Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

William P Klinzing

Barry W Robole

Martin P Babcock

The present invention comprises a module for a surgical driver of the type having a handle and a barrel with an axis. The module comprises a releasable attachment mechanism for releasably attaching the module to the surgical driver, a tool mounting mechanism for releasably receiving an orthopedic surgical tool, and a rotational orientation mechanism for orienting the tool mounting mechanism in a plurality of angular positions about an axis of the barrel. The device includes a releasable locking mechanism for releasably locking the rotational orientation mechanism in one of a plurality of discrete angular positions about the axis of the barrel. The releasable locking mechanism has a locking member movable between lock and release positions. A spring biases the locking mechanism toward the lock position. The novel locking mechanism of the present invention may also be used in non-modular devices.

Orthopedic surgical device having a rotatable portion and lock

A cartridge for use in a stapler for driving staples during orthopedic surgery is described. The cartridge has a case comprising a first wall and side walls projecting from this first wall. The cartridge has inner guide surfaces intended to guide the movement of staples when they are ejected by the stapler, and these preferably include the top of extended projections from a spacer element which is snap fit to the case. Within the case are a stack of staples supported on a follower which pushes on the side of the stack of staples so as to sequentially present each one in turn in a position to be ejected by the stapler. The follower is centered and slidably mounted on a guidepost which helps the follower resist any tendency for misalignment of the follower within the case.

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Saint Paul, MN, United States of America

William P Klinzing