SET FOR DORSAL SPINAL FUSION AND HANDLE FOR A MEDICAL TOOL

Abstract

A set for dorsal spinal fusion comprises a detachable handle made of plastic material and a screwdriver that can be coupled to the removable handle without the use of tools. A receptacle of the handle for the screwdriver is made of plastic material. Also, a handle is disclosed, which in particular comprises a ratchet mechanism.

Claims

1.-20. (canceled)

21. A set for dorsal spinal fusion, comprising: a detachable handle made of plastic material and a screwdriver that can be coupled to the detachable handle without the use of tools, wherein the detachable handle has a receptacle for the screwdriver, the receptacle being made of plastic material.

22. The set for dorsal spinal fusion as in claim 21, wherein the detachable handle is made of polyacrylamide.

23. The set for dorsal spinal fusion as is claim 21, wherein the detachable handle has a tool receptacle made of plastic material, wherein a drive of a tool can be locked therein by a resilient hook made of plastic material, which is an integral part of the handle.

24. The set for dorsal spinal fusion as is claim 21, wherein the detachable handle is elongated and has a tool receptacle on both a long side and a narrow end.

25. The set for dorsal spinal fusion as is claim 21, wherein the detachable handle is a ratchet handle.

26. The set for dorsal spinal fusion as in claim 25, wherein the detachable handle comprises a ratchet mechanism including a plastic gear in which a pawl engages, which blocks rotation of the plastic gear in one direction of rotation.

27. The set for dorsal spinal fusion as in claim 26, wherein the gear is an integral part of the tool receptacle.

28. The set for dorsal spinal fusion as in claim 21, further comprising a guide sleeve that can be fitted onto a bone screw, a dilator, a counter holder for a guide sleeve, a holder for a fusion rod, and/or a flank breaker for the tulip of a fusion screw.

29. The set for dorsal spinal fusion as in claim 28, wherein the flank breaker for the tulip of the fusion screw comprises the counter holder for the guide sleeve.

30. The set for dorsal spinal fusion as in claim 21, wherein the set is a sterile single-use set comprising a tear-open packaging.

31. The set for dorsal spinal fusion as in claim 21, further comprising an access needle, wherein the access needle has a groove for engagement of the resilient hook of a further handle for the access needle.

32. A handle made of plastic material comprising a receptacle for a screwdriver, the receptacle being made of plastic material.

33. The handle as in claim 32, wherein the handle has a tool receptacle in which a drive of a tool can be locked, wherein the locking is effected by a hook which is an integral part of the handle.

34. The handle as in claim 33, wherein the handle has a passage for an access needle.

35. The handle as in claim 33, wherein the handle is coupled to an access needle.

36. The handle as in claim 35, wherein the handle has a coupling for an angled extension on a proximal end thereof

37. The handle as in claim 36, wherein comprises a ratchet mechanism including a plastic gear in which a pawl engages that blocks rotation in one direction of rotation, wherein the gear is part of the tool receptacle in which the drive of a tool can be locked.

38. The handle as in claim 32, wherein the handle has a long side and a narrow end, wherein a receptacle in which a tool can be locked is provided both at the long side and at the narrow end.

39. The handle as in claim 38, wherein the receptacle at the long side comprises a ratchet mechanism.

40. An access needle, comprising the handle as in claim 32.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0082] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings of FIGS. 1 through 18.

[0083] FIG. 1 shows a top plan view of a set for dorsal spinal fusion.

[0084] FIG. 2 shows the set in a side view of the long side and

[0085] FIG. 3 shows the set in a side view of the narrow side.

[0086] FIG. 4 shows the instruments included in the set, by way of example.

[0087] FIG. 5 is a view of the flank breaker included in the set.

[0088] FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views of a screw which can be introduced using the instruments of the set.

[0089] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a ratchet handle.

[0090] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the ratchet handle.

[0091] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the sleeve including a gear which is part of the ratchet mechanism.

[0092] FIG. 11 is a perspective sectional view of the sleeve.

[0093] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the sleeve together with the pawl.

[0094] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the components of the handle.

[0095] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a detail, showing the recess in which the ratchet mechanism is arranged.

[0096] FIG. 15 is a view of another handle which does not have a ratchet mechanism.

[0097] FIG. 16 is a view of one exemplary embodiment of a handle comprising an access needle.

[0098] FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the handle with the needle of FIG. 16.

[0099] FIG. 18 shows the handle in a detailed view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0100] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a set 1 for dorsal spinal fusion, which comprises at least some of the instruments used for this purpose.

[0101] The set comes in the form of a blister pack 11 which comprises a tear-off transparent film 12.

[0102] As can be seen in the side view of FIG. 2, the blister pack comprises a molded tray 13 which has depressions for the individual instruments.

[0103] This allows, in a simple manner, to provide a clear arrangement with a defined position of the individual instruments.

[0104] FIG. 3 is a side view of the narrow side of the set.

[0105] As can be seen, two handles are arranged one above the other in one of the troughs of the molded tray, namely a handle comprising a ratchet mechanism 200 and a further handle 300 without a ratchet mechanism.

[0106] Depending on which instrument is coupled at the respective moment and depending on the preference of the user, one of the two handles 200 or 300 can be used.

[0107] FIG. 4 shows the instruments provided in the set, in a top view.

[0108] In this exemplary embodiment, in addition to the handle 200, the set includes a guide wire 20 which is introduced through an access needle. In the present exemplary embodiment, the access needle is not part of the set, since most surgeons have a particular preference for a specific access needle.

[0109] The set furthermore comprises a dilator 30 which can be fitted onto the guide wire 20 and can be used to expand the soft tissue.

[0110] For introducing the fusion screws, the set comprises the screwdriver 40. Screwdriver 40 comprises a sleeve 41 with a handle 44, and mounted therein for rotation is a drive 42 which is coupled to the screw drive 43 and is intended to be fastened to the handle 200.

[0111] The drive 42 in particular has a polygonal shape, for example a square shape, in order to be driven in a positive or form-fitting manner by the correspondingly shaped receptacle of the handle.

[0112] A groove 45 is provided adjacent to the drive 42, for engagement of a locking means therein for axially securing the screwdriver, in the present set a resilient hook of the handle 200.

[0113] For using the screwdriver 40, the drive 42 thereof is introduced into the handle 200.

[0114] The screwdriver 40 can be introduced and removed without using tools.

[0115] The set moreover comprises guide sleeves 50 which can be coupled to the fusion screws and which can in particular be used to align the fusion screws.

[0116] The position or orientation of the fusion screws can be altered using a distraction tool 60 which can be introduced into the tulip of the screw.

[0117] The screwdriver 80 is used to introduce a lock which is used to connect the fusion rod to the screw. The screwdriver 80 can also be coupled to the handle 200, via a drive 82.

[0118] The set furthermore comprises a combined counter-holder/flank breaker 70 which on the one hand can be used to hold in position the guide sleeves 50, and which on the other hand can be used to break off the flanks of the tulip of the fusion screw at the end of the surgery.

[0119] The rod 91 included in the set can be coupled to the rod holder 90, but is only used to verify whether the fusion screws are correctly aligned.

[0120] Then, the fusion rods are introduced using the rod holder 90.

[0121] The rod holder 90 also comprises a drive 92 and can thus be coupled to the handle 200.

[0122] FIG. 5 is a view of the combined counter holder/flank breaker.

[0123] It comprises a wrench 71 on one end, in particular in the form of a hexagon. This can be used as a counter holder for the guide sleeves 50 shown in FIG. 4.

[0124] On its opposite end, the combined counter holder/flank breaker 70 has an angled head portion 72 including a channel 73.

[0125] The channel 73 can serve to fit the tool on the flank of the fusion screw and then the flank can be broken off

[0126] The combined counter-holder/flank breaker is preferably made of plastics material, in particular in the form of an integral injection-molded plastic component.

[0127] FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views of a screw 400 which can be processed using the instruments of the set according to the disclosure.

[0128] Screw 400 comprises a tulip 410 with flanks 411.

[0129] The flanks 411 may be segmented. For example, sections of the flanks 411 can be broken off in order to adapt the length of the flanks 411.

[0130] Furthermore, the tulip 410 has a thread 412 into which the distraction tools (reference numeral 60) as shown in FIG. 4 can be introduced.

[0131] The drive 440 of the screw 400, through which the thread 420 can be screwed into the bone, is provided inside the tulip 410.

[0132] The drive 440 may be in the form of a hexagon or a hexalobular socket, for example.

[0133] The screwdriver with reference numeral 40 as shown in FIG. 4 is used to introduce the screw 400 into the bone.

[0134] As can be seen in the view of FIG. 7, the tulip 410 has through holes 430 into which the rods can be introduced for fusion.

[0135] The rod for fusion of the vertebral bodies is fixed by a lock, not illustrated here, which can be screwed into the tulip 410 using the screwdriver with reference numeral 80 shown in FIG. 4.

[0136] Subsequently, the flanks 411 will be broken off using the flank breaker shown in FIG. 5.

[0137] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a handle 200 which comprises a ratchet mechanism.

[0138] The handle 200 has an elongated shape and, in this exemplary embodiment, has an outer contour 210 suited to be grasped more easily.

[0139] A receptacle 220 for a tool, in particular for a screwdriver, is provided midway in the handle 200. The tool can be introduced into the receptacle 220 from both sides.

[0140] Moreover, the handle 200 has a further receptacle 230 on its narrow end, which serves to introduce a tool.

[0141] In this view, a resilient hook 240 can be seen, which serves to lock the tool which has a corresponding groove.

[0142] That means, the tool can be introduced and removed without the use of tools.

[0143] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the handle shown in FIG. 8.

[0144] The tool receptacle 230 can be seen, which has a polygonal, in particular square portion 231 for driving the tool. Adjacent to the polygonal portion 231, the resilient hook 240 protrudes into the tool receptacle 230.

[0145] The polygonal portion 431 is made of the same plastics material as the rest of the handle. In this way, a complex insert made of metal can be dispensed with.

[0146] The resilient hook 240 comprises an engagement member 241 which is rounded at its end in this exemplary embodiment, and which engages in a groove of the tool that is used.

[0147] When the tool is introduced and removed, the resilient hook 240 will bend sideways. In the introduced state, the resilient hook 240 engages in a groove in the tool (45 in FIG. 4).

[0148] When the tool is introduced or removed, the engagement member 241 is able to snap in by virtue of an angled resilient beam 242 that is formed integrally with the main body 201 of the handle.

[0149] The resilient hook 240 is made of plastics material and is formed integrally with the handle 200.

[0150] Depending on preference, the user can either use the receptacle 230 to assemble the handle 200 axially relative to the tool, in accordance with its main extension direction, or can use the receptacle 220 to couple the tool to the handle in a T-shaped assembly.

[0151] Handle 200 includes a ratchet mechanism which comprises a sleeve 221 including the receptacle 220.

[0152] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of this sleeve 221.

[0153] Sleeve 221 is made of plastics material and comprises a gear 222 as an integral component thereof.

[0154] Gear 222 is provided at a midway position of the sleeve 221.

[0155] Above and below the gear 222, there are two portions extending, each one with a resilient hook 240 provided thereon, as can be seen in the perspective sectional view of FIG. 11.

[0156] The resilient hook 240 is formed similar to the resilient hook illustrated in FIG. 9.

[0157] Resilient hook 240 may in particular be L-shaped.

[0158] The resilient hooks 240 which form an integral part of the sleeve 221 that is made of plastics material allow a tool to be introduced from both sides and to be locked by the resilient hooks 240.

[0159] Centrally, the sleeve 221 has a polygonal portion 243 which serves to drive the tool.

[0160] The polygonal portion 243 is provided inside the gear 222.

[0161] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the sleeve 221 and of a pawl 223 which is biased against the gear 222 of the sleeve by a spring 226.

[0162] Pawl 223 is attached to the main body.

[0163] The pawl 223 engages in the gear 222 and thus has the effect that the sleeve 221 can only be rotated in one direction relative to the main body.

[0164] In one direction of rotation, counterclockwise in this view, the pawl 223 is able to yield against the bias of the spring 226 so as to allow the sleeve 221 to rotate.

[0165] In the other direction, the teeth of the gear 222 will abut against the pawl 223, so that rotation is blocked.

[0166] For switching the desired direction of rotation, the tool can be introduced into the sleeve 221 from both sides.

[0167] FIG. 13 shows an exploded view of the components of the handle with the ratchet mechanism.

[0168] The handle consists of a main body 201 which has a recess 225 for accommodating the ratchet mechanism.

[0169] Sleeve 221 is introduced into the recess 225 and is mounted for rotation there.

[0170] During assembly of the handle, the pawl 223 with spring 226 is introduced prior to introducing the sleeve comprising the receptacle 220 and the gear 222.

[0171] Then, the sleeve 221 together with the pawl 223 and spring 226 is axially secured by introducing the insert 224 into the recess 225.

[0172] Insert 224 can be snap-fitted or can be fixed by a material bond e.g. by gluing or welding.

[0173] In this way, the components of the ratchet mechanism are secured in a simple manner in the recess 225 of main body 201.

[0174] With the exception of the pawl 223 and the spring 226, all other components of the handle are preferably made of a plastics material. In particular, they come in the form of injection molded components.

[0175] FIG. 14 is a detailed perspective view of the recess 225.

[0176] As can be seen inside the recess 225, the main body has a recess 228 for the pawl together with the spring.

[0177] A shaft 227 for the pawl is formed as an integral pin-shaped portion of the main body.

[0178] The pawl is introduced into the recess 228 together with the spring.

[0179] Then, the sleeve 221 is placed in the recess 225, and the assembly is completed by introducing the insert 224.

[0180] FIG. 15 shows a side view of a handle 300 that does not comprise a ratchet mechanism.

[0181] This handle can also be coupled to the tool in a T-shaped configuration as well as axially aligned.

[0182] For this purpose, the handle 300 comprises the receptacle 220 into which the tool, such as the screwdriver, can be introduced.

[0183] A resilient hook 240 which is an integral part of the main body 201 of the handle allows to lock the handle in place without the use of tools.

[0184] Furthermore, the handle 300 has a receptacle 230 for a tool on its narrow end, similar to the handle with reference numeral 200 illustrated before.

[0185] Again, in this receptacle, the inserted tool is also locked by a resilient hook 240 which engages laterally in a groove.

[0186] At least one of the resilient hooks may be formed so as to open to one side, as illustrated here.

[0187] On the one hand, this ensures easy removability from the mold during injection molding.

[0188] On the other hand, a visual check is made possible in this way as to whether the resilient hook 240 is actually engaged in the groove of the tool.

[0189] FIG. 16 is a view of one embodiment of an access needle 500 with a handle 600.

[0190] Handle 600 is designed for being gripped from the side. Proximally, the handle 600 comprises a coupling 603 for a holder (see e.g. FIG. 4). In this way, it is possible for the handle 600 to also be guided under X-ray control from outside the beam path. The coupling 603 may, for example, be in the form of a polygon, e.g. a hexagon.

[0191] An inner needle 510 can be retracted via a proximal holder 511.

[0192] FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the access needle 500 which comprises a hollow needle 520 with an inner needle 510.

[0193] Handle 600 has a passage 601 for the needles 510, 520.

[0194] The hollow needle 520 is latched near the distal end of the handle 600. An insert 521 which is preferably secured against rotation relative to the handle 600 has a groove 45 in which a resilient hook 240 of the handle 600 engages.

[0195] The resilient hook 240 is an integral pa of the handle 600 made of plastics material and may in particular be designed in accordance with the exemplary embodiments as described above. Hook 240 is in particular openly accessible from one side.

[0196] Proximally of the hollow needle 520, the holder 511 of the inner needle 510 extends through the passage 601. Holder 511 is joined to the handle 600 by a thread 602 inside the passage 601.

[0197] Proximal head piece 512 serves to unscrew the holder 511 together with the inner needle 510 and to remove the inner needle 510 in this way.

[0198] The outer needle 520, in turn, can be pulled out from the distal end by releasing the latched connection.

[0199] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the handle 600 alone. Handle 600 is in the form of a monolithic body made of a fiber-reinforced plastic, including the hook 240 and the coupling 603.

[0200] The disclosure made it possible to provide a single-use set of instruments for dorsal spinal fusion which is inexpensive to manufacture and provides for good handling and flexibility.

[0201] The articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0202] 1 Set for dorsal spinal fusion

[0203] 11 Blister pack

[0204] 12 Transparent film

[0205] 13 Molded tray

[0206] 20 Guide wire

[0207] 30 Dilator

[0208] 40 Screwdriver

[0209] 41 Sleeve

[0210] 42 Drive

[0211] 43 Screw drive

[0212] 44 Handle

[0213] 45 Groove

[0214] 50 Guide sleeve

[0215] 60 Distraction tool

[0216] 70 Combined counter holder/flank breaker

[0217] 71 Wrench

[0218] 72 Head of flank breaker

[0219] 73 Channel

[0220] 80 Screwdriver (for lock)

[0221] 90 Rod holder (for fusion rod)

[0222] 91 Rod

[0223] 92 Drive

[0224] 200 Handle

[0225] 201 Main body

[0226] 210 Outer contour

[0227] 220 Receptacle

[0228] 221 Sleeve

[0229] 222 Gear

[0230] 223 Pawl

[0231] 224 Insert

[0232] 225 Recess

[0233] 226 Spring

[0234] 227 Shaft

[0235] 228 Recess

[0236] 230 Receptacle

[0237] 231 Polygonal portion

[0238] 240 Hook

[0239] 241 Engagement member

[0240] 242 Resilient beam

[0241] 243 Polygonal portion

[0242] 300 Handle

[0243] 400 Screw

[0244] 410 Tulip

[0245] 411 Flank

[0246] 412 Thread

[0247] 420 Thread

[0248] 430 Through hole

[0249] 440 Drive

[0250] 500 Access needle

[0251] 510 Inner needle

[0252] 511 Holder

[0253] 512 Head piece

[0254] 520 Hollow needle

[0255] 521 Insert

[0256] 600 Handle

[0257] 601 Passage

[0258] 602 Thread

[0259] 603 Coupling