Surgical devices and methods for driving an implant and applying counter torque

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9744654-B2
Application number	US-201514746985-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 23, 2015
Priority date	Jun 23, 2015
Publication date	Aug 29, 2017
Grant date	Aug 29, 2017

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods are provided for driving an implant and applying counter torque. For example, a driver can include a handle, a driver shaft, and a counter torque shaft, the counter torque shaft being laterally offset from the driver shaft. A distal end of each shaft can mate with a specific type of implant and/or anatomy. The shafts can be removed and replaced from the device, allowing a user to select shafts having particular lengths and/or mating tips. In use, distal ends of the shafts can be fixed or constrained relative to one another and to an implant such that the counter torque shaft cannot orbit around the driver shaft. Rotating the handle can rotate the driver shaft, driving the implant. This can cause the counter torque shaft to try to orbit around the driver shaft, but the fixed/constrained ends restrict this motion, applying the counter torque.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A driver configured to rotatably drive an implant and apply a counter torque comprising:
a handle configured to be grasped by a user;
a driver shaft having a proximal end coupled to the handle and a distal end configured to mate with an implant;
a counter torque shaft having a proximal end coupled to the handle, countertorque shaft having a distal tip that is laterally offset from the driver shaft; and
a drive mechanism including a first gear in mesh with a second gear, the first gear being configured to rotate with the handle;
wherein rotating the handle rotates the driver shaft and the first gear in a first direction, thereby rotating the second gear in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction such that when the counter torque shaft is orbitally constrained relative to the driver shaft, the counter torque shaft applies a counter torque.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first gear and the second gear have a gear ratio of 1:1.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein a longitudinal axis of the driver shaft is laterally offset from a longitudinal axis of the counter torque shaft.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein a longitudinal axis of the handle is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein a proximal-to-distal length of the drive shaft is less than or equal to a proximal-to-distal length of the counter torque shaft.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein a distal end of the counter torque shaft includes a recess configured to be disposed around a portion of a stabilization element.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the counter torque shaft includes at least one curve or bend proximal to its distal end to decrease a width between an outermost surface of the driver shaft and an outermost surface of the counter torque shaft.

8. A system configured to apply a counter torque as an implant is rotated, the system comprising:
a driver comprising,
a driver shaft having a proximal end and a distal mating tip,
a counter torque shaft having proximal and distal ends,
a handle configured to receive a proximal end of the driver shaft, a longitudinal axis of the handle being parallel to a longitudinal axis of the driver shaft,
a first drive mechanism coupled to the driver shaft and a second drive mechanism coupled to the counter torque shaft, and
a connector having first and second connector members, the first connector member being disposed along the handle and the second connector member being laterally offset from the handle and coupled to the counter torque shaft; and

an implant of a spinal fixation assembly, the implant being configured to be coupled to the distal mating tip of the driver;
wherein when the distal mating tip of the driver is coupled to the implant, rotating the handle rotates the first drive mechanism in a first direction, rotating the second drive mechanism in a second, opposite direction such that when the counter torque shaft is orbitally constrained relative to the spinal fixation assembly, a counter torque is applied.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the handle includes at least one groove formed in an outer surface thereof and sized and shaped to receive a portion of the first connector member.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the handle includes a releasable mechanism that holds the driver shaft in the handle and that can be selectively released to allow the driver shaft to be removed and replaced.

11. The system of claim 8 , wherein the second drive mechanism is configured to rotate relative to the counter torque shaft.

12. The system of claim 8 , further comprising a housing adjacent to the handle and containing the drive mechanism therein, the housing being removable from the driver.

13. The system of claim 8 , wherein the implant is a set screw.

14. A system configured to apply a counter torque as an implanted is rotated, the system comprising:
a driver comprising,
a driver shaft having a proximal end and a distal mating tip,
a counter torque shaft having proximal end of the driver shaft,
a handle configured to receive a proximal end of the driver shaft,
a first drive mechanism coupled to the driver shaft and a second drive mechanism coupled to the counter torque shaft, and
a connector having first and second connector members, the first connector member being disposed along the handle and the second connector member being laterally offset from the handle and coupled to the counter torque shaft; and

an implant of a spinal fixation assembly, the implant being configured to be coupled to the distal mating tip of the driver;
wherein when the distal mating tip of the driver is coupled to the implant, rotating the handle rotates the first drive mechanism in a first direction, rotating the second drive mechanism in a second, opposite direction such that when the counter torque shaft is orbitally constrained relative to the spinal fixation assembly, a counter torque is applied;
wherein the first connector member includes a first mating feature and the second connector member includes a second mating feature such that the first and second connector members are detachable from one another.

15. A method of driving an implant in a first direction and applying a counter torque in a second, opposite direction, comprising:
engaging a first implant with a distal tip of a driver shaft of an instrument, the instrument having a handle at its proximal end;
positioning a counter torque shaft of the instrument in contact with at least one of a second implant and an anatomical structure, said second implant of anatomical structure being spaced apart from the first implant, such that the counter torque shaft is orbitally fixed relative to the driver shaft; and
rotating the handle to rotate the drive shaft in a first direction which causes the counter torque shaft to orbit in the second direction, thereby applying a counter torque and driving the implant distally.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein rotating the handle comprises manually rotating the handle.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein rotating the handle comprises activating a power source that rotates the handle.

18. The method of claim 15 , further comprising positioning a spinal stabilization element within at least one receiver member prior to engaging the first implant with the distal tip of the driver shaft.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein positioning the counter torque shaft comprises coupling a distal end of the counter torque shaft to a spinal stabilization element such that the counter torque shaft is orbitally fixed relative to the stabilization element.

20. The method of claim 15 , further comprising releasing the counter torque shaft from the instrument, engaging the implant with the distal tip of the driver shaft, and rotating the driver shaft without applying a counter torque via the counter torque shaft.

Assignees

• Medos Int Sarl

Inventors

• Bootwala Zoher

Classifications

• A61B17/7091

  for applying, tightening or removing longitudinal element-to-bone anchor locking elements, e.g. caps, set screws, nuts or wedges · CPC title

• B25B23/0085 Primary

  Counterholding devices · CPC title

• B25B17/00

  Hand-driven gear-operated wrenches or screwdrivers (ratchet-operated B25B13/46 {B25B13/467}, B25B15/04; {for mounting or dismounting wheels B60B29/005}) · CPC title