Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
An improved arthroscopic drill guide comprising: (a) a frame member; (b) a probe connected to one end of said frame member and including a first section adjacent said frame member, a second section connected to said first section, and a probe tip at an end of said second section remote from said first section, said probe tip extending along a longitudinal axis; (c) a slide member slidably connected to the other end of said frame member, said slide member including a guide at an end thereof remote from said frame member; and (d) a cannula slidably mounted to said guide, said cannula including a guide bore therethrough extending substantially along said longitudinal axis; (e) said probe member first section and second section having, substantially throughout their respective extents, cross sections elongated in a direction substantially perpendicular to said axis whereby said probe member is resistant to flexure forces which would tend to move said probe tip away from said axis to thereby maintain alignment of said probe tip and cannula along said axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
An improved arthroscopic drill guide comprising: (a) a frame member; (b) a probe connected to one end of said frame member and including a first section adjacent said frame member, a second section connected to said first section, and a probe tip at an end of said second section remote from said first section, said probe tip extending along a longitudinal axis; (c) a slide member slidably connected to the other end of said frame member, said slide member including a guide at an end thereof remote from said frame member; and (d) a cannula slidably mounted to said guide, said cannula including a guide bore therethrough extending substantially along said longitudinal axis; (e) said probe member first section and second section having, substantially throughout their respective extents, cross sections elongated in a direction substantially perpendicular to said axis whereby said probe member is resistant to flexure forces which would tend to move said probe tip away from said axis to thereby maintain alignment of said probe tip and cannula along said axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein said first section and second section intersect to form therebetween an obtuse angle chosen so that said drill guide may be utilized in drilling tunnels in both the proximal tibia and distal femur using a single probe member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 2, wherein said obtuse angle is approximately 135°.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 2, wherein said second section and said probe tip intersect to form therebetween a further obtuse angle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 4, wherein said further obtuse angle is about 111°-114°.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein said frame member includes a hole into which said probe member first section is inserted, and said first section is soldered to said frame member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein said frame member other end includes a portion of C-shaped cross-section, said slide member including a corresponding portion of C-shaped cross-section slidably mounted over said frame member portion, said slide member further including adjusting means interacting with said frame member portion for controllably locking the position of said slide member with respect to said frame member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
77 words
The invention of claim 7, wherein said frame member portion defines a C-shaped recess, said adjusting means including: (a) a nut slidably insertable into said C-shaped recess and having a threaded hole therethrough; (b) a knob including a threaded stem threadably mounted in said threaded hole, said knob being rotatable in a first direction causing reciprocation of said nut means into frictional engagement with said C-shaped recess, and rotatable in a second direction releasing said frictional engagement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein said guide means includes an opening therethrough said cannula means being slidably inserted through said opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
The invention of claim 9, wherein said opening defines a bore having a first bore section of a first diameter and a second bore section of a second diameter, said bore sections meeting at an internal annular shoulder, said cannula means having an outer annular shoulder adapted to abut, in assembly, said guide means internal annular shoulder.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention of claim 10, wherein one of said bore sections has mounted therein an O-ring protruding inwardly therefrom, said O-ring being adapted to frictionally engage said cannula means, in assembly.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein said cannula means includes a face facing said probe tip, said face having a plurality of teeth formed therein.