Abstract: A handheld surgical device includes a gripping mechanism for gripping pins or wires with a range of different sizes. The gripping mechanism includes a plurality of gripping blocks, the plurality of gripping blocks interacting to form a variable size channel. A sliding compression control element applies a compressive force to each gripping block and thereby grip a wire or pin within a range of sizes in the center of a pin/wire receiving channel.

Abstract: A handheld surgical device includes a multi-position throttle, rotatably attached to the body of the device, to allow for ambidextrous positioning of a motor speed control lever. The motor speed control lever may interact with a speed control sensor in the body of the device capable of detecting the actuation level of the motor speed control lever in any one of two or more positions.

Abstract: A two stage releasing interlocking system for mounting a medical device tool which includes a jaw head having an aperture. A collet having an upper portion and a lower portion is rotatably mounted within the jaw head. The upper portion of the collet has an aperture and is substantially aligned with the aperture of the jaw head. A moving means moves the lower portion of the collet into an opened position and a closed position with respect to the upper portion of the collet. Actuating means prevents the moving means from moving the lower portion of the collet into the opened position when the actuating means is in a first position and permits the moving means to move the lower portion of the collet into the opened position when the actuating means is in a second position.

Abstract: A surgical saw blade for removable mounting in clamps having rectangular lugs and in clamps having circular pins, by way of closed slots having semi-circular distal ends, and arranged to have the respective centers of the semi-circular ends about a pattern radius. Each slot has a side face forming an included angle with a radial line from the hub center to the center of the slot semi-circular end. The included angle is alternating in rotational direction or, with a common offset about the pattern radius of the semi-circular ends, is in an identical direction for each slot.

Abstract: A control lever assembly adapted for use with a powered surgical instrument which prevents the instrument from being inadvertently or accidentally activated. The assembly 10 includes a depressible control lever 20 for controlling the action of the instrument and a second safety lever or latch 30 which engages the trigger pin 6 of instrument only when selectively positioned with respect to control lever 20. Control lever 20 is secured to cutting device 2 by a mounting bracket 12. Safety latch 30 is pivotally carried by control lever 20 for shiftable movement between a safety position and an operational position. In the operational position, safety latch 30 engages trigger pin 6 when control lever 20 is depressed. Safety latch 30 cannot be switched from its safety position to its operational position when control lever 20 is depressed; therefore, the instrument is "locked-out" and cannot be inadvertently activated even when control lever 20 is depressed.

Abstract: A collet for attaching a blade to a surgical saw is biased toward a closed position in which the blade is securely clamped between a drive member and a clamping member. A rotational movement of a knob is converted into a translational movement of the clamp to open the collet. A mechanism is provided for maintaining the collet in the open position for simplified operation and cleaning.

Abstract: The surgical saw blade includes a main body portion and a cover portion joined to provide an enclosed manifold space. Irrigation channels extend from the manifold space to saw teeth provided on the saw blade. In one embodiment of the invention the saw teeth are provided at an end portion of the saw blade. In another embodiment of the invention the irrigation channels extend toward saw teeth provided along the longitudinal side edge of the saw blade. In either embodiment of the invention the irrigation channels commonly communicate with the fluid manifold and are uniformly distributed among the cutting teeth to provide a uniform distribution of fluid during a cutting action. Depending upon the positioning of the saw teeth on the blade and the movement provided to the blade, one embodiment of the saw blade can be used for oscillatory cutting action and another embodiment of the saw blade can be used for reciprocating cutting action.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus which can be incorporated into a powered instrument that rotates a tool at varying rotational speeds and torques. The invention includes at least two drive plates, each of which rotates at a different speed and which exerts a different magnitude of torque. A movable member within the instrument selectively engages one of the two drive plates to couple that drive plate to the output shaft of the instrument. The apparatus can include a torque limiter which couples the input shaft to the output shaft only when the resistance to rotation offered by a drive plate is less than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method of providing sterile, charged batteries for use in a sterile field which includes the steps of sterilizing at least one battery and a battery charger, transferring the sterilized battery and charger in a sterile state to the sterile field and charging the battery with the battery charger. The battery charger is adapted to withstand exposure to the environment present during the sterilization process. The sterilizing step may be preceded by an initial charging step in which the battery is charged with a battery charger. A sterilizable battery charger permits implementation of the method.