Headless compression screw driver system

1. A method of implanting a headless compression screw into a bone through a bone contacting surface comprising the steps of:

providing a compression screw driver system including:

a drive member including a shaft extending from a proximal end to a distal end with a drive tip defined on the distal end;

a drive selection member positioned about the shaft and secured thereto such that the drive selection member rotates with the shaft and is axially moveable along the shaft between an engagement position and a disengaged position, a distal portion of the drive selection member defining a first engagement structure; and

a compression sleeve having a tubular body extending from a proximal end to a distal end with a through passage therethrough is positioned over the distal end of the shaft with threads within the though passage threadably engaging threads on the shaft, the proximal end of the compression sleeve defines a second engagement structure which complements the first engagement structure and the distal end of the compression sleeve defines a contact surface,

wherein in the engagement position the first and second engagement structures are engaged and the compression sleeve rotates with the drive member and in the disengaged position the first and second engagement structures are disengaged and the compression sleeve remains stationary while the drive member rotates,

wherein the proximal end of the shaft is configured for engagement with at least one of a handle and a driving tool; and

rotating the drive member with the drive selection member in the disengaged position such that the headless compression screw is further advanced into the bone and the compression sleeve remains stationary while maintaining compression in the bone.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the drive selection member includes one or more pairs of axial slots and a connection pin extends through the shaft and into the axial slots to define the axial range of motion of the drive selection member.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein a spring within the drive selection member biases the drive selection member toward the engagement position.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein a lock button extends into the drive selection member and is configured to engage a notch in the shaft when the drive selection member is in the disengaged position such that the lock button maintains the drive selection member in the disengaged position.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the lock button is biased toward engagement with the notch.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second engagement structures are in the form of radial teeth.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the through passage threads and the shaft threads have a pitch equal to a pitch of threads on a screw with which the system is utilized.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the shaft has a marking thereon which aligns with a window of the compression sleeve and indicates relative movement of the drive member relative to the compression sleeve when rotated with the drive selection member in the disengaged position.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the marking is a circumferential groove.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the shaft includes a guide portion with a non-circular configuration which complements a non-circular portion of a through passage of the drive selection member.

11. A method of implanting a headless compression screw into a bone through a bone contacting surface comprising the steps of:

providing a compression screw driver system including:

a drive member including a shaft extending from a proximal end to a distal end with a drive tip defined on the distal end;

a drive selection member positioned about the shaft and secured thereto such that the drive selection member rotates with the shaft and is axially moveable along the shaft between an engagement position and a disengaged position, a distal portion of the drive selection member having a first set of radial teeth; and

a compression sleeve having a tubular body extending from a proximal end to a distal end with a through passage therethrough is positioned over the distal end of the shaft with threads within the though passage threadably engaging threads on the shaft, the proximal end of the compression sleeve defines a second set of radial teeth which complements the first set of radial teeth and the distal end of the compression sleeve defines a contact surface,

wherein in the engagement position the first and second sets of radial teeth are engaged and the compression sleeve rotates with the drive member and in the disengaged position the first and second sets of radial teeth are disengaged and the compression sleeve remains stationary while the drive member rotates,

wherein a spring within the drive selection member biases the drive selection member toward the engagement position,

rotating the drive member with the drive selection member in the disengaged position such that the headless compression screw is further advanced into the bone and the compression sleeve remains stationary while maintaining compression in the bone.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the drive selection member includes a pair of axial slots and a connection pin extends through the shaft and into the axial slots to define the axial range of motion of the drive selection member.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein a lock button extends into the drive selection member and is configured to engage a notch in the shaft when the drive selection member is in the disengaged position such that the lock button maintains the drive selection member in the disengaged position.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the lock button is biased toward engagement with the notch.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the shaft has a marking thereon which aligns with a window of the compression sleeve and indicates relative movement of the drive member relative to the compression sleeve when rotated with the drive selection member in the disengaged position.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the marking is a circumferential groove.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the shaft includes a guide portion with a non-circular configuration which complements a non-circular portion of a through passage of the drive selection member.

18. A method of implanting a headless compression screw into a bone through a bone contacting surface utilizing a driver system including a drive member including a shaft extending from a proximal end to a distal end with a drive tip defined on the distal end; a drive selection member positioned about the shaft and secured thereto such that the drive selection member rotates with the shaft and is axially moveable along the shaft between an engagement position and a disengaged position, a distal portion of the drive selection member defining a first engagement structure; and a compression sleeve having a tubular body extending from a proximal end to a distal end with a through passage therethrough is positioned over the distal end of the shaft with threads within the though passage threadably engaging threads on the shaft, the proximal end of the compression sleeve defines a second engagement structure which complements the first engagement structure and the distal end of the compression sleeve defines a contact surface, the method comprising:

positioning the headless compression screw on the drive tip;

rotating the drive member with the drive selection member in the engagement position such that the headless compression screw is advanced into the bone and the compression sleeve is advanced until the contact surface is in contact with the bone surface;

continuing to rotate the drive member with the drive selection member in the engagement position such that the headless compression screw is further advanced and the compression sleeve creates compression in the bone;

moving the drive selection member to the disengaged position;

rotating the drive member with the drive selection member in the disengaged position such that the headless compression screw is further advanced into the bone and the compression sleeve remains stationary while maintaining compression in the bone.