Patent · US Expired

Nut starter wrench for orthopedic fixation system

US5352231A · kind A · utility

172Cited by
13References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 23, 1992
Grant dateOct 4, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 23, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B17/7091
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A tool assembly has a shaft with a sleeve slidable along it. A hexagonal drive post at the lower end of tile shaft is received in a hex socket at the upper end of a bone bolt secured in a patient's spine. A nut to secure a connector on the bolt, is temporarily stored on a short thread on the shaft near the lower end. The sleeve is slid down the shaft and a hex socket at tile lower end of tile sleeve is received on the nut. The sleeve is manually turned while a handle on a drive post at the top of the shaft prevents the shaft, and thereby the bolt, from turning. As the sleeve turns, the nut is turned off the short thread and down onto the bolt thread. A torque wrench coupled to a tool receiving surface at the top of the sleeve tightens the nut on the bolt to the specified torque while the handle on the top of the shaft prevents the bolt from turning.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.