Tooling for creating tapered opening in tissue and related methods

Abstract

According to some embodiments, a tool for creating a wedge opening within a bone tissue is disclosed. The tool includes an outer member, a cutting member, and an inner member. The inner member moves within the inner passage of the cutting member where when the inner member is moved within the inner passage of the cutting member, the at least one cutter radially expands at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the tool.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tool for creating a wedge opening within a bone tissue, comprising:
 an outer member comprising a first end and a second end, a cylindrical interior extending from the first end to the second end and having openings at the first and second ends, the first end comprising a tapered portion configured to be inserted within a cylinder-shaped opening created within the bone tissue;   a cutting member comprising an inner passage, positioned within the cylindrical interior of the outer member near the first end of the outer member and coupled to the outer member, the cutting member comprising at least one cutter configured to be radially expanded outward; and   an inner member configured to be moved within the inner passage of the cutting member, wherein when the inner member is moved within the inner passage of the cutting member, the at least one cutter is configured to radially expand,   wherein the at least one cutter is configured to radially expand at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the tool so as to create the wedge opening within the bone tissue when the at least one cutter is expanded and rotated relative to said tissue, and   wherein the outer member comprises a first outer member portion and at least a second outer member portion, wherein the first outer member portion is configured to couple and secure to the second outer member portion prior to use.   
     
     
         2 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first outer member portion is configured to couple to the second outer member portion using a threaded connection. 
     
     
         3 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the cutting member is configured to be secured relative to the outer member when the first outer member portion is coupled to the second outer member portion. 
     
     
         4 . The tool of  claim 3 , wherein the cutting member comprises at least one protruding member, wherein the at least one protruding member is configured to move within at least one corresponding slot provided in the at least one of the first outer member portion and the second outer member portion when the first outer member portion is coupled to the second outer member portion. 
     
     
         5 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one cutter comprises a sloped inner surface, such that when the inner member is advanced within an interior of the cutting member, the inner member engages and urges the at least one cutter radially outwardly. 
     
     
         6 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one cutter is configured to radially retract once the inner member is retracted from an interior of the cutting member. 
     
     
         7 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the inner member and the cutting member are cannulated, thus forming an axial opening through the tool to permit the passage of a guide pin or other device through the axial opening.