Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for inserting a vertebral stabilization member, such as a rod. The insertion device includes an outer guide tube, a pin assembly including a pin and a pusher member extending therethrough. The insertion device is configured to actuate a rod between a first orientation and a second orientation angled with respect to the first orientation in order to position the rod in an appropriate location for attachment to bone.

Abstract: A gripping device with a precision ratcheting mechanism includes an upper and a lower arm, each terminating in a U-shaped receiver, connected by a pair of pivotal joints. A pawl device is pivotally connected to the U-shaped receiver of the upper arm, while a post, passing through the pawl device, is pivotally connected to the lower arm. The post contains a plurality of teeth on one surface and a teeth-engaging member in the pawl device contains a plurality of corresponding teeth which engage the teeth on the post. The teeth are disengaged by pressing a release surface, which compresses a spring and physically moves the teeth-engaging structure away from the post, allowing the post to move freely within the pawl device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to surgical clamps and clamp devices that provide a handle-free surgical field. The clamp jaws may be opened or closed by a rotationally or translationally moveable drive element that may be actuated from a position proximal or distal to the jaws. The surgical clamps may also be deployed using a clamp applier which slidably engages the clamp along a wire to releasably attach itself to the clamp.

Abstract: Retaining mechanism for use with a handheld tool comprising first and second handle element parts (1, 2) being pivotally connected (3) to each other, and a pawl and ratchet arrangement. A rack of teeth (5) is arranged on a first arm (4) mounted on the first handle element part (1) and a pawl (6) is arranged on a free end of a second arm (7), which is mounted on the second handle element part (2), at least one of said first and second arms (4, 7) being flexible. Said first and second arms (4, 7) are arranged to move adjacent to each other when the handle element parts are squeezed together.

Abstract: A crimp defines separate parallel bores extending therethrough to receive a wire or cable portion. The crimp has a pair of opposed ends which each define a pair of circumferentially-spaced, outwardly projecting flanges respectively positioned on opposite sides of the crimp. Thus, the flanges may rest against a bone while providing spacing for crimping jaws between a central portion of the crimp and the bone. A design of crimping pliers for use with the crimp is also disclosed.

Abstract: A specialty tool having removable and interchangeable jaw members which are secured to the handles by twist locking. A ratchet gear and pawl are disposed at the pivot hub of the tool to lock the tool in a selected position. A releasing lever provides an option to the user to use the ratcheting action.

Abstract: A ratchet wrench (10) includes a unitary socket assembly (20) having a collet (26) and an adjustable fastener engaging socket (24) which may be positioned over a conventional fastener and which may then be decreased in diameter to effect a gripping attachment of a fastener. The socket assembly (20) includes a stud (28) that is releasably engageable with the ratchet wrench (10). A locking lever (80, 80A) is attached to the ratchet wrench (10) and is usable both to decrease the diameter of the socket (24) and to releasably lock the socket in attachment with the fastener. The locking lever (80, 80A) may employ ratchet and pawl members (400, 402). If desired, the ratchet wrench (10) may instead be pneumatically activatable. Further, the wrench (10) also includes a camming means for reducing the diameter of the adjustable fastener engaging socket (24) formed on the inside of the leading edge of the collet (26), and on the outside edge of the socket.

Abstract: The locking device for a pliers-shaped tool, preferably a pair of pliers (1), has a lever (7) with a spring (8a) on the inner side of one handle and a shaped rod (9) on the inner side of the other handle (4b).The shaped rod (9) has a catching element (10) and passes through an opening (14) in the lever (7). The lever has a sharp projection (15) in its opening (14), which engages the catching element (10) of the shaped rod (9) in the closed setting in such a way that the pliers (1) can only be closed. With these pliers (1), objects (5) can be gripped, held tight and let loose again. The locking device is entirely between the handles (4a and 4b) of the pliers (1). The pliers (1) with the locking devices can be used generally, but their primary application is in surgery.

Abstract: A tool with two elongated handles and two jaws operatively connected to the handles is provided with a mechanism for preventing premature opening of the handles and jaws. The mechanism comprises a pawl operating as a bistable rocker and engaging, with one or with two engagement means, an engagement member defined by two projections delimitating an operational area, or by at least one row of teeth with which each of the two engagement means is alternately engageable, so as to prevent premature interruption of the closing movement and preferably also of the reverse opening movement of the handles and of the jaws.

Abstract: A mechanism for preventing premature opening of a tool having two elongate handles comprising a carrier having a row of teeth at one edge and a spring-affected, pivotable pawl co-operating with the row of teeth. The pawl operates as a bistable rocker swingable by end stops at both ends of the row of teeth from a first lateral position for engagement with the row through an instable middle position into a second engagement-free lateral position. The two ends of the spring affecting the pawl and a pivot pin on which the pawl is mounted lie along one straight line when the pawl passes through the instable middle position.

Abstract: A unitary, one-piece multi-purpose plastic clamp is disclosed which is adaptable for a wide variety of uses. The clamp includes a pair of pivotally interconnected pincer portions, and a pair of pivotally interconnected handle portions, with the pincer portions further respectively pivotally connected to the handle portions. Movement of finger grips defined by the handle portions toward each other creates a clamping force between the respective clamping surfaces of the pincer portions. In order to maintain the clamp in a closed, clamping condition, first and second locking structures are respectively provided on the handle portions of the clamp. The first and second locking structures respectively preferably comprise at least one first locking tooth and at least one second locking tooth which releasably engage each other, and which are selectively disengagable by relative disengaging movement of the handle portions of the clamp.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is a clamping device, particularly for use in conjunction with a conventional sphygmomanometer cuff and electronic stethoscope in order to obtain a blood pressure reading from a patient's arm through heavy overgarments or the like, the patient's arm not being directly accessible. The clamping device includes a pair of pivoting jaws each carrying pressure plates for exerting pressure on the patient's arm. The sphygmomanometer cuff is placed against the patient's arm over the overgarment and the clamping device holds the cuff firmly against the arm. A releaseable lock serves to maintain the clamping device in a working position.

Abstract: An expander device, particularly for use in expanding springs, piston rings, circlips and similar objects, comprises a support member and an actuating member which are pivotally connected to one another and equipped with handgrip portions. A pair of expanding jaws is mounted on the support member for pivoting in a plane which is parallel to the axis of pivoting of the actuating member relative to the support member. A transmission converts the pivoting of the actuating member into spreading apart of the jaws, the transmission including a ratchet mechanism which includes a toothed rack mounted on a guide track for movement in the frontward direction of the device, a transporting pawl which is actuated by the actuating member so as to engage the teeth of the rack and to move the latter, and an arresting pawl which arrests the rack against movement in the rearward direction of the support member.