Patent ID: 6066174
Filing Date: 2000-05-23
Classification: A61F,A61L

Abstract:
An implant insertion device, comprising:a handle;a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end attached to said handle;a pair of jaws integrally formed with said shaft, each of said free ends including a gripping element, said free ends of said jaws movable between gripping positions to grasp the implant between said gripping elements and releasing positions to release the implant, said first ends of said jaws forming a first angle in said releasing positions and a smaller second angle in said gripping positions; andan actuator operable on said jaws to force said jaws together towards said gripping positions, said actuator includes a hollow sleeve slidably mounted on said shaft, said hollow sleeve having a proximal end and an opposite distal end, said hollow sleeve having a substantially uniform outer diameter between said proximal and distal ends, said hollow sleeve defining an inner bore for receiving said shaft and said first ends of said jaws, said sleeve slidable between a first position adjacent said handle and a second engaging position spaced from said first position in a location between said first position and said free ends of said jaws, said sleeve forcing said jaws together when said sleeve is in the engaging position,wherein a portion of said inner bore adjacent said jaws includes a flared portion, said flared portion defining said first angle to accommodate said jaws when said jaws are in said releasing position.