Magnetic positioner arrangement for locking screws for orthopedic hardware

A magnetic positioning arrangement for assisting in the positioning of a locking element in an internal location behind an external surface, said arrangement comprising:

• (a) a first magnet positioned at said internal location and providing a first directional magnetic field,
• (b) a second magnet providing a second directional magnetic field,
• (c) a drive tool, and
• (d) a targeting device mounted on said drive tool and including means defining a pivot axis, for mounting said second magnet so that said second magnet can pivot about said pivot axis so as to enable the magnetic field of said second magnet to align with the magnetic field of said first magnet and thereby provide alignment of said second magnet with said internal location at which the locking element is to be positioned.

A method for positioning a locking element at a desired internal location concealed behind an external surface, said method comprising:

• (a) locating a first magnet having a first directional magnetic field at the desired internal location;
• (b) providing a positioning device comprising a magnetic aiming unit affixed to a drill, said aiming unit including a second pivotedly mounted magnet having a second directional magnetic field;
• (c) moving said positioning device along said external surface in the expected area of said internal location until the magnetic fields of said first and second magnets interact;
• (d) using said drill to advance a guide pin into said external surface at a location where the magnetic fields of said first and second magnets are in alignment;
• and
• (e) inserting a locking element at said location.

A targeting device for use with an insertion tool having a longitudinal axis, and with a target magnet for positioning at an internal location behind an external surface and for producing a target magnetic field;

• said targeting device comprising:
• (a) an aiming magnet for producing an aiming magnetic field, said aiming magnet having a longitudinal axis;
• and
• (b) optical means associated with said aiming magnet for indicating when said target magnet and said aiming magnet are in alignment;
• said optical means including a mirror system comprising a viewing port having a face surface, and an inclined mirror having an indicia on a surface thereof, for reflecting an image of at least a portion of said aiming magnet into said viewing port such that the relative positions of the image and said indicia provide an indication of the degree of alignment between the longitudinal axis of said aiming magnet of said targeting device and said longitudinal axis of said insertion tool.

A targeting device for use with a target magnet for positioning at an internal location behind an external surface and for producing a target magnetic field;

• said targeting device comprising:
• (a) an aiming magnet for producing an aiming magnetic field;
• (b) optical means associated with said aiming magnet for indicating when said target magnet and said aiming magnet are in alignment;
• and
• (c) a protective casing having a longitudinal axis;
• wherein said aiming magnet has a longitudinal axis;
• and
• wherein said optical means includes a mirror system comprising a viewing port formed in said protective casing, and an inclined mirror mounted within said protective casing and including an indicia on a surface thereof, for reflecting an image of at least a portion of said aiming magnet into said viewing port such that the relative positions of the image and said indicia provide an indication of the degree of alignment between the longitudinal axis of said aiming magnet and the longitudinal axis of the protective casing of said targeting device.