Patent ID: 7727236
Filing Date: 2010-06-01
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An instrument assembly for internal bone fixation comprising: an internal fixation device attachable to a bone, the fixation device including a first hole defining a spherically shaped inner wall; a driver having a driver shaft, a portion of the driver shaft including helical irrigation grooves, the driver shaft having a front tip engageable with a head of a bone screw; a temporary fixator including a tubular component and a fixator shaft with a bone-gripping tip received in the tubular component, the tubular component having a spherical tip rotatably contacting the inner wall of the first hole of the internal fixation device at any orientation relative to the internal fixation device; a soft tissue sleeve having an internal channel configured to receive selectively the driver and the temporary fixator; an irrigation cap having an axial bore, the irrigation cap selectively and removably connectable to the soft tissue sleeve when the driver is received in the internal channel, the driver shaft passing through the axial bore, the irrigation cap having a delivery port for connection to an irrigation source; and a targeting device having a plurality of side-entry slots adapted to receive the soft tissue sleeve sideways, wherein the soft tissue sleeve includes an externally threaded portion and a knob for securing the soft tissue sleeve in one of the side-entry slots of the targeting device.