Torque driver for interference screw

Abstract

A torque driver includes a torque measurement assembly for indicating the amount of torque being applied during implanting of an interference screw. The torque measurement assembly includes a proximal cup and a distal cup, and a coil spring fixed between the cups. A torque scale is marked on one of the cups, while a reference marking is provided on the other. When used to insert an interference screw, the driver head is inserted into the socket of the screw and the driver is turned, which causes the torque spring to tighten. As the spring tightens, the reference mark moves relative to the scale to indicate the torque measurement exerted on the spring. Using this torque driver, a surgeon can be made aware if too much torque is being exerted or if a desired minimum torque load for achieving a desirable level of fixation strength for the graft is not reached.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.