System, apparatus, and method for grafting tissue

Abstract

Systems, apparatus, and methods may be adapted for grafting tissue at a tissue site that may include an elongate housing and a plurality of elongate cutting members. The plurality of elongate cutting members may define a cutting surface at a distal end of the elongate housing. The cutting surface may be adapted to contract from a first diameter to a second diameter that is less than the first diameter. The contraction of the cutting surface from the first diameter to the second diameter may define a tapered profile between the first diameter and the second diameter suitable for obtaining a tapered graft.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A tapered graft tissue comprising an insertion end and an exposed end separated by a length, the tapered graft tissue having a first diameter at the exposed end that is larger than a second diameter at the insertion end, the length between the first diameter and the second diameter defining an external taper. 
     
     
         22 . The tapered graft tissue of  claim 21 , wherein the entire length between the first diameter and the second diameter defines the external taper. 
     
     
         23 . The tapered graft tissue of  claim 21 , wherein the first diameter is substantially concentric with the second diameter. 
     
     
         24 . The tapered graft tissue of  claim 21 , wherein the tapered graft tissue is adapted to self-align with a tapered socket. 
     
     
         25 . The tapered graft tissue of  claim 21 , wherein the tapered graft tissue has a conical, frustoconical, or pyramidal shape. 
     
     
         26 . The tapered graft tissue of  claim 21 , wherein the first diameter is about 8 millimeters. 
     
     
         27 . The tapered graft,tissue of  claim 21 , wherein the first diameter is about 20 millimeters. 
     
     
         28 . The tapered graft tissue of  claim 21 , wherein the length is about 6 millimeters.