Tool for the manipulation of fastening devices

A tool assembly for manipulating a fastening device (150) of at least one element, said tool assembly comprising:

• a. a flexible guide rod (120), said flexible guide rod (120) comprising:
• i. a proximal threaded section (121), said proximal threaded section (121) having a proximal end;
• ii. a mid-section (123);
• iii. a distal section (125), said distal section (125) having a tapered distal end (128);
• iv. a length, said length extending from said proximal end of said proximal threaded section (121) to said tapered distal end (128) and having at least one cross-section configuration;
• b. a fastening device (150) having a distal segment (156) with an open tapered distal end (162);
• a proximal segment (154) with an open proximal end (164);
• a central flexible segment (152) extending from said distal segment (156) to said proximal segment (154);
• and a fastener channel (167) extending through said fastening device (150) from said tapered distal end (162) to a proximal receptacle (155) within said proximal end (164), wherein said fastener channel (167) has at least one cross-section configuration and is configured to receive said flexible guide rod (120);
• and
• c. a handle sub-assembly (200);
• said handle sub-assembly (200) comprising:
• i. a handle (210) having:
• 1. a first end,
• 2. a second end;
• 3. a top side having a handle shank receiving area (211);
• 4. a bottom side open to said handle shank receiving area (211);
• 5. a clamp orifice (212) extending into said handle (210) from said first end past a mid-point of said handle (210);
• ii. a coupling mechanism (230) configured to receive said proximal receptacle (155);
• iii. a guide rod channel (228) extending through said coupling mechanism (230) configured to receive said proximal end of said flexible guide rod (120);
• iv. a handle shank (220), said handle shank (220) extending from said bottom side of said handle (210) to connect said handle (210) and a proximal end of said coupling mechanism (230);
• v. a guide rod shank passage (222) extending from said guide rod channel (228) and through said handle shank (220) and said handle (210);
• vi. a guide rod holder clamp (250) having a securing member receiving area and being dimensioned to be received within said clamp orifice (212);
• vii. a guide rod hole (254) dimensioned along said guide rod holder clamp (250) to align with said guide rod shank passage (222) and dimensioned to receive said flexible guide rod (120);
• viii. a guide rod holder clamp securing member (255);
• and
• ix. a guide rod holder assembly (238), said guide rod holder assembly (238) comprising:
• 1. a guide rod holder (240);
• and
• 2. a holder shaft (244), said holder shaft (244) having:
• a. a guide rod mating passage (247) extending through a distal portion of said holder shaft (244);
• and
• b. a guide rod shaft passage (245) extending through a proximal portion of said holder shaft (244) and said guide rod holder (240);
• said guide rod shaft passage (245) being dimensioned to receive said flexible drive rod (120);
• wherein one of said at least one cross-section configuration of said flexible guide rod is configured to interact with at least one of said at least one cross-section configuration of said fastening device channel (167) to enable said fastening device to be manipulated within said at least one element by initiating rotation of said fastening device at said tapered distal end.