Tools – Wrench – screwdriver – or driver therefor – Responsive to torque on work
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-23
2001-10-30
Hail, III, Joseph J. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor
Responsive to torque on work
C081S439000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308598
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH
Not applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a device and system to facilitate the application of the proper level of torque to an implantable component during a medical procedure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Some surgical procedures, such as those involving installation of a joint prosthesis, rely on the use of components that must be securely attached to other components, such as a prosthetic device. If, in attaching a component, the component is either oversecured or undersecured, there can be associated negative effects. For example, an undersecured component may loosen, while an oversecured component may impart an undesirable amount of stress to one or both of the components.
Normally, the attachment of an implant component to another implant component and/or to a prosthetic device is done using devices and methods that impart assembly torque throughout the attachment process. A certain level of torque is required to properly secure a component. However, it is often difficult to perceive, either visually, tactually, or otherwise, when the proper level of torque has been imparted on a component and, in turn, when the component has been securely attached.
To address this perception problem, devices have been developed to help ensure that a consistent or limited assembly torque is imparted on components in order to properly secure torque-applied components to other components. Among these devices are torque-limiting drivers that are calibrated to impart a desired level of torque to a component during the attachment of the component to another component such as a prosthetic device.
Such known torque limiting drivers often suffer from two notable disadvantages. First, it is costly to fabricate drivers to use on components with wide-ranging sizes and geometries. Secondly, such drivers may encounter unwanted drift or change in the calibrated torque. Such drift is believed to be due to constant reuse and steam sterilization following use of the drivers. The torque drift of the calibrated torque of a torque-limiting driver necessitates the costly replacement of the driver or the recalibration of the driver. If drift of the calibrated torque is undetected or ignored, the success of the surgical procedure or the integrity of the prosthetic device can be compromised.
Therefore, a need exists for a device or system that will allow for the achievement and detection of a secure attachment of an implant component to another component, such as a prosthetic device, without allowing for an accompanying risk of oversecuring or undersecuring the component.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a modular torque-applying surgical tool which includes a driver member that has a proximal handle and a distal end, and a torque-applying insert that is removably and replaceably mountable to the distal end of the driver member. The torque-applying insert is designed to be deformable when a predetermined level of torque is achieved, or when the insert is subjected to a torque in excess of a predetermined magnitude, such that the insert is effective to apply to a driven member a predetermined minimum torque.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the torque-applying insert is adapted for use with a universal or allen wrench-type driver. The insert may have a male hex head that is dimensioned to be matable with a female hex receptacle on a driven member. In another embodiment of the present invention, the torque-applying insert is a substantially U-shaped wrench-like member that is adapted to be placed within a universal wrench-type driver member so as to engage with a driven member.
For both the universal driver and a universal wrench-type driver embodiments, a selection of inserts, having different sizes and strengths, will be provided. Each insert is intended to be a disposable, single-use insert. This enables a single driver member to be mated with an insert of a suitable size and with suitable properties to be used in a desired application. Also, in either embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined level of torque that is indicated by the deformation of the torque-applying insert may correspond to a minimum or maximum level of torque or to another predetermined level of torque that, when achieved or exceeded, causes the insert to roll over, crack, fracture or otherwise provide a visual, tactile or aural indication of the achievement or exceeding of that predetermined level of torque.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4215600 (1980-08-01), Kesselman
patent: 4420281 (1983-12-01), Dehoff
patent: 4838264 (1989-06-01), Bremer et al.
patent: 5158458 (1992-10-01), Perry
patent: 5176050 (1993-01-01), Sauer et al.
patent: 5295831 (1994-03-01), Patterson et al.
patent: 5299474 (1994-04-01), Hohmann et al.
patent: 5347894 (1994-09-01), Fischer
patent: 5368480 (1994-11-01), Balfour et al.
patent: 5735668 (1998-04-01), Klein
patent: 5868047 (1999-02-01), Faust et al.
patent: 5964011 (1999-10-01), Ruston et al.
Hail III Joseph J.
Nutter & McClennen & Fish LLP
Thomas David B.
LandOfFree
Modular torque-limiting driver system for medical applications does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Modular torque-limiting driver system for medical applications, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Modular torque-limiting driver system for medical applications will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2582791