Microsurgery saw drive

Claim 2

A rotary-to-lateral motion converting assembly comprising concentric-eccentric rotor (152) so constructed and arranged as to form a central main rotor portion (154), a proximal concentric drive shaft portion (156) and an eccentric distal drive shaft portion (158), a motor (102), means operably connecting the motor (102) to concentric-eccentric rotor (152) for rotating the same, a way block (I80) mounted for reciprocal, lateral travel, the eccentric drive shaft portion so disposed and constructed as to engage the lateral way block (180) for driving the same in response to drive power from the motor reciprocally laterally to thereby convert the rotary motion of the motor through the concentric-eccentric rotor to lateral motion of the way block, the way block being constructed and configured to drive a cervical saw and comprising saw engaging means for moving the proximal end of the cervical saw laterally, the saw engaging means comprising a boss (194) extending distally from he main way block portion (182) having formed therethrough a passage defined at the distal end by an oval opening (196) having the major axis parallel to the plane in which the way block moves laterally and saw engaging structure (200) accessible through said passage.

Claim 3

The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the way block (180) comprises a generally rectangular main block portion (182) having formed thereon way (184,186) constructed and disposed to movably support the way block (180) for lateral movement in a plane generally perpendicular to the axes of the concentric-eccentric rotor (152).

Claim 4

The mechanism of claim 2 wherein the way block (180) is so constructed and configured as to define a generally oval aperture (192) in the main block portion (182) for receiving the eccentric shaft (158) of the concentric-eccentric rotor (152), the aperture (182) being so formed and configured as define side walls which are operably engaged alternately by the eccentric shaft portion thereof (158) first on one wall for moving the way block (180) in one direction laterally and then on the other wall for moving the way block 180 in the other direction laterally.

Claim 5

The mechanism of claim 3 constructed and configured to drive a cervical saw, wherein the saw engaging means comprises means for receiving and moving the proximal end of the cervical saw laterally, and wherein the saw engaging boss (194) extends upwardly and distally from the main way block portion (182).

Claim 6

A drive mechanism for supporting and driving an elongate microsurgical saw which comprises an elongate shaft having an axis and proximal and distal ends and a planar saw having teeth extending substantially parallel to the shaft axis for performing cervical and other microsurgical procedures, comprising, in combination: a generally axially aligned rotary-to-lateral motion converting assembly of substantially constant diameter comprising a concentric-eccentric rotor (152) so constructed and arranged as to form a central main rotor portion (154), a proximal concentric drive shaft portion (156) and an eccentric distal drive shaft portion (158), a motor (102), means operably connecting the motor (102) to concentric-eccentric rotor (152) for rotating the same, a way block (180) mounted for reciprocal travel laterally within said substantially constant diameter, the eccentric drive shaft portion so disposed and constructed as to engage the lateral way block (180) for driving the same in response to drive power from the motor reciprocally laterally to thereby convert the rotary motion of the motor through the concentric-eccentric rotor to lateral motion of the way block, and a microsurgery saw support assembly (230) constructed and adapted to support the elongate microsurgery saw comprising a pivot (250) for supporting the microsurgery saw blade intermediate the ends thereof, and retaining means for receiving and selectively securing and releasing the microsurgery saw, the way block comprising a boss extending therefrom having an opening therethrough and an engaging pin for receiving and engaging the proximal end of the microsurgery saw and moving said proximal end and, through said pivot, moving the distal end of the saw generally laterally to the axis of the rotary-to-lateral motion converting assembly.

Claim 7

A drive mechanism for supporting and driving an elongate microsurgical saw which comprises an elongate shaft having an axis and proximal and distal ends and a planar saw having teeth extending substantially parallel to the shaft axis for performing cervical and other microsurgical procedures, comprising, in combination: a generally axially aligned rotary-to-lateral motion converting assembly of substantially constant diameter comprising a concentric-eccentric rotor (152) so constructed and arranged as to form a central main rotor portion (154), a proximal concentric drive shaft portion (156) and an eccentric distal drive shaft portion (158), a motor (102), means operably connecting the motor (102) to concentric-eccentric rotor (152) for rotating the same, a way block (180) mounted for reciprocal travel laterally within said substantially constant diameter, the eccentric drive shaft portion so disposed and constructed as to engage the lateral way block (180) for driving the same in response to drive power from the motor reciprocally laterally to thereby convert the rotary motion of the motor through the concentric-eccentric rotor to lateral motion of the way block, and a microsurgery saw support assembly (230) constructed and adapted to support the elongate microsurgery saw comprising a pivot (250) for supporting the microsurgery saw blade intermediate the ends thereof, and retaining means for receiving and selectively securing and releasing the microsurgery saw, the way block comprising a boss extending therefrom having an opening therethrough and an engaging pin for receiving and engaging the proximal end of the microsurgery saw and moving said proximal end and, through said pivot, moving the distal end of the saw generally laterally to the axis of the rotary-to-lateral motion converting assembly.

Claim 8

The mechanism of claim 5 wherein the way block (180) comprises a generally rectangular main block portion (182) having formed thereon ways (184,186) constructed and Disposed to movably support the way block (180) for lateral movement in a plane generally perpendicular to the axes of the concentric-eccentric rotor (152).

Claim 9

The mechanism of claim 6 wherein the way block (180) is so constructed and configured as to define a generally oval aperture (192) in the main block poriton (182) for receiving the eccentric shaft (158) of the concentric-eccentric rotor (152), the aperture (I82) being so formed and configured as define side walls which are operably engaged alternately by the eccentric shaft portion thereof (158) first on one wall for moving the way block (180) in one direction laterally and then on the other wall for moving the way block (180) in the other direction laterally.

Claim 10

The mechanism of claim 7 wherein the way block (180) comprises saw engaging means for moving the proximal end of the microsurgery saw laterally.

Claim 11

A drive mechanism for supporting and driving an elongate, generally cylindrical microsurgical saw for performing cervical and other microsurgical procedures, comprising, in combination: a rotary-to-lateral motion converting assembly comprising concentric-eccentric rotor (152) so constructed and arranged as to form a central main rotor portion (154), a proximal concentric drive shaft portion (156) and an eccentric distal drive shaft portion (158), a motor (2), means operably connecting the motor (102) to concentric-eccentric rotor (152) for rotating the same, a way block (180) mounted for reciprocal, lateral travel, the eccentric drive shaft portion so disposed and constructed as to engage the lateral way block (180) for driving the same in response to drive power from the motor reciprocally laterally to thereby convert the rotary motion of the motor through the concentric-eccentric rotor to lateral motion of the way block, saw engaging means on the way block, a nd a microsurgery saw support assembly (230) constructed and adapted to support an elongate generally cylindrical microsurgery saw having cutting means at the distal end and means at the proximal end for engaging the way block, the microsurgery saw support assembly comprising a pivot (250) and a microsurgery saw blade support (270) comprising a generally cylindrical member and retaining means for receiving and selectively securing and releasing the microsurgery saw, the saw engaging means comprising a boss (194) extending upwardly and distally from the main way block portion (182) having formed therethrough a passage defined at the distal end by an oval opening (196) having the major axis parallel to the plane in which the way block moves laterally and saw engaging structure (200) accessible through said passage.

Claim 12

A drive mechanism for supporting and driving an elongate, generally cylindrical microsurgical saw for performing cervical and other microsurgical procedures, comprising, in combination: a rotary-to-lateral motion converting assembly comprising concentric-eccentric rotor (152) so constructed and arranged as to form a central main rotor portion (154), a proximal concentric drive shaft portion (156) and an eccentric distal drive shaft portion (158), a motor (2), means operably connecting the motor (102) to concentric-eccentric rotor (152) for rotating the same, a way block (180) mounted for reciprocal, lateral travel, the eccentric drive shaft portion so disposed and constructed as to engage the lateral way block (180) for driving the same in response to drive power from the motor reciprocally laterally to thereby convert the rotary motion of the motor through the concentric-eccentric rotor to lateral motion of the way block, saw engaging means on the way block, a nd a microsurgery saw support assembly (230) constructed and adapted to support an elongate generally cylindrical microsurgery saw having cutting means at the distal end and means at the proximal end for engaging the way block, the microsurgery saw support assembly comprising a pivot (250) and a microsurgery saw blade support (270) comprising a generally cylindrical member and retaining means for receiving and selectively securing and releasing the microsurgery saw, the saw engaging means comprising a boss (194) extending upwardly and distally from the main way block portion (182) having formed therethrough a passage defined at the distal end by an oval opening (196) having the major axis parallel to the plane in which the way block moves laterally and saw engaging structure (200) accessible through said passage.

Claim 13

The mechanism of claim 9 wherein the saw engaging structure comprises a pin for engaging In a slot in the proximal end of the microsurgery saw.

Claim 14

The microsurgery saw support assembly of claim 9 wherein the pivot is an omni-directional pivot ball and means supporting the ball for pivotal movement.

Claim 15

The microsurgery saw support assembly of claim 9 wherein the retaining means comprises at least one detent and one retaining ball in the detent.