The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 16, 1997
Filed:
Dec. 21, 1995
William P Klinzing, St. Paul, MN (US);
Martin P Babcock, Woodbury, MN (US);
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
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.