Attachment tool for drill guide

An attachment tool for use with a medical implant, comprising:

• a) a housing having a first end adapted for connection to a medical implant;
• b) the first end having a first opening through which an elongated threaded fastener with a central axis can be inserted into the implant;
• and
• c) a second opening on a guide surface on the housing, said second opening intersecting and offset from the first opening for guiding a driving tool into contact with the fastener at an angle offset from the axis of the fastener.

A method for driving a threaded fastener for a medical implant comprising the steps of:

• a) aligning an attachment tool with an end of a medical implant, the tool having a first opening through which an elongated threaded fastener with a central axis can be inserted aligned with an elongated threaded opening in the implant;
• b) inserting the fastener into the opening in the implant through the first opening in the tool;
• c) connecting a driving tool to the fastener by moving the driving tool along a guide surface on an exterior of the tool and into the first opening;
• and
• d) rotating the driving tool to drive the fastener.

A method for driving a threaded fastener for a medical implant comprising the steps of:

• a) aligning an attachment tool with an end of a medical implant, the tool having a first opening through which an elongated threaded fastener with a central axis can be inserted aligned with an elongated threaded opening in the implant;
• b) inserting the fastener into the opening in the implant through the first opening in the tool;
• c) connecting a driving tool to the fastener at an angle offset from the axis of the fastener by moving the driving tool along a guide surface in the tool into a second opening in the tool which intersects and is offset from the first opening;
• and
• d) rotating the driving tool to drive the fastener.

An attachment tool for use with a medical implant, comprising:

• a) a first end adapted for connection to a medical implant;
• b) the first end having a first opening with a central axis through which an elongated threaded fastener can be inserted into the implant;
• and
• c) a guide surface extending from an exterior of the housing and leading to the first opening, wherein said guide surface has a central axis that intersects the central axis of the first opening, and said guide surface is capable of guiding a driving tool into contact with the fastener.

An intramedullary nail system comprising an intramedullary nail attached to a tool by a fastener, whereby said tool comprises:

• a) a first end adapted for connection to a medical implant;
• b) the first end having a first opening with a central axis through which an elongated threaded fastener can be inserted into the implant;
• and
• c) a guide surface extending from an exterior of the housing and leading to the first opening, wherein said guide surface is capable of guiding a driving tool into contact with the fastener.

A medical implant system comprising:

• a) a medical implant;
• b) an attachment tool having a first end adapted for connection to the medical implant;
• c) the first end having a first opening with a central axis through which an elongated threaded fastener can be inserted into the implant;
• and
• d) a guide surface extending from an exterior of the housing and leading to the first opening, wherein said guide surface has a central axis that intersects the central axis of the first opening, and said guide surface is capable of guiding a driving tool into contact with the fastener.