Torque Limiting Instrument, System and Related Methods
AssigneeDePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
InventorsKonrad Schaller, Cyril Voisard
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An instrument for limiting torque can include a method for limiting torque that is transferred from a handle of the instrument through a torque transfer member to a shaft that extends relative to the handle. The method can include applying a torque to the handle along a direction relative to the shaft. The method can include transmitting the applied torque from the handle through the torque transfer member to the shaft when the applied torque is less than a limited torque value. When the applied torque is greater than the limited torque value, at least one of the torque transfer member and the handle deforms so as to allow the handle to rotate along the direction relative to both the torque transfer member and the shaft.
Claims29
A method for limiting torque that is transferred from a handle end of a driving instrument through a torque transfer member to a shaft that extends relative to the handle, the method comprising the steps of:
- applying a torque to the handle along a direction relative to the shaft;
- and
- transmitting the applied torque from the handle through the torque transfer member to the shaft when the applied torque is less than a limited torque value, wherein when the applied torque is greater than the limited torque value, at least one of the torque transfer member and the handle deforms so as to allow the handle to rotate along the direction relative to both the torque transfer member and the shaft.
A method of producing a torque limiting driving instrument, the driving instrument configured to drive a fastener into a fastening location, the driving instrument defining a proximal end and a fastener engaging end spaced apart from the proximal end along an instrument axis, the method comprising:
- attaching a shaft to a torque transfer member such that the shaft extends from the torque transfer member along a central axis;
- and
- attaching the torque transfer member to a handle, such that at least one of the torque transfer member or the handle defines at least one protrusion that is configured to abut the other of the torque transfer member or the handle,
- wherein the torque transfer member or the handle is configured to deform in response to a torque applied to the handle greater than a limited torque value, thereby allowing the handle to rotate with respect to the shaft.
A torque limiting driving instrument for driving an anchor into a surgical site, the driving instrument defining a proximal end, and a distal end spaced apart from the proximal end along an instrument axis, the driving instrument comprising:
- a handle;
- a torque transfer member coupled to the handle, the torque transfer member having at least one protrusion that extends from the torque limiting member, wherein the torque transfer member is coupled to the handle such that the at least one protrusion member abuts a complementary structure of the handle;
- and
- a shaft that extends from the torque transfer member along the instrument axis to an anchor engaging end, wherein the shaft is rotationally fixed to the torque limiting member,
- wherein either of the handle and the torque transfer member is deformable such that the handle is selectively rotatable relative to the torque limiting member, and wherein the driving instrument is configured to rotate the anchor along a rotation direction until a torque applied to the handle is greater than a limited torque value.
The driving instrument of claim 22, wherein the at least one protrusion is at least one flexible tab that extends from the torque transfer member to engage a corresponding at least one groove of the handle.
A torque limiting driving instrument for driving an anchor into a surgical site, the driving instrument defining a proximal end, and distal end spaced apart from the proximal end along an instrument axis, the driving instrument comprising:
- a handle;
- a torque transfer member coupled to the handle;
- a shaft extending from the torque transfer member along the instrument axis, wherein the handle is selectively rotatable about the torque transfer member and the shaft;
- and
- an actuator attached to the handle and selectively rotatably coupled to the torque transfer member, wherein the actuator is configured to iterate the driving instrument between 1) an inactive configuration, wherein the handle is rotatable relative to the torque transfer member and the shaft, and 2) an active configuration wherein the handle is rotatable with the torque transfer member and the shaft until a torque applied to the handle is greater than a limited torque value, thereby allowing the handle to rotate with respect to the torque transfer member and the shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.