Enhanced surgical driver

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9044286-B2
Application number	US-201213668892-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 5, 2012
Priority date	Nov 5, 2012
Publication date	Jun 2, 2015
Grant date	Jun 2, 2015

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods are provided for applying a controlled amount of torque during a surgical procedure. In one exemplary embodiment, after the amount of torque applied reaches a threshold amount, a modular driver tip can be deformed, for instance by breaking into pieces. A containment shield disposed around at least a portion of the tip is configured to receive at least a portion of the tip after it is deformed. In one aspect, multiple modular driver tips can be disposed in a cartridge, with a distal-most tip being held by a driver tip holder that has a holding force that is greater than a threshold torque value of the tip. Exemplary methods for operating surgical drivers and systems that include tips that deform at a threshold torque value, and a multitude of embodiments of tools and systems, are also provided.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A tool, comprising:
a driver having a proximal handle, a distal end, and a shaft disposed therebetween;
a modular driver tip having a proximal end that is removably and replaceably matable to the distal end of the driver and a distal end that is configured to apply torque from the driver to a driven member, the tip being configured to deform at a threshold torque applied by the driver; and
a containment shield disposed around at least a portion of the modular driver tip to receive at least a portion of the modular driver tip after deformation.

2. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the tip is configured to break into two or more pieces.

3. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the containment shield is configured to be removable from a surgical site with the at least a portion of the modular driver tip associated therewith.

4. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the containment shield is press fit around at least a portion of the modular driver tip.

5. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the containment shield is heat shrunk around at least a portion of the modular driver tip.

6. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the containment shield comprises a container configured to retain the at least a portion of the modular driver tip after deformation thereof.

7. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the containment shield is fixedly coupled to at least one of a proximal portion and a distal portion of the modular driver tip.

8. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the containment shield is freely rotatable with respect to the shaft of the driver.

9. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the modular driver tip comprises a plurality of modular driver tips, each having a proximal end that is removably and replaceably matable to the distal end of the driver and a distal end that is configured to apply torque from the driver to a driven member, each tip being configured to deform at a threshold toque value applied by the driver and each tip having a containment shield disposed around at least a portion thereof to receive at least a portion of the respective modular driver tip after deformation,
wherein each modular driver tip of the plurality of modular driver tips includes a threshold designation marker indicative of the threshold torque at which the modular driver tip deforms.

10. The tool of claim 9 , wherein the threshold designation marker is a color.

11. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the shaft includes a cartridge assembly.

Assignees

• Depuy Synthes Products Inc

Inventors

• O'Neil Michael
• Topulous Andrew
• Hurley Robert

Classifications

• A61B2019/301

  Human Necessities · mapped topic

• A61B17/8875 Primary

  Screwdrivers, spanners or wrenches · CPC title

• B25B23/1415

  Break members; Arrangements specially adapted for break-bolts (break-bolts per se F16B31/00) · CPC title

• B25B23/1427

  by mechanical means · CPC title

• A61B2090/037

  with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter · CPC title