Patent ID: 7909834
Filing Date: 2011-03-22
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A self-retaining screw inserter comprising: an outer shaft defining an axially extending passageway; an inner shaft comprising a push rod inserted into the axially extending passageway; and an active reverse-collet retainer attached on an end of the outer shaft and comprising at least two fingers configured to retain a set screw, the active reverse-collet retainer defining a second passageway extending from the axially extending passageway, wherein the push rod of the inner shaft moves in a first axial direction to engage the active reverse-collet retainer, and the push rod of the inner shaft moves in a second axial direction to disengage from the active reverse-collet retainer, wherein a diameter of the second passageway is smaller than a diameter of the push rod so that the at least two fingers move radially outward to retain the set screw when the push rod of the inner shaft moves in the first axial direction to engage the active reverse-collet retainer, and the at least two fingers move radially inward to release the set screw when the push rod of the inner shaft moves in the second axial direction to disengage from the active reverse-collet retainer, wherein a tip of the push rod that engages the active reverse-collet retainer is rounded to assist in the moving of the at least two fingers when the push rod of the inner shaft engages the active reverse-collet retainer.