Implant insertion device
AssigneeThe General Hospital Corporation d/b/a Massachusetts General Hospital
InventorTimothy Bhattacharyya
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and devices are provided for measuring and/or controlling an amount of force applied to an implant or other element. In certain exemplary embodiments, an implant inserter tool is provided that includes a shaft having a proximal end that is adapted to receive a force and a distal end that is adapted to contact an implant. The inserter tool also include a force controlling element coupled to the shaft. In use, the distal end of the tool can be placed in contact with an implant or other element, and a force can be applied to the proximal end of the tool to drive the implant or other element into bone. The force controlling element can measure the amount of force applied to the inserter tool, thereby measuring the force applied to the implant or other element.
Claims30
A method for inserting an implant, comprising:
- positioning an implant adjacent to bone;
- positioning an inserter tool in contact with the implant;
- and
- applying force to the inserter tool to drive an implant into bone;
- wherein a measurement device coupled to the inserter tool provides feedback relating to an amount of force applied to the implant by the inserter tool.
An implant insertion system, comprising:
- an inserter having a first end for driving an implant into bone and an opposed second end for receiving force;
- a driver for applying force to the inserter;
- and
- means for controlling an amount of force applied to an implant being inserted into bone using the inserter and driver.
An implant inserter tool, comprising:
- a shaft having a proximal end adapted to receive a force and a distal end adapted to contact an implant;
- and
- a force controlling element coupled to the shaft between the proximal and distal ends of the shaft, the force controlling element being selected from the group consisting of a sensor, a dampening element, and combinations thereof.
A implant inserter tool, comprising:
- a shaft having a proximal end adapted to receive a force and a distal end adapted to contact an implant;
- and
- means for controlling an amount of force applied to an implant being inserted into bone located between the proximal and distal ends of the shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.