IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,376,936
Granted Patent B2
US 12,376,936 · App. 18/536,105 · Granted Aug 5, 2025

Torque-limiting screwdriver devices, systems, and methods

Inventors: Benjamin J. Sexson (Laguna Hills, CA); Alexander M. Pfotenhauer (Tustin, CA)
Assignee: Pro-Dex, Inc.
A61B90/03A61B17/1617A61B17/1626A61B17/8875A61B34/30A61B2017/00017A61B2017/00115A61B2017/00398A61B2017/00734A61B17/8057A61B17/863A61B2090/031A61B2090/062A61B2090/066G16H20/40
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,376,936
App. No.
18/536,105
Granted
Aug 5, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Various torque-limiting screwdriver devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. The screwdriver can include a body, a motor that is configured to rotate a screw engaged with the screwdriver, and a processor configured to control operation of the screwdriver. The screwdriver can have torque-limiting functionality, such as by monitoring the amount of torque applied to the screw and reducing or stopping rotation of the screw when certain torque-limiting criteria are met. In some embodiments, the screwdriver can be switched between manual operation by a user, and automated operation by a motor within the screwdriver. In some embodiments, the screwdriver can be attached to a robotic arm.

Claims (80)

1. A torque-limiting surgical device comprising:

a body comprising a handle that is configured to be grasped by a user;

a motor positioned in the body;

a drive head configured to be rotated by the motor and to receive a bit that engages a screw;

a battery positioned in the handle and configured to provide electric power to the motor; and

a processor positioned in the body;

wherein, under the control of the processor, the torque-limiting surgical device is configured to:

drill the screw through an opening of a plate and into a bone of a subject;

monitor current or voltage supplied to the motor as the screw is being driven into the bone;

determine, using the current or voltage supplied to the motor, torque applied to the screw as the screw is being driven into the bone;

determine that a first inflection point in the torque has occurred using a first plurality of torque values measured during a first time interval, said first inflection point indicative of said screw entering said bone;

determine that a second inflection point in the torque has occurred at least partly by comparing a second plurality of torque values measured during a second time interval to a threshold, said second inflection point indicative of seating of the screw on said plate;

determine that a third time interval has elapsed, wherein the third time interval begins when said second inflection point occurs; and

responsive to determining that said second inflection point has occurred and that the third time interval has elapsed, limit rotation of the screw to inhibit stripping of the screw in said bone.

2. The torque-limiting surgical device of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator configured to switch the torque-limiting surgical device from a manual mode to a powered mode, wherein:

in the manual mode, the motor does not rotate the drive head;

in the powered mode, the motor rotates the drive head; and

a default mode for the torque-limiting surgical device is the manual mode.

3. The torque-limiting surgical device of claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises a pistol grip.

4. The torque-limiting surgical device of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a generally linear arrangement.

5. The torque-limiting surgical device of claim 1 , further comprising a depth gauge configured to allow the torque-limiting surgical device to determine a depth of the screw in said bone.

6. The torque-limiting surgical device of claim 5 , wherein said depth gauge extends from a tip of the torque-limiting surgical device and is movable relative to said tip.

7. The torque-limiting surgical device of claim 1 , wherein said torque-limiting device is configured to stop rotation of the screw responsive to determining that said second inflection point has occurred and that the third time interval has elapsed.

8. A torque-limiting surgical device comprising:

a body;

a motor positioned in the body;

a drive head configured to be rotated by the motor and to receive a bit that engages a screw; and

a processor positioned in the body;

wherein, under the control of the processor, the torque-limiting surgical device is configured to:

drill the screw through an opening of a surgical structure and into a bone of a subject;

determine torque applied to the screw as the screw is being driven into the bone;

determine that a first inflection point in the torque has occurred, said first inflection point indicative of said screw entering said bone;

determine that a second inflection point in the torque has occurred at least partly by comparing one or more torque values to a threshold, said second inflection point indicative of seating of the screw on a portion of said surgical structure;

determine that a time interval has elapsed, wherein the time interval begins when said second inflection point occurs; and

responsive to determining that said second inflection point has occurred and that the time interval has elapsed, limit rotation of the screw to inhibit stripping of the screw in said bone.

9. The torque-limiting surgical device of claim 8 , further comprising an actuator configured to switch the torque-limiting surgical device from a manual mode to a powered mode, wherein:

in the manual mode, the motor does not rotate the drive head;

in the powered mode, the motor rotates the drive head; and

a default mode for the torque-limiting surgical device is the manual mode.

10. The torque-limiting surgical device of claim 8 , further comprising a depth gauge configured to allow the torque-limiting surgical device to determine a depth of the screw in said bone.

11. The torque-limiting surgical device of claim 10 , wherein said depth gauge extends from a tip of the torque-limiting surgical device and is movable relative to said tip.

12. The torque-limiting surgical device of claim 8 , wherein said torque-limiting surgical device is configured to stop rotation of the screw responsive to determining that said second inflection point has occurred and that said time interval has elapsed.

13. The torque-limiting surgical device of claim 8 , wherein the torque-limiting surgical device is configured to:

determine that said first inflection point has occurred using a first plurality of torque values measured during a first time interval; and

determine that said second inflection point has occurred by comparing a second plurality of torque values measured during a second time interval to said threshold.

14. The torque-limiting surgical device of claim 8 , wherein said surgical structure comprises a plate.

15. A torque-limiting surgical device comprising:

a body;

a motor positioned in the body;

a drive head configured to be rotated by the motor and to receive a bit that engages a screw; and

a processor positioned in the body;

wherein, under the control of the processor, the torque-limiting surgical device is configured to:

drill the screw through an opening of a surgical structure and into a bone of a subject;

determine torque applied to the screw as the screw is being driven into the bone;

determine that a first inflection point in the torque has occurred, said first inflection point indicative of said screw entering said bone;

determine a difference between a first torque value and a second torque value;

determine that said difference exceeds a first threshold;

responsive to determining that said difference exceeds the first threshold, determine a percentage torque decrease using said first and second torque values;

determine that said percentage torque decrease is less than or equal to a second threshold;

responsive to determining that said percentage torque decrease is less than or equal to the second threshold, determine that a second inflection point in the torque has occurred, said second inflection point indicative of seating of the screw on a portion of said surgical structure; and

responsive to determining that said second inflection point has occurred, limit rotation of the screw to inhibit stripping of the screw in said bone.

16. The torque-limiting surgical device of claim 15 , wherein said first threshold is about 5 N-cm.

17. The torque-limiting surgical device of claim 15 , wherein said second threshold is about 10%.

18. The torque-limiting surgical device of claim 15 , further comprising a depth gauge configured to allow the torque-limiting surgical device to determine a depth of the screw in said bone.

19. The torque-limiting surgical device of claim 15 , wherein said torque-limiting surgical device is configured to stop rotation of the screw responsive to determining that said second inflection point has occurred.

20. A torque-limiting surgical device comprising:

a body;

a motor positioned in the body;

a drive head configured to be rotated by the motor and to receive a bit that engages a screw; and

a processor positioned in the body;

wherein, under the control of the processor, the torque-limiting surgical device is configured to:

drill the screw through an opening of a surgical structure and into a bone of a subject;

determine torque applied to the screw as the screw is being driven into the bone;

determine that said screw has entered said bone;

determine that said screw has seated on a portion of said surgical structure at least partly by:

determining a difference between a first torque value and a second torque value;

determining that said difference exceeds a first threshold;

determining a percentage torque decrease using said first and second torque values; and

determining that said percentage torque decrease is less than or equal to a second threshold; and

responsive to determining that said screw has seated on said portion of said surgical structure, limit rotation of the screw to inhibit stripping of the screw in said bone.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 10, 2026
From: PRO-DEX, INC.
To: UMB BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 073749/0445 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 30, 2025
From: SEXSON, BENJAMIN J.; PFOTENHAUER, ALEXANDER M.
To: PRO-DEX, INC.
Reel/Frame 071570/0371 →
Continuity (10)
Continuation 17330251 · May 25, 2021
Continuation 16450590 · Jun 24, 2019
Continuation 15615722 · Jun 6, 2017
Provisional Application 62480179 · Mar 31, 2017
Provisional Application 62467461 · Mar 6, 2017
Provisional Application 62405004 · Oct 6, 2016
Provisional Application 62405031 · Oct 6, 2016
Provisional Application 62348725 · Jun 10, 2016
Provisional Application 62346984 · Jun 7, 2016
Related Publication 20240207008A1 · Jun 27, 2024
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