Variable-axis surgical driver

1. A surgical driver for use with an implant, the driver comprising:

a) an attachment piece having mounting structure configured to engage an implant;

b) a shaft connected to the attachment piece by a coupling arrangement, the coupling arrangement being configured to:

i) transfer torque from the shaft to the attachment piece; and

ii) permit the shaft to pivot relative to the attachment piece in a range of axial orientations relative to a longitudinal axis of the attachment piece in response to a side torque being applied to the shaft;

c) wherein the coupling arrangement includes a recess formed in the attachment piece, the recess being configured to receive a distal end of the shaft, and further wherein the attachment piece includes a retaining member, at least a portion of the retaining member being positioned within the recess to detachably connect the shaft to the attachment piece; and

d) a snap ring arranged to capture the retaining member within a bore formed in the attachment piece, the retaining member being moveable against the bias of the snap ring;

e) wherein the retaining member is spring-loaded by the snap ring that biases the retaining member to project into the recess to contact the distal end of the shaft;

f) wherein the retaining member is a ball.

2. The surgical driver of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of axial orientations is in a range of 1 to 30 degrees, in any direction, relative to a longitudinal axis of the implant.

3. The surgical driver of claim 1 , wherein the coupling arrangement includes one or more facets formed at a distal end of the shaft that permit the shaft to pivot in a range of axial orientations relative to a longitudinal axis of the attachment piece.

4. The surgical driver of claim 3 , wherein the one or more facets are formed on a knob located at the distal end of the shaft.

5. The surgical driver of claim 4 , further including one or more facets located adjacent to a base of the knob.

6. The surgical driver of claim 1 , wherein one of the shaft and the attachment piece includes indicia to indicate a rotational orientation of an implant mounted on the attachment piece.

7. The surgical driver of claim 1 , wherein the ball engages an indent formed in the distal end of the shaft when the distal end of the shaft is inserted into the recess of the attachment piece.

8. The surgical driver of claim 7 , wherein the indent formed in the distal end of the shaft is elliptical.

9. The surgical driver of claim 1 , wherein the coupling arrangement includes a recess formed in the shaft, the recess being configured to receive a proximal end of the attachment piece.

10. The surgical driver of claim 1 , further including a torque-limiting mechanism.

11. The surgical driver of claim 1 , wherein the attachment piece includes self-centering structure that axially aligns the shaft with the attachment piece when the shaft is initially connected to the attachment piece.

12. The surgical driver of claim 1 , further including a handle coupled to a proximal end of the shaft.

13. The surgical driver of claim 12 , wherein the handle includes a ratchet mechanism.

14. The surgical driver of claim 1 , wherein the mounting structure of the attachment piece includes a pin structure having arms that extend outward from a distal end of the attachment piece.

15. The surgical driver of claim 14 , wherein the arms provide a snap-fit connection for mounting an implant.

16. The surgical driver of claim 14 , wherein the arms provide a threaded connection for mounting an implant.

17. The surgical driver of claim 14 , wherein the pin structure is positioned within a bore formed in a distal end of the attachment piece, the pin structure being removable from the bore.

18. A surgical system, comprising:

a) an implant;

b) an attachment piece having mounting structure, the implant being secured to the mounting structure of the attachment piece;

c) a shaft connected to the attachment piece by a coupling arrangement, the coupling arrangement being configured to:

i) transfer torque from the shaft to the implant; and

ii) permit the shaft to pivot relative to the implant in a range of axial orientations relative to a longitudinal axis of the attachment piece in response to a side torque being applied to the shaft;

d) wherein the coupling arrangement includes a recess formed in the attachment piece, the recess being configured to receive a distal end of the shaft, and further wherein the attachment piece includes a retaining member, at least a portion of the retaining member being positioned within the recess to detachably connect the shaft to the attachment piece; and

e) a snap ring arranged to capture the retaining member within a bore formed in the attachment piece, the retaining member being moveable against the bias of the snap ring;

e) wherein the retaining member is spring-loaded by the snap ring that biases the retaining member to project into the recess to contact the distal end of the shaft;

f) wherein the retaining member is a ball.

19. The surgical system of claim 18 , wherein the plurality of axial orientations is in a range of 1 to 30 degrees, in any direction, relative to the implant.

20. The surgical system of claim 19 , wherein the coupling arrangement includes one or more facets formed at a distal end of the shaft that permit the shaft to pivot in the range of axial orientations.

21. The surgical system of claim 18 , wherein the coupling arrangement includes a recess formed in the shaft, the recess being configured to receive a proximal end of the attachment piece.