Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Smith & Nephew, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6660022
    Abstract: An insertion tool for a rotor blade anchor. The anchor is pivotably coupled to a handle so that the anchor can assume a first position in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the handle. The tool is designed to be rotated about the longitudinal axis so that the anchor, when placed in a bore hole in biological tissue, can attain a second position substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The anchor itself includes a cutting surface thereon. A deploy spring is disposed on the handle and biases the anchor toward the second position. In use, when the rotor blade is inserted into an object such as a bone, the object moves the anchor toward alignment with the longitudinal axis. When the anchor is inserted far enough into the object, a user rotates the handle and the anchor. The deploy spring biases the cutting surface so that is engages with the sidewall of the borehole. The rotation of the handle causes the cutting surface to cut into the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Lehmann K. Li, Ernie Corrao