Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
A bone-harvesting drill bit comprising: an elongate generally cylindrical hollow shank section having a distal end and a proximal end and a long axis extending therebetween, the distal end having first and second points disposed on the perimeter thereof; and a tip section extending from the distal end of the hollow shank, the tip section defined by a first lip extending from the first point on the distal end of the hollow shank to an apex located on the long axis, a second lip extending from the second point to the apex and a solid portion extending between said lips from said hollow shank to a sharp point at the apex, where the solid portion has an interior surface and an exterior surface and the first lip has a bevel between the interior and exterior surfaces to form an acutely sharp cutting edge at the exterior surface so that the drill bit may be rotated so that the cutting edge cuts the bone and the bevel guides resulting bone chips into the hollow shank.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
A bone-harvesting drill bit comprising: an elongate generally cylindrical hollow shank section having a distal end and a proximal end and a long axis extending therebetween, the distal end having first and second points disposed on the perimeter thereof; and a tip section extending from the distal end of the hollow shank, the tip section defined by a first lip extending from the first point on the distal end of the hollow shank to an apex located on the long axis, a second lip extending from the second point to the apex and a solid portion extending between said lips from said hollow shank to a sharp point at the apex, where the solid portion has an interior surface and an exterior surface and the first lip has a bevel between the interior and exterior surfaces to form an acutely sharp cutting edge at the exterior surface so that the drill bit may be rotated so that the cutting edge cuts the bone and the bevel guides resulting bone chips into the hollow shank.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The bit of claim 1, wherein said lips intersect the long axis at the apex at an angle of between approximately 40° and 80°, where said angle is measured between each lip and the long axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The bit of claim 2, wherein said angle is between approximately 50° and 70°.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The bit of claim 2, wherein said angle is approximately 60°.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The bit of claim 1, wherein said cutting edge extends from the apex through a substantially straight region to said first point.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The bit of claim 1 for use with a drill head having distal spindle with a securing post and wherein said proximal end of said shank includes an elongate slotted recess for receiving the securing post.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The bit of claim 6, wherein said recess includes a region extending distally spirally from said shank's proximal end.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The bit of claim 1, wherein said solid section extends through an arc between said first and second points having an arc length between approximately 120° and 240°.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The bit of claim 8, wherein the arc length is between approximately 150° and 210°.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The bit of claim 9, wherein the arc length is approximately 180°.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The bit of claim 1, wherein the exterior surface of said solid section is shaped substantially like a semicircumferentially extending cone.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The bit of claim 11 wherein said first lip follows a substantially straight path between the first point and the apex.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The bit of claim 11 wherein said second lip follows a substantially straight path between the second point and the apex.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
231 words
A method for harvesting bone from a donor site, the method comprising the steps of: providing a bit including an elongate generally cylindrical hollow shank section having a distal end and a proximal end and a long axis extending therebetween, the distal end having first and second points disposed on the perimeter thereof, and a tip section extending from the distal end of the hollow shank, the tip section defined by a first lip extending from the first point on the distal end of the hollow shank to an apex located on the long axis, a second lip extending from the second point to the apex and a solid portion extending between said tips from said hollow shank to a sharp point at the apex between said lips, where the solid portion has an interior surface and an exterior surface and the first lip has a bevel between the interior and exterior surfaces to form an acutely sharp cutting edge at the exterior surface; positioning such bit with such sharp point at the donor site of a bone; rotating such bit at a defined speed with such sharp cutting edge producing bone chips and with such bevel directing such produced bone chips proximally through such opening into such hollow shank; and collecting such directed bone chips in such hollow shank to produce a harvest of bone chips therein for subsequent use.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
231 words
A method for harvesting bone from a donor site, the method comprising the steps of: providing a bit including an elongate generally cylindrical hollow shank section having a distal end and a proximal end and a long axis extending therebetween, the distal end having first and second points disposed on the perimeter thereof, and a tip section extending from the distal end of the hollow shank, the tip section defined by a first lip extending from the first point on the distal end of the hollow shank to an apex located on the long axis, a second lip extending from the second point to the apex and a solid portion extending between said tips from said hollow shank to a sharp point at the apex between said lips, where the solid portion has an interior surface and an exterior surface and the first lip has a bevel between the interior and exterior surfaces to form an acutely sharp cutting edge at the exterior surface; positioning such bit with such sharp point at the donor site of a bone; rotating such bit at a defined speed with such sharp cutting edge producing bone chips and with such bevel directing such produced bone chips proximally through such opening into such hollow shank; and collecting such directed bone chips in such hollow shank to produce a harvest of bone chips therein for subsequent use.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 14 which further comprises providing a fitting for securely capturing a proximal terminal end of such bit therein and for fitting such captured bit to a drill for performing said rotating step.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 15 which further comprises providing a hand tool for snap-removing such bit from its secure capture within such fitting.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 16 which further comprises providing a hand tool for urging harvested bone chips proximally within such hollow shank and out of an opening formed in an extreme proximal end of such bit for such use.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 15 which further comprises inserting such bit into such fitting by urging such bit axially therealong.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 18, wherein said inserting results in relative rotation between such bit and such fitting, with said rotation being effected by providing on one of such bit and such fitting a cam and by providing on the other of such bit and such fitting a follower, whereby such cam and such follower cooperate to provide such rotation incident to said inserting.