Pencil-held wire drive operated with distally located actuator

Abstract

A wire driver for inserting a wire into a bone. The wire driver includes a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, the housing having a handpiece extending to the proximal end. The handpiece is connected to a clamping portion, which extends to the distal end. A channel extends through the clamping portion and is connected to a clamping mechanism. A drive mechanism within the handpiece is connected to the channel. The drive mechanism is configured to rotate the channel when actuated by a first actuator positioned on the handpiece (which may be on the distal end of the handpiece). A second actuator is connected to the clamping portion and the clamping mechanism. The second actuator is movable between a relaxed position and a compressed position. A user can operate both the first actuator and the second actuator with the same handle. The clamping portion and the second actuator are rotatable relative to the housing and the first actuator.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 654,618, filed on April 9, 2018, entitled “Pencil-Grip Wire Driver Operated With Distally Located Actuator,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Art 1. Technical Field

[0004] The present invention relates generally to wire drivers for inserting a wire into bone and, more particularly, to a wire driver having a distal actuator and a rotation mechanism.

[0005] 2. Related technical description

[0006] A wire driver is a surgical device for inserting a wire into a bone. A pencil-held wire driver is a device that is shaped so that the device is typically held like a pencil using techniques such as a cylindrical grip, a digital grip, a modified tripod grip, or a tripod grip. A pencil-held wire driver has an internal mechanism that clamps the wire and provides a rotational force to the wire. The mechanism for clamping and releasing the wire is controlled by an actuator. Existing wire drivers 1 have the actuator 2 positioned away from its distal end 3, as shown in FIG. 1 , or require another hand to move the actuator 2, as shown in FIG. 2 . Therefore, in order to clamp or release the wire, actuating the actuator requires the surgeon to move his fingers away from the clamping position or use another hand to actuate the actuator, which can be a major inconvenience for the surgeon.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for a wire driver having a distal clamp actuator and a rotation mechanism that allows a surgeon to maintain a preferred grip on the wire driver while clamping and releasing a wire extending therethrough.

[0008] Related Art Section Disclaimer Description: With respect to specific patents / publications / products discussed above in the Related Art Section Description or elsewhere in this disclosure, such discussion should not be considered an admission that the discussed patents / publications / products are prior art for patent law purposes. For example, some or all of the discussed patents / publications / products may not be sufficiently early in time, may not reflect subject matter that was developed early enough in time, and / or may not be sufficient to achieve prior art equivalents for patent law purposes. With respect to specific patents / publications / products discussed above in the Related Art Section Description and / or throughout the application, their descriptions / disclosures are incorporated herein by reference in their respective entireties. Summary of the invention

[0009] The present invention relates to a wire driver having a distal clamping actuator and a rotation mechanism, which allows a surgeon to maintain a preferred clamp on the wire driver while clamping and releasing a wire extending therethrough. According to one aspect, the wire driver includes a housing having a proximal end and a distal end. The housing has a handpiece extending to the proximal end, and the handpiece is connected to a clamping portion extending to the distal end. A channel extends through the clamping portion and is connected to the clamping mechanism. The wire driver also includes a first actuator connected to the distal end of the housing and the clamping mechanism. The first actuator is movable between a relaxed position and a compressed position.

[0010] According to another aspect, the present invention is an electric surgical tool. The surgical tool includes a housing having a proximal end and a distal end. The housing has a handpiece connected to a clamping portion. The handpiece extends to the proximal end and the clamping portion extends to the distal end. The clamping portion extends along a central longitudinal axis, and the handpiece is connected to the clamping portion at a certain angle relative to the central longitudinal axis. The surgical tool also includes a rotating mechanism within the housing. The clamping portion can rotate relative to the handpiece around the rotating mechanism.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the actuators identified herein may be actuated in any number of ways consistent with their basic functional concepts (as outlined herein), and may include squeeze actuation, flip actuation, twist / rotate actuation, push actuation, etc. (as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art in conjunction with a review of the present disclosure). According to appropriate alternative structures, the direction of such actuation may include alternative directions from those discussed and implemented in the examples described herein, for example, pushing in a relatively distal direction versus pulling in a relatively proximal direction to facilitate such alternative movement (as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art in conjunction with a review of the present disclosure).

[0012] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] One or more aspects of the present invention are particularly pointed out and clearly claimed as examples in the claims at the end of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] FIG1 is a line driver of the prior art;

[0015] FIG2 is another line driver of the prior art;

[0016] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a line driver according to one embodiment;

[0017] Figure 4 is a schematic side view of a line driver according to one embodiment;

[0018] Figure 5 is a schematic side view of a line driver according to an alternative embodiment;

[0019] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A bottom schematic diagram of a line driver;

[0020] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 A schematic cross-sectional side view of a line driver;

[0021] Figure 8 is a schematic side view of a line driver according to another embodiment;

[0022] Fig. 9 yes Figure 8 A perspective schematic diagram of a line driver;

[0023] Fig.10 yes Figure 8 A schematic side view of a wire drive in a first configuration with a wire extending therethrough;

[0024] Fig.11 yes Fig.10 A top view schematic diagram of a line driver;

[0025] Fig.12 yes Figure 8 A schematic side view of a wire drive in a second configuration with a wire extending therethrough;

[0026] Fig.13 yes Fig.11 A top view schematic diagram of a line driver;

[0027] Fig.14 yes Fig.11 Another top view schematic diagram of the line driver;

[0028] Fig.15 yes Figure 8 Schematic diagram of a cross-sectional side view of a line driver. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The various aspects of the present invention and certain features, advantages and details thereof are explained more fully below with reference to the non-limiting examples shown in the accompanying drawings. The description of known structures may be omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention in detail. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific non-limiting examples, although indicating aspects of the present invention, are given only in an illustrative manner, rather than in a limiting manner. In light of the present disclosure, various substitutions, modifications, additions and / or arrangements within the spirit and / or scope of the basic concepts of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0030] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a wire driver 100 according to one embodiment. The wire driver 100 includes a housing 102 having a proximal end 104 and a distal end 106. In the depicted embodiment, the housing 102 includes a handpiece 108 extending to the proximal end 104 and a clamping portion 110 extending to the distal end 106. The handpiece 108 is connected to the clamping portion 110 at a certain angle. Specifically, the clamping portion 110 extends along a central longitudinal yy axis, and the handpiece 108 extends proximally from the clamping portion 110 at a certain angle relative to the central longitudinal yy axis. According to an alternative embodiment, the handpiece 108 is not connected to the clamping portion 110 at a certain angle, but instead extends proximally from the clamping portion 110 along the yy axis or along an axis that is at least substantially parallel to the yy axis (see, for example, discussed below). Figures 5 to 7 ).

[0031] Still reference Figure 3 , the handpiece 108 includes a drive mechanism 112 therein, so that the wire drive 100 is used as a stand-alone device. However, the wire drive 100 can also be an accessory to another device. In the depicted embodiment, the drive mechanism 112 is a motor and gear assembly. Figure 3 In the embodiment of the present invention, the motor 114 rotates the first gear 116 of the gear assembly 118 and drives the clamping portion 110. In alternative embodiments, the drive mechanism 112 can be battery powered, pneumatic, or connected to an external power source (e.g., via an electrical cord).

[0032] Still reference Figure 3, the clamping portion 110 includes a first end 120 and a second end 122, wherein a channel 124 extends through the first end and the second end. A gear assembly 118 extends into the first end 120 of the clamping portion 110. In the depicted embodiment, the first end 120 of the clamping portion 110 includes a second gear 126 of the gear assembly 118. The second gear 126 engages with the first gear 116, which is powered by the motor 114. The power from the motor 114 rotates the gear assembly 118, thereby causing the channel 124 and the wire (not shown) therein to rotate. When the drive actuator 138 is triggered, the drive mechanism 112 performs the rotation of the channel 124 (and the wire (not shown)).

[0033] like Figure 3 As shown, the drive actuator 138 is connected to the handpiece 108 of the wire driver 100. Specifically, in the depicted embodiment, the drive actuator 138 is attached to the proximal end 104 of the wire driver 100. Figure 3 The illustrated drive actuator 138 is a long curved arm that is connected to the handpiece 108 via a biasing connector 142 (e.g., a spring rod). In the depicted embodiment, the drive actuator 138 is curved so that a distal portion 146 of the drive actuator 138 extends at least partially around and / or over the clamping portion 110 of the housing 102. A proximal portion 144 of the drive actuator 138 extends proximally relative to the biasing connector 142 so that the drive actuator 138 can be easily accessed at any point along the housing 102, thereby providing a user with multiple clamping options.

[0034] Still reference Figure 3 , the clamping portion 110 of the wire driver 100 further includes a spring assembly 128 and a distal clamp 130. As shown, the channel 124 in the clamping portion 110 extends through the spring assembly 128 and the distal clamp 130. The channel 124 includes a clamping mechanism 132. In the depicted embodiment, the clamping mechanism 132 is a spindle 134 having a clamp 136 (e.g., three (or more) forks that can be compressed toward each other). The purpose of the clamping mechanism 132 is to clamp and release a wire (not shown) extending through the channel 124. The clamping and releasing actions are performed on the wire (not shown) by the clamping actuator 140. As shown Figure 4 As shown, the clamp actuator 140 is a clamp rod on a side 148 of the clamp portion 110 .

[0035] exist Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the clamping actuator 140 is connected to the clamp head 130. In the relaxed position, as shown Figure 3 and Figure 4124. As shown, the clamp actuator 140 is biased in the distal direction (via the spring assembly 128). In other words, when the spring assembly 128 is in a relaxed state, the clamp actuator 140 is biased in the distal direction and causes the clamp mechanism 132 to be in a closed position and clamp the wire (not shown). To engage the clamp actuator 140, the user pulls the clamp actuator 140 in the proximal direction, which pulls the collet 130 toward the proximal end against the spring assembly 128. As the collet 130 is pulled proximally by the clamp actuator 140, the clamp mechanism 132 (including the clamp 136) releases the wire (not shown) into the channel 124, thereby placing the wire driver 100 in a compressed position (not shown).

[0036] Now go to Figures 5 to 7 , shows various perspective views of a line driver 100 according to an alternative embodiment. In the depicted embodiment, a central longitudinal yy axis extends through the clamping portion 110, such as Figure 3 to Figure 4 However, in Figures 5 to 7 In an embodiment of the present invention, the handpiece 108 does not extend from the clamping portion 110 at an angle relative to the central longitudinal yy axis. Figure 5 As shown, the handpiece 108 extends along a central longitudinal axis xx, which is generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis yy.

[0037] exist Figure 7 In the depicted embodiment of the line driver 100, the channel 124 also extends through the first end 120 of the clamping portion 110 and from the first end of the clamping portion to the second end 122 of the clamping portion 110. Figure 7 In the embodiment of the present invention, the channel 124 extends along or parallel to the central longitudinal yy axis. In addition, the clamping portion 110 is slightly offset from the handpiece 108 so that the first end 120 of the clamping portion 110 has an amount of clearance relative to the handpiece 108. In particular, the channel 124 extending through the clamping portion 110 bypasses the motor 114 in the handpiece 108, such as Figure 7 However, the channel 124 extends through at least a portion of the bottom surface 152 of the handpiece 108 and connects to the slot 150, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 In the depicted embodiment, the slot 150 extends toward the proximal end 104 of the housing 102 .

[0038] Also like Figure 5 and Figure 7 As shown, the handpiece 108 includes a sliding mechanism 154 for selectively enabling or disabling operation of the drive mechanism 112 when the drive actuator 138 is engaged (eg, depressed). Figure 5As shown, the track (or channel) 156 extends through at least a portion of the side surface 158 of the handpiece 108. Figure 5 As shown, the hand piece 108 includes a slide 160 that is sized and configured to slide distally and proximally along the track 156 in the hand piece 108. The user can thus move the slide 160 from a locked position to an unlocked position. In the unlocked position, the slide 160 allows operation of the drive mechanism 112. When the drive actuator 138 is engaged and in the locked position, the slide 160 prohibits operation of the drive mechanism 112 when the drive actuator 138 is engaged.

[0039] Reference now Figures 8 to 14 , shows schematic diagrams of various views of a wire driver 100 according to yet another embodiment. In these embodiments, the free end portion of the clamping actuator 140 faces away from the driving actuator 138 and is pulled in the proximal end direction for actuation.

[0040] Figure 8 1 shows a schematic side view of the line driver 100. The line driver 100 includes a rotation (or indexing) mechanism 166 ( Fig.15 ) to allow the wire (not shown) to be in a different plane relative to the planar axis of the handpiece 108. Figure 8 As shown, the handpiece 108 extends along plane zz. Figure 8 ), the clamping portion 110 also extends along plane zz.

[0041] The implementation scheme of the rotating (indexing) mechanism 166 is Fig.15 The clamping portion 110 rotates relative to the handpiece 108 about the rotation (indexing) mechanism 166. Fig.15 108. In the embodiment depicted, the rotation (indexing) mechanism 166 also maintains the connection between the clamping portion 110 and the handpiece 108 as the clamping portion 110 rotates. In the depicted embodiment, the rotation (indexing) mechanism 166 includes a ring 168 that extends around both the clamping portion 110 and the handpiece 108, thereby holding them together. The rotation (indexing) mechanism 166 also includes one or more balls (or spheres) 170 between the ring 168 and both the clamping portion 110 and the handpiece 108. The balls 170 rotate as the clamping portion 110 rotates around the handpiece 108. Therefore, the balls 170 allow the clamping portion 110 to move around the handpiece 108, but the ring 168 limits the movement so that the clamping portion 110 does not separate from the handpiece 108.

[0042] Fig. 91 shows a perspective schematic diagram of the wire driver 100. As shown, the drive actuator 138 includes an opening 162 so that a wire (not shown) can extend therethrough. In use, the wire 164 extends through the opening 162 in the drive actuator 138 and through the clamping portion 110, as shown in FIG. Fig.10 In the first configuration, Fig. 9 and Fig.11 As shown, opening 162 in drive actuator 138 is aligned with clamp portion 110 so that wire 164 can extend through both opening 162 and clamp portion 110. Additionally, in the first configuration, drive actuator 138 is in the same plane as handpiece 108 and clamp portion 110 (along plane zz).

[0043] Figure 12 to Figure 14 Schematic diagrams of the wire driver 100 in a second configuration are shown from various perspectives. In the second configuration, the clamping portion 110 is rotated about a rotation mechanism (not shown) out of the plane zz. In the depicted embodiment, the clamping portion 110 has been rotated 90° relative to plane zz. However, the clamping portion 110 can be rotated at any angle relative to plane zz. The rotation mechanism (not shown) allows a user (e.g., a surgeon) to hold the handpiece 108 according to his or her personal preference and for greater comfort. In addition, if the user grips from above to hold the wire driver 100, such as Fig.10 and Fig.11 As shown, the line 164 can be dangerous because it is directly in line with the user's palm. Since the surgical line 164 generally has sharp tips at both ends, the proximal tip may pierce the surgeon's gloves and / or cause injury. Therefore, the rotation mechanism (not shown) is also used as Figure 8 and Fig.14 The safety features of the line driver 100 in FIG.

[0044] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0045] Although various embodiments have been described and shown herein, a person of ordinary skill in the art will readily conceive of various other devices and / or structures for performing functions and / or obtaining results and / or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and / or modifications is considered to be within the scope of the embodiments described herein. More generally, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are exemplary, and that actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend on the teachings of the present invention for one or more specific applications thereof. Using only routine experiments, those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to determine many equivalents of the specific embodiments described herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the foregoing embodiments are given only by way of example, and within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, embodiments may be practiced in a manner different from that specifically described and protected by the claims. The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and / or method described herein. In addition, if these features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods are not mutually contradictory, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods is also included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0046] The terms used herein are only used for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are also intended to include plural forms. It should also be understood that the terms "comprise" (and any form of "comprise", such as "comprises" and "comprising"), "have" (and any form of "have", such as "has" and "having"), "include" (and any form of "include", such as "includes" and "including"), and "contain" (and any form of "contain", such as "contains" and "containing") are open-ended copulas. Therefore, "including", "having", "including" or "containing" a method or device of one or more steps or elements. Likewise, a method step or an apparatus element that "comprises," "has," "includes," or "contains" one or more features has those one or more features, but is not limited to having only those one or more features. Furthermore, a device or structure that is configured in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

[0047] All means or steps in the following claims plus corresponding structures, materials, operations, and equivalents of functional elements, if any, are intended to include any structure, material, or operation for performing a function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been given for the purpose of illustration and description, but the description is not exhaustive or limits the invention to the disclosed form. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiments are selected and described in order to best explain the principles and practical applications of one or more aspects of the invention, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand one or more aspects of the invention for various embodiments with various modifications suitable for the specific purposes contemplated.

Claims

1. A line driver, comprising: a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, the housing including a handpiece extending from the proximal end to a clamping portion, wherein the clamping portion extends to the distal end; a passage extending through the clamping portion; a clamping mechanism connected to the channel; a first actuator connected to the distal end of the housing and the clamping mechanism; as well as a spring assembly located within the clamping portion, the spring assembly being connected to the clamping mechanism, wherein the first actuator is movable between a relaxed position and a compressed position, and When the first actuator is in the compressed position, the spring assembly is compressed and the clamping mechanism is in the open position.

2. The wire drive of claim 1, wherein in the relaxed position, the clamping mechanism is closed.

3. The wire driver of claim 1 further comprising a drive mechanism positioned within the handpiece and connected to the channel, wherein the drive mechanism is configured to rotate the channel when driven by a second actuator connected to the handpiece.

4. The wire drive of claim 3, wherein the second actuator extends along the handpiece and at least a portion of the clamping portion.

5. The wire drive of claim 1, wherein the clamping portion extends along a first central longitudinal axis.

6. The wire driver of claim 5, wherein the handpiece is connected to the clamping portion at an angle relative to the first central longitudinal axis.

7. The wire driver of claim 5, wherein the handpiece extends along a second central longitudinal axis parallel to the first central longitudinal axis.

8. The wire driver of claim 1, further comprising a rotation mechanism within the housing, wherein the clamping portion is rotatable about the rotation mechanism relative to the handpiece.

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