# US 7,608,080 B2 · Device for inserting implants > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,608,080 B2 - Document ID: US7608080B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/884,362 - Filed: 2004-07-02 - Published: 2006-01-05 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2004-07-02 - Assignees: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc. - Inventors: Kenneth Shipp; Dusty Anna Parker Needham; Benjamin Garden; Roger Ousley - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7608080B2 ## CPC - A61F 2/4611: {of spinal prostheses} - A61F 2002/4622: {having the shape of a forceps or a clamp} - A61F 2002/4627: {with linear motion along or rotating motion about the instrument axis or the implantation direction, e.g. telescopic, along a guiding rod, screwing inside the instrument} - A61F 2002/4628: {with linear motion along or rotating motion about an axis transverse to the instrument axis or to the implantation direction, e.g. clamping} - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract A device for inserting implants comprises an elongate, hollow shank with a gripping head at one end to grip and hold an implant. The gripping head includes a movable jaw operatively connected to a drive shaft such that rotation of the drive shaft causes the movable jaw to move. The drive shaft may include a gear that meshes with integrally formed teeth on the movable jaw. The drive shaft is axially movable between locked and unlocked positions. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for inserting an implant into a body comprising: a shank; a gripping head at one end of the shank for gripping the implant, the gripping head including a movable jaw and a fixed jaw to engage and hold the implant; an actuating mechanism operatively connected to move the movable jaw, the actuating mechanism including a rotatable member that is axially movable between locked and unlocked positions; wherein in the unlocked position, rotation of the rotatable member causes the movable jaw to move; wherein in the locked position, rotation of the rotatable member is prevented to lock the movable jaw in place; wherein the rotatable member comprises a drive shaft operatively connected with the movable jaw such that rotation of the drive shaft about a longitudinal axis causes the movable jaw to move; and wherein the actuating mechanism further comprises a rotatable control knob disposed at one end of a handle and connected to the drive shaft such that rotation of the control knob rotates the drive shaft. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the drive shaft includes a drive gear at one end that meshes with a first set of teeth on the movable jaw when the drive shaft is in the unlocked position such that rotation of the drive shaft linearly translates the movable jaw. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2 wherein the movable jaw further includes a locking element to engage the drive shaft and prevent rotation of the drive shaft when the drive shaft is moved to the locked position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The device of claim 3 wherein the locking element comprises a second set of teeth on the movable jaw that meshes with and binds the drive gear. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 further including a locking element on the drive shaft that is engaged when the drive shaft is in the locked position to prevent rotation of the drive shaft. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The device of claim 5 further comprising a locking collar disposed around the drive shaft to engage the locking element on the drive shaft when the drive shaft is in the locked position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The device of claim 6 wherein the locking collar has an opening to receive the locking element and shaped to prevent rotation of the drive shaft when the locking element is engaged within the opening of the locking collar. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 further comprising means for locking the drive shaft against rotation when the drive shaft is in the locked position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the drive shaft comprises a flexible drive shaft. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The device of claim 9 wherein the flexible drive shaft includes first and second end sections connected by a flexible coupling that transmits torque between the first and second end sections and allows rotational displacement between the first and second end sections when the movable jaw grips the implant. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the gripping head includes a stop member to engage a body member during insertion of the implant. ### Claim 12 A device for inserting an implant into a body comprising: a shank; a gripping head at a distal end of the shank for gripping the implant, the gripping head including a movable jaw to engage and hold the implant; a drive mechanism including a flexible drive shaft rotatable about a longitudinal axis and having a drive gear at one end operatively connected with the movable jaw such that rotation of the drive shaft about the longitudinal axis causes the movable jaw to move; and wherein the actuating mechanism further comprises a rotatable control knob disposed at one end of a handle and connected to the drive shaft such that rotation of the control knob rotates the drive shaft. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12 wherein the movable jaw includes a first set of teeth that mesh with the drive gear so that rotation of the drive gear causes the movable jaw to linearly translate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The device of claim 13 wherein the drive shaft is axially movable between locked and unlocked positions. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The device of claim 14 further comprising a locking element to engage the drive shaft and prevent rotation of the drive shaft when the drive shaft is in the locked position. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15 wherein the locking element comprises a second set of teeth on the movable jaw that meshes with and binds the drive gear. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The device of claim 14 further including a locking element on the drive shaft that is engaged when the drive shaft is in the locked position to prevent rotation of the drive shaft. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17 further comprising a locking collar disposed around the drive shaft to engage the locking element on the drive shaft when the drive shaft is in the locked position. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The device of claim 18 wherein the locking collar has an opening to receive the locking element and shaped to prevent rotation of the drive shaft when the locking element is engaged within the opening of the locking collar. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The device of claim 13 wherein the gripping head includes a fixed jaw. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The device of claim 20 wherein the gripping head includes a stop member to engage a body member during insertion of the implant. ### Claim 22 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12 further comprising means for locking the drive shaft against rotation. ### Claim 23 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12 wherein the flexible drive shaft includes first and second end sections connected by a flexible coupling that transmits torque between the first and second end sections and allows rotational displacement between the first and second end sections when the movable jaw grips the implant. ### Claim 24 A device for inserting an implant into a body comprising: a shank; a gripping head at one end of the shank for gripping the implant, the gripping head including a fixed jaw and a movable jaw to engage and hold the implant; a drive mechanism including a flexible drive shaft operatively connected with the movable jaw. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The device of claim 24 wherein the drive mechanism includes the drive gear operatively connecting the drive shaft with the movable jaw. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The device of claim 25 wherein the movable jaw includes a first set of teeth that mesh with the drive gear so that rotation of the drive gear cause the movable jaw to linearly translate. ### Claim 27 (depends on 24) The device of claim 24 wherein the drive shaft is axially movable between locked and unlocked positions. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The device of claim 27 further comprising a locking mechanism for locking the drive shaft to prevent rotation of the drive shaft. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The device of claim 28 wherein the locking mechanism comprises a locking element to engage the drive shaft. ### Claim 30 (depends on 27) The device of claim 27 wherein a locking element is disposed on the drive shaft and engages a fixed component. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The device of claim 30 further comprising a locking collar disposed around the drive shaft to engage the locking element on the drive shaft when the drive shaft is in the locked position. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The device of claim 31 wherein the locking collar has an opening to receive the locking element and shaped to prevent rotation of the drive shaft when the locking element is engaged within the opening of the locking collar.