Surgical tool with flexible shaft
View Patent ↗An implant system can include a first rotatable flexible shaft comprising a biocompatible material and configured to be used as an implant for placement in the human body, the implant including an implant driving element positioned at a proximal end; a second rotatable flexible shaft including a cutting drill positioned at a distal end and a drill driving element positioned at a proximal end; and a surgical tool capable of being connected, in the alternative, to the drill driving element for forming a recessed surgical site and to the implant driving element for placing the implant in the recessed surgical site.
1. An implant system comprising:
a dental implant comprising a first rotatable flexible shaft composed of a biocompatible material, the dental implant including an implant driving element positioned at a proximal end of the flexible shaft, the dental implant being configured for implantation into a portion of a skull of a patient;
a second rotatable shaft including a cutting drill positioned at a distal end of the second flexible-shaft and a drill driving element positioned at a proximal end of the second shaft; and
a surgical tool configured to be connected, in the alternative, to the drill driving element for forming a recessed surgical site and to the implant driving element for placing the dental implant in the recessed surgical site.
2. The implant system of claim 1 , wherein the surgical site is formed in a zygomatic arch region of a human skull.
3. The implant system of claim 1 , wherein the implant comprises a diameter between about 3 mm and about 6 mm and a length between about 20 mm and about 50 mm.
4. The implant system of claim 1 , wherein the surgical tool comprises a flexible shaft.
5. The implant system of claim 1 , wherein the implant driving element is comprises an opening configured to receive a dental prosthetic.
6. The implant system of claim 1 , wherein the surgical tool further comprises an outer guide tube including a longitudinal body extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the body, wherein the outer guide tube includes at least one straight portion and at least one angled portion.
7. The implant system of claim 6 , wherein the at least one angled portion is flexible.
8. The implant system of claim 6 , wherein the surgical tool further comprises at least one of:
a bearing positionable between the guide tube and the first rotatable flexible shaft or the second rotatable shaft; and
a seal positionable between the guide tube and the first rotatable flexible shaft or the second rotatable shaft.
9. The dental implant system of claim 1 , wherein a distal end of the dental implant is configured as a cutting tip.
10. The dental implant system of claim 1 , wherein the first rotatable flexible shaft is bendable, such that the first rotatable flexible shaft is configured to take on a curved shape.
11. The dental implant system of claim 1 , wherein the dental implant comprises a threaded internal aperture configured to engage with a threaded portion of a dental prosthetic, the dental prosthetic comprising an abutment.