Patent ID: 6994710
Filing Date: 2006-02-07
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical instrument comprising: a male portion with a tip for engaging a female socket of a socket head of a screw; a shaft operatively carrying the male portion, for transmitting torque to the tip as the tip is matingly engaged with the screw; and a metallic ring, mounted on the male portion, for removably retaining the tip when the tip is matingly engaged within the socket head, wherein the ring is formed with an oblique slit defined between substantially parallel, opposed, adjacent surfaces of the ring, each surface lying in a plane substantially inclined from a plane which includes a point on the respective surface and the central axis of the ring, thus enabling the ring to be radially compressible, and presenting a substantially continuous circumferential surface that is in interference fit within the socket when the socket is attached.