Reciprocating impactor adaptor for rotary surgical drill

Abstract

An embodiment provides a drill / reamer attachment that coverts rotational power into axial impaction. An embodiment may include a hip broaching attachment that couples to a drill, thereby removing the need for both a drill and a separate impactor. Other embodiments are described herein.

Description

RECIPROCATING IMPACTOR ADAPTOR FOR ROTARY SURGICAL DRILL Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the invention are in the field of surgical devices and, in particular, orthopedic surgical devices.Cross-Reference to Related Application

[0002] This application claims priority to United States Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 769,874 filed on March 11 , 2025 and entitled “Linear Reciprocating Impactor Adaptor for Rotary Surgical Drill”, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.Background

[0003] An orthopedic surgeon may use many power tools such as, for example, a drill to drive a bone anchor through a plate and into bone. Traditionally, a surgeon would not use that same drill for other parts of the surgery. For example, to ream marrow from a bone, the surgeon may use a traditional mallet or motorized impactor to impact a reamer, broach, or implant into the femur.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0004] Features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the appended claims, the following detailed description of one or more example embodiments, and the corresponding figures. Where considered appropriate, reference labels have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

[0005] FIGS. 1A-1 B include side cross-sectional views of an embodiment of an impactor attachment. The drill motor that operates the impactor can operate in forward or reverse (i.e . , rotate drill bit clockwise or counterclockwise). Doing so will cause the mallet to move forward / distally (based at least in part on expansion of the proximal or rear spring) to strike the anvil (e.g., strike anvil shoulder 33’) and compress the most forward or distal spring. This is a “forward” impact. That forward or distal spring then forces the anvil proximally as the mallet moves proximally. As the mallet strikes the anvil shoulder 33, this causes a “reverse” impact. Some clinical procedures may benefit from a motion that provides both forward and reverse impacts. The rear motionof the mallet also compresses the rear spring to help load the system for the next forward deployment of the mallet.

[0006] FIG. 2 provides a detailed side cross-section of an embodiment of an impactor drill attachment.

[0007] FIGS. 3A-3B provide cross-sectional perspective views of an embodiment of an impactor drill. The drill motor that operates the impactor can operate in forward or reverse (i.e . , rotate drill bit clockwise or counterclockwise). Doing so will cause the mallet to move forward / distally (based at least in part on expansion of the proximal or rear spring) to strike the anvil and compress the most forward or distal spring. This is a “forward” impact. That forward or distal spring then forces the anvil proximally as the mallet moves proximally. The rear motion of the mallet also compresses the rear spring to help load the system for the next forward deployment of the mallet.

[0008] FIG. 4 depicts the mallet, anvil, and body of an embodiment of an impactor drill attachment.

[0009] FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C respectively illustrate perspective views of a shaft drive, end cap front, and end cap rear in an embodiment.

[0010] FIG. 6 depicts the mallet, anvil, and body of an embodiment of an impactor drill attachment.

[0011] FIGS. 7A-7F include side cross-sectional views of an embodiment of an impactor attachment. The drill motor that operates the impactor can operate in forward but reverse motion is restricted due to the unequal angles addressed in FIG. 7F. By resisting the reverse motion, the attachment is likely to inadvertently decouple from the drill.

[0012] FIG. 8 addresses various parameters that dictate performance of embodiments of an impactor drill attachment.

[0013] FIG. 9A includes a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an impactor attachment that utilizes a clutch system. FIG. 9B shows the same embodiment with added detail for the cam component of the embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 10 includes an embodiment of a clutch.Detailed Description

[0015] Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like structures may be provided with like suffix reference designations. In order to show the structures of various embodiments more clearly, the drawings included herein are diagrammatic representations of structures. Thus, the actual appearance of the fabricated structures, for example in a photo, may appear different while still incorporating the claimed structures of the illustrated embodiments (e.g., walls may not be exactly orthogonal to one another in actual fabricated devices). Moreover, the drawings may only show the structures useful to understand the illustrated embodiments. Additional structures known in the art may not have been included to maintain the clarity of the drawings. For example, not every layer of a device is necessarily shown. “An embodiment”, “various embodiments” and the like indicate embodiment(s) so described may include particular features, structures, or characteristics, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular features, structures, or characteristics. Some embodiments may have some, all, or none of the features described for other embodiments. “First”, “second”, “third” and the like describe a common object and indicate different instances of like objects are being referred to. A “First” instance of a feature does not necessarily mean there is a “Second” instance of the feature. Such adjectives do not imply objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner. “Connected” may indicate elements are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other and “coupled” may indicate elements co-operate or interact with each other, but they may or may not be in direct physical contact. Phrases such as “comprising at least one of A or B” include situations with A, B, or A and B.

[0016] An embodiment provides a drill / reamer attachment that coverts rotational power into axial impaction. An embodiment may include a hip broaching attachment that couples to a drill, thereby removing the need for both a drill and a separate impactor.

[0017] EXAMPLE SET 1

[0018] Example 1 . An orthopedic drill system comprising a drill having a drill chuck and a drill bit configured to cut tissue when coupled to the drill via the drill chuck. The system further includes an impactor bit (20) configured to repetitively impact an orthopedic tool or implant. The impactor bit includes a housing (10, 13, 15) and first shaft (11) to directly coupled to the drill chuck. The bit further includes a first spring (I ) and a second spring (8). A cam (11) is at least partially included between the first and second springs and coupled to the shaft. At least one ball bearing (2) directly contacts the cam. A mallet (12) slidingly couples to the cam. An anvil (14) is separably coupled to the mallet. The cam is configured to rotate about a first axis (21 ) to advance the mallet forward along the first axis in response to the drill chuck rotating about the first axis.

[0019] As used herein, “cut tissue” is to be interpreted broadly to include, for example, cutting a hole into bone, securing an anchor to bone, a plate, or combinations thereof, and the like.

[0020] Another version of example 1 . An orthopedic drill system comprising a drill having a drill chuck, a drill bit configured to cut tissue when coupled to the drill via the drill chuck, and in an impactor bit (20) configured to repetitively impact an orthopedic tool or implant. The impactor bit includes: a housing (10, 13, 15); a first shaft (I I) to directly coupled to the drill chuck; a first spring (1); a second spring (8); a cam (11 ) at least partially included between the first and second springs and coupled to the shaft; at least one ball bearing (2) directly contacting the cam; a mallet (12) slidingly coupled to the cam and including at least a portion of the at least one ball bearing; an anvil (14) separably coupled to the mallet. The cam is configured to rotate about a first axis (21 ) to advance the mallet forward along the first axis in response to the drill chuck rotating about the first axis.

[0021] Example 2. The system of example 1 including a robotic arm coupled to the drill.

[0022] Example 3. The system according to any of examples 1-2, wherein: in a recoiled configuration the mallet does not contact the anvil (Fig. 7C); and in an impact configuration the mallet directly contacts the anvil (Fig. 7A).

[0023] For example, void 35 closes as the system transitions from “recoiled configuration” to “impact configuration”. The maximum length of the void is considered the “throw” distance in Fig. 8. As shown, “throw” distance “m” is a variable that increases impulse energy (J) as the throw distance increases.

[0024] An embodiment includes a kit having a plurality of impactor bits, each bit having a different throw distance. Therefore, a user can select which throw distance / impulse level is desired based on the procedure to be performed.

[0025] Example 4. The system according to any of examples 1-3, wherein: the cam includes a first track; the at least one ball bearing is included in the first track; the first track includes a trough 25, a first arm 26, and a second arm 27; the trough couples the first arm to the second arm; a second axis (22) is parallel to the first axis and intersects the trough; the first arm extends proximally away from the anvil and away from the axis at a first angle (23); the second arm extends proximally away from the anvil and away from the axis at a second angle (24); and the first angle is unequal to the second angle.

[0026] As a result, in some embodiments the cam can only rotate in one direction (or at least resists rotation in one direction) due to the resistance to counterrotation that would be caused by the steeper arm. See, for example, Fig. 7F. However, other embodiments may lack the unequal first and second angles and allow for bi-directional rotation. For example, see Fig. 1 A.

[0027] In some embodiments, by limiting cam rotation to only a single rotation direction the cam rotation can be in a direction that tightens the impactor bit to the drill (instead of loosening the bit from the drill if the cam rotates in the counter direction).

[0028] Another version of example 4. The system according to any of examples 1 -3, wherein: the cam includes a first track; the at least one ball bearing is included in the first track; the first track includes a trough 25, a first arm 26, and a second arm 27; the trough couples the first arm to the second arm; a second axis (22) is parallel to the first axis and intersects the trough; the first and second arms intersect the second axis at different angles from one another.

[0029] Another version of example 4. The system according to any of examples 1 -3, wherein: the cam includes a first track; the at least one ball bearing is included in the first track; the first track includes a trough 25, a first arm 26, and a second arm 27; the trough couples the first arm to the second arm; a second axis (22) is parallel to the first axis and intersects the trough; the first and second arms intersect the second axis at equal angles to one another.

[0030] See, e.g., Fig. 1 B where the cam is permitted to rotate in opposing directions.

[0031] Example 5. The system of example 4, wherein the first track in contiguous and circumnavigates the cam.

[0032] Example 6. The system according to any of example 1-5 comprising: at least one bearing (28) coupled to the mallet; a second track (29) parallel to the first axis. The at least one bearing is at least partially included in the second track.

[0033] Example 7. The system according to any of examples 1 -6, wherein the first spring biases the mallet distally and the second spring biases the anvil proximally.

[0034] Example 8. The system of example 3, wherein: the anvil couples to a shaft (30); the mallet includes an aperture (31); the shaft is at least partially included in the aperture.

[0035] See, e.g., FIG. 1 A.

[0036] Example 9. The system of example 9, wherein the shaft is slidingly engaged with the aperture.

[0037] Example 10. The system according to any of examples 8-9, wherein the shaft includes a flange (32) configured to contact (33) the mallet in the recoiled configuration.

[0038] For example, “reverse” impact may be desired in some embodiments (in addition to “forward” impact). This may help a user (e.g., surgeon) trying to remove a stuck broach or an implanted stem in a revision case.

[0039] EXAMPLE SET 2: All references to a “example” in example set 2 are to examples in example set 2.

[0040] Example 1. An orthopedic drill system comprising: an impactor bit (20) including: a housing (10, 13, 15); a first shaft (11) to couple to a drill chuck; a first spring (1); a second spring (8); a cam (11) at least partially included between the first and second springs and coupled to the shaft; at least one ball bearing (2) coupled to the cam; a mallet (12) slidingly coupled to the cam; an anvil (14) separably coupled to the mallet; wherein the cam is configured to rotate about a first axis (21 ) to advance the mallet forward along the first axis in response to the drill chuck rotating about the first axis.

[0041] Example 2. The system of example 1 including a robotic arm coupled to the drill.

[0042] This is a reference to example 1 of the second example set.

[0043] Example 3. The system according to any of examples 1-2, wherein: in a recoiled configuration the mallet does not contact the anvil (Fig. 7C); in an impact configuration the mallet directly contacts the anvil (Fig. 7A).

[0044] Example 4. The system according to any of examples 1-3, wherein: the cam includes a first track; the at least one ball bearing is included in the first track; the first track includes a trough 25, a first arm 26, and a second arm 27; the trough couples the first arm to the second arm; a second axis (22) is parallel to the first axis and intersects the trough; the first arm extends proximally away from the anvil and away from the axis at a first angle (23); the second arm extends proximally away from the anvil and away from the axis at a second angle (24); the first angle is unequal to the second angle.

[0045] Another version of example 4. The system according to any of examples 1 -3, wherein: the cam includes a first track; the at least one ball bearing is included in the first track; the first track includes a trough 25, a first arm 26, and a second arm 27; the trough couples the first arm to the second arm; a second axis (22) is parallel to the first axis and intersects the trough; the first and second arms intersect the second axis at different angles from one another.

[0046] Another version of example 4. The system according to any of examples 1 -3, wherein: the cam includes a first track; the at least one ball bearing is included in the first track; the first track includes a trough 25, a first arm 26, and a second arm 27; the trough couples the first arm to the second arm; a second axis (22) is parallel to the first axis and intersects the trough; the first and second arms intersect the second axis at equal angles to one another.

[0047] Example 5. The system of example 4, wherein the first track in contiguous and circumnavigates the cam.

[0048] Example 6. The system according to any of example 1-5 comprising: at least one bearing (28) coupled to the mallet; a second track (29) parallel to the first axis; wherein the at least one bearing is at least partially included in the second track.

[0049] Example 7. The system according to any of examples 1 -6, wherein the first spring biases the mallet distally and the second spring biases the anvil proximally.

[0050] Example 8. The system of example 3, wherein: the anvil couples to a shaft (30); the mallet includes an aperture (31); the shaft is at least partially included in the aperture.

[0051] Example 9. The system of example 9, wherein the shaft is slidingly engaged with the aperture.

[0052] Example 10. The system according to any of examples 8-9, wherein the shaft includes a flange (32) configured to contact (33) the mallet in the recoiled configuration.

[0053] EXAMPLE SET 3: All references to a “example” in example set 3 are to examples in example set 3.

[0054] Example 1 . A method comprising: operating a drill to rotate a first bit; after operating the drill to rotate the first bit, decoupling the first bit from the drill; before or after decoupling the first bit from the drill, coupling a second bit to the drill, wherein the second bit includes a housing (10, 13, 15) ; a first shaft (11 ) to couple to a drill chuck; a first spring (1); a second spring (8); a cam (11) at least partially included between the first and second springs and coupled to the shaft; at least one ball bearing (2)coupled to the cam; a mallet (12) slidingly coupled to the cam; an anvil (14) separably coupled to the mallet; rotating the cam about a first axis (21) to advance the mallet forward along the first axis in response to the drill chuck rotating about the first axis.

[0055] Example 2. The method of example 1 including coupling a robotic arm to the drill.

[0056] Example 3. The method according to any of examples 1-2, comprising rotating the cam about the first axis (21) to place the second bit in a recoiled configuration where mallet does not contact the anvil (Fig. 7C) and then rotating the came about the first axis to place the second bit in an impact configuration where the mallet directly contacts the anvil (Fig. 7A).

[0057] Example 4. The method according to any of examples 1-3, wherein: the cam includes a first track; the at least one ball bearing is included in the first track; the first track includes a trough 25, a first arm 26, and a second arm 27; the trough couples the first arm to the second arm; a second axis (22) is parallel to the first axis and intersects the trough; the first arm extends proximally away from the anvil and away from the axis at a first angle (23); the second arm extends proximally away from the anvil and away from the axis at a second angle (24); the first angle is unequal to the second angle, wherein the method further comprises rotating the cam in a first direction and resisting rotating the cam in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.

[0058] Another version of example 4. The method according to any of examples 1-3, wherein: the cam includes a first track; the at least one ball bearing is included in the first track; the first track includes a trough 25, a first arm 26, and a second arm 27; the trough couples the first arm to the second arm; a second axis (22) is parallel to the first axis and intersects the trough; the first and second arms intersect the second axis at different angles from one another, wherein the method further comprises rotating the cam in a first direction and resisting rotating the cam in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.

[0059] Another version of example 4. The method according to any of examples 1-3, wherein: the cam includes a first track; the at least one ball bearing is included inthe first track; the first track includes a trough 25, a first arm 26, and a second arm 27; the trough couples the first arm to the second arm; a second axis (22) is parallel to the first axis and intersects the trough; the first and second arms intersect the second axis at equal angles to one another, wherein the method further comprises rotating the cam in a first direction and then rotating the cam in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.

[0060] Example 5. The method of example 4, wherein the first track in contiguous and circumnavigates the cam.

[0061] Example 6. The method according to any of example 1-5 comprising: at least one bearing (28) coupled to the mallet; a second track (29) parallel to the first axis; wherein the at least one bearing is at least partially included in the second track.

[0062] Example 7. The method according to any of examples 1 -6, wherein the first spring biases the mallet distally and the second spring biases the anvil proximally.

[0063] Example 8. The method of example 3, wherein: the anvil couples to a shaft (30); the mallet includes an aperture (31); the shaft is at least partially included in the aperture.

[0064] Example 9. The method of example 9, wherein the shaft is slidingly engaged with the aperture.

[0065] Example 10. The method according to any of examples 8-9, wherein the shaft includes a flange (32) configured to contact (33) the mallet in the recoiled configuration.

[0066] EXAMPLE SET 4: All references to a “example” in example set 4 are to examples in example set 4.

[0067] Example 1. An orthopedic drill system comprising: a drill having a drill chuck; a drill bit to couple to the drill chuck; an impactor bit (20, 920) to couple to the drill chuck and repetitively impact an orthopedic tool or implant, the impactor bit including: a housing (10, 13, 15, 910); a shaft (11 , 911) to directly coupled to the drill chuck; a first spring (1 , 901); a second spring (8, 908); a cam (11 , 911) at least partially included between the first and second springs and coupled to the shaft; at least oneball bearing (2, 902) directly contacting the cam; a mallet (12, 912) slidingly coupled to the cam; an anvil (14, 914) separably coupled to the mallet; wherein the cam is configured to rotate about a first axis (21 , 921) to advance the mallet forward along the first axis in response to the drill chuck rotating about the first axis.

[0068] Such an embodiment provides a low profile, compact, quiet tool that expedites procedures for both patients and users, such as orthopedic surgeons.

[0069] Example 2. The system of example 1 , wherein: the cam includes a first track; the at least one ball bearing is included in the first track; the first track includes a trough 25, a first arm 26, and a second arm 27; the trough couples the first arm to the second arm; a second axis (22) is parallel to the first axis and intersects the trough; the first arm extends proximally away from the anvil and away from the axis at a first angle (23); the second arm extends proximally away from the anvil and away from the axis at a second angle (24); the first angle equals the second angle.

[0070] Example 3. The system according to any of examples 1-2, wherein: in a recoiled configuration the mallet does not contact the anvil (Fig. 7C, Fig. 9B); in an impact configuration the mallet directly contacts the anvil (Fig. 7A).

[0071] Example 4. The system according to any of examples 1 or 3, wherein: the cam includes a first track; the at least one ball bearing is included in the first track; the first track includes a trough 25, a first arm 26, and a second arm 27; the trough couples the first arm to the second arm; a second axis (22, 922) is parallel to the first axis and intersects the trough; the first arm extends proximally away from the anvil and away from the axis at a first angle (23, 923); the second arm extends proximally away from the anvil and away from the axis at a second angle (24, 924); the first angle is unequal to the second angle.

[0072] For example, see FIG. 9B.

[0073] Example 5. The system according to any of examples 2 or 4, wherein the first track in contiguous and circumnavigates the cam.

[0074] Example 6. The system according to any of examples 1-5 comprising: at least one bearing (28, 928) coupled to the mallet; a second track (29, 929) parallel tothe first axis; wherein the at least one bearing is at least partially included in the second track.

[0075] Example 7. The system according to any of examples 1 -6, wherein the first spring biases the mallet distally and the second spring biases the anvil proximally.

[0076] Example 8. The system of example 3, wherein: the anvil couples to a shaft (30); the mallet includes an aperture (31); the shaft is at least partially included in the aperture.

[0077] Example 9. The system of example 8, wherein the shaft is slidingly engaged with the aperture.

[0078] Example 10. The system according to any of examples 8-9, wherein the shaft includes a flange (32) configured to contact (33) the mallet in the recoiled configuration.

[0079] Example 10.1 The system according to any of examples 1-10 comprising a clutch that, when engaged, couples the shaft to the cam.

[0080] For example, the clutch may be a “one way” clutch, such as ratchet and spring mechanisms. Figure 10 includes an embodiment of a one-way locking needleroller bearing clutch 1000 for use in the system of Figures 9A-9B. Other one-way locking needle roller bearing clutches, or other forms of clutches in general, may be used. In an embodiment, the clutch has a structure that can transmit power in only one direction by inserting a needle pin in only one direction. A one-way clutch may include an outer sleeve (e.g., sleeve 999, 1999), a retainer, springs, and needles (the details of which are not shown in Figures 9B or 10 but are known to those of ordinary skill in the art). The inside of the outer sleeve may be, for example, hexagonal, and the needles are in wedge shaped spaces formed when the shaft (e.g., shaft 911) is inserted into the outer sleeve (e.g., sleeve 999, 1999). When one rotates the shaft in the direction where the needle is stuck between the outer sleeve and shaft, the clutch is locked and transmits power. Conversely, when one rotates the shaft in a direction where the needle is not stuck, shaft rotation is not transmitted to the outer sleeve via the needle, and the shaft idles without transmitting power.

[0081] The one-way clutch may prevent damage to the unit or jamming of the unit if the drill rotates in a “reverse” or incorrect direction.

[0082] Example 10.2 The system of example 10.1, wherein: the clutch is configured to rotate the cam in a first direction when the shaft is rotated in the first direction; the clutch is configured to disengage from the cam when the shaft is rotated in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.

[0083] For example, when the drill rotates the shaft in a clockwise direction, the cam will also rotate in the clockwise direction. However, when the drill rotates the shaft in a counter-clockwise direction, the one-way clutch will disengage from the cam (via disengagement with sleeve 999) and not rotate the cam in the counter-clockwise direction.

[0084] As addressed in Example 4, the cam may have angles 23, 24 unequal to one another. While this may resist counter rotation of the cam, that feature may not be entirely needed when coupled with a one-way clutch. However, the unequal angles have other benefits such as, for example, a faster and / or more forceful forward drive of the mallet due to sharp / small / steep angle 24 (924) as opposed to a more gentle / slower proximal movement of the mallet due to angle 23, 923.

[0085] Example 10.3 The system according to any of examples 1 -10.2 comprising a third spring (998) that is distal to the second spring.

[0086] Alternative version of 10.3 The system according to any of examples 1-10.2 comprising a third spring.

[0087] Example 10.4 The system of example 10.3, wherein the third spring biases the anvil distally.

[0088] Springs 908, 998 can be biased by the user by, for example, either pushing or pulling on the system. This allows the impactor to, for example, drive a device into a patient’s bone and, by the user pulling the system in the opposite direction, bias the load to help remove the device from the bone.

[0089] Example 11. An orthopedic drill system comprising: an impactor bit (20) including: a housing (10, 13, 15); a shaft (11) to couple to a drill chuck; a first spring(1); a second spring (8); a cam (11) at least partially included between the first and second springs and coupled to the shaft; at least one ball bearing (2) coupled to the cam; a mallet (12) slidingly coupled to the cam; an anvil (14) separably coupled to the mallet; wherein during operation the cam rotates about a first axis (21 ) to advance the mallet forward along the first axis in response to the drill chuck rotating about the first axis.

[0090] Example 12. The system of example 11 , wherein: the cam includes a first track; the at least one ball bearing is included in the first track; the first track includes a trough 25, a first arm 26, and a second arm 27; the trough couples the first arm to the second arm; a second axis (22) is parallel to the first axis and intersects the trough; the first arm extends proximally away from the anvil and away from the axis at a first angle (23); the second arm extends proximally away from the anvil and away from the axis at a second angle (24); the first angle is unequal to the second angle.

[0091] Example 13. The system according to any of examples 11-12, wherein: in a recoiled configuration the mallet does not contact the anvil (Fig. 7C); in an impact configuration the mallet directly contacts the anvil (Fig. 7A).

[0092] Example 14. The system according to any of examples 11 or 13, wherein: the cam includes a first track; the at least one ball bearing is included in the first track; the first track includes a trough 25, a first arm 26, and a second arm 27; the trough couples the first arm to the second arm; a second axis (22) is parallel to the first axis and intersects the trough; the first arm extends proximally away from the anvil and away from the axis at a first angle (23); the second arm extends proximally away from the anvil and away from the axis at a second angle (24); the first angle is unequal to the second angle.

[0093] Example 15. The system according to any of examples 12 or 14, wherein the first track in contiguous and circumnavigates the cam.

[0094] Example 16. The system according to any of example 11-15 comprising: at least one bearing (28) coupled to the mallet; a second track (29) parallel to the first axis; wherein the at least one bearing is at least partially included in the second track.

[0095] Example 17. The system according to any of examples 11-16, wherein the first spring biases the mallet distally and the second spring biases the anvil proximally.

[0096] Example 18. The system of example 13, wherein: the anvil couples to a shaft (30); the mallet includes an aperture (31); the shaft is at least partially included in the aperture.

[0097] Example 19. The system of example 18, wherein the shaft is slidingly engaged with the aperture.

[0098] Example 20. The system according to any of examples 18-19, wherein the shaft includes a flange (32) configured to contact (33) the mallet in the recoiled configuration.

[0099] Example 20.1 The system according to any of examples 11 -20 comprising a clutch that, when engaged, couples the shaft to the cam.

[0100] Example 20.2 The system of example 20.1, wherein: the clutch is configured to rotate the cam in a first direction when the shaft is rotated in the first direction; the clutch is configured to disengage from the cam when the shaft is rotated in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.

[0101] Example 20.3 The system according to any of examples 11-20.2 comprising a third spring (998) that is distal to the second spring.

[0102] Alternative version of Example 20.3 The system according to any of examples 11-20.2 comprising a third spring.

[0103] Example 20.4 The system of example 20.3, wherein the third spring biases the anvil distally.

[0104] The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. This description and the claims following include terms, such as left, right, top, bottom, over, under, upper, lower, first, second, etc. that are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting. For example, terms designating relative vertical positionrefer to a situation where a side of a substrate is the "top" surface of that substrate; the substrate may actually be in any orientation so that a "top" side of a substrate may be lower than the "bottom" side in a standard terrestrial frame of reference and still fall within the meaning of the term "top." The term "on" as used herein (including in the claims) does not indicate that a first layer "on" a second layer is directly on and in immediate contact with the second layer unless such is specifically stated; there may be a third layer or other structure between the first layer and the second layer on the first layer. The embodiments of a device or article described herein can be manufactured, used, or shipped in a number of positions and orientations. Persons skilled in the relevant art can appreciate that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. Persons skilled in the art will recognize various equivalent combinations and substitutions for various components shown in the Figures. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An orthopedic drill system comprising:a drill having a drill chuck;a drill bit to couple to the drill chuck;an impactor bit (20, 920) to couple to the drill chuck and repetitively impact an orthopedic tool or implant, the impactor bit including:a housing (10, 13, 15, 910);a shaft (11 , 911 ) to directly coupled to the drill chuck;a first spring (1 , 901);a second spring (8, 908);a cam (11 , 911 ) at least partially included between the first and second springs and coupled to the shaft;at least one ball bearing (2, 902) directly contacting the cam;a mallet (12, 912) slidingly coupled to the cam;an anvil (14, 914) separably coupled to the mallet;wherein the cam is configured to rotate about a first axis (21 , 921 ) to advance the mallet forward along the first axis in response to the drill chuck rotating about the first axis.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein:the cam includes a first track;the at least one ball bearing is included in the first track;the first track includes a trough 25, a first arm 26, and a second arm 27; the trough couples the first arm to the second arm;a second axis (22) is parallel to the first axis and intersects the trough; the first arm extends proximally away from the anvil and away from the second axis at a first angle (23);the second arm extends proximally away from the anvil and away from the second axis at a second angle (24);the first angle equals the second angle.

3. The system according to any of claims 1-2, wherein:in a recoiled configuration the mallet does not contact the anvil (Fig. 7C, Fig.9B);in an impact configuration the mallet directly contacts the anvil (Fig. 7A).

4. The system according to any of claims 1 or 3, wherein:the cam includes a first track;the at least one ball bearing is included in the first track;the first track includes a trough 25, a first arm 26, and a second arm 27; the trough couples the first arm to the second arm;a second axis (22, 922) is parallel to the first axis and intersects the trough; the first arm extends proximally away from the anvil and away from the second axis at a first angle (23, 923);the second arm extends proximally away from the anvil and away from the second axis at a second angle (24, 924);the first angle is unequal to the second angle.

5. The system according to any of claims 2 or 4, wherein the first track in contiguous and circumnavigates the cam.

6. The system according to any of claims 1-5 comprising:at least one bearing (28, 928) coupled to the mallet;a second track (29, 929) parallel to the first axis;wherein the at least one bearing is at least partially included in the second track.

7. The system according to any of claims 1-6, wherein the first spring biases the mallet distally and the second spring biases the anvil proximally.

8. The system according to any of claims 1-7 comprising a clutch that, when engaged, couples the shaft to the cam.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein:the clutch rotates the cam in a first direction when the shaft is rotated in the first direction;the clutch is disengaged from the cam when the shaft is rotated in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.

10. The system according to any of claims 1 -9 comprising a third spring (998) that is distal to the second spring and which biases the anvil distally.

11. An orthopedic drill system comprising:an impactorbit (20) including:a housing (10, 13, 15);a shaft (11) to couple to a drill chuck;a first spring (1);a second spring (8);a cam (11) at least partially included between the first and second springs and coupled to the shaft;at least one ball bearing (2) coupled to the cam;a mallet (12) slidingly coupled to the cam;an anvil (14) separably coupled to the mallet;wherein during operation the cam rotates about a first axis (21 ) to advance the mallet forward along the first axis in response to the drill chuck rotating about the first axis.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein:the cam includes a first track;the at least one ball bearing is included in the first track;the first track includes a trough 25, a first arm 26, and a second arm 27; the trough couples the first arm to the second arm;a second axis (22) is parallel to the first axis and intersects the trough; the first arm extends proximally away from the anvil and away from the second axis at a first angle (23);the second arm extends proximally away from the anvil and away from the second axis at a second angle (24);the first angle is unequal to the second angle.

13. The system according to any of claims 11-12, wherein:in a recoiled configuration the mallet does not contact the anvil (Fig. 7C); in an impact configuration the mallet directly contacts the anvil (Fig. 7A).

14. The system according to any of claims 11 or 13, wherein :the cam includes a first track;the at least one ball bearing is included in the first track;the first track includes a trough 25, a first arm 26, and a second arm 27; the trough couples the first arm to the second arm;a second axis (22) is parallel to the first axis and intersects the trough; the first arm extends proximally away from the anvil and away from the second axis at a first angle (23);the second arm extends proximally away from the anvil and away from the second axis at a second angle (24);the first angle is unequal to the second angle.

15. The system according to any of claims 12 or 14, wherein the first track in contiguous and circumnavigates the cam.

16. The system according to any of claim 11-15 comprising:at least one bearing (28) coupled to the mallet;a second track (29) parallel to the first axis;wherein the at least one bearing is at least partially included in the second track.

17. The system according to any of claims 11-16, wherein the first spring biases the mallet distally and the second spring biases the anvil proximally.

18. The system according to any of claims 11-17 comprising a clutch that, when engaged, couples the shaft to the cam.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein :the clutch rotates the cam in a first direction when the shaft is rotated in the first direction;the clutch is disengaged from the cam when the shaft is rotated in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.

20. The system according to any of claims 11-19 comprising a third spring (998) that is distal to the second spring and which biases the anvil distally.

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