Orthopedic fastener applicator with rotational or longitudinal driver

• US 5,628,751 A
• Filed: 02/27/1995
• Issued: 05/13/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Lee, Daniel R., Sander, Thomas W., Gangnath, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafer, Robert A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ONEILL, MICHAEL W
• Application Number:
  US08/395,277
• Time in Patent Office: 806 Days
• Field of Search: 606/104, 606/86, 606/72, 606/75, 606/69, 606/73, 606/70, 606/71, 606/76
• US Class Current: 606/104
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1633 Sleeves, i.e. non-rotating parts surrounding the bit shaft, e.g. the sleeve forming a single unit with the bit shaft A61B17/1644 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1796 for holes for sutures or flexible wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/68 Internal fixation devices , including fasteners and spinal fixators, even if a part thereof projects from the skin bone staples A61B17/0642
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8872 Instruments for putting said fixation devices against or away from the bone A61B17/7074, A61B17/808 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/033 Abutting means, stops, e.g. abutting on tissue or skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0805 Implements for inserting tendons or ligaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0811 Fixation devices for tendons or ligaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0835 with deformation of anchor parts, e.g. expansion of dowel by set screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0841 Longitudinal channel for insertion tool running through the whole tendon anchor, e.g. for accommodating bone drill, guidewire
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0858 Fixation of tendon or ligament between anchor and bone, e.g. interference screws, wedges
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0888 Anchor in or on a blind hole or on the bone surface without formation of a tunnel
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/908 Bioabsorbable material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/916 Tool for installing or removing orthopedic fastener

Abstract

An instrument for applying an orthopedic fastener activated by a setting pin includes a member for abutting the fastener, a member for grasping the setting pin, and means for moving said members relative to each other. The instrument may be used endoscopically in conjunction with a cannula. An endoscopic drilling member is provided for deployment through the cannula to create a hole for emplacement of the fastener into bone or hard tissue.

Claims

1. An endoscopic apparatus for applying a surgical fastener activated by a proximally moving setting pin, which comprises:

a) fastener abutting means for abutting a surgical fastener, said fastener abutting means comprising an elongated tube having an axial bore and a distal fastener abutting surface;

b) grasping means for engaging a proximal portion of the setting pin, said grasping means being movable with respect to said fastener abutting means; and

c) drive means for proximally moving said grasping means relative to said fastener abutting means, said drive means comprising an elongated cylindrical member movably disposed within the axial bore of the fastener abutting means, and further including a threaded portion for engaging a tipped portion of the axial bore of the fastener abutting means whereby said drive means is moved relative to the fastener abutting means by a screw motion.

2. An endoscopic apparatus for applying a surgical fastener activated by a proximally moving setting pin, which comprises:

a) a fastener abutting means for abutting a surgical fastener, said fastener abutting means comprising an elongated tube having an axial bore and a distal fastener abutting surface and an elongated longitudinally oriented notch;

b) grasping means for engaging a proximal portion of the setting pin, said grasping means being movable with respect to said fastener abutting means; and

c) drive means for proximally moving said grasping means relative to said fastener abutting means, said drive means comprising an elongated cylindrical member movably disposed within the axial bore of the fastener abutting means, and further including a peg extending into said elongated notch of said fastener abutting means.

3. An apparatus for orthopedic fixation, which comprises:

a) at least one orthopedic surgical fastener activated by a proximally movable setting pin having proximal and distal end portions; and

,

b) a fastener applicator for containing and distally applying said orthopedic surgical fastener, said fastener applicator including

i) fastener abutting means for abutting the orthopedic surgical fastener, wherein said fastener abutting means includes an elongated tube having an axial bore and a distal fastener abutting surface, said axial bore having a tapped portion;

ii) grasping means for engaging the proximal end portion of the setting pin, said grasping means being movable with respect to said fastener abutting means; and

iii) drive means for proximally moving said grasping means relative to said fastener abutting means, wherein said drive means includes an elongated cylindrical member movably disposed within the axial bore of the fastener abutting means, and a threaded portion for engaging the tapped portion of the axial bore of the fastener abutting means, said drive means being movable relative to the fastener abutting means by a screw motion.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said apparatus is endoscopic.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the fastener setting pin includes a proximal relatively wider diameter head portion and the grasping means comprises a surface for engaging said head portion.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said fastener setting pin includes at least one notch and the grasping means includes at least one detent configured and dimensioned to engage said notch.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said grasping means is located at the distal end of said drive means.

8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said fastener abutting means includes an elongated, longitudinally oriented notch, and said drive means possesses a peg extending into the elongated notch.

9. The apparatus of claim 4, further including a cannula, the fastener abutting means being slidably movable within the axial bore of the cannula.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said cannula possesses at least one barb at its distal end.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the cannula possesses at least one notch at its proximal end and the fastener abutting means possesses a proximal end cap having at least one distal pointing projection for engaging said at least one notch.

12. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said fastener abutting means comprises a member having a fastener abutting surface and a notch for receiving the setting pin of the fastener.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the fastener setting pin includes a proximal relatively wider diameter head portion and the grasping means comprises a surface for engaging said head portion and a notch for receiving said setting pin.

14. The combination of claim 13 wherein said fastener abutting means and grasping means are each mounted to a respective handle member, said handle member being pivotally connected to each other.