# US 11,432,858 B2 · Stabilizer holder and inserter tool and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,432,858 B2 - Document ID: US11432858B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/908,188 - Filed: 2020-06-22 - Published: 2020-10-08 - Granted: 2022-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2017-02-10 - Assignees: Zimmer Biomet CMF and Thoracic, LLC - Applicants: Zimmer Biomet CMF and Thoracic, LLC - Inventors: Isabella Balzano; Saddy Garcia; Jayden Garfield - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11432858B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/8076: {for the ribs or the sternum} - A61B 17/8019: {where the means are a separate tool rather than being part of the plate} - A61B 17/808: {Instruments for holding or positioning bone plates, or for adjusting screw-to-plate locking mechanisms} - A61B 17/8875: {Screwdrivers, spanners or wrenches} - A61F 2/28: Bones - A61F 2002/30482: {using a locking cam} - A61F 2002/4622: {having the shape of a forceps or a clamp} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract A pectus bar stabilizer insertion tool can include a first handle, a second handle, a first head, a second head, and a locking shaft. The first handle can include a first distal portion. The second handle can include a second distal portion, and the second handle can be pivotably coupled to the first handle. The first and second handles can be moveable between an open position and a closed position. The first head can be coupled to the first distal portion and can be engageable with a first portion of a stabilizer. The first head can include a driver engageable with a lock of the stabilizer. The second head can be coupled to the second distal portion and can be engageable with a second portion of the stabilizer. The locking shaft can be coupled to the driver and operable to lock and unlock the stabilizer to a pectus bar. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A pectus bar stabilizer insertion tool for securing a stabilizer to a pectus bar, the insertion tool comprising: a first handle including a first distal portion; a second handle including a second distal portion; the second handle pivotably coupled to the first handle, the first and second handles moveable between an open position and a closed position; a first head coupled to the first distal portion and engageable with a first portion of the stabilizer, the first head including a driver engageable with a lock of the stabilizer; a second head coupled to the second distal portion and engageable with a second portion of the stabilizer; and a locking shaft extending from the head, the locking shaft coupled to the driver and configured to operate the driver with respect to the first head and the second head to lock and unlock the stabilizer to the pectus bar. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The insertion tool of claim 1, wherein the first head further includes a snap fitting extending from the first head generally towards the second head, the snap fitting engageable with the stabilizer to secure the stabilizer to the first head. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The insertion tool of claim 1, wherein the driver includes a gear, and wherein the locking shaft includes a worm drive, the worm drive engageable with the gear to operate the driver. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The insertion tool of claim 1, wherein the locking shaft includes a groove and wherein the tool includes a first pin engaging the groove to limit translation of the locking shaft. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The insertion tool of claim 4, wherein the first head further includes a second pin engaging the driver to restrict translation of the driver. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The insertion tool of claim 4, wherein the second head includes a snap bore alignable with the snap fitting of the first head when the first handle and the second handle are in the closed position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The insertion tool of claim 6, wherein the stabilizer includes a first stabilizer bore alignable with the snap bore when the first handle and the second handle are in the closed position, and wherein the snap fitting is releasably securable to the first stabilizer bore. ### Claim 8 A pectus bar stabilizer insertion tool for securing a stabilizer to a pectus bar, the insertion tool comprising: a first handle and a second handle pivotal coupled to the first handle, the first and second handles moveable between an open position and a closed position; a first head coupled to the first handle and engageable with a first portion of the stabilizer, the first head including a driver engageable with a lock of the stabilizer; a second head coupled to the second handle and engageable with a second portion of the stabilizer, the first and second heads movable with the first and second handles to secure the stabilizer between the first and second heads when the first and second handles are in the closed position; and a locking shaft extending from the first head, the locking shaft coupled to the driver and operable to operate the driver to lock and unlock the stabilizer to the pectus bar. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The insertion tool of claim 8, wherein the first head and the second head are contoured so that the stabilizer is configured to recess into the first head and the second head when the stabilizer engages the first head and the second head. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The insertion tool of claim 8, wherein the second head is contoured so that the pectus bar is configured to recess into the second head when the pectus bar engages the second head. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The insertion tool of claim 8, wherein the first head further includes a driver bore extending into the first head, and wherein the driver is disposable in the driver bore. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The insertion tool of claim 11, wherein the first head includes a locking shaft bore extending into the first head from an outer surface of the first head substantially perpendicular to and intersecting the driver bore, allowing the locking shaft to engage the driver. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The insertion tool of claim 12, wherein: the locking shaft includes a shaft circumferential groove; and the first head further comprising a first pin engaging the shaft circumferential groove to restrict translation of the locking shaft. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The insertion tool of claim 13, the first head further comprising: a second pin engaging the driver to restrict translation of the driver. ### Claim 15 A pectus bar stabilizer insertion tool for securing a stabilizer to a pectus bar, the insertion tool comprising: a first handle; a second handle pivotably coupled to the first handle, the first and second handles moveable between an open position and a closed position; a first head coupled to the first handle and engageable with a first portion of the stabilizer, the first head including a driver engageable with a rotating lock of the stabilizer; a second head coupled to the second handle and engageable with a second portion of the stabilizer; and a locking shaft extending from the first head, the locking shaft coupled to the driver and operable to rotate the lock to lock and unlock the stabilizer. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The insertion tool of claim 15, wherein the locking shaft includes a shaft circumferential groove, and wherein the tool includes a first pin engaging the shaft circumferential groove to limit translation of the locking shaft. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The insertion tool of claim 16, wherein the first head further includes a second pin engaging the driver to restrict translation of the driver, wherein the driver includes a gear, and wherein the locking shaft includes a worm drive located at a distal end of the locking shaft, the worm drive engageable with the gear to operate the driver. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The insertion tool of claim 15, wherein the first head further includes a snap fitting extending from the first head generally towards the second head, the snap fitting engageable with the stabilizer to secure the stabilizer to the first head. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The insertion tool of claim 18, wherein the second head includes a snap bore alignable with the snap fitting of the first head when the first handle and the second handle are in the closed position. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The insertion tool of claim 19, wherein the stabilizer includes a first stabilizer bore alignable with the snap bore when the first handle and the second handle are in the closed position, and wherein the snap fitting is releasably securable to the first stabilizer bore.