Torque driver for interference screw
First Claim
1. A method of securing soft tissue to a bone by interference fixation using an interference screw, said method comprising the steps of:
- forming a tunnel in the bone, said tunnel having a wall;
inserting the soft tissue in the tunnel;
positioning the interference screw to be driven into the tunnel;
using a torque driver to drive the interference screw into the tunnel, wherein the torque driver includes an assembly having a measurement scale for indicating the amount of torque exerted during insertion of the interference screw;
gauging the amount of torque exerted during the insertion of the interference screw using the measurement scale; and
determining whether the amount of torque measured by the measurement scale reaches at least a desired minimum value.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A torque driver includes a torque measurement assembly for indicating the amount of torque being applied during implanting of an interference screw. The torque measurement assembly includes a proximal cup and a distal cup, and a coil spring fixed between the cups. A torque scale is marked on one of the cups, while a reference marking is provided on the other. When used to insert an interference screw, the driver head is inserted into the socket of the screw and the driver is turned, which causes the torque spring to tighten. As the spring tightens, the reference mark moves relative to the scale to indicate the torque measurement exerted on the spring. Using this torque driver, a surgeon can be made aware if too much torque is being exerted or if a desired minimum torque load for achieving a desirable level of fixation strength for the graft is not reached.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A method of securing soft tissue to a bone by interference fixation using an interference screw, said method comprising the steps of:
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forming a tunnel in the bone, said tunnel having a wall;
inserting the soft tissue in the tunnel;
positioning the interference screw to be driven into the tunnel;
using a torque driver to drive the interference screw into the tunnel, wherein the torque driver includes an assembly having a measurement scale for indicating the amount of torque exerted during insertion of the interference screw;
gauging the amount of torque exerted during the insertion of the interference screw using the measurement scale; and
determining whether the amount of torque measured by the measurement scale reaches at least a desired minimum value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification