IP Library Granted Patent US 7,849,766
Granted Patent B2
US 7,849,766 · App. 12/152,444 · Granted Dec 14, 2010

Speed multiply screwdriver handle

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,849,766
App. No.
12/152,444
Granted
Dec 14, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A screwdriver is disclosed including a handle, a shaft, and a gearbox disposed between the handle and the shaft. The gearbox is structured and arranged to cause rotational motion of the shaft at a first rate due to rotational motion imparted on the handle at a second rate. In an embodiment, the first rate is greater than the second rate.

Claims (18)

1. A method for driving a screw with a screwdriver during a surgical procedure, comprising:

Gaining access to a bone inside a human body;

engaging a screwdriver with a screw, wherein the screwdriver comprises a shaft adapted to engage the screw, a handle, and a gearbox; and

rotating the handle at a first rate, thereby causing the shaft to rotate at a second rate, wherein the screw is driven into the bone at the second rate,

wherein the gearbox comprises an input end attached to the handle and an output end attached to the shaft, the gearbox further including an input gear affixed to the input end, an output gear affixed to the output end, a first connecting gear and a second connecting gear connected to each other, the first connecting gear being operatively engaged with the input gear and the second connecting gear being operatively engaged with the output gear, the gears being arranged so as to cause rotational motion of the output end at a first rate due to rotational motion of the input end at a second rate.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the input gear is larger than the output gear.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the input gear is smaller than the output gear.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the input gear is the same size as the output gear.

5. The method claim 1 , wherein the first connecting gear and second connecting gear are fixed in rotational motion with respect to each other.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the first connecting gear and second connecting gear are affixed to one another with a rod.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least the input gear, output gear, first connecting gear and second connecting gear are contained within a housing.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the screwdriver further comprises a screwdriver head formed integrally on a distal end of the shaft.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the screwdriver further comprises a quick-connect device for removably securing a screwdriver head to a distal end of the shaft.

10. A method for driving a screw with a screwdriver during a surgical procedure, comprising:

Gaining access to a vertebrae;

engaging a screwdriver with a screw, wherein the screwdriver comprises a shaft adapted to engage the screw, a handle, and a gearbox; and

rotating the handle at a first rate, thereby causing the shaft to rotate at a second rate, wherein the screw is driven into the vertebrae at the second rate,

wherein the gearbox comprises an input end attached to the handle and an output end attached to the shaft, the gearbox further including an input gear affixed to the input end, an output gear affixed to the output end, a first connecting gear and a second connecting gear connected to each other, the first connecting gear being operatively engaged with the input gear and the second connecting gear being operatively engaged with the output gear, the gears being arranged so as to cause rotational motion of the output end at a first rate due to rotational motion of the input end at a second rate.

Assignments (8)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 8, 2025
From: STRYKER EUROPEAN HOLDINGS I, LLC; STRYKER EUROPEAN OPERATIONS HOLDINGS LLC; STRYKER CORPORATION; STRYKER EUROPEAN OPERATIONS LIMITED; HOWMEDICA OSTEONICS CORP.
To: VB SPINE US OPCO LLC
Reel/Frame 073031/0754 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 23, 2025
From: STRYKER EUROPEAN OPERATIONS HOLDINGS LLC
To: VB SPINE US OPCO LLC
Reel/Frame 072926/0763 →
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Dec 18, 2024
From: STRYKER EUROPEAN OPERATIONS HOLDINGS LLC
To: STRYKER EUROPEAN OPERATIONS HOLDINGS LLC
Reel/Frame 069730/0754 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Jun 7, 2020
From: STRYKER EUROPEAN HOLDINGS I, LLC
To: STRYKER EUROPEAN HOLDINGS III, LLC
Reel/Frame 052861/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 7, 2020
From: STRYKER EUROPEAN HOLDINGS III, LLC
To: STRYKER EUROPEAN OPERATIONS HOLDINGS LLC
Reel/Frame 052860/0716 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Nov 23, 2015
From: STRYKER SPINE SAS
To: STRYKER EUROPEAN HOLDINGS VI, LLC
Reel/Frame 037152/0825 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Nov 23, 2015
From: STRYKER EUROPEAN HOLDINGS VI, LLC
To: STRYKER EUROPEAN HOLDINGS I, LLC
Reel/Frame 037153/0391 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 12, 2009
From: SHARIFI-MEHR, AMIR ALI; CHOI, ANDY WONYONG; KRAUSE, STEVEN
To: STRYKER SPINE
Reel/Frame 022675/0595 →