Stylet feeder for surgical tool

1 . A stylet feeder for connection to a surgical tool, the stylet feeder comprising:

a base for attaching to a surgical tool, the base having a platform and a skirt extending distally from the platform and defining a slit passing between opposing ends of the skirt when the stylet feeder is in a resting configuration; and

an extension protruding proximally from the platform of the base, the extension having a proximal end housing a pawl, the pawl having a distal end with a threaded portion,

wherein the base and the extension define a passage extending in a proximal-distal direction such that the stylet feeder is cannulated for accepting a stylet therethrough.

2 . The stylet feeder of claim 1 , wherein each of the opposing ends of the skirt include a lateral protrusion extending outward from the skirt.

3 . The stylet feeder of claim 2 , wherein each of the lateral protrusions define an aperture therethrough for connection with a fastener.

4 . The stylet feeder of claim 3 , further comprising a fastener disposed through the apertures of the lateral protrusions and configured to force the lateral protrusions toward each other and into a clamped configuration.

5 . The stylet feeder of claim 4 , wherein at least one of the apertures is internally threaded.

6 . The stylet feeder of claim 4 , wherein the fastener is a screw.

7 . The stylet feeder of claim 1 , wherein the skirt and the platform define a cavity into which a proximal end of a surgical tool can be disposed and secured.

8 . The stylet feeder of claim 1 , wherein the slit passes through a portion of the platform.

9 . The stylet feeder of claim 8 , wherein the slit defines opposing cantilever arms of the base formed by portions of the platform and the skirt.

10 . The stylet feeder of claim 9 , wherein the skirt and the platform define a cavity, and a volume of the cavity is variable and based on positions of the cantilever arms with respect to each other.

11 . The stylet feeder of claim 8 , wherein the platform further defines a relief passing entirely through the platform from and continuous with an end of the slit.

12 . The stylet feeder of claim 11 , wherein the relief extends in an arc shape around a central portion of the platform.

13 . The stylet feeder of claim 1 , wherein the extension defines a window passing laterally therethrough.

14 . The stylet feeder of claim 1 , wherein the pawl is pivotable such that the distal end can move toward and away from the passage through the extension.

15 . The stylet feeder of claim 14 , wherein the pawl is attached to the extension at a pivot point and separately attached to the extension by a spring.

16 . The stylet feeder of claim 1 , wherein the threaded portion of the pawl is a left-handed thread.

17 . The stylet feeder of claim 1 , wherein the extension further includes a second pawl having a distal end with a threaded portion, wherein the threaded portions of the pawls oppose each other.

18 . The stylet feeder of claim 17 , wherein the pawls are each pivotable such that the distal ends of the pawls can move toward and away from each other for engaging with a k-wire when the k-wire is disposed within the passage.

19 . A system comprising:

a handheld surgical tool;

the stylet feeder of claim 1 configured to be attached to a proximal end of the surgical tool;

a screwdriver configured to be driven by a distal end of the surgical tool; and

a stylet configured to pass through a lumen extending through the surgical tool, the stylet feeder, and the screwdriver when the surgical tool, the stylet feeder, and the screwdriver are assembled.