Importance

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Abstract

The invention is generally directed to tools, systems and methods of preparing a bone site prior to deployment of bone repair devices. In one embodiment, a bone cutting instrument is provided with a generally rigid arcuate tube having a generally fixed radius and a lumen therethrough, a flexible drive shaft configured to be slidably and rotably received within the tube lumen, and a cutter head attached to an end of the drive shaft, whereby the shaft and cutter head may be first advanced together with the tube in an arcuate manner to cut an arcuate path in a bone, and then advanced in a telescoping manner relative to the tube being held in a generally fixed position to cut a straight path in the bone. Methods of forming a passage in a bone include advancing a cutter head into a bone along a curved path having a generally constant radius, and continuing to advance the cutter along a generally straight path extending from the curved path.

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First Claim