Methods and apparatus for wireplasty bone resection

Abstract

A cutting tool to be utilized in the resection or removal of bone tissue from patients includes a handle that tensions a wire or cable-like cutting member with a small diameter between at least two features on the handle to present a thin cutting profile. The design of the cutting tool includes features that protect against soft tissue damage and minimize the incision size necessary to utilize the tool. Some embodiments feature details of the cutting tool that interface with a surgical cutting guide system. Other embodiments describe a cutting tool with a selectively changeable length of the cutting profile of the wire cutting member. In one embodiment, the wire cutting member of the cutting tool is energized by mechanical energy in the form of a unidirectional rotation of the cutting member, a mechanical vibration of the cutting member, or an oscillating movement of the wire cutting member.

1 . An apparatus for preparing bone to receive an implant fixation surface comprising; 
 an elongated flexible cutting element adapted to cut bone;    a handle having at least a two features defined proximate a distal portion of the handle between which the elongated flexible cutting element is tensioned such that the cutting element presents a thin cutting profile between the two features that is exposed to and moved across bone to create the implant fixation surface.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising means for applying mechanical energy to the cutting element.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the means for applying mechanical energy is selected from the set consisting of: means for energizing the cutting element by mechanical energy in the form of a unidirectional rotation of the cutting member, means for providing a mechanical vibration of the cutting member, and means for providing an oscillating movement of the wire cutting member.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is configured to permit at least the distal portion to be inserted into a minimally invasive surgical opening.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two features are selectively movable relative to one another such that a length of the thin cutting profile dynamically changes in response to a contour of a bone as the implant fixation surface is created.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a volumetric displacement of bone per unit cutting length of the thin cutting profile is less than or equal to about 0.2 in 2  per inch cutting length.