Double Offset Surgical Tool Handle Assembly Having A Locking Linkage Aligned Along Two Different Planes

Abstract

A surgical tool handle for releasable connection to a surgical tool is described. The tool handle comprises a housing providing a linkage chamber extending from a proximal housing grip end to a distal housing tool end for receiving a surgical tool. A tool linkage is partially housed within the housing linkage chamber comprising an axial handle region extending along axis A-A and a radiused housing region curving about a focal point. That way, a locking pawl of the tool linkage changes planes from its proximal end to a distal extending hook end. This provides a relatively short connection to a surgical tool that is optimum in the tight space requirements of a minimally invasive hip surgery.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61 / 310,741, filed on Mar. 5, 2010.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to surgical tools for aiding in the installation of orthopedic prostheses in patients. More particularly, the present invention relates to an easily sterilizable handle assembly for use with a surgical tool in preparing a bone site, and for use in installing a prosthesis in the bone.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Complicated surgical tool handles typically have crevices and recesses that are difficult to clean with relative ease without disassembly into separate component parts. Tool handles that are not properly cleaned and sterilized increase the risk of disease transfer from patient to patient. This is especially true following the emergence of certain “prions” that are not killed by normal hospital sterilization. A prion is a type of infectious agent made only of protein.[0004]...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]A surgical tool handle aids a surgeon in controlling the use of a tool during surgery, for example, during preparation of a femoral cavity for reception of hip joint prosthesis. The present invention is such a surgical tool handle, but adapted to facilitate sterilization. That way, the present toll handle allows for partial disassembly to facilitate sterilization, while remaining loosely intact to prevent the separation of component parts from the device as a whole.

[0009]During use, the handle lever is pivotable about the proximal housing pivot pin from a first, opened position spaced a maximum distance along a range of motion from the proximal housing end to a second, closed position spaced at a closer distance along the range of motion relative to the proximal housing end than the first position. This movement causes the inverted linkage, connected to the handle lever by the first free pivot pin, to move in a proximal direction to thereby move the main linkage, connected to the inverted linkage at the second free pivot pin, in a proximal direction toward the proximal housing end. This causes the locking pawl, connected to the distal main linkage end by the third free pivot pin, to pivot with respect to the housing on the distal housing pivot pin from an open configuration ready to receive a surgical tool for attachment to the housing to a closed configuration engageable with a surgical tool supported at the distal housing tool end.

Problems solved by technology

Complicated surgical tool handles typically have crevices and recesses that are difficult to clean with relative ease without disassembly into separate component parts.

Tool handles that are not properly cleaned and sterilized increase the risk of disease transfer from patient to patient.

Further, in surgical procedures in which access to the treatment site is limited, it is difficult to use current solutions without subjecting the patient to repeated abrasion and tissue trauma when inserting and extracting surgical instruments.

Additionally, the insertion of a prosthetic implant is often problematic, and the orientation of the implant in a properly prepared recess is often critical to minimize recovery time of the patient.

Still further, once the appropriate position of the tool is selected, it is often difficult to ensure that the position does not change upon insertion of the assembly through the incision.

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