Abstract: A bone stapler including a housing in which stapler can be driven by a driver along a passageway from an inlet to an outlet opening by activation of an operated drive means. Pointed projections are provided to locate bone portions to be stapled, manually releasable safety means is provided to prevent inadvertent driving of a staple, and the drive means is adopted to exhaust air at a location remote from the bone portion being stapled. Also a staple cartridge is provided that, when removed from the stapler, insures that no staple can remain in the stapler, and the stapler will accept different parts that receive the cartridge and define the passageway so that staples of different sizes may be driven.

Abstract: A quick release drill chuck for surgical and dental instruments, particularly high speed drills powered by rotary air motors, is disclosed. The chuck engages the shafts of drills or burs and is actuated without the use of additional tools while providing a self-locking feature to insure against inadvertent loosening of the chuck.

Abstract: A driver including a hand piece adapted to be held in the hand of a user, an air motor mounted within the hand piece, and a barrel coupled transversely to the hand piece. A medical instrument is rotatably mounted in the barrel and releasably retained therein by a releasable detent located to the rear of the barrel. Air flow to the air motor is controlled by a valve having a trigger-like operating member. The direction of rotation of the air motor is controlled by a manually operable reversing valve.

Abstract: A wire driving assembly for use as a surgical instrument engages a wire in rotating driving relation through a retainer which includes a passageway therethrough for passage of the wire. Cooperating with the retainer is a body member, the latter including a bore in which the retainer is received. Driving connection between the retainer and the wire is achieved by a tapered interior bore of the body member and cooperating engaging elements received in sets of apertures located along the length of the retainer and radially thereof. Each set of apertures is of a different diameter, the diameter of the set at the forward end of the retainer being the largest. Spherical elements are positioned in the apertures and move radially inwardly to a wire engaging position and radially outwardly to a wire releasing position.

Abstract: A tool for cutting a wire to length and then wrapping it around a terminal post includes an air motor driving through a planetary gear reduction to rotate a spindle, and a wire contacting bit rotated by the spindle. In order to develop sufficient torque to sever the wire at the bit, there is provided a member constrained to move helically with respect to the spindle housing, and the member is actuated by an air operated piston. A clutch between said member and the spindle disengages upon predetermined axial travel of said member to permit free turning of the spindle by the air motor to accomplish the wire wrapping operation. A spring returns said member to its initial position after the supply of air to the air motor and piston is cut off and the clutch automatically aligns the spindle and bit into initial position for insertion of another wire. One end of the spindle is supported within the bore of the inner race of a anti-friction bearing assembly in the housing.

Abstract: A quick release device for a powered surgical instrument, for example, a Mueller osteotomy saw, includes a coupling having a spindle which forms a mounting surface, the spindle being driven with the coupling by the power source. Located on the spindle is a locking pin assembly movable between a locking and an unlocking position, the spindle cooperating with a plurality of concentrically disposed latching pins which latch the medical instrument to the spindle in driving relationship therewith. The medical instrument, for example, a saw blade, includes a predetermined number of apertures corresponding to the number of latching pins on the spindle, each of the apertures including a pin receiving end and a latching end. Eccentrically positioned with respect to the apertures is a locking pin receiving aperture through which the locking pin on the spindle is received.