Universal coupler
AssigneeHowmedica Osteonics Corp.
InventorCarlos E. Collazo
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A universal coupler for coupling multiple orthopedic instruments is disclosed. The universal coupler includes a body having a boss and an internal bore, a locking shaft having a first portion and a second portion, a trigger including a trigger bore, and a connection portion. The trigger is operable between a first position and a second position, where in the first position the first portion and boss are misaligned and in the second position the first portion and the boss are aligned.
Claims28
1-20. (canceled)
A method of coupling an ancillary instrument to an orthopedic instrument comprising the steps of:
- providing a coupler having a first portion, a second portion rotatably coupled with the first portion, and a trigger, wherein the trigger is biased to a first position in which the first and second portions are misaligned and can be actuated to a second position in which the first and second portions are aligned;
- coupling the coupler to the ancillary instrument;
- actuating the trigger to the second position;
- inserting at least portions of the first and second portions in an aperture of the orthopedic instrument;
- and
- releasing the trigger.
A method of coupling an ancillary instrument to an orthopedic instrument comprising the steps of:
- providing a coupler having a first portion, a second portion rotatably coupled with the first portion, and a trigger, wherein the trigger is biased by a spring to a first position in which the first and second portions are misaligned and can be actuated to a second position in which the first and second portions are aligned;
- coupling the coupler to the ancillary instrument;
- actuating the trigger to the second position;
- inserting at least portions of the first and second portions in an aperture of the orthopedic instrument;
- and
- releasing the trigger,
- wherein the actuation step includes moving the trigger in a first direction and the inserting step includes moving the coupler in a second direction, the first and second directions being perpendicular.
A method of coupling an ancillary instrument to an orthopedic instrument comprising the steps of:
- providing a coupler having a first portion, a second portion rotatably coupled with the first portion, and a trigger, wherein the trigger is biased to a first position in which the first and second portions are misaligned and can be actuated to a second position in which the first and second portions are aligned;
- coupling the coupler to the ancillary instrument;
- actuating the trigger to the second position;
- inserting at least portions of the first and second portions in an aperture of the orthopedic instrument;
- engaging a locking element of the coupler with a corresponding aperture of the orthopedic instrument;
- and
- releasing the trigger.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.