Flexible bone reamer

Abstract

A bone reamer is provided and may include a shaft and a cutting element. The shaft may include a proximal end, a distal end, and a flexible portion. The flexible portion may be disposed between the proximal and distal ends. The cutting element may be carried by the shaft and may include a cutting surface facing the distal end of the shaft. The distal end of the shaft may be offset from the cutting surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bone reamer comprising:
 a shaft including a proximal end, a distal end, and a flexible portion disposed between the proximal and distal ends; and   a cutting element carried by the shaft, the cutting element including a cutting surface facing the distal end of the shaft such that the distal end is offset from the cutting surface.   
     
     
         2 . The bone reamer of  claim 1 , wherein the cutting element includes a plurality of radially extending cutting arms. 
     
     
         3 . The bone reamer of  claim 2 , wherein the cutting element includes a propeller-shaped profile. 
     
     
         4 . The bone reamer of  claim 1 , wherein the cutting element includes circular profile. 
     
     
         5 . The bone reamer of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft defines a cannula. 
     
     
         6 . The bone reamer of  claim 1 , wherein the cannula includes a first portion having a first diameter and a second portion having a second diameter greater than the first diameter. 
     
     
         7 . The bone reamer of  claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of the second portion is aligned with the flexible portion of the shaft. 
     
     
         8 . The bone reamer of  claim 1 , wherein the cutting element is monolithically formed with the shaft. 
     
     
         9 . A bone reaming system comprising:
 a bone reamer including a shaft and a cutting element carried by the shaft, the shaft including a proximal end, a distal end, and a flexible portion disposed between the proximal and distal ends; and   a guide including body portion having a boss extending along a first longitudinal axis, a hub extending along a second longitudinal axis, and a cannula formed within the boss and the hub and extending along the first longitudinal axis, the second longitudinal axis forming an angle α with the first longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         10 . The bone reaming system of  claim 9 , the guide further comprising a flange portion supported by the body portion, the flange portion including a first surface extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the second axis. 
     
     
         11 . The bone reaming system of  claim 10 , wherein the flange portion includes a second surface opposing the first surface, the second surface defining a substantially spherical profile. 
     
     
         12 . The bone reaming system of  claim 9 , wherein the hub includes a tapered outer surface. 
     
     
         13 . The bone reaming system of  claim 9 , wherein the body portion includes a channel disposed about the hub, the channel extending in a direction substantially parallel to the second longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         14 . The bone reaming system of  claim 13 , wherein the channel includes a stop surface extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the second longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         15 . The bone reamer of  claim 9 , wherein the shaft defines a cannula. 
     
     
         16 . The bone reamer of  claim 15 , wherein the cannula includes a first portion having a first diameter and a second portion having a second diameter greater than the first diameter. 
     
     
         17 . The bone reamer of  claim 16 , wherein at least a portion of the second portion is aligned with the flexible portion of the shaft. 
     
     
         18 . The bone reamer of  claim 9 , wherein the cutting element is monolithically formed with the shaft. 
     
     
         19 . The bone reamer of  claim 9 , wherein the cutting element includes a cutting surface facing the distal end of the shaft such that the distal end is offset from the cutting surface 
     
     
         20 . A method of reaming a bone, the method comprising:
 providing a reaming guide having a first portion extending along a first longitudinal axis and a second portion extending along a second longitudinal axis, the second longitudinal axis defining a non-parallel angle with the first longitudinal axis;   anchoring the first portion of the reaming guide to the bone;   coupling a reamer to the second portion of the reaming guide, the reamer having a shaft and a cutting element carried by the shaft;   bending the shaft portion; and   rotating the reamer about the hub portion.