior sheath. The assembly includes a ball bearing within the inner lumen, where the ball bearing creates a clearance amount between the interior blade and at least one of the top portion and the bottom portion of the exterior sheath.
The clearance amount formed by the ball bearing is used to minimize contact, thereby reducing friction, heat, wear, and metal particulate generation. The ball bearings may be seated in pockets on the blade surfaces, and an embodiment uses staggered ball bearings via top and bottom pockets.
In addition to the ball-bearing clearance approach, the invention discloses an alternative embodiment having sheath cutouts or apertures that reduce contact surface area and allow surgical-site fluid lubrication; low-friction surface coatings may also be mentioned. The disclosure further explains a universal saw head/collet configured to clamp and keep the sheath stationary for sheathed blades while providing clearance for standard (non-sheathed) blades, eliminating the need for separate handpieces.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim includes inventive features based on a stationary exterior sheath with a movable interior blade, ball-bearing clearance between the blade and the sheath, and access cutouts through the sheath top portion, for a total of three main inventive features.
Ball-bearing clearance between sheath and movable blade
A ball bearing within the inner lumen of the exterior sheath; wherein the ball bearing creates a clearance amount between the interior blade and at least one of the top portion and the bottom portion of the exterior sheath.
Stationary exterior sheath with movable interior blade
An interior blade movable within the inner lumen of the exterior sheath.
Top cutouts providing access to interior blade
A first plurality of cutouts extending through the top portion, wherein the first plurality of cutouts provide access to the interior blade through the top portion.
Bottom cutouts aligned with top cutouts
A second plurality of cutouts extending through the bottom portion, wherein the second plurality of cutouts is aligned with the first plurality of cutouts.
Bottom cutouts providing access to interior blade
The second plurality of cutouts provide access to the interior blade through the bottom portion.
Stationary exterior sheath relative to movable interior blade
The exterior sheath remains stationary relative to the movable interior blade.
Proximal blade head with cutting teeth
A head at the proximal cutting end of the interior blade includes a plurality of cutting teeth extending therefrom.
Distal blade connecting end as circular disk with apertures
The interior blade has a distal connecting end including a circular disk having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough.
Across the independent claim and its dependent refinements, the claim coverage focuses on a sheathed assembly with a movable interior blade within an exterior sheath, clearance created by a ball bearing between the blade and the sheath top/bottom portions, and sheath cutouts that provide access to the interior blade, with additional refinements regarding relative sheath/blade motion and blade end geometry.
Stated Advantages
Minimizes contact to reduce friction, heat, wear, and metal particulate generation.
Reduces contact surface area and allows surgical-site fluid lubrication.
Documented Applications
Use in surgical saw blade systems with a sheathed blade assembly providing access to an interior blade through sheath cutouts.
Use of a universal saw head/collet configured to clamp and keep the sheath stationary for sheathed blades while providing clearance for standard (non-sheathed) blades, eliminating the need for separate handpieces.
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