Wrench for an implant

Details Wrench for an implant Wrench for an implant

2000-05-17

2001-12-18

Smith, James G. (Department: 3723)

Tools

Wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor

Having stationary structure for supporting wrench or...

C081S180100, C606S104000, C623S022120

Reexamination Certificate

active

06330845

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tool for assembling a multicomponent prosthesis. More particularly, the present invention relates to a tool for restraining an implant while applying a torque to a portion of the implant.
It is known in the art of orthopaedic joint replacement to provide an implant having multiple components that are assembled at the time of surgery. For example, it is known to provide a stemmed implant in which the stem is provided separately from a body portion. An example of such an implant for hip replacement surgery is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 3,067,740. An example of such an implant for knee replacement surgery is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,290,313. Applicant teaches an improved implant of this type in pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/334,402. Applicant also teaches a tool for compressing such stem and body components into tight engagement in pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/523,545. Often a threaded fastener is used to further secure the stem and body components together. A wrench is typically used to apply a torque to the threaded fastener. If the implant is inserted into a bone at the time the fastener is torqued, care must be taken not to shift the position of the implant in the bone. Likewise, care must be taken that the torque is not transmitted to the bone in such a was as to fracture the bone. Furthermore, if the implant is not implanted at the time the fastener is torqued, a way must be provided to restrain the implant so that the fastener will be tightened.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a wrench assembly usable to restrain an implant while applying a torque to a portion of the implant. The wrench assembly conveniently restrains the implant relative to the torque whether the implant is implanted or not. In the case where the implant is first implanted, the wrench assembly guards against displacing the implant or splitting the bone. The wrench assembly includes a handle and a socket shaft depending from the handle in torque transmitting relation. A socket is coupled to the socket shaft in torque transmitting relation. The socket has an implant engaging portion for engaging the implant in torque transmitting relation. The socket further has a through hole aligned with the portion of the implant. A driving shaft passes through the through hole in the socket and engages the portion of the implant such that with the handle torsionaly fixed, the implant is torsionaly fixed by way of the handle, socket shaft, socket and implant connections. The driving shaft is movable relative to the socket to impart an opposing torque on the portion of the implant.
In a further aspect of the invention, the wrench assembly includes a driving shaft stabilizer. The driving shaft stabilizer is spaced from the socket and has a through hole aligned with the through hole in the socket. The driving shaft passes through both the hole in the stabilizer and the hole in the socket. In a further aspect of the invention, the driving shaft stabilizer includes a plurality of through holes in an angular array relative to the socket shaft. The socket is selectively attachable to the socket shaft in alternate positions. There is a distinct alternate position corresponding to each of the plurality of through holes in the driving shaft stabilizer in which each of the corresponding through holes in the driving shaft stabilizer is alternately aligned with the through hole in the socket.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for restraining an implant while applying a torque to the implant. The method includes providing a wrench assembly including a socket with a through hole, engaging the socket with the implant, inserting a driving shaft through the through hole, engaging the driving shaft with a portion of the implant, and applying opposing torque to the handle and driving shaft.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2459672 (1949-01-01), Morsch
patent: 2679270 (1954-05-01), Krause
patent: 2721589 (1955-10-01), Hammer
patent: 3349652 (1967-10-01), Cromwell
patent: 5138914 (1992-08-01), Brickner
patent: 5352231 (1994-10-01), Brumfield et al.
patent: 5370022 (1994-12-01), Rodriguez et al.
patent: 5741266 (1998-04-01), Moran et al.

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