Modular holding screwdriver

Abstract

A modular system for treating bone includes a body having a channel extending therethrough. The distal end includes a threading feature sized and shaped to engage with corresponding threading feature on one of a first bone screw and a second bone screw. The system also includes an inner shaft sized and shaped for insertion into the channel, the inner shaft including a distal end including a retaining feature for engaging with corresponding retaining feature extending in a recess in the proximal end of the first screw. The system further includes a longitudinally extending outer shaft having a channel extending therethrough. The channel of the outer shaft is sized and shaped to slidably receive the body therein and includes a retaining feature extending along its distal end. The retaining feature of the outer shaft engages with a retaining feature extending along the outer surface of the second screw.

Description

Background Art

[0001] Bone screws can be used to fix bone fixation devices, such as intramedullary nails and / or bone plates, to bone. Bone screws are inserted into bone using a screwing device such as a screwdriver. In some cases, the bone screw may become disengaged from the screw while being screwed into the bone, resulting in the loss of the bone screw and / or difficulty in inserting the bone screw.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a modular system for treating bone. The system includes a body including an elongate member extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having a channel extending longitudinally therethrough, the proximal end being attached to a handle member and the distal end including a screwing functional portion sized and shaped to engage a corresponding screwing structure of one of a first bone screw and a second bone screw; an inner shaft including a longitudinal element sized and shaped to be inserted through the channel of the elongate member of the body, the longitudinal element extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the distal end including a retaining functional portion for engaging a corresponding internal retaining structure extending into a recess at the proximal end of the first bone screw; an outer shaft extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including a channel extending therethrough, the channel being sized and shaped to slidably receive the elongate member of the body therein and including a retaining functional portion extending along a distal end of the channel, the retaining functional portion of the outer shaft being configured to engage an external retaining structure extending along an outer surface of the second bone screw, the body being selectively assemblable with one of the inner shaft and the outer shaft for screwing one of the first bone screw and the second bone screw into bone.

[0003] In one embodiment, the retaining feature of the inner shaft includes threads that extend along the distal end of the inner shaft.

[0004] In one embodiment, the inner shaft includes a knob attached to the proximal end of the longitudinal element, and the knob extends proximally to the handle member of the body when the inner shaft is assembled with the body.

[0005] In one embodiment, the knob includes a plurality of grooves along the radially outermost surface of the knob to facilitate gripping of the knob.

[0006] In one embodiment, each of the plurality of grooves is asymmetric about a central axis that extends through the center of the knob and the midpoint between the first and second ends of each groove.

[0007] In one embodiment, each of the plurality of grooves is configured as a substantially arched recess, such that a first portion of the arched recess extending between the first end and the midpoint has a larger radius of curvature than a second portion of the arched recess extending between the second end and the midpoint.

[0008] In one embodiment, the retaining feature of the outer shaft includes threads that extend along the inner surface of the channel at the distal end of the outer shaft.

[0009] In one embodiment, the outer shaft includes a locking member that includes a tab biased within the channel of the outer shaft, and the elongate member includes a corresponding locking groove that extends around a portion of the elongate member, such that when the elongate member is inserted into the channel of the outer shaft, the tab of the locking member is pushed out of the channel until the locking groove is positioned adjacent to the tab, and the tab can return to its biased configuration to be received within the locking groove.

[0010] In one embodiment, the threading structures of the first bone screw and the second bone screw are configured as first recesses that extend proximally to the proximal ends of the first bone screw and the second bone screw, and the first recesses are sized and shaped to correspond to the threading features of the body.

[0011] In one embodiment, the first bone screw and the second bone screw further include a second recess extending distally from the first recess, and the retaining structure of the first bone screw and the second bone screw includes a thread extending along the second recess.

[0012] In one embodiment, the second bone screw includes a thread extending over the entire length of the second bone screw.

[0013] The present disclosure also relates to a method of treating bone. The method includes selecting one of a first bone screw and a second bone screw for implantation into bone, wherein the first bone screw includes a retaining structure extending along an inner surface of the first bone screw defined by a recess extending distally within a proximal end of the first bone screw, and the second bone screw includes a retaining structure extending along an outer surface along a proximal portion of the second bone screw, assembling one of an inner shaft and an outer shaft with a body of a modular screw driver system, and forming a retaining screwdriver based on the selected one of the first bone screw and the second bone screw, wherein the body includes an elongate member extending from a proximal end to a distal end and including a channel extending longitudinally therethrough, the distal end including a threading function portion sized and shaped to correspond to a threading structure of one of the first bone screw and the second bone screw, the inner shaft including a retaining function portion for engaging the retaining structure of the first bone screw, and the outer shaft including a retaining function portion configured to engage the retaining structure of the second bone screw.

[0014] In one embodiment, when the inner shaft and the outer shaft are assembled with the body, the assembled one of the inner shaft and the outer shaft is rotatable relative to the elongate member of the body.

[0015] In one embodiment, assembling the inner shaft within the body includes inserting a longitudinal element of the inner shaft through a channel of an elongate member of the body, such that a distal end of the longitudinal member including a retaining feature of the inner shaft extends distally beyond a threading feature of the body.

[0016] In one embodiment, assembling the outer shaft within the body includes inserting the elongate member of the body through a channel of the outer shaft.

[0017] In one embodiment, when the elongate member is inserted into a desired position within the outer shaft, a locking member of the outer shaft returns to a biased configuration and is received within a corresponding locking groove extending about the perimeter of the elongate member.

[0018] In one embodiment, the method further includes coupling the assembled holding screwdriver to one of a first bone screw and a second bone screw.

[0019] In one embodiment, coupling the assembled holding screwdriver to the first bone screw includes engaging a retaining feature of the inner shaft with a retaining structure of the first bone screw in a threaded manner and inserting a threading feature of the body into a threading structure of the first bone screw.

[0020] In one embodiment, coupling the retaining feature of the inner shaft to the retaining structure of the first bone screw includes rotating the inner shaft relative to the first bone screw in a first direction via a knob attached to a proximal end of the longitudinal member of the inner shaft, the knob extending proximally of a handle member attached to a proximal end of the elongate member of the body.

[0021] In one embodiment, the knob includes a plurality of grooves along the radially outermost surface of the knob to facilitate gripping of the knob, each of the plurality of grooves being configured as a substantially arched recess, such that a first portion of the arched recess extending between the first end and the midpoint has a larger radius of curvature than a second portion of the arched recess extending between the second end and the midpoint, and the user grips a first portion of the knob when rotating the inner shaft in a first direction.

[0022] In one embodiment, by rotating the inner shaft in a second direction opposite to the first direction with respect to the body, the inner shaft is disengaged from the first bone screw, and the user grips a second portion of the knob when rotating the inner shaft in the second direction.

[0023] In one embodiment, coupling the assembled holding screwdriver to the second bone screw includes threadedly receiving a holding structure of the second bone screw within the distal end of the outer shaft and inserting a threading functional portion of the body into a threading structure of the first bone screw, such that when the body rotates relative to the outer shaft to thread the second bone screw into the bone, the holding structure of the second bone screw disengages from the holding functional portion of the outer shaft.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024]

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[0025] The present disclosure can be understood with reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings, and similar components are referred to with the same reference numerals. The present embodiment relates to the treatment of bones, and more particularly to a modular screwdriver system including functional portions for engaging and screwing various different types of bone screws. Exemplary embodiments describe a modular holding screwdriver system that combines instruments for screwing different types of holding bone screws. The holding bone screw includes a holding function portion configured to engage with the screwdriver so as to prevent the bone screw from being disengaged from the screwdriver during the period of inserting the bone screw into the bone and to provide easier and quicker insertion of the bone screw.

[0026] An exemplary modular screwdriver system includes both an inner shaft and an outer shaft that can be selectively assembled with a main longitudinal body to respectively screw into either a bone screw having a retaining feature extending into the head of the bone screw or a bone screw having a retaining feature extending along the outside of the head of the bone screw. By combining the instruments, costs can be reduced and space on the surgical tray can be saved. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the exemplary embodiments may be shown and described with respect to locking bone screws for intramedullary nails, but the disclosed screwdriver system may be utilized to engage and screw any of a number of different types of bone screws in any of a number of different types of bone fixation systems. For example, the disclosed screwdriver system of the present invention may also be used to place isolated single screws, screws for fixing bone plates, or combinations thereof.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1-8, a modular retaining screwdriver system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a body 102 with either an inner shaft 104 or an outer shaft 106 selectively assembled to engage and screw a bone screw, such as a bone screw. One possible bone screw is shown as a first bone screw 108 including a retaining structure 130 extending along the inside of its head portion 120. Optionally, a second bone screw 110 including a retaining structure 132 extending along the outside of its head portion 124 may be engaged. The body 102 further includes an elongate member 112 for engaging one of the inner shaft 104 and the outer shaft 106 and a handle portion 114.

[0028] The distal end 116 of the elongate member 112 is configured to engage, for example, with the threading structure 126 of the bone screw 108 and the threading structure 128 of the bone screw 110, which are correspondingly sized and shaped. As a result, rotation of the elongate member 112 via the handle portion 114 can rotate the first bone screw 108 and the second bone screw 110 into or out of the bone, depending on the direction of rotation. The distal end 118 of the inner shaft 104 is configured to engage with the retaining structure 130 of the first screw 108. As a result, when the inner shaft 104 and the body 102 are assembled together, the inner shaft 104 can engage and hold the first screw 108 while being screwed into or out of the first screw 108. The distal end 122 of the outer shaft 106 is configured to engage with the retaining structure 132 of the second bone screw 110. As a result, when the outer shaft 106 is assembled with the body 102, the outer shaft 106 can engage and hold the second screw 110 while the second screw 110 is being screwed into or out of the bone.

[0029] The body 102 includes an elongate member 112 that extends along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end 134 to a distal end 116. A handle portion 114 is attached to the proximal end 134 such that the handle portion 114 can be grasped by a user (e.g., a surgeon). The distal end 116 includes a threading function portion 136 configured to engage corresponding sized and shaped threading structures of bone screws, such as threading structure 126 of a first bone screw 108 and threading structure 128 of a second bone screw 110, respectively. As a result, rotation of the handle portion 114 about the longitudinal axis of the elongate member 112 rotatably threads the first bone screw 108 and the second bone screw 110 into or out of bone. In one embodiment, the threading function portion 136 includes a hexagonal or star-shaped structure configured to be inserted into correspondingly sized and shaped recesses of the threading structures 126, 128. However, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, the threading function portion 136 may have any of a variety of sizes and shapes as long as the threading function portion 136 is configured to be non-rotatably received within the threading structure 126 of the first bone screw 108 and the threading structure 128 of the second bone screw 110, and as a result, rotation of the body 102 rotatably threads the first bone screw 108 and the second bone screw 110.

[0030] The elongate member 112 includes a proximal portion 142 and a distal portion 144 connected to each other via a shoulder 140. A channel 138 extends through both the proximal portion 142 and the distal portion 144 from the proximal end 134 to the distal end 116 and is sized and shaped to receive an inner shaft 104 therein. The proximal portion 142 has both a larger inner diameter and outer diameter than the distal portion 144, so the shoulder 140 provides a transition therebetween. Accordingly, a portion of the channel 138 that extends through the distal portion 144 has a smaller diameter than a portion of the channel 138 that extends through the proximal portion 142. As will be described in more detail below, the inner surface of the shoulder 140 is configured to surround a portion of the inner shaft 104 inserted into the channel 138 to define the most distal position of the inner shaft 104 relative to the body 102.

[0031] In one embodiment, the proximal portion 142 includes a locking recess 156 extending therearound. The recess 156 is sized and shaped to receive the locking structure 184 of the outer shaft 106 therein when the outer shaft 106 is attached in a desired configuration onto the elongate member 112 of the body 102. The recess 156 may be configured, for example, as a circular groove extending around the proximal portion 142 at a position along the proximal portion 142. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the locking recess 156 is shown and described as extending around the proximal portion 142, but in alternative embodiments, the locking recess 156 extends around the distal portion 144.

[0032] As described above, the inner shaft 104 is configured to be assembled with the body 102 to hold the first bone screw 108 when the first bone screw 108 is screwed into or removed from the bone. The first bone screw 108 includes a retaining structure 130 along the interior of the head portion 120. According to one example, the first bone screw 108 is a standard bone screw including a smooth head portion 120 for abutting against the outer surface of the bone and a threaded shaft portion 146 configured to be screwed into the bone, for example, through a locking hole of an intramedullary nail or other implant. The threading structure 126 is sized and shaped to correspond to the threading functional portion 136 of the elongate member 112 and, in one embodiment, includes a hexagonal or star-shaped recess extending within the head portion 120.

[0033] The retaining structure 130 extends distally from the threading structure 126 and further extends distally into the head portion 120. In one embodiment, the retaining structure 130 includes a recess 148 extending from the threading structure 136, and the recess 148 includes a thread 149 along its surface. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the retaining structure 130 is shown and described as a threaded recess, but the retaining structure 130 may have any of a variety of structures that engage the head portion 120 as long as the retaining structure 130 is configured to engage the inner shaft 104 while the first bone screw 108 is rotatably screwed in.

[0034] The inner shaft 104 includes a longitudinal element 105 extending from a proximal end 150 to a distal end 118, and a knob 152 attached to the proximal end 150. The proximal end 150 of the longitudinal element 105 also includes therealong a retaining feature configured to fix the inner shaft 104 to the body 102, such that the inner shaft 104 is prevented from being inadvertently disassembled from the body 102 during handling. The distal end 118 includes a retaining feature 154 for engaging with a retaining structure 130 of the first bone screw 108. In one embodiment, the retaining feature 154 is configured as a thread along the distal end 118 configured to engage with the thread of the threaded recess 148 of the retaining structure 130 of the first bone screw 130. However, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, the retaining feature 154 of the inner shaft 104 can have any of a variety of configurations, so long as the retaining feature 154 corresponds to the retaining structure 130 of the first bone screw 108.

[0035] The longitudinal element 105 of the inner shaft 104 includes a distal portion 158 sized and shaped to correspond to a distal portion 144 of a channel 138 of the elongate member 112 of the body 102, and a proximal portion 160 sized and shaped to correspond to a proximal portion 142 of the channel 138. That is, the proximal portion 160 has a larger diameter than the distal portion 158. The distal end 162 of the proximal portion 160 is configured to abut against a shoulder 140 of the channel 138 when inserted through the channel 138. When the longitudinal element 105 of the inner shaft 104 is inserted into the channel 138 and the distal end 162 of the distal portion 158 abuts against the shoulder 140, the lengths of the proximal portion 160 and the distal portion 158 are selected such that the distal end 118 of the inner shaft 104 extends distally from the distal end 116 of the elongate member 112 by a distance corresponding to the depth of the recess 148 of the retaining structure 130 of the first bone screw 108.

[0036] When the inner shaft 104 is assembled with the main body 102, the longitudinal element 105 is inserted through the channel 138 of the elongate member 112 such that the knob 152 of the inner shaft 104 extends proximal to the handle member 114. In one embodiment, the knob 152 is sized and shaped to facilitate rotation of the knob 152, and thus the longitudinal element 105 extends distally from the knob 152 about the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal element 105, such that the threads of the retaining feature 154 along the distal end 118 can engage the threads 149 of the retaining structure 130 of the first bone screw 108. For example, the knob 152 can be rotated in a first direction (e.g., clockwise) about the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal element 105 to engage the retaining feature 154 of the inner shaft 104 with the retaining structure 130 of the first screw 108.

[0037] To disengage the retaining feature 154 from the retaining structure 130, the knob 152 can be rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction (e.g., counterclockwise). The knob 152 can include a plurality of grooves 164 around its perimeter to facilitate gripping of the knob 152 during rotation of the knob 152. In one embodiment, the grooves 164 extend along the radially outermost surface 166 of the knob 152. Each of the grooves 164 can be configured as a substantially arcuate recess extending within the radially outermost surface 166 such that each groove 164 is substantially symmetric about a central axis C that extends through an intermediate point between the center of the knob 152 and the first and second ends 168 and 170 of each groove 164. However, in another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, each of the grooves 164 is asymmetric about the central axis C, and a first portion 172 of the groove 164 along a first side of the central axis C has a greater radius of curvature than a second portion 174 of the groove 164 on a second side of the central axis C.

[0038] The first portion 172 of the groove 164 extends along one side of the groove 164 that applies force when the user rotates the knob 152 in a first direction (e.g., clockwise), while the second portion 174 of the groove 164 extends along one side of the groove 164 that applies force when the user rotates the knob 152 in a second direction (e.g., counterclockwise). That is, the angle of the surface area of the groove 164 is configured such that the resulting force vector moves radially and, for example, facilitates loosening of the knob 152.

[0039] The outer shaft 106 can be assembled with the body 102 to hold the second bone screw 110 while the second bone screw 110 is inserted into or withdrawn from the bone. As described above, the retaining structure 132 of the second bone screw 110 extends around its outer surface 124. According to one example, the second bone screw 110 can be a countersunk bone screw including threads 190 along the entire length of its shaft. The second bone screw 110 can be configured as a screw substantially without a head, such that, if desired, the second bone screw 110 can be screwed into the bone until the proximal end 111 of the second bone screw 110 is substantially at the same height as the bone.

[0040] A portion of the threads 190 extending along the proximal portion 191 of the second bone screw 110 constitutes a retaining structure 132 that can be engaged via the distal end 122 of the outer shaft 106. As described above, the second bone screw 110 also includes, in one embodiment, a threading structure 128 extending into the proximal end 111 that can be configured as a star or hexagonal recess, such that when the threading functional portion 136 of the body 102 is inserted therein and rotated about its longitudinal axis, the second bone screw 110 rotates correspondingly and is thereby screwed into the bone.

[0041] The outer shaft 106 extends from the proximal end 176 to the distal end 122 and includes a channel 178 that extends therethrough. The channel 178 of the outer shaft 106 is sized and shaped such that the outer shaft 106 can be attached onto the elongate member 112 of the body 102. The distal end 122 includes a retaining feature 186 configured to engage with the retaining structure 132 of the second bone screw 110. In one embodiment, the retaining feature 186 includes a thread 188 that extends along the channel 178 at the distal end 122, and the thread 188 is configured to engage with a thread 190 along the proximal portion 191 of the second bone screw 110. Similar to the longitudinal elements 105 of the elongate member 112 and the inner shaft 104, the inner diameter and the outer diameter of the proximal portion 180 of the outer shaft 106 are each larger than the inner diameter and the outer diameter of the distal portion 182 of the outer shaft 106. In this embodiment, the inner diameter of the proximal portion 180 corresponds to the outer diameter of the proximal portion 142 of the elongate member 112 of the body 102, while the inner diameter of the distal portion 182 corresponds to the outer diameter of the distal portion 144.

[0042] The proximal portion 180 includes a locking structure 184 mounted therein for engaging with the locking recess 156 of the elongate member 112 of the body 102 when the outer shaft 106 is attached onto the elongate member 112 at a desired position. The locking structure 184 can be configured as a spring - incorporated element biased to project into the channel 178 of the outer shaft 106. When the elongate member 112 slides distally through the channel 178, the locking structure 184 is radially pushed out of the channel 178 until the locking recess 156 is disposed adjacent to the locking structure 184.

[0043] In this regard, the locking structure 184 moves radially outward and protrudes into the channel 178 and enters the locking recess 156 by its biasing force. It locks the outer shaft 106 in a desired configuration relative to the body 102. In the desired configuration, the outer shaft 106 and the elongate member 112 are arranged longitudinally relative to each other such that the threading functional portion 136 is disposed within the distal end 122 of the outer shaft 106. Thus, when the assembled body 102 and the outer shaft 106 are connected to the second bone screw 110 and the second bone screw 110 is screwed into or out of the bone, the threading functional portion 136 of the body 102 engages the threading structure 128 of the second bone screw 110, while the thread 188 within the distal end 122 of the outer shaft 106 engages the thread 190 along the proximal portion 191 of the second bone screw 110.

[0044] The locking structure 184 and the locking recess 156 engage with each other such that the body 102 can rotate about its longitudinal axis relative to the outer shaft 106. In one embodiment, the second bone screw 110 can be screwed into the bone until the body 102 and the outer shaft 106 are rotated and the outer shaft 106 is pressed against the surface of the bone. When the outer shaft 106 is pressed against the bone, the body 102 can rotate relative to the outer shaft 106, as a result, the thread 190 along the proximal portion 191 of the second bone screw 110 engages with the bone and is disengaged from the thread 188 along the inside of the distal end 122 of the outer shaft 102.

[0045] The user can rotate the body 102 while holding the outer shaft 106, for example, in the locking structure 184, so the body 102 can rotate relative to the outer shaft 106. In one embodiment, the distal end 192 of the proximal portion 180 of the outer shaft 106 is separated from the shoulder 140 of the elongated member 112 of the body 102 by a distance corresponding to the length of the thread 188 along the inside of the distal end 122 of the outer shaft 106. Thus, when the second bone screw 110 is screwed into the bone so that the proximal end 111 is at the same height as the bone, the distal end 192 of the proximal portion 180 abuts against the shoulder 140, and the thread 190 along the proximal portion of the second bone screw 110 is completely removed from the distal end 122. In another embodiment, the body 102, the outer shaft 106, and the second screw 110 can be configured such that a predetermined number of rotations of the body 102 relative to the outer shaft 106 disengages the second screw 110 from the body 102.

[0046] According to a further embodiment, the body 102 may include markings along a portion of the elongated member 112 to indicate to the user, for example, when the head 120 of the first bone screw 108 is at the same height as the bone, or when the proximal end 111 of the second bone screw 110 is at the same height as the bone. The markings may include, for example, lines, etchings, and / or grooves. In one example, as shown in FIG. 11, the markings may include lines 113, 115. When the body 102 is assembled to the inner shaft 104 and the first bone screw 108 is screwed into the bone, the first line 113 of the line 113 distal to the second line of the line 115 can indicate to the user that the head 120 of the first bone screw 108 is at the same height as the bone, for example, when the first line 113 is aligned with the guide sleeve 117 through which it is inserted. When the body 102 is assembled with the outer shaft 106 and the second bone screw 110 is screwed into the bone, the alignment of the second line of the line 115 with, for example, the guide sleeve 117 indicates to the user that the proximal end 111 of the second bone screw 110 is at the same height as the surface of the bone.

[0047] As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the outer shaft 106 may also include markings (e.g., lines) along a portion of the outer shaft 106 to indicate that the second bone screw 110 has been screwed into the bone such that the proximal end 111 is at the same height as its outer surface. In another embodiment, the marking of the first line and the marking 113 of the second line can also be color-coded. According to yet another embodiment, a portion of the first type of bone screw 108 and the second type of bone screw 110 are color-coded to correspond to color-coded markings along the body 102 and / or the outer shaft 106, and can support ease of use with different screw diameters. In another example, as shown in FIGS. 12-13, the markings may also include symbolic etchings 113a, 115a, and each symbol corresponds to one of the first type of bone screw 108 and the second type of bone screw 110. For example, the symbol may include an etching that indicates the proximal portion of the screw relative to a line or groove that is displayed to the user when either the head 120 of the first bone screw 108 abuts the bone or the proximal end 111 of the second bone screw 110 is at the same height as the bone.

[0048] According to an exemplary method of using the system 100, a user (e.g., a surgeon) selects the type of screw to be used to treat the bone. If the selected screw is a screw such as the first bone screw 108 along which the retaining structure 130 is located inside, the user assembles the body 102 with the inner shaft 104 by inserting the longitudinal element 105 of the inner shaft 104 through the channel 138 of the elongate member 112 of the body 102 as shown in FIG. 2. The inner shaft 104 is inserted distally through the channel 138 until the distal end 118 of the inner shaft 104 extends distally from the distal end 116 of the body 102, such that the distal end 116 can engage the retaining structure 130 of the first bone screw 108. In one embodiment, the inner shaft 104 rotates about its longitudinal axis in a first direction via the knob 152, such that the threads of the retaining feature 154 along the distal end 118 engage in a threaded manner with the corresponding threads 149 along the recess 148 of the retaining structure 130.

[0049] When the first bone screw 108 is held via the holding function portion 154, the distal end 116 of the main body 102 can be inserted into the screwing structure 126 within the head portion 120 of the first bone screw 108. As described above, the screwing function portion 136 of the distal end 116 of the main body 102 and the screwing structure 126 of the first bone screw 108 are correspondingly sized and shaped, such that the first bone screw 108 can be rotatably screwed (e.g., into the bone to be treated) by rotating the main body 102 about its longitudinal axis. When the first bone screw 108 is rotatably screwed in, the first bone screw 108 is prevented from being disengaged via the holding function portion 154 from the assembled main body 102 and the inner shaft 104. When the first bone screw 108 is screwed into or removed from the bone, if necessary, the inner shaft 104 can be disengaged from the bone screw 108 by rotating the inner shaft 104 in a second direction relative to the first bone screw 108.

[0050] When the screw used is, for example, a screw such as the second bone screw 110 where the holding structure 132 is along its outer surface 124, as shown in FIG. 6, the user assembles the main body 102 with the outer shaft 106 by inserting the elongated member 112 of the main body 102 distally through the channel 178 of the outer shaft 106 until the locking structure 184 of the outer shaft 106 engages with the locking groove 156 along the elongated member 112. In one embodiment, the distal end 122 of the outer shaft 106 engages with the holding structure 132 of the second bone screw 110 before locking the outer shaft 106 to the main body 102, such that when the locking member 184 is received within the corresponding locking groove 156, the screwing function portion 136 of the main body is inserted into the corresponding screwing structure 128 of the second bone screw 110 held via the outer shaft 106.

[0051] In one embodiment, to hold the second bone screw 110, the outer shaft 106 rotates relative to the second bone screw 110, such that the threads 188 of the retaining feature 186 within the distal end 122 engage the threads 190 along the outer surface 124 of the second bone screw 110. As described above, the second bone screw 110 is screwed into or out of the bone by rotating the body 102 and / or the outer shaft 106 about its longitudinal axis. In particular, the body 102 and the outer shaft 106 rotate together to screw the second bone screw 110 into the bone until the outer shaft 106 is pressed against the surface of the bone. When the outer shaft 106 is pressed into the bone, the body 102 rotates relative to the outer shaft 106 to screw the proximal portion of the second bone screw 110 into the bone.

[0052] As described above, the body 102 can be selectively assembled with one of the inner shaft 104 and the outer shaft 106 based on the type of bone screw to be held and screwed into the bone. The body 102 can be assembled with and disassembled from the inner shaft 104 and the outer shaft 106 as needed to insert various different types of bone screws including retaining features along its interior or exterior.

[0053] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the second bone screw 110 is shown and described as a substantially headless screw that can be inserted into the bone such that the proximal end 111 is at the same level as the bone, but the system 100 can be assembled with one of the inner shaft 104 or the outer shaft 106 to screw in and hold various different types of bone screws. In another embodiment, for example, the system 200 can be substantially similar to the system 100 described above.

[0054] In particular, as shown in FIG. 9, the bone screw 210 of the system 200 can be substantially similar to the second bone screw 110 described above with respect to the system 100 and includes a retaining structure 232 that extends along the outside of its proximal portion. However, the bone screw 210 can be configured as a standard bone screw that includes a head portion 291 and a shaft 294 that extends distally therefrom. Similar to the bone screw 110, the retaining structure 232 can include threads 290 along the head portion 291. However, rather than continuous threads along its entire length, the threads 290 along the head portion 291 are separated from the threads that extend along the shaft 294 so that the head portion 291 is not screwed into the bone. Similar to the second bone screw 110, the threads 290 engage corresponding threads 288 within the distal end 222 of the outer shaft 206.

[0055] According to yet another exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the system 300 can be substantially similar to the systems 100 and 200 described above. In particular, the bone screw 310 of the system 300 can be substantially similar to the bone screw 210 described above and includes a retaining structure 332 along its head portion 391. However, rather than having a substantially cylindrical head portion, the head portion 391 includes a tapered proximal portion 394 that tapers towards the proximal end 311 of the bone screw 310 such that the threads 390 of the retaining structure 332 extend along this conical portion 394. In this embodiment, the distal end 322 of the outer shaft 306 is correspondingly shaped such that a retaining functional portion 386 that includes threads 388 extends correspondingly along a conical portion 398 at the distal end 322.

[0056] Those skilled in the art will understand that modifications and changes can be made to the structure and method of these embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of these embodiments. Accordingly, the present embodiments are intended to cover modifications and variations of these embodiments provided they are within the scope of the appended "claims" and their equivalents.

[0057] [Embodiment] (1) A modular system for treating bone, A body including an elongate member that extends from a proximal end to a distal end and includes a channel that extends longitudinally therethrough, the proximal end being attached to a handle member, the distal end including a threading function portion sized and shaped to engage a corresponding threading structure of one of a first bone screw and a second bone screw, the body, An inner shaft including a longitudinal element sized and shaped to be inserted through the channel of the elongate member of the body, the longitudinal element extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the distal end including a retaining function portion for engaging a corresponding inner retaining structure extending into a recess at the proximal end of the first bone screw, the inner shaft, An outer shaft extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end, the outer shaft including a channel extending therethrough, the channel being sized and shaped to slidably receive the elongate member of the body therein and including a retaining function portion extending along the distal end of the channel, the retaining function portion of the outer shaft being configured to engage an outer retaining structure extending along an outer surface of the second bone screw, the body being selectively assemblable with one of the inner shaft and the outer shaft for threading one of the first bone screw and the second bone screw into bone, the outer shaft, A modular system comprising. (2) The system according to embodiment 1, wherein the retaining function portion of the inner shaft includes a thread extending along the distal end of the inner shaft. (3) The system according to embodiment 1, wherein the inner shaft includes a knob attached to the proximal end of the longitudinal element, the knob extending proximally to the handle member of the body when the inner shaft is assembled with the body. (4) The system according to embodiment 3, wherein the knob includes a plurality of grooves along a radially outermost surface of the knob to facilitate gripping of the knob. (5) The system according to embodiment 4, wherein each of the plurality of grooves is asymmetric about a central axis extending through the center of the knob and an intermediate point between a first end and a second end of each groove.

[0058] (6) The system according to embodiment 5, wherein each of the plurality of grooves is configured as a substantially arched recess, such that a first portion of the arched recess extending between the first end and the intermediate point has a greater radius of curvature than a second portion of the arched recess extending between the second end and the intermediate point. (7) The system according to embodiment 1, wherein the retaining feature of the outer shaft includes threads extending along an inner surface of the channel at the distal end of the outer shaft. (8) The system according to embodiment 1, wherein the outer shaft includes a locking member including a tab biased within the channel of the outer shaft, and the elongate member includes a corresponding locking groove extending around a portion of the elongate member, such that when the elongate member is inserted into the channel of the outer shaft, the tab of the locking member is pushed out of the channel until the locking groove is positioned adjacent the tab, and the tab can return to its biased configuration to be received within the locking groove. (9) The system according to embodiment 1, wherein the threading structure of the first bone screw and the second bone screw is configured as a first recess extending to a proximal end of the first bone screw and the second bone screw, and the first recess is sized and shaped to correspond to the threading feature of the body. (10) The system according to embodiment 9, wherein the first bone screw and the second bone screw further include a second recess extending distally from the first recess, and the retaining structure of the first bone screw and the second bone screw includes threads extending along the second recess.

[0059] (11) The system according to embodiment 1, wherein the second bone screw includes threads extending along an entire length of the second bone screw. (12) A method for treating bone, comprising: selecting one of a first bone screw and a second bone screw for implantation into bone, wherein the first bone screw includes a retaining structure extending along an inner surface of the first bone screw defined through a recess extending distally within a proximal end of the first bone screw, and the second bone screw includes a retaining structure extending along an outer surface along a proximal portion of the second bone screw; assembling one of an inner shaft and an outer shaft with a body of a modular screwdriver system to form a retaining screwdriver based on the selected one of the first bone screw and the second bone screw, wherein the body includes an elongate member extending from a proximal end to a distal end and including a channel extending longitudinally therethrough, the distal end including a threading function portion sized and shaped to correspond to a threading structure of one of the first bone screw and the second bone screw, the inner shaft including a retaining function portion for engaging the retaining structure of the first bone screw, and the outer shaft including a retaining function portion configured to engage the retaining structure of the second bone screw; A method comprising. (13) The method according to embodiment 12, wherein by assembling one of the inner shaft and the outer shaft with the body, the assembled one of the inner shaft and the outer shaft is rotatable relative to the elongate member of the body. (14) Assembling the inner shaft within the body includes inserting a longitudinal element of the inner shaft through the channel of the elongate member of the body, such that a distal end of the longitudinal member including the retaining function portion of the inner shaft extends distally beyond the threading function portion of the body. The method according to embodiment 12. (15) Assembling the outer shaft within the body includes inserting the elongate member of the body through a channel of the outer shaft. The method according to embodiment 12.

[0060] (16) The method according to embodiment 15, wherein when the elongate member is inserted into a desired position within the outer shaft, the locking member of the outer shaft returns to a biasing configuration and is received within a corresponding locking groove extending around the elongate member. (17) The method according to embodiment 12, further comprising coupling the assembled holding screwdriver to one of the first bone screw and the second bone screw. (18) The method according to embodiment 17, wherein coupling the assembled holding screwdriver to the first bone screw includes engaging the holding functional portion of the inner shaft with the holding structure of the first bone screw in a threaded manner and inserting the threading functional portion of the body into the threading structure of the first bone screw. (19) The method according to embodiment 18, wherein coupling the holding functional portion of the inner shaft to the holding structure of the first bone screw includes rotating the inner shaft in a first direction relative to the first bone screw via a knob attached to the proximal end of the longitudinal member of the inner shaft, the knob extending proximally to a handle member attached to the proximal end of the elongate member of the body. (20) The knob includes a plurality of grooves along the radially outermost surface of the knob to facilitate gripping of the knob, each of the plurality of grooves being configured as a substantially arched recess, such that a first portion of the arched recess extending between the first end and the midpoint has a greater radius of curvature than a second portion of the arched recess extending between the second end and the midpoint, and the user grips the first portion of the knob when rotating the inner shaft in the first direction. The method according to embodiment 19.

[0061] (21) The method according to embodiment 20, wherein the inner shaft is disengaged from the first bone screw by rotating the inner shaft in a second direction opposite to the first direction with respect to the body, and the user grips the second portion of the knob when rotating the inner shaft in the second direction. (22) Coupling the assembled holding screwdriver to the second bone screw includes screwingly receiving the holding structure of the second bone screw within the distal end of the outer shaft and inserting the screwing functional portion of the body into the screwing structure of the first bone screw, such that when the body rotates relative to the outer shaft to screw the second bone screw into the bone, the holding structure of the second bone screw disengages from the holding functional portion of the outer shaft, the method of embodiment 17.

Claims

1. A modular system for treating bone, comprising: a body including an elongate member extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having a channel extending longitudinally therethrough, the proximal end being attached to a handle member and the distal end including a threading function portion sized and shaped to engage a corresponding threading structure of one of a first bone screw and a second bone screw; an inner shaft including a longitudinal element sized and shaped to be inserted through the channel of the elongate member of the body, the longitudinal element extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the distal end of the longitudinal element including a retaining function portion for engaging a corresponding internal retaining structure extending into a recess at the proximal end of the first bone screw; an outer shaft extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including a channel extending therethrough, the channel of the outer shaft being sized and shaped to slidably receive the elongate member of the body therein and including a retaining function portion extending along a distal end of the channel of the outer shaft, the retaining function portion of the outer shaft being configured to engage an external retaining structure extending along an outer surface of the second bone screw; and the body is selectively assemblable with one of the inner shaft and the outer shaft for threading one of the first bone screw and the second bone screw into bone, the modular system.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the retaining function portion of the inner shaft includes a thread extending along the distal end of the inner shaft.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the inner shaft includes a knob attached to the proximal end of the longitudinal element, the knob extending proximally to the handle member of the body when the inner shaft is assembled with the body.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the knob includes a plurality of grooves along a radially outermost surface of the knob to facilitate gripping of the knob.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of grooves is asymmetric about a central axis extending through the center of the knob and an intermediate point between a first end and a second end of each groove.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of grooves is configured as a substantially arched recess, such that a first portion of the arched recess extending between the first end and the intermediate point has a larger radius of curvature than a second portion of the arched recess extending between the second end and the intermediate point.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the retaining functional portion of the outer shaft includes a thread extending along an inner surface of the channel at the distal end of the outer shaft.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the outer shaft includes a locking member including a tab biased within the channel of the outer shaft, and the elongated member includes a corresponding locking groove extending around a portion of the elongated member, such that when the elongated member is inserted into the channel of the outer shaft, the tab of the locking member is pushed out of the channel until the locking groove is positioned adjacent to the tab, and the tab can return to its biased configuration to be received within the locking groove.

9. The screwing structure of the first bone screw is configured as a first recess extending to a proximal end of the first bone screw, and the first recess is sized and shaped to correspond to the screwing functional portion of the body. The system according to claim 1.

10. The first bone screw further includes a second recess extending distally from the first recess, and the internal retaining structure of the first bone screw includes a thread extending along the second recess. The system according to claim 9.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second bone screw includes a thread extending over the entire length of the second bone screw.

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