Robert L Brubaker

US Patent:

20040010261, Jan 15, 2004

Filed:

Jul 12, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/194744

Inventors:

Stephen Hoag - Warsaw IN, US
Justin Hertzler - Warsaw IN, US
Robert Brubaker - North Manchester IN, US
David Blakemore - Warsaw IN, US

International Classification:

A61F002/00

US Classification:

606/099000

Abstract:

A tool for releasably gripping an orthopedic implant. The tool includes a first gripping member which may be a threaded shaft and a second gripping member which may be the tool body. The first gripping member has a gripping end engageable with the implant and secures the implant to the tool with a bearing surface located on the distal end of the tool engaging the implant. The distal end may also include a feature to rotationally engage the implant and resist relative rotational movement between the tool and implant. A release mechanism is provided which, when the implant is secured to the tool, is operable to release the gripping members from their relative positions and retract the bearing surface from the implant. The first gripping member which then only loosely engages the implant may be completely disengaged from the implant. The release mechanism may be a pivoting lever body.