Claims
- 1. A flexible tap apparatus member comprising:
a shaft having an upper shaft portion and a lower shaft portion, said upper shaft portion comprising ridges and said lower shaft portion having a substantially smooth surface; wherein said flexible tap apparatus member is arranged and configured to engage tissue.
- 2. The flexible tap apparatus member of claim 1, further comprising:
a tip terminating said upper shaft portion.
- 3. The flexible tap apparatus member of claim 1, further comprising:
a passage disposed axially into said shaft.
- 4. The flexible tap apparatus member of claim 3, wherein said passage extends a portion of the length of the shaft.
- 5. The flexible tap apparatus member of claim 3, further comprising:
a lateral passage extending laterally from said passage disposed axially into said shaft.
- 6. The flexible tap apparatus member of claim 1, further comprising a handle arranged and configured to releasably receive said lower shaft portion.
- 7. A flexible tap apparatus system comprising:
a first flexible tap apparatus member, comprising:
a shaft having an upper shaft portion and a lower shaft portion, said upper shaft portion comprising ridges and said lower shaft portion having a substantially smooth surface; wherein said shaft of said first flexible tap apparatus member comprises a first set of dimensions; and a second flexible tap apparatus member, comprising:
a shaft having an upper shaft portion and a lower shaft portion, said upper shaft portion comprising ridges and said lower shaft portion having a substantially smooth surface; wherein said shaft of said second flexible tap apparatus member comprises a second set of dimensions; wherein said first set of dimensions differs from said second set of dimensions.
- 8. The flexible tap apparatus system of claim 7, further comprising:
a handle arranged and configured to interchangeably receive said first flexible tap apparatus member and said second flexible tap apparatus member.
- 9. The flexible tap apparatus system of claim 7, wherein at least one of said first flexible tap apparatus member and said second flexible tap apparatus member comprises:
a passage disposed axially into said shaft.
- 10. The flexible tap apparatus system of claim 9, wherein said passage disposed axially in said shaft extends a portion of the length of said shaft.
- 11. The flexible tap apparatus system of claim 7, wherein at least one of said first flexible tap apparatus member and said second flexible tap apparatus member comprises:
a passage disposed axially into said shaft; and a lateral passage disposed in said shaft extending from said passage disposed axially in said shaft.
- 12. A method of creating a passage in tissue comprising:
providing a flexible tap apparatus system comprising:
a first flexible tap apparatus member, comprising:
a shaft having an upper shaft portion and a lower shaft portion, said upper shaft portion comprising ridges and said lower shaft portion having a substantially smooth surface; wherein said shaft of said first flexible tap apparatus member comprises a first set of dimensions; and a second flexible tap apparatus member, comprising:
a shaft having an upper shaft portion and a lower shaft portion, said upper shaft portion comprising ridges and said lower shaft portion having a substantially smooth surface;
wherein said shaft of said second flexible tap apparatus member comprises a second set of dimensions; wherein said first set of dimensions differs from said second set of dimensions; engaging said first flexible tap apparatus member into the tissue; disengaging said first flexible tap apparatus member from the tissue; and engaging said second flexible tap apparatus member into the tissue.
- 13. A method of claim 12, further comprising the step of:
disposing a guide pin into the tissue; p1 engaging said first flexible tap apparatus member with said guide pin; boring a passage in the tissue with said first flexible tap apparatus member; removing said first flexible tap apparatus member; engaging said second flexible tap apparatus member with said guide pin; and boring into said passage in the tissue with said second flexible tap apparatus member.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to copending U.S. provisional application entitled, “Flexible Tap Apparatus and Method of Use,” having serial No. 60/430,247, filed on Dec. 2, 2002, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60430247 |
Dec 2002 |
US |