Anchor having a controlled driver orientation

US9579188B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• SMITH & NEPHEW, INC. · US

Inventors

• Steve Bowman · Lexington, US
• Alfred Rodrigue Berube, JR. · Attleboro, US
• Bernard J. Bourque · Taunton, US
• Wei Yang · Hunan, CN
• Mark Edwin Housman · Attleboro, US
• John Stroncek · Boston, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 20, 2013
• Grant date: Feb 28, 2017
• Expiry date: Jun 24, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61F2250/0097
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an interference screw having a body with a proximal end, distal end, and longitudinal axis extending between thereinbetween. The screw further includes threads for fixing the screw into bone. The screw further includes a through bore defined by the body. The through bore extends between the proximal and distal ends along the longitudinal axis, and has a surface. The screw further includes a controlling member formed by the through bore surface. To install the screw into bone, a surgeon turns the screw with a driver that engages with the controlling member. The driver only engages the controlling member when it is in a driving orientation with respect to the controlling member. Advantageously, with this “one-way” engagement the surgeon can control and confirm the orientation of the driver without seeing the driver and/or screw.