High-pressure water debridement system

Abstract

There is disclosed a system and methods for debriding soft tissue from bone using a high-pressure water debridement system. One embodiment includes a cylindrical sleeve bounded by endcaps and having a drainage port positioned for effluent drainage. A central shaft is configured to receive a bone segment and is disposed along a longitudinal center of the sleeve and rotatively coupled between the endcaps. At least one high-pressure water nozzle is disposed on each side of the sleeve, each of which is positioned to impact the bone segment with a high-pressure water stream. A rotational actuator is configured to rotate the central shaft and the bone segment relative to the sleeve and the water nozzles such that when the high-pressure water nozzles are operational, the high-pressure water streams debride the bone segment. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A system for soft tissue debridement of a bone segment, comprising:
 a cylindrical sleeve having an interior bounded by first and second endcaps, the cylindrical sleeve having a drainage port positioned for effluent drainage;   a central shaft configured to receive a bone segment, the central shaft disposed along a longitudinal center of the cylindrical sleeve and rotatively coupled between the first and the second endcaps;   at least one high-pressure water nozzle disposed on each side of the cylindrical sleeve, each of the high-pressure water nozzles positioned to impact the bone segment with a high-pressure water stream; and   a rotational actuator configured to rotate the central shaft and the bone segment relative to the cylindrical sleeve and the high-pressure water nozzles such that when the high-pressure water nozzles are operational, the high-pressure water streams debride the bone segment.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a first threaded nut disposed within the first endcap;   a second threaded nut disposed within the second endcap; and   first and second positive stops encircling the central shaft adjacent to first and second ends of the bone segment, wherein:
 the central shaft is a threaded shaft having first and second opposing ends; and 
 when the central shaft is rotated in a first direction, the central shaft and the bone segment travel away from the first positive stop toward the second positive stop, and when the central shaft is rotated in a second direction, the central shaft and the bone segment travel away from the second positive stop and toward the first positive stop. 
   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the rotational actuator is a drill configured to rotate the first end of the central shaft. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the rotational actuator is an external motor coupled with the first end of the central shaft. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the rotational actuator comprises the high-pressure water nozzles, and wherein the high-pressure water nozzles are oriented such that the high-pressure water streams generate a hydro impact that causes the bone segment and the central shaft to rotate relative to the cylindrical sleeve. 
     
     
         14 - 20 . (Canceled)