Variable angle depth limited fastener driver and variable angle fixation system for use in orthopedic plates
AssigneeOrthohelix Surgical Designs, Inc.
InventorsDerek S. Lewis, Elizabeth Altenau, Rebecca F. DiLiberto, Jackson R. Heavener
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to an orthopedic fastener driver which can be used with a variable angle fixation system, and in particular in which the driver has a variable angle drive tip that is capable of screwing a fastener in an orthopedic plate assembly at a variable angle relative to the drive axis of the driver, and further wherein the driver has a drive mechanism including an interference clutch mechanism that disengages so as to limit the relative depth of the fastener in the plate assembly as to avoid driving the fastener or fastener assembly through the plate.
Claims20
A fastener driver for use in driving a fastener having a fastener axis in bone in a fastener aperture in an orthopedic plate, the fastener aperture having an aperture axis, the fastener axis being at an angle other than 0° to the aperture axis, the fastener driver comprising:
- a drive shaft, a drive tip and a drive couple operatively aligned along a drive axis, the drive couple being resiliently axially biased by a first force toward the drive tip so as to operatively couple the drive shaft and the drive tip, and a sleeve which has a recess that receives the drive tip, the sleeve terminating in an annular surface about the recess whereby a force applied to the annular surface in an axial direction opposite the direction of the first force will cause the drive tip to disengage from the drive shaft.
A fastener driver for use in driving a fastener having a fastener axis in bone in a fastener aperture in an orthopedic plate, the fastener aperture having an aperture axis, the fastener axis being at an angle other than 0° to the aperture axis, the fastener driver comprising:
- a drive shaft defining a drive axis and being operatively coupled to a drive tip having a drive portion that can be positioned at a variable angle with respect to the drive axis so as to allow the fastener driver to be used to drive the fastener with the drive axis at an angle to the aperture axis.
A system for providing for implanting a fastener in variable angle fixation in an orthopedic implant comprising:
- an orthopedic implant having a fastener aperture, the fastener aperture defining an aperture axis,
- a fastener defining an axis, the fastener being implantable in the aperture at a selected angle to the fastener aperture axis;
- and
- a fastener driver which can be used to implant the fastener in the orthopedic plate and having a drive mechanism including a housing which receives a drive tip and the drive tip being positionable at the selected angle within said housing whereby the fastener driver can be used to drive the fastener at the selected angle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.