Patent ID: 7147641
Filing Date: 2006-12-12
Classification: A61B,B25B

Abstract:
1. A device for attaching a fixation element to bone comprising: a handle; an elongated holding sleeve having proximal and distal ends defining a channel therebetween, the sleeve supported by the handle and movable from a distally extended position to a proximal position at least partially retracted into the handle, the distal end of the sleeve defining a tip configured to releaseably hold the fixation element; and a driver shaft having a distal end defining a solid tip portion configured to abuttingly contact the fixation element, the shaft axially slideable inside the sleeve from a first position in which the tip portion is withdrawn from the distal end of the sleeve to a second position in which the tip portion projects beyond the distal end of the sleeve, wherein the shaft is movable to the second position with a fixation element held in the sleeve to eject the fixation element from the sleeve.