# US 9,517,075 B2 · Drill bit and method for preparing a bone for a fixation screw

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- Number: US 9,517,075 B2
- Document ID: US9517075B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/940,999
- Filed: 2015-11-13
- Published: 2016-03-10
- Granted: 2016-12-13
- Earliest claimed: 2013-12-20
- Assignees: Spinal Generations, LLC
- Applicants: Spinal Generations, LLC
- Inventors: Patrick J. Sweeney
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9517075B2

## CPC

- A61B 17/1615: {Drill bits, i.e. rotating tools extending from a handpiece to contact the worked material}
- A61B 17/164: {intramedullary}
- A61B 17/72: Intramedullary devices, e.g. pins or nails
- A61B 17/744: {the longitudinal elements coupled to an intramedullary nail}
- A61B 2017/564: {Methods for bone or joint treatment}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

A bone fixation system includes a fixation device configured to be positioned at a target area of bone comprising two ends connected by a shaft and further comprising a bore formed through the shaft configured to receive a fixation screw. The system further includes a drill bit sized and configured to pass through the bore to prepare the surrounding bone to receive a second fixation device. At least a distal portion of the drill bit is configured to pass through the bore. The fixation device is made of a first material and wherein the distal portion of the drill bit comprises at least an outer portion made of a second material. The second material of the drill bit has a hardness that is less than the hardness of the first material of the fixation device.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A bone fixation system, comprising:
a fixation device configured to be positioned at a target area of bone comprising two ends connected by a shaft and further comprising a bore formed through the shaft configured to receive a fixation screw;
a drill bit sized and configured to pass through the bore to prepare the surrounding bone to receive a second fixation device;
wherein at least a distal portion of the drill bit is configured to pass through the bore;
wherein the fixation device is made of a first material and wherein the distal portion of the drill bit comprises a covering made of a second material positioned over a portion of an inner core; and
wherein the second material of the drill bit has a hardness that is less than the hardness of the first material of the fixation device and less than the hardness of the inner core.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the second material has a hardness that is greater than the hardness of the portion of the bone being drilled.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the drill bit is cannulated for receiving a guide wire.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the drill bit comprises an outer sheath formed of the second material positioned over the inner core made of the harder material.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the second material is polyetheretherketone.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, where in the drill bit is disposable after drilling.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the shaft of the fixation device is cannulated along at least a portion of its length, and wherein the fixation device comprises at least one fenestration along the cannulated portion of the fixation device shaft.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7, wherein the fixation device is adapted to receive an insert portion in the fixation device cannulation.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the hardness of the second material is greater than the hardness of the bone and less than a Brinell hardness of 160 HB.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a fixation screw configured to be received in the bore.