# US 8,771,282 B2 · Drill guide with rotating handle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,771,282 B2 - Document ID: US8771282B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/693,145 - Filed: 2007-03-29 - Published: 2007-10-04 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2006-03-30 - Assignees: Spinal Elements, Inc. - Applicants: Jason Blain; Greg Martin - Inventors: Jason Blain; Greg Martin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8771282B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/1728: {for holes for bone plates or plate screws} - A61B 17/17: Guides {or aligning means} for drills {, mills, pins or wires} - A61B 17/1757: {for the spine} - A61B 2017/0046: {with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A drill guide includes at least one drill guide lumen and a handle coupled to the at least one drill guide lumen. The drill guide lumen includes a proximal opening, a distal opening, and a longitudinal opening therebetween. The handle is movable between a first position relative to the drill guide lumen and a second position relative to the drill guide lumen. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of positioning a drill guide lumen having longitudinal axis, the method comprising: positioning at a treatment site a drill guide lumen coupled to a movable handle, the handle comprising a locking mechanism with a release button disposed on a tip of the movable handle generally in line with a longitudinal axis of the movable handle; positioning the drill guide lumen with the handle in a first position; pressing the button in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the movable handle to release the locking mechanism; and moving the handle from the first position to a second position while the drill guide lumen remains substantially stationary, wherein moving the handle comprises rotating the handle from the first position to the second position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising using a drill to insert a bone screw through the drill guide lumen. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein positioning the drill guide lumen comprises positioning a plurality of drill guide lumens coupled to the moveable handle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first position comprises a first angular position of the handle relative to the drill guide lumen and the second position comprises a second angular position of the handle relative to the drill guide lumen. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein releasing the locking mechanism comprises compressing a spring. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein moving the handle comprises rotating a bushing within a collar. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the bushing and the collar are configured to permit rotation of the handle in a first direction and are configured to limit rotation of the handle in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein rotating a bushing within a collar comprises rotating a plurality of recesses with respect to a flange. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the plurality of recesses are configured to permit rotation of the handle in a first direction and are configured to limit rotation of the handle in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction. ### Claim 10 A method of positioning a drill guide lumen having a longitudinal axis, the method comprising: positioning at a treatment site a drill guide lumen coupled to a movable handle, the handle comprising a locking mechanism with a release button disposed on a tip of the movable handle generally in line with a longitudinal axis of the movable handle; positioning the drill guide lumen with the handle in a first position; pressing the button in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the movable handle to release the locking mechanism; and moving the handle from the first position to a second position while the drill guide lumen remains substantially stationary, wherein moving the handle comprises rotating the handle about a pivot point on the drill guide lumen. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising using a drill to insert a bone screw through the drill guide lumen. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein positioning the drill guide lumen comprises positioning a plurality of drill guide lumens coupled to the moveable handle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the first position comprises a first angular position of the handle relative to the drill guide lumen and the second position comprises a second angular position of the handle relative to the drill guide lumen. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein releasing the locking mechanism comprises compressing a spring. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein moving the handle comprises rotating a bushing within a collar. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the bushing and the collar are configured to permit rotation of the handle in a first direction and are configured to limit rotation of the handle in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein rotating a bushing within a collar comprises rotating a plurality of recesses with respect to a flange. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the plurality of recesses are configured to permit rotation of the handle in a first direction and are configured to limit rotation of the handle in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction.