Orthopedic Impact Tools

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an orthopaedic impact tool and a method of use thereof. The orthopaedic impact tool may include a housing, a tube assembly, a rear impact plate, an anvil, and an impact mechanism. The housing may include a hand grip portion and an impact mechanism housing portion. The tube assembly may include a first tube portion and a second tube portion. The rear impact plate may be disposed between the first tube portion and the second tube portion. The anvil may include a front impact face. The impact mechanism may include a motor, a piston, a ram, and a rotary-to-linear conversion mechanism connecting the motor to the piston for driving. The piston may be disposed within the first tube portion and the ram may be disposed within the second tube portion and movable into contact between the rear impact plate and the front impact face.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 143,548, filed January 29, 2021, entitled "ORTHOPEDIC IMPACT TOOL," the contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety into this specification.

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to surgical instruments and their uses. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to orthopaedic impact tools and their methods of use. [Background technology]

[0003] Orthopaedic surgeons typically use tools for cutting or scraping bone that require a hammer or mallet to transfer the impaction force to the tool. One example is a broach tool used to prepare the proximal end of the femur to receive the stem of a hip prosthesis. Such broaches can be used with a hammer or pneumatic "jackhammer"-like tool used by the surgeon. However, striking the broach tool with a hammer can be cumbersome and can cause significant stress on the surgeon's own joints, such as the shoulder joint. Additionally, pneumatic impact tools must be connected to an air hose, which can be inconvenient and limit the surgeon's ability to orient the tool as desired. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The following non-limiting examples detail particular configurations of the presently disclosed subject matter for specifically solving the problems and providing the advantages discussed herein.

[0005] Example 1 is an orthopedic impact tool comprising: a housing including a hand grip portion and an impact mechanism housing portion; a tube assembly comprising a first tube portion and a second tube portion; a rear impact plate disposed between the first tube portion and the second tube portion; an anvil comprising a front impact surface; a motor, a piston disposed within the first tube portion of the tube assembly, a rotary-to-linear conversion mechanism connecting the motor to the piston for driving, and a ram disposed within the second tube portion and movable into contact therewith between the rear impact plate and the front impact surface.

[0006] In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 optionally includes, wherein the tube assembly, the anvil and the rear impact plate are axially shiftable rearwardly from a neutral position within the housing to initiate a forward impact cycle.

[0007] In Example 3, the subject matter of Examples 1 or 2 may optionally be such that the tube assembly, the anvil and the rear impact plate are axially shiftable forward from a neutral position within the housing to initiate a rear impact cycle.

[0008] In Example 4, any one or more of Examples 1 to 3 optionally include, wherein the tube assembly defines a chamber port that is open to the environment when the tube assembly is in a neutral position and that is closed to the environment when the tube assembly is shifted rearward from the neutral position.

[0009] In Example 5, any one or more of Examples 1-4 may optionally include a forward shift of the tube assembly and anvil to prevent the ram from contacting a front impact surface of the anvil during a rearward impact cycle.

[0010] In Example 6, any one or more of Examples 1-5 may optionally include rearward shifting of the tube assembly and rear impact plate to prevent the ram from contacting the rear impact plate during a forward impact cycle.

[0011] In Example 7, any one or more of the contents of Examples 1 to 6 may optionally include that the rotary-linear conversion mechanism includes a swash plate.

[0012] In Example 8, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-7 optionally includes a three-position trigger switch including an off position, a single actuation position, and a continuous actuation position.

[0013] In Example 9, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-8 optionally includes a three-position trigger switch including a single actuation position and a sequential actuation position defined by at least one detent of the three-position trigger switch.

[0014] In Example 10, any one or more of the subject matter of Examples 1-9 optionally includes an energy level switch and a control unit operative to control the motor based on a position of the energy level switch.

[0015] In Example 11, any one or more of the subject matter of Examples 1-10 optionally includes a chuck connected to the anvil.

[0016] In Example 12, any one or more of the subject matter of Examples 1-11 optionally includes a frame structure disposed within the housing and supporting the tube assembly.

[0017] In Example 13, the subject matter of Example 12 optionally includes a swash plate supported by a frame structure.

[0018] Example 14 is an orthopedic impact tool comprising: a housing having a hand grip portion; a motor disposed within the housing; an anvil having an impact surface; an impact mechanism driven by the motor to impact the impact surface; a control unit in electrical communication with the motor; and a three-position trigger switch in electrical communication with the control unit and including an off position, a single actuation position, and a continuous actuation position, wherein when the three-position trigger switch is in the single actuation position, the controller operates to control the motor to apply a single impact to the impact surface, and when the three-position trigger switch is in the continuous actuation position, the controller operates to control the motor to apply continuous impacts to the impact surface.

[0019] In Example 15, the subject matter of Example 14 optionally includes that the impact mechanism includes a tube assembly, a rotary-to-linear conversion mechanism, and a piston disposed within the tube assembly and operatively coupled to the motor and the rotary-to-linear conversion mechanism.

[0020] In Example 16, the subject matter of Example 15 optionally includes, wherein the tube assembly includes a first tube portion and a second tube portion, and the piston is disposed within the first tube portion.

[0021] In Example 17, the content of Examples 15 or 16 optionally includes a rear impact plate disposed between the first tube portion and the second tube portion, and a ram disposed on the second tube portion and movable between the rear impact plate and the impact surface of the anvil to contact the rear impact plate.

[0022] Example 18 is an orthopedic impact tool comprising: a housing including a hand grip portion and an impact mechanism housing portion; a tube assembly comprising a first tube portion and a second tube portion; a rear impact plate disposed between the first tube portion and the second tube portion; an anvil having a front impact surface; and an impact mechanism comprising a motor, a piston disposed within the first tube portion of the tube assembly, a rotary-to-linear conversion mechanism connecting the motor to the piston for driving, and a ram disposed within the second tube portion and movable into contact therewith between the rear impact plate and the front impact surface.

[0023] In Example 19, the content of Example 18 optionally includes that the tube assembly, the anvil, and the rear impact plate are axially shiftable rearward from a neutral position within the housing to initiate a forward impact cycle, and the tube assembly, the anvil, and the rear impact plate are axially shiftable forward from a neutral position within the housing to initiate a rearward impact cycle.

[0024] In Example 20, the subject matter of Examples 18 or 19 optionally includes a chuck connected to the anvil.

[0025] In Example 21, the orthopedic impact tool, system and / or method of any one of Examples 1-20 or any combination thereof can be optionally configured such that all of the elements or options mentioned are available or selectable. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] In the drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, like numerals may indicate like components in different drawings. Like numerals with different suffixes may represent different instances of like components. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example and not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in this document.

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of an orthopaedic impact tool in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an orthopaedic impact tool in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A is a top view of a three-position trigger in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a top view of a three-position trigger in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3C] FIG. 3C is a top view of a three-position trigger in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an impact mechanism of an orthopaedic impact tool in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an impact mechanism of an orthopaedic impact tool in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an impact mechanism of an orthopaedic impact tool in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an impact mechanism of an orthopaedic impact tool in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an impact mechanism of an orthopaedic impact tool in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an impact mechanism of an orthopaedic impact tool in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an impact mechanism of an orthopaedic impact tool in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an impact mechanism of an orthopaedic impact tool in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12]FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an impact mechanism of an orthopaedic impact tool in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The illustrations set forth herein illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and such illustrations should not be construed in any way as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] As an alternative to pneumatic piston drive systems, an electric drive system is disclosed herein. Specifically, an orthopaedic impact tool disclosed herein can include a housing, a tube assembly, a rear impact plate, an anvil, and an impact mechanism. The housing can include a hand grip portion and an impact mechanism housing portion. The tube assembly can include a first tube portion and a second tube portion. The rear impact plate can be disposed between the first tube portion and the second tube portion. The anvil can include a front impact surface. The impact mechanism can include a motor, a piston, a ram, and a rotary-to-linear conversion mechanism connecting the motor to the piston for driving. The piston can be disposed within the first tube portion and the ram can be disposed in the second tube portion and is movable between and into contact with the rear impact plate and the front impact surface.

[0030] The tube assembly, the anvil and the rear impact plate may be axially shiftable rearwardly from a neutral position within the housing to initiate a forward impact cycle.The tube assembly, the anvil and the rear impact plate may be axially shiftable forwardly from a neutral position within the housing to initiate a rearward impact cycle.

[0031] As part of the reciprocating motion, the tube assembly can define a chamber port that is open to the environment when the tube assembly is in a neutral position and closed to the environment when the tube assembly is shifted rearward from the neutral position. During motion, air can be drawn into the tube assembly to generate pressure that is used to drive an element, such as a ram, that generates the impact force.

[0032] The orthopaedic impact tool may be controlled by an energy level switch and a three-position trigger switch. The control unit may be operable to control the motor based on the position of the energy level switch to vary the magnitude of the impact force delivered. The three-position trigger switch may include an off position, a single actuation position and a continuous actuation position. When in the single actuation position, the orthopaedic impact tool is capable of delivering a single impact. When in the continuous position, the orthopaedic impact tool is capable of delivering continuous impacts.

[0033] The above discussion is intended to provide a summary of the contents of this patent application. It is not intended to provide an exclusive or exhaustive description of the invention. The following description is included to provide further information regarding this patent application.

[0034] Turning now to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates an orthopaedic impact tool 100 in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The orthopaedic impact tool 100 can include a housing 102 that can define a hand grip portion 104. The hand grip portion 104 can include a trigger 106, a battery support portion 108 that can support a battery pack 110, and an impact mechanism housing portion 112. The impact mechanism housing portion 112 can support an impact mechanism 228 therein that can impact a chuck 114.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the orthopaedic impact tool 100, including details of an impact mechanism 228 disposed within the impact mechanism housing portion 112. As shown in FIG. 2, the impact mechanism 228 can include a motor 270, which can include a drive shaft 226. The drive shaft 226 can be connected to a drive gear 208. The drive gear 208 can be engaged with a driven gear 210, which can have internal teeth. The driven gear 210 can be connected to a swash plate 216 or other rotary-to-linear conversion device. For example, the swash plate 216 can be a crank arm. The swash plate 216 or other rotary-to-linear conversion device can be connected to a piston 236, which can be disposed within a rear portion 232 of the tube assembly 40. The tube assembly 230 can include a front portion 268, which can be separated from the rear portion 232 by a rear impact plate 238.

[0036] The ram 260 can be positioned within a front portion 268 of the tube assembly 230 and can be movable between a forward position for impacting a front impact surface 250 of the anvil 256 and a rearward position for impacting a rear impact plate 238. The chuck 114 can be connected to a front end of the anvil 256. The chuck 114 can be adapted to engage a broach or other tool (not shown) that can be utilized to create a cavity in a bone to receive a prosthesis. When the ram 260 contacts the impact surface 250 of the anvil 256, impact energy can be transferred to an instrument via the proximal impact surface 250. When the ram 260 contacts the rear impact plate 238, impact energy can be transferred to an instrument via the tube assembly 230 and the chuck 114.

[0037] The housing 102 may define a hollow cavity 224 including an integrally formed inner wall structure 204 that may support the motor 270, the trigger 106, and the control unit 202. The frame 222 may further include a first support portion 206 received within the cavity 224 for supporting a drive shaft 226, and second and third support portions 212 and 218 for supporting forward and aft swashplate support bearings 214 and 220.

[0038] The frame 222 may further include a first tube assembly support portion 234 capable of supporting a rear portion 232 of the tube assembly 230. The frame 222 may also include a second tube assembly support portion 246 capable of supporting a front portion 268 of the tube assembly 230. The tube assembly may slide within the housing 102 and be guided by the first tube assembly support portion 234 and the second tube assembly support portion 246. The second tube assembly support portion 246 may further include a plurality of annular grooves 262, 264, and 266 disposed on an inner surface thereof and defined by the plurality of land portions 242, 244, 248, and 252.

[0039] The first spring 254 can be positioned between a forward end of the tube assembly support portion 246 of the frame 222 and a nose cap 258 of the front portion 268 of the tube assembly 230. The second spring 240 can be positioned between a rear end of the tube assembly support portion 246 of the frame 222 and an outer annulus 902 of the rear impact plate 238.

[0040] 4, the front portion 268 of the tube assembly 230 can include a pair of recessed grooves 404 (individually labeled grooves 404A and 404B) that support O-rings 402A and 402B, respectively, therein. As shown in FIG. 4, the front portion 268 of the tube assembly 230 can include a chamber 406 that defines a chamber port 408 that can be in fluid communication with the environment when in a neutral state or can be closed off from the environment during forward and rearward impact actuations, as disclosed herein.

[0041] As shown in Figures 3A, 3B and 3C, the trigger 106 can have an off position (Figure 3A) and can be depressed to two different depths. In a first depressed position, as shown in Figure 3B, the two spring pins 304 can reach a pair of detents 306. In a second, further depressed position, the spring pins 304 move beyond the detents 306. Depressing the trigger 106 to a first depth can cause a single impact of the impact mechanism 228. Depressing the trigger 106 further to a second depth can cause continuous impacts of the impact mechanism 228 until the trigger 106 is released.

[0042] The tool 100 may further include an impact energy switch 116. The impact energy switch 116 may be a rotary switch that may provide an input to the controller unit 202. In a first position of the impact energy switch 116, the controller unit 202 may cause the impact mechanism 228 to provide a low energy impact. In a second position of the impact switch 116, the controller unit 202 may cause the impact mechanism 228 to provide a high energy impact as disclosed herein.

[0043] The chuck 114, anvil 256, rear impact plate 238, ram 260 and tube assembly 230 may be "shift components" that are translatable relative to the remainder of the tool 100 along the axis of the tube assembly 230. With reference to FIG. 4, a cross-sectional view of the orthopaedic impact tool 100 is shown in a neutral position. In the neutral position, the ram 260 and piston 236 are in a forward position. Additionally, the tube assembly 230 is positioned by the first and second springs 254, 240 such that the chamber port 406 is open to the environment and movement of the piston 236 does not create compression within the tube assembly 230.

[0044] To initiate a forward impact cycle, an instrument held by the chuck 114 of the orthopaedic tool 100 can be pressed against the bone and the shift components 114, 230, 238, 260, 256 can be pushed rearwardly such that the spring 254 is in compression as shown in FIGURE 5, thereby sealing the chamber port 406 and closing the pressure chamber 302. In particular, the O-rings 402A and 402B can tightly engage the lands 244 and 242 on opposite sides of the groove 266, closing the port 406 from the environment. Closing the pressure chamber 302 allows high and low pressures to build within the tube assembly 230 such that the reciprocating movement of the piston 236 reciprocates the ram 260 into contact with the impact face 250 of the anvil 256.

[0045] First, the control unit 202 can respond to the activation of the trigger 106 to command the motor 270 to begin rotating. The motor 270 can turn the gears 208, 210, which can also rotate the swash plate 216. The rotation of the swash plate 216 can cause the piston 236 to be pulled rearward, as shown in FIG. 6. This can create a low pressure area in the pressure chamber 302, which can pull the ram 260 rearward. The motor 270 and swash plate 216 can continue to rotate, causing the piston 236 to move forward, which can create a high pressure area in the pressure chamber 302, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0046] The high pressure area can push the ram 260 in a proximal direction until the ram contacts the front impact face 250 of the anvil 256, as shown in FIG. 8. The kinetic energy of the ram 260 can be transferred to the orthopaedic surgical instrument through the anvil 256. Rearward shifting of the shift components 114, 230, 238, 260, 256 can prevent the ram 260 from contacting the rear impact plate 238 during the forward impact cycle.

[0047] The speed at which the motor 270 and swashplate 216 rotate can determine the impact energy and frequency of the impact of the ram 260. The speed can be modified by the control unit 202 when turning the impact energy switch 116.

[0048] To initiate a rearward impact cycle, the instrument can be started in a neutral state, as shown in Figure 4, with the pressure chamber 302 open to the environment via the chamber port 406. Prior to application of the impact, an external tensile force can be applied to the orthopaedic impact tool 100 to compress the spring 240 and place the instrument in an extended state, as shown in Figure 9. In the extended state shown in Figure 9, the shift components 114, 230, 238, 260, 256 can be pulled forward to seal the chamber port 406 and close the pressure chamber 302, creating high and low pressure regions within the pressure chamber 302. The chamber port 406 can be sealed when the O-rings 402A and 402B engage the lands 248, 244, closing the groove 264 from the environment.

[0049] To initiate a rear impact cycle, the control unit 202, in response to depression of the trigger 106, can command the motor 270 (e.g., by sending a signal, such as a voltage, to the motor 270) to begin rotating. The motor 270 can turn the gears 208, 210, which can also rotate the swash plate 216. The rotation of the swash plate 216 can pull the piston 236 rearward, as shown in FIG. 10. This can create a low pressure area in the pressure chamber 302, which can pull the ram 260 rearward. The low pressure area can pull the ram 260 rearward until the ram contacts the rear impact plate 238, as shown in FIG. 11. The kinetic energy of the ram 260 can be transferred to the orthopaedic surgical instrument through the rear impact plate 238, the tube assembly 230, and the chuck 114.

[0050] The motor 270 and swashplate 216 can continue to rotate, causing the piston 236 to move forward. This can create a high pressure region in the pressure chamber 302, as shown in FIG. 12. The high pressure region can push the ram 260 forward within the tube assembly 230. The forward shift of the shift components 114, 230, 238, 260, 256 can prevent the ram 260 from contacting the front impact face 250 of the anvil 256 during the rear impact cycle.

[0051] The orthopaedic impact rule 100 of the present disclosure can prevent impact when the orthopaedic impact tool 100 is in a neutral position. The orthopaedic impact tool 100 can only be actuated when the orthopaedic impact tool 100 is being pushed forward towards the bone or pulled backward away from the bone, allowing for a simple transition between forward and backward impact. The orthopaedic impact tool 100 can also provide multiple impact level options. The tool can also use a three-position trigger switch to switch between single impact and continuous impact modes. The three-position trigger switch can allow for more reliable control than a continuous system.

[0052] (Note) The above detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are also referred to herein as "examples." These examples may include other elements in addition to those shown or described. However, the inventors also contemplate examples that include only the elements shown or described. Moreover, the inventors also contemplate examples that use any combination or permutation of the elements shown or described (or one or more forms thereof) with respect to the particular example (or one or more forms thereof) or with respect to any other example (or one or more forms thereof) shown or described herein.

[0053] In the event of a conflicting usage between this document and a document incorporated by reference, the usage of this document will control.

[0054] In this document, the singular article is used to include one or more, as is common in patent documents, apart from other instances or uses of "at least one" or "one or more." In this document, "or" is used to imply non-exclusion, i.e., "A or B" includes "A but not B," "B but not A," and "A and B," unless otherwise indicated. In this document, "including" and "in which" are used as the plain English equivalents of "comprising" and "in which," respectively. Also, in the following claims, "including" and "comprising" are used without limitation, i.e., systems, apparatus, items, compositions, formulas, or processes that include elements other than those listed after this term in the claim are also considered to be within the scope of the claim. Moreover, in the following claims, "first," "second," and "third" are used as mere designators and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.

[0055] The above description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (or one or more aspects thereof) can be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments can be used by those skilled in the art upon reading the above description. The Abstract is submitted in accordance with 37 CFR §1.72(b) to enable the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. The Abstract is provided with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together to simplify the disclosure. This should not be construed as intending that unclaimed disclosed features are essential to the claims. Rather, the subject matter may include less than all of the features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description as examples or embodiments, and each claim stands on its own as a separate embodiment, and it is contemplated that such embodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations or permutations. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which the claims are entitled. According to aspect (1), there is provided an orthopedic impact tool, comprising: a housing including a hand grip portion and an impact mechanism housing portion; a tube assembly comprising a first tube section and a second tube section; a rear impact plate disposed between the first tube portion and the second tube portion; an anvil having a front impact surface; An impact mechanism comprising: A motor, a piston disposed within the first tube portion of the tube assembly; a rotary-to-linear conversion mechanism connecting said motor to said piston for driving; a ram disposed within the second tube portion and movable between and into contact with the rear impact plate and the front impact surface; An impact mechanism comprising: An orthopedic impact tool comprising: According to aspect (2), the tube assembly, the anvil and the rear impact plate are axially shiftable rearward from a neutral position within the housing to initiate a forward impact cycle. According to aspect (3), the tube assembly, the anvil and the rear impact plate are axially shiftable forward from a neutral position within the housing to initiate the rear impact cycle. According to aspect (4), the tube assembly is the tube assembly being open to the environment when in a neutral position; closed to the environment when the tube assembly is shifted rearward from the neutral position; A chamber port is defined. According to aspect (5), the forward shifting of the tube assembly and the anvil prevents the ram from contacting the front impact surface of the anvil during a rear impact cycle. According to aspect (6), rearward shifting of the tube assembly and the rear impact plate prevents the ram from contacting the rear impact plate during a forward impact cycle. According to aspect (7), the rotary-linear conversion mechanism includes a swash plate. According to aspect (8), the device further includes a three-position trigger switch including an off position, a single actuation position, and a continuous actuation position. According to aspect (9), the device further includes a three-position trigger switch including a single actuation position and a sequential actuation position defined by at least one detent of the three-position trigger switch. According to aspect (10), further, Energy level switch; a control unit operative to control the motor based on a position of the energy level switch; Equipped with. According to an eleventh aspect, the apparatus further includes a chuck connected to the anvil. According to aspect (12), the device further includes a frame structure disposed within the housing and supporting the tube assembly. According to aspect (13), the engine further includes a swash plate supported by the frame structure. According to an aspect (14), there is provided an orthopaedic impact tool, comprising: a housing having a hand grip portion; a motor disposed within the housing; an anvil having an impact surface; an impact mechanism driven by the motor to impact the impact surface; a control unit in electrical communication with the motor; a three-position trigger switch in electrical communication with the control unit, the three-position trigger switch including an off position, a single actuation position, and a continuous actuation position; Equipped with when the three-position trigger switch is in the single actuation position, the controller is operative to control the motor to deliver a single impact to the impact surface; and when the three-position trigger switch is in the continuous actuation position, the controller is operative to control the motor to deliver continuous impacts to the impact surface. An orthopedic impact tool. According to an aspect (15), the impact mechanism is A tube assembly; A rotary-linear conversion mechanism; a piston disposed within the tube assembly and operatively coupled to the motor and the rotary-to-linear conversion mechanism; Equipped with. According to aspect (16), the tube assembly includes a first tube portion and a second tube portion, and the piston is disposed within the first tube portion. According to aspect (17), further comprising: a rear impact plate disposed between the first portion and the second tube portion; a ram disposed within the second tube portion and movable between and into contact with the rear impact plate and the impact face of the anvil; Equipped with. According to an eighteenth aspect, there is provided an orthopedic impact tool, comprising: a housing including a hand grip portion and an impact mechanism housing portion; a tube assembly comprising a first tube section and a second tube section; a rear impact plate disposed between the first tube portion and the second tube portion; an anvil having a front impact surface; An impact mechanism comprising: A motor, a piston disposed within the first tube portion of the tube assembly; a rotary-to-linear conversion mechanism connecting said motor to said piston for driving; a ram disposed within the second tube portion and movable between and into contact with the rear impact plate and the front impact surface; An impact mechanism comprising: a control unit in electrical communication with the motor; an energy level switch in electrical communication with the control unit; a three-position trigger switch in electrical communication with the control unit, the three-position trigger switch including an off position, a single actuation position, and a continuous actuation position; Equipped with when the three-position trigger switch is in the single actuation position, the controller is operative to control the motor to deliver a single impact to the impact surface; when the three-position trigger switch is in the continuous actuation position, the controller is operative to control the motor to deliver continuous impacts to the impact surface; the controller is operative to control the motor to provide different impact forces based on a position of the energy level switch. An orthopedic impact tool. According to aspect (19), the tube assembly, the anvil, and the rear impact plate are axially rearwardly shiftable within the housing from a neutral position to initiate a forward impact cycle; The tube assembly, the anvil and the rear impact plate are shiftable axially forward within the housing from a neutral position to initiate a rear impact cycle. According to aspect (20), the apparatus further includes a chuck connected to the anvil.

Claims

1. 1. An orthopaedic impact tool comprising: a housing including a hand grip portion and an impact mechanism housing portion; a tube assembly comprising a first tube section and a second tube section; a rear impact plate disposed between the first tube portion and the second tube portion; an anvil having a front impact surface; An impact mechanism comprising: A motor, a piston disposed within the first tube portion of the tube assembly; a rotary-to-linear conversion mechanism connecting said motor to said piston for driving; a ram disposed within said second tube portion and movable between and into contact with said rear impact plate and said front impact surface; An impact mechanism comprising: Equipped with An orthopaedic impact tool, wherein the tube assembly, the anvil and the rear impact plate are axially rearwardly shiftable within the housing from a neutral position to initiate a forward impact cycle.

2. The orthopaedic impact tool of claim 1 , wherein the tube assembly, the anvil and the rear impact plate are axially shiftable forward from a neutral position within the housing to initiate a rearward impact cycle.

3. The tube assembly is the tube assembly being open to the environment when in a neutral position; closed to the environment when the tube assembly is shifted rearward from the neutral position; The orthopaedic impact tool of claim 1 or claim 2, defining a chamber port.

4. the tube assembly, the anvil and the rear impact plate are shiftable axially forward within the housing from a neutral position to initiate a rear impact cycle; 4. The orthopaedic impact tool of claim 1, wherein a forward shift of the tube assembly and anvil prevents the ram from contacting the front impact surface of the anvil during a rearward impact cycle.

5. 5. The orthopaedic impact tool of claim 1, wherein a rearward shift of the tube assembly and the rear impact plate prevents the ram from contacting the rear impact plate during a forward impact cycle.

6. The orthopaedic impact tool of claim 1 , wherein the rotary-to-linear conversion mechanism includes a swash plate.

7. The orthopaedic impact tool of claim 1 , further comprising a three-position trigger switch including an off position, a single actuation position, and a continuous actuation position.

8. The orthopaedic impact tool of claim 1 , further comprising a three-position trigger switch, the three-position trigger switch including a single actuation position and a sequential actuation position defined by at least one detent.

9. Furthermore, Energy level switch; a control unit operative to control the motor based on a position of the energy level switch; 9. An orthopaedic impact tool according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising:

10. The orthopaedic impact tool of claim 1 , further comprising a chuck connected to the anvil.

11. The orthopaedic impact tool of claim 1 , further comprising a frame structure disposed within the housing and supporting the tube assembly.

12. An orthopedic impact tool as described in claim 11, wherein the rotary-to-linear conversion mechanism includes a swash plate, the swash plate being supported by the frame structure.

13. 1. An orthopaedic impact tool comprising: a housing including a hand grip portion and an impact mechanism housing portion; a tube assembly comprising a first tube section and a second tube section; a rear impact plate disposed between the first tube portion and the second tube portion; an anvil having a front impact surface; An impact mechanism comprising: A motor, a piston disposed within the first tube portion of the tube assembly; a rotary-to-linear conversion mechanism connecting said motor to said piston for driving; a ram disposed within said second tube portion and movable between and into contact with said rear impact plate and said front impact surface; An impact mechanism comprising: a control unit in electrical communication with the motor; an energy level switch in electrical communication with the control unit; a three-position trigger switch in electrical communication with the control unit, the three-position trigger switch including an off position, a single actuation position, and a continuous actuation position; Equipped with when the three-position trigger switch is in the single actuation position, the control unit is operative to control the motor to deliver a single impact to the front impact surface; when the three-position trigger switch is in the continuous actuation position, the control unit is operative to control the motor to deliver continuous impacts to the front impact surface; the control unit is operative to control the motor to provide different impact forces based on a position of the energy level switch; the tube assembly, the anvil and the rear impact plate are axially rearwardly shiftable within the housing from a neutral position to initiate a forward impact cycle; the tube assembly, the anvil and the rear impact plate are axially forwardly shiftable within the housing from a neutral position to initiate a rear impact cycle; Orthopedic impact tools.

14. The orthopaedic impact tool of claim 13 , further comprising a chuck connected to the anvil.

Images