Patent ID: 6415693
Filing Date: 2002-07-09
Classification: A61B,B25B

Abstract:
An apparatus for retaining screws during insertion into an object such as a bone by use of a screw-driver, comprising:a catch sleeve having a free end which has a radially expandable portion for receiving the screw and another end having at least one radial bore for movably receiving a first locking ball which interacts with an annular groove in a shank of a screw-driver; a safety sleeve slidingly disposed on the catch sleeve, which blocks an expansion of the expandable portion when in a position which is adjacent to the free end of the catch sleeve and releases the expandable portion when in a position which is retracted with respect to the catch sleeve; a first handle portion connected to the catch sleeve; a sleeve-shaped, second handle portion which encircles the catch sleeve and the safety sleeve and is axially movable with respect to the first handle portion and holds the first locking ball in engagement with the annular groove of the screw-driver shank; a first spring extending between a first inner shoulder at an end of the second handle portion facing the expandable portion and a radial shoulder of the safety sleeve; an interlocking mechanism acting between the safety sleeve and the catch sleeve, which mechanism axially secures the safety sleeve in a blocking position relative to the catch sleeve and is actuated by the second handle portion upon its movement a predetermined distance relative to the sleeves.