Abstract: A surgical tool holder comprises a shank having first driveable end and second coupling end, the second end comprising a coupling device having interfaces for mating with corresponding structures on the inside of a hollow surgical tool, a first interface mating with a centering structure near a base end of the tool and a second interface mating with a second structure adjacent to a forward end of the tool, the tool being held in functional assembly to the shank by a releasable locking mechanism comprised of a locking sleeve slideably disposed about the shank, a spring biased against the coupling device by the locking sleeve, and a connection device retaining the locking sleeve in a fixed position during use, whereupon release of the connection device enables quick disassembly of the locking sleeve, spring and coupling device for cleaning and component sterilization.

Abstract: A surgical instrument holder (10) is made up of a head assembly (68) and a drive spindle assembly (42). The head assembly (68) has a shank (12) with a first driveable end (14) and second coupling end (16). The second end has a coupling device (20) having an interface (22) for receiving a surgical instrument (24). The instrument (24) is held in functional assembly to the shank by a releasable locking mechanism (26). The releasable locking mechanism (26) is made up of a ring (30) slideably disposed about the shank, a spring (32) biased against the coupling device (20) by the ring, and a connection device (34) retaining the ring in a fixed position during use. The drive spindle assembly (42) is connected to the head assembly (68) so as to transmit torque therethrough. The spindle assembly (42) has an elongated drive spindle (40), highprecision bearings (44, 120, 122) and a cylindrical tube (46).

Abstract: A modular tool connection assembly includes a housing which defines the main axis of assembly with a linear bore for containing the components of the assembly. The housing contains a connector component presenting a first taper portion. The connector is retained in the linear bore of the housing with a spring interposed between the connector and the housing. A tool containing a second taper portion is placed in axial engagement with the first taper causing the components to be securely connected. The spring limits the force applied between the taper portions allowing them to be disconnected easily.

Abstract: A surgical ratchet assembly includes a handle, a driver, a ratcheting mechanism and a locking mechanism. The driver is received within the handle in a rotatable relationship with respect thereto. The ratcheting mechanism is interposed between the handle and the driver. A locking mechanism releasably holds the handle to the ratchet mechanism. Unlocking of the locking mechanism enables ready disassembly of the assembly for cleaning and component sterilization.

Abstract: An acetabular impactor aids a surgeon in controlling the installation of an acetabular cup prosthesis having a central, female aperture. The impactor includes an impactor head, housing and a locking mechanism. The housing is attached to the impactor head, the housing enclosing a drive train having, at a far end, a prosthesis engaging thread, and at the opposite end, a handle which facilitates turning of the drive train by the operator. The locking mechanism is associated with the housing which selectively locks the drive train, and thus the prosthesis, in position. The opposite end of the drive train has a latch device which enables quick removal from the housing for cleaning and sterilization.

Abstract: An acetabular reamer for surgical use includes (a) a substantially hemispherical dome defining an equatorial plane, and (b) a reamer spindle interface structure fixedly attached to the inside of the dome so as to substantially inset the interface structure within the dome. This insetting of the interface structure helps minimize the size of an assembly of the reamer and a reamer spindle when performing minimally invasive joint surgery.

Abstract: Instrument holder comprising a shank (1) equipped with a head (2) designed to receive an instrument and a locking component (4) pushed against the head by a spring (9) bearing on a ring (11) sliding on the shank, and having means of connection (8, 12) on the shank which is engaged by rotation of the ring, in such a way that the release of the ring allows the locking component, the spring and the ring to slide freely in order to permit cleaning of the instrument holder.

Abstract: An acetabular reamer (10?) for cutting a required cut shape. The reamer has a cutting shell (12?) having a series of doubly curved cutting teeth (16?) thereon of a quantity to substantially reduce a cutting pressure on each tooth as well as to reduce a size of a typical chip generated upon cutting. Substantially all the teeth each have a matched arc cutting edge (20?) of substantial length that has a cutting profile which substantially matches a profile of a shape to be cut. The apertures in which the cutting edges are formed has at least one flat edge by which a punch, used in the process of forming the edge may be oriented. Such a configuration reduces the number of teeth required to cut the shape.

Abstract: A low insertion profile surgical reamer for cutting a bone socket comprises a cutting structure. The cutting structure is rotatable about a longitudinal axis. The structure has a static profile area upon insertion of the reamer into the bone socket and a dynamic profile area generated upon rotation, both profile areas lying transverse to the axis. The static profile area is substantially smaller than the dynamic profile area. The reamer includes centrally located holes, allowing it to be fixed to a tool holder.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed having a male portion with a tapered hexagonal tip for engaging a socket head screw. A shaft operatively carries the male portion, for transmitting torque to the tip as it is matingly engaged with the screw. A metallic ring, mounted on the male portion, removably retains the tip matingly engaged within the socket head. The ring is formed with an oblique slit and is radially compressible, the ring presenting a substantially continuous circumferential surface that is in interference fit within the socket.

Abstract: A preferred acetabular reamer is disclosed for cutting a bone socket, defining an apex and rotatable about a drive axis. The reamer has a domed support portion adjacent the apex and a plurality of cutting members, which may be of the cheese grater or bladed type, each pivotally mounted on the support portion. A hub structure including a sleeve portion is movable along the axis toward and away from the apex. A plurality of spokes operatively connects the cutting members and the hub, respectively. Actuation of the hub, in turn, radially collapses the spokes causing the cutting members to assume an insertion profile during passage of the reamer through a surgical incision, and then radially expands the spokes causing the cutting members to assume a larger, cutting profile while reaming the bone socket. A surgical kit and method employing the inventive reamer are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tool holder for holding a surgical reamer has a head (8) and a retaining device (14, 15). The head has an axis coincident with the axis of rotation of the reamer. The head is provided with at least one radially extending slot (10) receiving a plate (1, 2) of the reamer. The retaining device (14, 15) has a component which engages with a feature of the plate of the reamer. The feature is proximate the axis of rotation of the reamer in order to centrally retain the plate in the slot.

Abstract: A reamer system is provided which includes a cannulated reamer handle, and a corresponding cannulated reamer, which, when assembled and operated over a drill pin secured in a manner axially aligned with the stem of the femoral joint, enables the accurate and controlled reshaping of the femoral joint. The reamer is made up of a cutting form and a central guide, in which the guide is supported at the center of the cutting form by a bar structure. The bar structure includes portions which connect to and extend radially between the central guide and a peripheral edge of the cutting form. Optionally, the central guide includes a surface offset from a plane of the bar structure to a degree which enables that surface to contact an associated surface referenced to the bone, in order to prevent the cutting form from plunging so far over the bone as to potentially damage the femoral stem.

Abstract: An adjustable reamer spindle is provided to aid the surgeon in controlling the instrument. The reamer spindle is easily disassembled for cleaning. The spindle has a repositionable handle, a locking ring, and an elastic device. The elastic device biases against a handle locking mechanism that locks the repositionable handle at angular positions about an axis of the spindle. The elastic device further biases a locking ring into a locked position. The locking ring aids in holding the reamer spindle together. Removal of the locking ring against an elastic bias of the elastic means unfastens an end of the assembly in order to facilitate disassembly and/or cleaning. Adjustment of the position of the handle about the spindle enables the palm/grip of each hand to be changed in order to provide maximum control in different orientations.

Abstract: An adjustable reamer spindle is provided to aid the surgeon in controlling the instrument. The reamer spindle is easily disassembled for cleaning. The spindle has a repositionable handle, a locking ring, and an elastic device. The elastic device biases against a handle locking mechanism that locks the repositionable handle at angular positions about an axis of the spindle. The elastic device further biases a locking ring into a locked position. The locking ring aids in holding the reamer spindle together. Removal of the locking ring against an elastic bias of the elastic means unfastens an end of the assembly in order to facilitate disassembly and/or cleaning. Adjustment of the position of the handle about the spindle enables the palm/grip of each hand to be changed in order to provide maximum control in different orientations.

Abstract: An acetabular reamer (10) has a cutting structure (12) rotatable about a longitudinal axis (14) with a domed shell portion (16). The shell (16) has an outer surface (18) presenting multiple cutting sites (20) and an inner surface (22) for accumulation of debris. The shell (16) has a static insertion profile area that is defined by a pair of first curved portions (24) generated about a first radius (30) with a center that lies on the axis (14) and a pair of second curved portions (26) generated about a center that is spaced apart from the axis. The cutting structure (12) has a circular dynamic profile area generated upon rotation of the reamer (10) by a handle (40). Both the static insertion area and dynamic profile area lie transferse to the axis (14), the former being smaller than the latter.

Abstract: A surgical tool holder comprises a shank having first driveable end and second coupling end, the second end comprising a coupling device having interfaces for mating with corresponding structures on the inside of a hollow surgical tool, a first interface mating with a centering structure near a base end of the tool and a second interface mating with a second structure adjacent to a forward end of the tool, the tool being held in functional assembly to the shank by a releasable locking mechanism comprised of a locking sleeve slideably disposed about the shank, a spring biased against the coupling device by the locking sleeve, and a connection device retaining the locking sleeve in a fixed position during use, whereupon release of the connection device enables quick disassembly of the locking sleeve, spring and coupling device for cleaning and component sterilization.

Abstract: An instrument holder (10) for surgical use has a remote locking mechanism (12) and is elongated having a proximal end (14) and a distal end (16). The holder (10) has an elongated shank (20), a ring (22), a locking component (28) and a spring (32). The elongated shank (20) is equipped, at the distal end (16), with a head (26) adapted to receive an instrument (24). The locking component (28) is substantially cylindrical, elongated and is biased in a first direction (30) toward the head (26) by a spring (32). The locking component (28) includes structures (34) capable of locking the instrument (24) onto the distal end (16). The ring (22) is biased by the spring (32) in a second direction (36) against the locking component (28) towards the proximal end (14) constrained to slide longitudinally on the shank (20), at the proximal end.

Abstract: An acetabular reamer (10?) for cutting a required cut shape. The reamer has a cutting shell (12?) having a series of doubly curved cutting teeth (16?) thereon of a quantity to substantially reduce a cutting pressure on each tooth as well as to reduce a size of a typical chip generated upon cutting. Substantially all the teeth each have a matched arc cutting edge (20?) of substantial length that has a cutting profile which substantially matches a profile of a shape to be cut. Such a configuration reduces the number of teeth required to cut the shape.

Abstract: A surgical instrument holder has a shank having a coupling end, a handle attached to an opposite end of the shank, a coupling device, and a locking mechanism. The coupling end has an interface thereon for receiving an instrument. The locking mechanism has an annular locking component, a spring, a ring which slides on the shank, and a locking device. The annular locking component is mounted so as to slide along the shank. The locking device cooperates with the locking component so as to lock the instrument onto the interface. The spring biases the locking component in a locking direction and bears on the ring. The ring is disengageably lockable to the shank via a connection device so as to enable quick disassembly for cleaning and component sterilization.