US 5,849,015 A · Orthopaedic stem inserter with quick release lever and ratchet

Abstract

An orthopaedic stem inserter grips and inserts a prosthetic implant having a stem into a prepared opening in a bone. A handle includes a housing, a rotating knob connected to a first end of the housing, and an elongate element connected to the knob and extending through the housing to a second end of the housing. A body includes a pair of jaws, with each jaw being configured to grip the implant. One of the jaws is movable in directions toward and away from the other jaw. A geared rack is connected with the movable jaw. A first gear is connected with the rack, and a second gear is connected with the elongate element and selectively enmeshes with the first gear. A quick release lever is pivotally attached to the handle and has an engaging portion which engages the second gear. The quick release lever moves the second gear toward and away from the first gear upon pivotal movement relative to the handle and thereby respectively enmeshes and demeshes the first and second gears. A ratchet device allows movement of the movable jaw in the direction toward the other jaw upon application of an external force to the movable jaw.

Claims21

Dependent claims

An orthopaedic stem inserter for gripping and inserting a prosthetic implant having a stem into a prepared opening in a bone, said stem inserter comprising:

a handle including a housing, a rotating knob connected to a first end of said housing, and an elongate element connected to said knob and extending through said housing to a second end of said housing;
a body including a pair of jaws, each said jaw being configured to grip the implant, one of said jaws being movable in directions toward and away from an other of said jaws;
means for interconnecting said elongate element with said movable jaw at said second end of said housing, whereby rotation of said knob at said first end of said housing causes said movement of said movable jaw, said interconnecting means comprising a geared rack connected with said movable jaw, a first gear connected with said rack, and a second gear connected with said elongate element and selectively enmeshing with said first gear;
and
a quick release lever pivotally attached to said handle, said quick release lever having an engaging portion which engages said second gear, said quick release lever moving said second gear toward and away from said first gear upon pivotal movement relative to said handle and thereby respectively enmeshing and demeshing said first and second gears.

2 more elements

An orthopaedic stem inserter for gripping and inserting a prosthetic implant having a stem into a prepared opening in a bone, said stem inserter comprising:

a handle including a housing, a rotating knob connected to a first end of said housing, and an elongate element connected to said knob and extending through said housing to a second end of said housing, said handle and said elongate element having substantially coincident longitudinal axes;
a body including a pair of jaws, each said jaw being configured to grip the implant, one of said jaws being movable in opposing directions toward and away from an other of said jaws, said opposing directions being transverse to said longitudinal axis of said elongate element;
and
means for interconnecting said elongate element with said movable jaw at said second end of said housing, whereby rotation of said knob at said first end of said housing causes said movement of said movable jaw.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Orthopaedic stem inserter with quick release lever and ratchet

Life of this patent

Orthopaedic stem inserter with quick release lever and ratchet

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21