Variable depth drill guide
AssigneeCustom Spine, Inc.
InventorMahmoud F. Abdelgany
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A variable depth drill guide assembly and a method of controlling a depth of a drill insertion into a bone using the variable depth drill guide assembly, wherein the assembly comprises a shaft; an outer sleeve connected to the shaft, wherein the outer sleeve comprises slots; a tip connected to the outer sleeve; an inner sleeve slidably mounted in the outer sleeve; and a spring engaging the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve. Moreover, the inner sleeve is preferably adapted to control a depth of a drill insertion into a bone. Additionally, the inner sleeve preferably comprises a stop adapted to engage the slots of the outer sleeve. Furthermore, the spring may be adapted to provide spring loading for the inner sleeve.
Claims20
A variable depth drill guide assembly comprising:
- an S-shaped shaft comprising:
- a curved portion;
- a pair of straight ends connected by said curved portion;
- and
- an elongated guide outwardly projecting along a substantially entire length of a longitudinal axis of a first one of said straight ends;
- an outer sleeve connected to said shaft, wherein said outer sleeve comprises slots;
- a tip connected to said outer sleeve;
- an inner sleeve slidably mounted in said outer sleeve, wherein said inner sleeve comprises a top end having a first diametrical configuration and a first length, a middle portion having a second diametrical configuration smaller than said first diametrical configuration and a second length longer than said first length, and a bottom end having a third diametrical configuration smaller than said second diametrical configuration and a third length shorter than said first length;
- and
- a spring engaging said inner sleeve and said outer sleeve.
An assembly comprising:
- an S-shaped shaft comprising a first straight end, a second straight end having a length longer than said first straight end, a curved portion adjoining said first straight end with said second straight end, and an elongated guide parallel to said first straight end and outwardly protruding from said first straight end;
- a handle connected to said second straight end of said shaft;
- a pin that connects said handle to said second straight end of said shaft;
- an outer sleeve comprising slots configured in said outer sleeve, wherein said outer sleeve is connected to said shaft, wherein said outer sleeve is positioned parallel to said elongated guide of said first straight end of said shaft;
- a tip connected to said outer sleeve, wherein said tip comprises a plurality of appendages;
- an inner sleeve slidably mounted in said outer sleeve and controls a depth of a drill insertion into a bone, wherein said inner sleeve comprises a top end having a first diametrical configuration and a first length, a middle portion having a second diametrical configuration smaller than said first diametrical configuration and a second length longer than said first length, and a bottom end having a third diametrical configuration smaller than said second diametrical configuration and a third length shorter than said first length, wherein said middle portion comprises a stop;
- and
- a spring adapted to provide spring loading for said inner sleeve.
A method of controlling a depth of a drill insertion into a bone using a variable depth drill guide assembly comprising an S-shaped shaft comprising a curved portion;
- a pair of straight ends connected by said curved portion;
- and an elongated guide outwardly projecting along a substantially entire length of a longitudinal axis of a first one of said straight ends;
- an outer sleeve connected to said elongated guide of said shaft, wherein said outer sleeve comprises slots;
- a tip connected to said outer sleeve;
- an inner sleeve mounted in said outer sleeve and comprising a top end having a first diametrical configuration and a first length, a middle portion having a second diametrical configuration smaller than said first diametrical configuration and a second length longer than said first length, and a bottom end having a third diametrical configuration smaller than said second diametrical configuration and a third length shorter than said first length, wherein said middle portion comprises a stop;
- and a spring engaging said inner sleeve and said outer sleeve, said method comprising:
- simultaneously depressing and rotating said top end of said inner sleeve until said stop of said middle portion of said inner sleeve mates with a corresponding slot in said outer sleeve;
- pushing said tip into said bone;
- inserting a drill into said inner sleeve;
- said drill contacting said inner sleeve as said drill approaches a final position within said inner sleeve;
- said inner sleeve resisting force asserted by said drill;
- and
- said force overcoming the resistance from said inner sleeve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.