Torque limiting device and methods

1. A surgical device comprising:

a rod attached on a first end to a rotatable handle and a second end opposite the first end to a surgical implement;

a first torque limiting element connected to the handle; and

a second torque limiting element operably connected to the rod and surgical implement and releasably engageable with the first torque limiting element,

wherein rotation of the handle causes rotation of the rod and surgical implement, wherein when a rotational force applied to the handle exceeds a predetermined torque limit, the first torque limiting element disengages from the second torque limiting element, so that the handle is rotatable without rotation of the rod and surgical implement; and a first surface attached to the handle and in biased contact with a second surface attached to the rod, the first torque limiting element further comprising a projection from the first surface and the second torque limiting element further comprising a notch in the second surface for releasably engaging the projection.

2. The surgical device of claim 1 , wherein after becoming disengaged, the first torque limiting element is re-engageable with the second torque limiting element so that further rotation of the handle causes rotation of the rod and surgical implement.

3. The surgical device of claim 1 , the rod further comprising a ball joint attached to the end of the rod attached to the handle, and the handle further comprising a lever pivotably attached to the handle and having a ball joint receptacle rotatably positioned about the ball joint,

wherein when the lever pivots in the handle, the surgical implement is moved to an angle relative to the rod, and

wherein when the torque limiting elements are disengaged, the handle is rotatable about the rod without rotation of the surgical implement.

4. The surgical device of claim 1 , wherein after becoming disengaged, the projection is re-engageable with the notch so that further rotation of the handle causes rotation of the rod and surgical implement.

5. A surgical device comprising:

a rod having a first end and a second end;

a handle positioned near the first end of the rod;

a surgical implement attached to the second end of the rod;

a first surface attached to the handle;

a second surface attached to the rod, the second surface in releasably engageable contact with the first surface such that rotation of the handle causes rotation of the rod and surgical implement,

a housing attached to the handle and defining a cavity within which the first and second surfaces are positioned; wherein the first surface comprising a first plate having a projection and the second surface comprising a second plate having a notch, wherein the projection is engageable with the notch

wherein when a rotational force applied to the handle exceeds a predetermined torque limit, the first surface disengages from the second surface, so that the handle is rotatable without rotation of the rod and surgical implement.

6. The surgical device of claim 5 , wherein the projection and the notch are substantially the same size and shape.

7. The surgical device of claim 5 , further comprising a spring disposed between the housing and the first surface, the spring capable of exerting a force on the first surface to engage the projection with the notch.

8. The surgical device of claim 5 , the housing further comprising a support that prevents movement of the second surface toward the second end of the rod.

9. A surgical device comprising:

a rod comprising a first section and a second section, the first section rotatably connected to the second section;

a handle attached to the first section of the rod;

an implement attached to the second section of the rod;

a first plate attached to the first section of the rod, the first plate having a raised portion;

a second plate attached to the second section of the rod, the second plate having a depression of substantially the same size and shape as the raised portion of the first plate;

a housing that defines a cavity, the first plate and second plate fitting inside the cavity and the second plate restrained within the housing by a ledge; and

a compression spring disposed between a cap of the housing and a surface of the first plate such that the spring pushes the first plate longitudinally toward the second plate,

wherein the raised portion of the first plate is engageable with the depression of the second plate, so that rotation of the first section of the rod causes rotation of the second section of the rod and the implement, and

wherein when a rotational force applied to the handle and the first section of the rod exceeds a predetermined torque limit, the spring compresses and the raised portion of the first plate disengages from the depression of the second plate, so that the first section is rotatable without rotation of the second section and the implement.

10. The surgical device of claim 9 , the rod further comprising a cylindrical tube in which an actuator is disposed, the actuator being operable to activate the implement.

11. The surgical device of claim 9 , further comprising a trigger positioned on the handle operable to control the actuator.