Drill guide and plate inserter

US7416553B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• DePuy Acromed · US

Inventors

• Tushar Patel · Potomac, US
• Eric Kolb · Sandy Hook, US
• Jonathan Fanger · Fall River, US
• Richard G. Fessler · Winnetka, US
• Alan Crockard · Highgate, GB
• Todd Albert · Narberth, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 9, 2003
• Grant date: Aug 26, 2008
• Expiry date: Dec 31, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B17/1757
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A drill guide for use in securing a spinal fixation plate to a spine is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the drill guide generally includes a support member having first and second arms mated thereto. Each arm includes a proximal end and a distal end having at least one barrel coupled thereto and defining a lumen for receiving a tool. One or both arms can be slidably movable along the support member to allow the distance between the arms to be adjusted. In use, the arms can be adjusted to engage a spinal fixation plate and to position the barrels on each arm in alignment with bores formed in the fixation plate. The drill guide can then be used to drill, awl, tap, and insert implants, such as spinal screws, into the vertebral bodies to attach the fixation plate thereto.