Patent Application
20070010816
Cross-reference is made to the following application: DEP 5420USNP2 titled “SCREWDRIVER, KIT AND ASSOCIATED METHOD” filed concurrently herewith which is incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to devices for applying a torque to an orthopaedic implant component and, more particularly, to a driver grasping the orthopaedic implant component while applying a torque to an orthopaedic implant component.
A joint within the human body forms a juncture between two or more bones or other skeletal parts. The ankle, hip, knee, shoulder, elbow and wrist are just a few examples of the multitude of joints found within the body. As should be apparent from the above list of examples of joints, many of the joints permit relative motion between the bones. For example, the motion of sliding, gliding, and hinge or ball and socket movements may be had by a joint. For example, the ankle permits a hinge movement, the knee allows for a combination of gliding and hinge movements and the shoulder and hip permit movement through a ball and socket arrangement.
The joints in the body are stressed or can be damaged in a variety of ways. For example, the gradual wear and tear is imposed on the joints through the continuous use of a joint over the years. The joints that permit motion have cartilage positioned between the bones providing lubrication to the motion and also absorbing some of the forces direct to the joint. Over time, the normal use of a joint may wear down the cartilage and bring the moving bones in a direct contact with each other. In contrast, in normal use, a trauma to a joint, such as the delivery of a large force, from an accident for, example, an automobile accident, may cause considerable damage to the bones, the cartilage or to other connective tissue such as tendons or ligaments.
Arthropathy, a term referring to a disease of the joint, is another way in which a joint may become damaged. Perhaps the known joint disease is arthritis, which is generally referred to a disease or inflammation of a joint that results in pain, swelling, stiffness, instability, and often deformity.
There are many different forms of arthritis, with osteoarthritis being the most common and resulting from the wear and tear of a cartilage within a joint. Another type of arthritis is osteonecrosis, which is caused by the death of a part of the bone due to loss of blood supply. Other types of arthritis are caused by trauma to the joint while others, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, and psoriatic arthritis destroy cartilage and are associated with the inflammation of the joint lining.
The hip joint is one of the joints that are commonly afflicted with arthropathy. The hip joint is a ball and socket joint that joins the femur or thighbone with the pelvis. The pelvis has a semispherical socket called the acetabulum for receiving a ball socket head in the femur. Both the head of the femur and the acetabulum are coated with cartilage for allowing the femur to move easily within the pelvis. Other joints commonly afflicted with arthropathy include the spine, knee, shoulder, carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges of the hand.
Arthroplasty as opposed to arthropathy commonly refers to the making of a artificial joint. In severe cases of arthritis or other forms of arthropathy, such as when pain is overwhelming or when a joint has a limited range of mobility, a partial or total replacement of the joint within an artificial joint may be justified. The procedure for replacing the joint varies, of course, with the particular joint in question, but in general involves replacing a terminal portion of an afflicted bone with a prosthetic implant and inserting a member to serve as a substitute for the cartilage.
The prosthetic implant is formed of a rigid material that becomes bonded with the bone and provides strength and rigidity to the joint and the cartilage substitute members chosen to provide lubrication to the joint and to absorb some of the compressive forces. Suitable materials for the implant include metals, and composite materials such as titanium, cobalt chromium, stainless steel, ceramic and suitable materials for cartilage substitutes include polyethylene. A cement may also be used to secure the prosthetic implant to the host bone.
The long bones including the femur, fibula, tibia, humerus, radius and ulna are in addition to the effects of osteoarthritis to their joints are particularly exposed to trauma from accident. As such they often are fractured during such trauma and may be subject to complex devastating fractures.
Automobile accidents, for instance, are a common cause of trauma to long bones. In particular, the femur and tibia frequently fracture when the area around the knee is subjected to a frontal automobile accident.
Often the distal end or proximal portions of the long bone, for example the femur and the tibia, are fractured into several components and must be realigned. Mechanical devices, commonly in the forms of pins, plates, screws, nails, wires and external devices are commonly used to attach fractured long bones. The pins, plates, wires, nails and screws are typically made of a durable material compatible to the human body, for example titanium, stainless steel or cobalt chromium.
Fractures of the long bone are typically secured into position by at least one of three possible techniques.
The first method is the use of intramedullary nails that are positioned in the intramedullary canal of those portions of the fractured bone.
A second method of repairing fractured bones is the use of internal bone plates that are positioned under the soft tissue and on the exterior of the bone and bridges the fractured portion of the bone.
Various types of orthopaedic implants such as spine implants, trauma plates, rods and other devices, as well as, joint prosthetics typically utilize and/or rely on components that must be securely attached to other components of the implant or to various parts of the body. The integrity and/or effectiveness of the implant may depend upon proper attachment of the component. Particularly, if the component is either over-tightened or under-tightened, there can be associated negative effects. For example, an under-tightened component may loosen causing the loss of effectiveness of a component, while an over-tightened component may impart an undesirable amount of stress on one or more components.
Implants are thus attached using devices that will allow the surgeon to apply the necessary torque throughout the attachment process, since a certain level of torque is required to properly secure a component. It is often difficult, however, to ascertain when the proper level of torque has been imparted on an implant component and, in turn, when the implant component has been securely attached.
In order to alleviate these problems, torque-limiting devices or drivers have been developed to help ensure that a consistent or limited assembly torque is imparted on implant components in order to properly secure torque-applied implant components to other implant components and/or body parts. Torque-limiting drivers are calibrated to impart a desired level of torque to an implant component during implant thereof. Other torque-limiting drivers offer user adjustable calibration for varying the level of applied torque.
The present invention is directed to alleviate at least some of the aforementioned problems.
Fasteners, for example screws and pins are utilized to secure orthopaedic implants in the form of plates and nails, as well as joint prosthesis, to adjoining bone. Drivers are typically used to secure the screws and pins to the bone. The driver may include a power driver feature. For example, a power tool in the form of an pneumatic, hydraulic or electrical, for example a battery driven electrical driver may be used. It is helpful for the screw or pin to securely fasten to the locking driver. It is also beneficial for the driver to have the capability of being hand driven for perhaps a portion of the insertion of the screw or pin.
Procedures for implanting the orthopaedic implants including, for example, orthopaedic trauma, intermedullary nails and orthopaedic bone plates as well as for orthopaedic implants are becoming more advanced and precise. After an implant is implanted into the bone, screws and or pins may be driven through openings in the implant to hold the implant in place. To obtain correct alignment of the screw or pin within or to the orthopaedic implant, a jig or fixture, which outlines the correct screw or pin position, may be attached to the implant.
Sheaths are often used in conjunction with the jig or fixture to ensure the proper alignment of the instrumentation and proper placement of the pins and screws. Often the bone where the pin or screw is to be inserted is pre-drilled to form a hole for later insertion of the screw or pin. Once the hole is drilled, the screw or pin may then be passed through a sheath and driven into the bone.
Because the screw has to be driven through a sheath, the screw can easily fall off the driver and cause problems with the procedure.
Attempts have been made to solve the problem of screws and pins separating from the driver, for example, special drivers have been created which lock the screw onto the driver. In this fashion, the screw or pin will remain fixed to the driver until the screw is properly driven into the bone. Although these drivers are somewhat successful to hold the screws, most of them are hand-operated instruments.
A few power-driven instruments incorporate a locking feature strong enough to hold screws during an implant implantation procedure have been provided.
For example, Smith & Nephew, Memphis, Tenn., provides a special power driver and screw, which mate and lock together. This special power driver is more fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,565,573 incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. The screws have internal threads within a hexagonal recess. The driver has a threaded stud, which mates with the internal threads in the screw. The threaded stud passes coaxially through a hexagonal driver, which mates with the hexagonal recess in the screw. The threaded stud locks the screw onto the driver by engaging with the internal threads of the screw.
This system works well to hold the screws, but is not easy to use. To lock the driver onto the screw, the driver must be removed from the power instrument. After the driver is removed, the threaded stud can be engaged with the screw and locked into place. Subsequently, the driver can be inserted into the power instrument and the screw driven into place. Again, to unlock the screw, the driver must be removed from the power instrument. Also, this driver works only with screws that have the necessary internal threads.
The present invention is directed toward a coupling system for use with a power-driven locking driver. The driver is used to securely hold screws and drive them into bone. The coupling system allows the driver to operate the locking feature of the driver and transmit torque from the power instrument to the driver. The locking driver of the present invention may have three features. The first feature is an attachment feature and the second feature is a locking mechanism to lock the screw. The third feature is a coupling system.
The attachment feature for use with the locking driver of the present invention can be of any standard configuration used in power tools. Such attachment features are known as the AO system, available from Synthes, Inc. West Chester, Pa. 19380 or the Hudson System available from Hudson Surgical, Inc.
The locking driver of the present invention further includes a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may utilize a colleted screw holder. A colleted screw holder is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,401 to Hanjipour and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. The Solid Lock Screw Driver incorporates a locking mechanism as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,401. The Solid Lock Screw Driver is used in the DePuy Versa Nail Set.
The locking driver of the present invention further includes the coupling system. The coupling system marries the attachment feature and the locking mechanism in such a way that the user can operate the locking mechanism without removing the driver from the power instrument. To lock the screw onto the driver, the user rotates for example, clockwise the instrument attachment into the main body.
The instrument is attached onto the main body with the use of mating internal and external threads. In order to rotate for the instrument attachment, with respect to the main body, the collar is slid away from the instrument attachment. The user then threads the instrument attachment into the main body until the screw is locked onto the driver. The collar is then released and the spring pushes the collar back toward the instrument attachment.
The collar may, for example have a twelve-point inner-periphery which mates with the hexagonal outer periphery of the instrument attachment and of the main body. When the collar is mating with both the instrument attachment and the main body, the driver can be used to drive the screw into place. To unlock the screw, the collar is again slid away from the instrument attachment. The instrument attachment is then rotated counter-clockwise and the screw is released. The entire coupling can be accomplished without removing the instrument from the power driver.
According to one aspect of the invention a tool driver for use in orthopaedics to install an implant into bone with a power source is provided. The tool driver includes an expandable connector cooperable with the implant for holding the implant to the expandable connector. The tool driver also includes a drive connector for connecting the tool driver to a power source. The tool driver further includes an actuator operably connected to the expandable connector for actuating the expandable connector. The actuator is at least partially connected to the drive connector while the actuator actuates the expandable connector.
According to another aspect of the invention a coupler for use with a tool driver and a tool holder for use in orthopaedics to install a tool into bone with a power source is provided. The coupler includes a member operably associated with the implant holder and with the tool driver. The member has a first relationship with the implant holder and the tool driver in which the implant holder and the tool driver are connected and a second relationship with the implant holder and the tool driver in which the implant holder and the tool driver are at least partially disconnected.
According to another aspect of the invention a screwdriver for use in orthopaedics to install a screw into bone with a power tool is provided. The screwdriver includes an expandable connector cooperable with the screw for holding the screw to the expandable connector. The screwdriver also includes a drive connector for connecting the screwdriver to the power tool and an actuator. The actuator is operably connected to the expandable connector for actuating the expandable connector. The actuator is at least partially connected to the drive connector while the actuator actuates the expandable connector.
According to another aspect of the invention a kit for use in orthopaedics in installing a screw into bone is provided. The kit includes a power tool and a screwdriver. The screwdriver is for selective expandable engagement with the screw. The screwdriver includes a drive connector for connecting the screwdriver to the power tool and an actuator operably connected to the expandable connector for actuating the expandable connector. The actuator is at least partially connected to the drive connector while the actuator actuates the expandable connector.
According to another aspect of the invention a method for performing orthopaedic surgery on a bone is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a screw for attachment to the bone and providing a kit for installing the screw into the bone. The kit includes a power tool and a screwdriver for selective expandable engagement with the screw. The screwdriver includes a drive connector for connecting the screwdriver to the power tool and an actuator operably connected to the expandable connector for actuating the expandable connector. The actuator at least partially connected to the drive connector while the actuator actuates the expandable connector. The method also includes the steps of connecting the screw to the screwdriver while the screwdriver is at least partially operatively disconnected from the power tool and operatively connecting the power tool to the screwdriver. The method also includes the step of securing the screw to the bone using the power tool and the screwdriver.
According to yet another aspect of the invention a method for performing orthopaedic surgery on a bone is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a screw for attachment to the bone and providing a kit for installing the screw into the bone. The kit includes a power tool and a screwdriver for engagement with the screw. The screwdriver includes a drive connector for connecting the screwdriver to the power tool and a coupler operably associated with the implant holder and with the tool driver. The coupler has a first relationship with the implant holder and the tool driver in which the implant holder and the tool driver are rotatably connected and a second relationship with the implant holder and the tool driver in which the implant holder and the tool driver are rotatably disconnected.
The method also includes the step of hand tightening the screw to the screwdriver while the screwdriver is rotatably disconnected from the power tool.
The method also includes the steps of operatively connecting the power tool to the screwdriver and securing the screw to the bone using the power tool and the screwdriver.
The technical advantages of the present invention include the ability to lock a screw onto and unlock a screw from the screwdriver without removing the driver from the power instrument. For example, according to one aspect of the present invention, a tool driver for use in orthopaedic to install an implant into a bone with a power source is provided.
The tool driver includes an expandable connector cooperable with the implant, for example a bone screw, for holding the bone screw to the expandable connector. The tool driver also includes a drive connector for connecting the tool driver to the power source. The tool driver further includes an actuator operably connected to the expandable connector for actuating the expandable connector.
The actuator is at least partially connected to the drive connector while the actuator actuates the expandable connector. Thus, the present invention provides the ability to lock and to unlock the screw from the driver without the removal of the driver from the power instrument.
The technical advantages of the present invention further include the ability to hand-tighten an orthopaedic screw without using a power tool. For example, according to another aspect of the present invention a coupler is provided for use with a tool driver and an implant holder for use in orthopaedics to install an implant, for example an orthopaedic screw, into bone with a power source.
The coupler includes a member that is operably associated with the orthopaedic screw holder and with the tool driver. The member has a first relationship with the orthopaedic screw holder and the tool driver in which the orthopaedic screw holder and the tool driver are connected. The member further has a second relationship with the screw holder and the tool driver in which the screw holder and the tool driver are at least partially disconnected. While the screw holder and the tool driver are disconnected, the operator may rotate the member by hand to hand heighten the screw. Thus, the present invention provides for the ability to hand-tighten or use a power tool with a common device.
The technical advantages of the present invention further include the ability to pre-tighten an orthopaedic screw by hand and then subsequently tighten it with a power tool. For example, according to yet another aspect of the present invention, a coupler is provided for use with a tool driver and a screw holder for use in orthopaedics to install an orthopaedic screw into bone with a power source. The coupler includes a member associated with the screw holder and with the tool driver.
The member has a first relationship with the screw holder and the tool driver in which the screw holder and the tool driver are connected as well as a second relationship with the screw holder and the tool driver in which the screw holder and the tool driver are partially disconnected. While the screw holder and the tool driver are disconnected, the operator can pre-tighten by hand the screw with the coupler and then, after the screw has been hand-tightened, the screw holder and the tool driver's relationship can be modified such that the screw can be tightened with the power source.
The technical advantages of the present invention further include the ability to easily clean and sterilize an orthopaedic implant to a holder and driver. For example, according to another aspect of the present invention, a screwdriver for use in orthopaedics to install a screw into bone with a power tool is provided. The screwdriver includes an expandable connector removably cooperable with the screw for holding the screw to the expandable connector. A tool driver for connecting the screwdriver to the power tool is provided which is removably connected to the expandable connector. The screwdriver further includes an actuator operably connectable and removable from the expandable connector for actuating the expandable connector. The actuator is at least partially connected to the drive connector when the actuator actuates the expandable connector.
Other technical advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions and claims.
In the drawings:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Like reference characters tend to indicate like parts throughout the several views.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Referring now to
The power source 6 may be any commercially available power source for use to rotate a tool during orthopaedic surgery. For example, the power source 6 may be in the form of a power drill. The power drill may be one of many types. For example, the power drill may be in the form of a pneumatic power drill, a hydraulic power drill, or an electric power drill. If an electric power drill, the power drill may be in the form of a battery powered power drill.
The implant 2 may be in the form of a screw that is positioned independently into bone 4. Alternatively, and as shown in
As shown in
The tool driver 10 further includes an actuator 16, which is operably connected to the expandable connector 12. The actuator 16 is utilized for actuating the expandable connector 12. The actuator 16 may, as shown in
The expandable connector 12 may have any suitable form capable of expandably containing an implant, for example screw 2. The drive connector 14 may include a drive adaptor 18 including, for example, a cylindrical shaped base 20 and a cylindrical shaped stem 22 extending from the base 20. A series of flats 24, for example a pair of opposed flats 24, may be formed on the base 20. A groove 26 in the form of a circumferential groove may be formed on the stem 20.
The drive adapter 18 may, for example, be a drive adapter that is commercially available for connection with commercially available power equipment. Such commercially available connectors are in the form of quick disconnectors known as the AO System, available from Synthes, Inc. West Chester, Pa., 19380. Alternatively, the drive adapter 18 may be in the form of a Hudson Adapter available from Hudson Surgical, Inc.
Referring now to
Alternatively, the tool driver 10 may be used to install screw 2A into tibial tray 8A of knee prosthesis 7A.
Alternatively, the tool driver 10 may be used to install screw 2B into plate 8B to form hip screw assembly 7B.
The tool driver 10 may alternatively be used to install screw 2C into acetabular shell 8C of hip cup 7C.
Alternatively, the tool driver 10 may be utilized to install screw 2D into glenoid component 8D of shoulder prosthesis 7D.
Yet another alternative used of the tool driver 10 is to install screw 2E into intermedullary nail 8E to form intermedullary nail assembly 7E.
Referring now to
As shown in
As shown in
Referring again to
The tool driver 10 may be configured to provide for the first relationship 34 in which the expandable connector 12 and the drive connector 14 are rotatably connected and the second relationship 36 in which the expandable connector 12 and the drive connector 14 are rotatably disconnected in any suitable way. For example, as is shown in
To operate the tool driver 10, as shown in
With the collar 32 in the second relationship 36, the operator may rotate the drive connection 14 in the direction of arrow 50 with one hand while resisting with the collar 32 with the other hand. The drive connector 14 includes a stem 52 having external threads 54 which mate with internal threads 56 formed in longitudinal opening 58 of the actuator 16.
As the drive connector 14 rotates in the direction of arrow 50, the actuator 16 is caused to advance in the direction of arrow 60. Then the flexible member 28 is caused to be expanded by the flexor 30. Thus, as the drive connector 14 is rotated in the direction of arrow 50, the flexible member 28 is expanded from its first position 64 as shown in solid to its second position 66 as shown in phantom.
It should be appreciated that if the drive connector 14 is rotated in the direction of arrow 50, until the flexible member 28 is expanded into full engagement with the screw 2, the flexible member 28 will begin to rotate in the direction of arrow 50 while engaged with the screw 2. Therefore, the screw 2 will advance in the direction of rotation of arrow 50 permitting the screw 2 to be hand-tightened by the operator.
Referring now to
The flexible member 28 may be hollow or be defined by an internal cavity 72. The cavity 72 may be used for receiving the flexor 30. The flexor 30 may include a bullet tapered or pointed shape end or nose 74. The cavity 72 may have a similar bullet-tapered or pointed end 76 for cooperation with the pointed end 74 of the flexor 30.
Flexible member 28 may include an external periphery 78, which expands to connect with, for example, internal socket head 3 of the screw. The head 6 may have any suitable shape, such as a star shape, a Torx® shape, or a polygon shape, for example a square internal head or a hexagonal head. It should be appreciated that the external periphery 78 of the flexible member 28 preferably has a shape conforming to that of the internal head 3 of the screw 2.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
In the configuration of the tool holder 12 of
Referring now to
In the configuration as shown in
As the drive connector 14 is rotated in direction of arrow 50, the internal thread 56 of the flexible member 28 of the expandable connector 12 cooperates with extended threads 54 of drive connector 14 to advance the flexible member 28 in the direction of arrow 60. As the flexible member 28 moves in the direction of arrow 60, the flexible member 28 cooperates with the flexor 30 to expand the flexible member 28 from its first position 64 as shown in solid to its second position 66 as shown in phantom. Once the flexible member 28 expands to the second position 66, the flexible member 28 is securely supporting the implant or screw 2.
It should be appreciated that if the drive connector 14 continues to be rotated in the direction of arrow 50, once the screw 2 is fully engaged with the flexible member 28 the flexible member 28 rotates with the flexor 30 as well as with the drive connector 14 to cause the screw 2 to rotate in the direction of arrow 50. Thus, in the second condition as shown in
Referring now to
In the first relationship 34, the drive connector 14, actuator 16 and the expandable connector 12 are fixedly and rigidly connected. In the third condition as shown in
Referring now to
The flexible member 29 preferably defines an internal cavity 77 having a shape similar to the cavity 76 of the flexible member 28. By having the cavity 77 be similar to cavity 76, the flexor 30 may be used with both the first mentioned flexible member 28 and the second flexible member 29. The tool driver 10 may then be a tool driver that can accommodate the first screw 2 having a first internal socket 3 with a second implant or screw 5 having a second and different internal socket 9 of different dimensions.
Thus, for the tool driver 10 to be converted from one for tightening a first screw 2 to one for tightening the second screw 5, the tool driver 10 merely needs to have the first mentioned flexible member 28 of the expandable connector 12 of the tool driver 10 replaced with second flexible member 29.
It should be appreciated that the flexible member 29 of the tool driver 10 may, like the flexible member 28, include a slit, for example slit 69.
Referring now to
The expandable connector 12 includes the flexible member 28 and the flexor 30, which is used to flex or expand the flexible member 28. The flexible member 28, as shown in
The spool portion 82 includes the external flats 40 which mate with the internal flats 38 of the collar 32. The spool portion 82 includes a flange 84, which with recess 86 formed in the collar 32 serve to contain the spring 44, which urges the collar 32 in contact with body 88 of the drive connector 14. The collar 32 may include a periphery 90, which includes features for assisting in grasping the collar 32.
Referring now to
The flexor 30 includes a base portion 27 and a tip portion 31 extending from the base portion 29. The tip portion 31 defines tip or end 74 for cooperation with the flexible member 28 of the expandable connector 12. The drive connector 14 includes the body 88 as well as flats 42. The drive connector 14 also includes external threads 54 as well as a drive adapter 18 for cooperation with power source 6.
Referring now to
The spool portion 82 as shown in
Referring now to
Each of the four components, the connector flexor component 15, the flexible member 28, the collar 32 and the spring 44, may be made of any suitable or durable material that is sterilizable by any commercially available sterilizing procedure. The tool driver 10, including the component 15, member 28, collar 32 and spring 44, may be made of any suitable durable material for example a ceramic, a plastic, a composite, or a metal. If made of a metal, the components of the tool driver 10 may be made of, for example, a cobalt chromium alloy, a stainless steel alloy, or a titanium alloy.
The connector flexor component 15, as is shown in
The flexible member 28 includes the spool portion 82 and the hollow tubular portion 80, which extends from the spool portion 82. The spool portion 82 includes the flange 84 as well as external flats 40 and internal threads 56. The tubular portion 80 defines an internal cavity 76 thereof as well as an external periphery 78 for cooperation with the internal flats 3 formed on implant or screw 2.
While the tool driver 10 of the present invention may be designed, as is shown in
For example and as shown in
The tool driver 10A may include a drive connector 14A, which is a separate component from the flexor 30A. The drive connector 14A and the flexor 30A may be slidably connected to each other to form a subassembly 15A. The component 30A may have generally the same dimensions as the flexor 30A of the tool driver 10 of
Similarly, the tube 80A of the tool driver 10A of
According to the present invention and referring now to
Referring now to
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Referring now to
Referring now to
The collar 32 as shown in
Referring now to
For example and as shown in
As can be seen in
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
The spool portion 82 may, as is shown in
Referring now to
Referring now to
Now referring to the activated state 98 of the expandable connector 12 of the tool driver 10, the tip portion 31 of the flexor 30 is shown with the point 74 of the tip portion 31 engaging with the flexible member 28 such that the periphery 78 of the tip portion 79 of the tube portion 80 of the expandable flexible member 28 is expanded into engagement with cavity 3 of the screw 2 such that the flexible member 28 engages screw 2 such that the tool driver 10 may be utilized to install the screw 2 into bone 4.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
As shown in
The tool driver 110 further includes a screw connector 112 that includes a spool 182 to which shaft 128 is connected. The screw connector 112 further includes a bit 178 for cooperation with a slot on the screw 2F. The bit 178 may include a detent 139 for securing the screw to the bit 178. The spool 182 includes flats 140 that mate with internal flats 138 of the collar 132.
The collar 132 cooperates with spring 144 to form actuator 116 for selectively engaging and disengaging the drive connector 114 to the shaft 128. The spring 144 may be slidably fitted over the flats 140 of the spool 182 and restrained by flange 184 and recess 186. Collar 132 may be advanced in the direction of arrow 146 with respect to the spool 182 and the drive connector 114 from first relationship 134 in which the shaft 128 is rotatably connected to the drive connector 114 to a second relationship 136 in which the shaft 128 is rotatably disconnected from the drive connector 114. When the tool driver 110 is in the second relationship 136 the operator may rotate the collar 132 to cause the shaft 128 to similarly rotate while the drive connector 114 may remain stationary.
Referring now to
Referring now to
For example and as shown in
When the pin 144F is disengaged from the holes 143F, the screw connector 112F is free to rotate with respect to the drive connector 114F. When the pin 144F is engaged with the holes 143F of the screw connector 112F, the drive connector 114F is rotatably engaged with the screw connector 112F. A bit 178F extends from the screw connector 112F and is adapted to engage with the screw 2 to tighten the screw 2 into bone 4.
Referring now to
The expandable connector 212 includes a flexible member 228. The flexible member 228 includes a spool 282 defining external flats 240 thereon. The flexible member 228 further includes a tube 280, which defines an external periphery 278 thereof for cooperation with screw 2.
The tube 280 defines a longitudinal aperture 276 for slidably receiving flexor 230. The flexor 230 and the flexible member 228 combine and cooperate to form the expandable connector 212.
The external flats 240 on the spool 282 and external flats 242 formed on the drive connector 214 cooperate with internal flats 238 formed on collar 232 to provide for a first relationship 234 (as shown in solid) in which the expandable connector 212 and the drive connector 214 are rotatably connected and a second relationship 236 (as shown in phantom) in which the expandable connector 212 and the drive connector 214 are rotatably independent from each other.
A spring 144 is slidably positioned over the drive connector 214 and constrained between flange 288 and the collar 232 to urge the collar 232 into first relationship 234. The spool 282 includes a flange 284 to constrain the collar 232 within the spool 282. External threads 254 on the drive connector 214 are threadably engaged with internal threads 256 formed in the spool 282.
The collar 232 may be advanced in the direction of arrow 260 to move the collar 232 from first relationship 234 to second relationship 236. When the collar 232 is in the second relationship 236, the drive connector 214 may be rotated relative to the expandable connector 212 to urge the tube 280 in the direction of arrow 260 to cause the flexor 230 to expand the flexible member 228 to expand the external periphery 278 to secure the tool driver 210 to the screw 2.
Referring now to
For example and as shown in
As shown in
The tool driver 310 may as shown in
For example as shown in
Referring now to
Referring now to
For example and as shown in
The tool driver 410 further includes an expandable connector 412, which includes the flexible member 428, which cooperates with flexor 430 to selectively expand periphery 478 of tube portion 480 of the flexible member 428. The expandable connector 412 defines a longitudinal opening 472 for slidably receiving the flexor 430.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
For example and as shown in
Referring now to
The pin 538, opening 537 and openings 540 combine to form the actuator 516 to assist in actuating the flexible member 528 of the expandable connector 512.
Referring again to
As the spool portion 582 is advanced in the direction of arrow 560, the tube portion 580 of the flexible member 528 advances in the direction of arrow 560 and the flexor 530 serves to expand the tube 580 such that the periphery 578 expands to secure the screw 2. Thus, as the spool advances in the direction of arrow 560, the flexible member 528 advances from its first relationship 534 with respect to the drive connector 514 to its second relationship 536 (as shown in phantom).
Referring now to
The tool driver 610 further includes the expandable connector 612, which includes the flexible member 628, which has the spool portion 682 as well as the tubular portion 680. The flexible member 628 includes a central longitudinal opening 672, which receives a flexor or pin 630, which is slidabley receivable therein.
The drive connector 614 includes a transverse opening 632, which slidably receives a pin 638, which is selectively engagable with longitudinal slots 652 formed in the spool portion 682.
As the drive connector 614 is rotated in the direction of arrow 650 with respect to the spool portion 682, the flexible member 628 advances in the direction of arrow 660 causing the flexor 630 to engage with the tubular portion 680 of the flexible member 628 causing the flexible member 628 to expand and the periphery 678 of the flexible member 628 to positively engage the screw 2.
It should be appreciated that as the drive connector 614 continues to advance or be rotated in the direction of arrow 650, the spool portion 682 and, consequently, the flexible member 628 begin to rotate in the direction of arrow 650 causing the tool driver 10 to hand-tighten the screw. After the screw is hand-tightened sufficiently, the pin 638 is advanced centrally to engage the slot 652 to provide for the ability to use the tool driver as a power tool.
It should be appreciated that while it is possible to continue to tighten the screw without the engagement of the pin 638 with a power tool, to do so may cause additional force to be transmitted between the flexor 630 and the flexible member 628 causing potential damage to the tool driver 610.
Referring now to
For example and referring to
The tool driver 710 further includes an expandable connector 712 for securing a screw with the tool driver 710. The expandable connector 712 includes a flexible member 728, which includes a portion having a periphery 778 for cooperation with the screw 2. The periphery 778 is formed on tube portions 780 of the flexible member 728. The flexible member 728 further includes a spool portion 782 extending downwardly from the tube portions 780.
The flexible member 728 includes a central-longitudinal opening 772 extending through the tube portion 780 and the spool portion 782. The spool portion 782 is slidably fitted inside the collar 732 of the drive connector 714. The spool portion 782 is also slidably mounted on pin on flexor 30 extending upwardly from the drive connector 714.
The flexor 730 selectively cooperates with the flexible member 728 to expand the flexible member 728 and thereby enlarge the periphery 778 to engage the screw 2. Spring 744 is slidably positioned over the spool portion 782 and between collar 732 and flange 788 to urge the flexible member 728 and the drive connector 714 in a spaced apart and relaxed position from the periphery 778 to permit the tool driver 710 to be engaged into the screw 2.
To operate the tool driver 710, the spool portion 782 is advanced obliquely in the direction of the arrow 760 such that pin 738 extending through the slot 754 from the spool portion 782 through the collar 732 may advance along the slot 754 in the direction of arrow 760 to the lower portion of the slot 754 where it may then engage with notch 755. The spring 744 then cooperates with the notch 755 and the pin 738 to lock the flexible member 728 into an engaged position with the screw 2.
Referring now to
Referring now to
The method 1000 further includes a third step 1014 of connecting the screw to the screwdriver while the screwdriver is at least partially operatively disconnected from the power tool. The method 1000 further includes a fourth step 1016 of operatively connecting the power tool to the screwdriver and a fifth step 1018 of securing the screw to the bone using the power tool and the screwdriver.
Referring now to
The method 1100 further includes a third step 1114 of hand-tightening the screw to the screwdriver while the screwdriver is rotatably disconnected from the power tool and a fourth step 1116 of operably connecting the power tool to the screwdriver. The method further includes a fifth step 1118 of securing the screw to the bone using the power tool and the screwdriver.
There is a plurality of advantages of the subject invention arising from the various features of the subject invention described herein. It will be noted that further alternative embodiments of the subject invention may not include all of the features described yet still benefit from at least some of the advantages of such features. Those of ordinary skill in the art may readily devise their own implementations of the subject invention that incorporate one or more of the features of the subject invention and that fall within the spirit and scope of the subject invention.
