Cartilage removal tool and method

Abstract

An instrument for use in cartilage removal comprises an elongate body having a first end and a longitudinal axis having a longitudinal direction. A cartilage removal portion is coupled to the elongate body at the first end. The cartilage removal portion includes a plurality of serrated blades substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and adapted for removing material while moving in the longitudinal direction. Each serrated blade has a centroid located along the longitudinal axis.

1 .- 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A method for cartilage removal, comprising:
 contacting a cartilage of a patient with a cartilage removal portion of a tool, the cartilage removal portion having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the cartilage removal portion including one or more elongate members disposed radially outward from the longitudinal axis, wherein the one or more elongate members extend parallel to the longitudinal axis from the first end to the second end; and   causing the elongate body to rotate around the longitudinal axis or reciprocate, so that the one or more elongate extensions cut or abrade the cartilage.   
     
     
         9 . A method for cartilage removal, comprising:
 contacting a cartilage of a patient with a grater, the grater having a shank attached to a plate, the plate having a first face and a second face opposite the first face, the plate defining one or more holes extending therethrough from the first face to the second face, each hole defined by a respective cutting edge of the plate; and   reciprocating the plate so that the respective cutting edge defining one or more of the holes cuts or abrades the cartilage.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the plate has a respective scoop adjacent each respective hole in the array of holes, and   the reciprocating includes deflecting cartilage through one of the holes by the respective scoop thereof.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the plate includes at least a first blade and a second blade, the first and second blades being perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the handle, at least one of the one or more holes located at a center of the first blade, separating the first blade into two blade portions, and   the second blade is parallel to the first blade and adjacent to the at least one hole, where the second blade is configured to deflect cartilage into the at least one hole during the reciprocating.   
     
     
         12 . A method for cartilage removal, comprising:
 contacting a cartilage of a patient with a cartilage removal tool having a central longitudinal axis, and at least one rotatable helical strip arranged around the longitudinal axis, the helical strip separated radially from the longitudinal axis by a space; and,   rotating the at least one helical strip so that the at least one helical strip revolves around the longitudinal axis and cuts or abrades the cartilage.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one helical strip includes a first helical strip and a second helical strip, the first helical strip and the second helical strip coupled to the elongated member and arranged on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         14 . A cartilage removal tool, comprising:
 a handle having a longitudinal axis and a distal end; and   a cartilage removal portion at the distal end of the handle, the cartilage removal portion having a curved plate with a plurality of serrated blades thereon, each serrated blade substantially perpendicular to a major surface of the curved plate, each serrated blade having a plurality of teeth substantially perpendicular to the major surface, each serrated blade adapted for removing material.   
     
     
         15 . The cartilage removal tool of  claim 14 , wherein each tooth has a ramped surface increasing in height from a distal end thereof to a proximal end thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The cartilage removal tool of  claim 14 , wherein the serrated blades have a plurality of different heights. 
     
     
         17 . The cartilage removal tool of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the curved plate has a convex side including at least some of the plurality of serrated blades thereon, and   the serrated blades on the convex side have a first height at or near the proximal end or the distal end of the cartilage removal portion and at least one second height between the proximal end and the distal end of the cartilage removal portion, where the second height is greater than the first height.   
     
     
         18 . The cartilage removal tool of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the curved plate has a concave side including at least some of the plurality of serrated blades thereon, and   the serrated blades on the concave side have a third height at or near the proximal end or the distal end of the cartilage removal portion and at least one fourth height between the proximal end and the distal end of the cartilage removal portion, where the fourth height is less than the third height.   
     
     
         19 . The cartilage removal tool of  claim 14 , wherein the cartilage removal portion has a curvature in two perpendicular directions. 
     
     
         20 . The cartilage removal tool of  claim 14 , wherein each serrated blade is configured to remove material while the cartilage removal tool is moving in a direction of the major surface. 
     
     
         21 . A method of removing cartilage, comprising:
 contacting a cartilage with a tool comprising a handle having a longitudinal axis and a trapezoidal tube at an end of the handle, the trapezoidal tube having inner walls defining an opening therethrough, the opening having an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle, the trapezoidal tube having at least one cutting edge; and   moving the tool, so as to cut or grind the cartilage.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein moving the tool comprises moving the tool in a direction of the longitudinal axis, or in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein moving the tool comprises rotating the tool around the longitudinal axis.