Granted Patent B2

US 7,326,198 · App. 11/006,485 · Granted Feb 5, 2008

Abstract

Claims (26)

1. An instrument holder ( 10 ) for surgical use having a remote locking mechanism ( 12 ), the instrument holder having a proximal end ( 14 ) and a distal end ( 16 ), the holder comprising:

(a) an elongated shank ( 20 ) equipped, at the distal end, with a head ( 26 ) capable of receiving an instrument ( 24 );

(b) a spring ( 32 );

(c) a substantially cylindrical, elongated locking component ( 28 ) biased in a first direction ( 30 ) toward the head by the spring ( 32 ) and including structures ( 34 ) capable of locking the instrument onto the distal end; and

(d) a ring ( 22 ) biased by the spring ( 32 ) in a second direction ( 36 ) against the locking component ( 28 ) towards the proximal end ( 14 ) and constrained to slide longitudinally on the shank ( 20 ), at the proximal end ( 14 ), the ring ( 22 ) having a connection device ( 29 ) which locks the ring to the shank, wherein the ring ( 22 ), spring ( 32 ), locking component ( 28 ) and connection device ( 29 ) make up the remote locking mechanism ( 12 ) and permit releasable connection to the shank such that release of the ring from the shank allows the spring ( 32 ) and locking component ( 28 ) to slide freely off the shank in order to permit cleaning of the instrument holder.

2. The instrument holder ( 10 ) of claim 1 , wherein the remote locking mechanism ( 12 ) is a bayonet mechanism ( 22 , 42 , 44 , 46 ).

3. The instrument holder ( 10 ) of claim 1 , wherein the remote locking mechanism ( 12 ) is threaded engagement by a thread ( 29 ′).

4. The instrument holder ( 10 ) of claim 1 , wherein an elongated grip ( 56 ) is loosely disposed over the locking component ( 28 ) for gripping the holder, in a manner that permits sliding of the grip ( 56 ) off of the locking component ( 28 ) for ease of cleaning and component sterilization.

5. The instrument holder ( 10 ) of claim 4 , wherein the grip ( 56 ) includes a raised portion ( 54 ) at the proximal end ( 14 ), which aids a user in gripping the locking component ( 28 ) to urge the component back against the force of the spring ( 32 ).

6. The instrument holder ( 10 ) of claim 5 , wherein the grip ( 56 ) has a longitudinal slit ( 56 a ) allowing the grip to elastically deform and expand so as to slide over the raised portion ( 54 ) when disassembling the holder ( 10 ) for cleaning.

7. The instrument holder ( 10 ) of claim 4 , wherein the grip ( 56 ) is rigidly affixed to the locking component ( 28 ).

8. The holder ( 10 ) of claim 7 , wherein the grip ( 56 ) is insert-molded onto the locking component ( 28 ).

9. The instrument holder ( 10 ) of claim 7 , wherein the grip ( 56 ) includes a raised portion ( 54 ) at the proximal end ( 14 ), which aids a user in gripping the locking component ( 28 ) to urge the component back against the force of the spring ( 32 ).

10. The instrument holder ( 10 ) of claim 9 , wherein the raised portion ( 54 ) is frustoconical.

11. The instrument holder ( 10 ) of claim 7 , wherein the grip ( 56 ) is threaded onto the locking component ( 28 ).

12. The instrument holder ( 10 ) of claim 11 , wherein the grip ( 56 ) includes a raised portion ( 54 ) at the proximal end ( 14 ), which aids a user in gripping the locking component ( 28 ) to urge the component back against the force of the spring ( 32 ).

13. The instrument holder ( 10 ) of claim 12 , wherein the raised portion ( 54 ) is frustoconical.

14. The instrument holder ( 10 ) of claim 1 , wherein the shank ( 20 ) has an elongated cavity ( 60 ) extending through the holder from the distal end ( 16 ) to the proximal end ( 14 ), to permit evacuation of debris through the holder from the distal end which is typically a cutting end where cutting generates debris.

15. A kit ( 80 ) for surgical use, the kit comprising:

(a) An instrument holder ( 10 ) for surgical use having a remote locking mechanism ( 12 ), the instrument holder having a proximal end ( 14 ) and a distal end ( 16 ), the holder comprising:

i. an elongated shank ( 20 ) equipped, at the distal end, with a head ( 26 ) capable of receiving an instrument ( 24 );

ii. a spring ( 32 );

iii. a substantially cylindrical, elongated locking component ( 28 ) biased in a first direction ( 30 ) toward the head by the spring ( 32 ) and including structures ( 34 ) capable of locking the instrument onto the distal end; and

iv. a ring ( 22 ) biased by the spring ( 32 ) in a second direction ( 36 ) against the locking component ( 28 ) towards the proximal end ( 14 ) and constrained to slide longitudinally on the shank ( 20 ), at the proximal end ( 14 ), the ring ( 22 ) having a connection device ( 29 ) which locks the ring to the shank, wherein the ring ( 22 ), spring ( 32 ), locking component ( 28 ) and connection device ( 29 ) make up the remote locking mechanism ( 12 ) and permit releasable connection to the shank such that release of the ring from the shank allows the spring ( 32 ) and locking component ( 28 ) to slide freely off the shank in order to permit cleaning of the instrument holder;

(b) at least one instrument ( 24 ); and

(c) a case ( 82 ).

Assignments (8)