Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a tool package for use with bone and/or dental implant systems. The tool package includes of two mating tools. The first tool is designed to engage an implant and carrier assembly and place the implant into the osteotomy. Once the implant is fully seated, the first tool is removed. The second tool is placed over the implant to hold the implant securely in place. The first tool is reintroduced through the second tool to engage and remove the implant carrier. The first tool may function like screwdriver except that the tip is able to mate with and positively engage the octagonal implant carrier head and plastic o-ring catch. The first tool drives the implants into place, and also mates with the second tool to remove the implant carrier.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/283,842 filed Dec. 10, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention is related to tools for use with implant systems, and more particularly to tools and a tool kit for use with dental implant systems. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Implants such as dental implants are inserted into areas of bone, osteotomy, by hand pieces or instrumentation. For example, the hand instrumentation may be a ratchet system that is awkward and time consuming to use. In addition, while one hand piece or instrumentation may be needed to insert the implant, another hand piece of instrumentation may be needed to engage with the implant in order to remove the implant carrier used by the first hand piece or instrumentation to insert the implant. The use of a second hand piece or instrumentation may take up already limited space, and make removal of the implant carrier awkward and difficult. Therefore, there is a need for better tactile feedback, control, and safety when installing dental implants and removing the implant carrier. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is directed to a tool package for use with bone and/or dental implant systems. The tool package includes two mating tools. The first tool is a straight implant driver. It is designed to engage an implant and carrier assembly and place the implant into the osteotomy. Once the implant is fully seated, the implant driver is removed. The second tool, which acts like a wrench, is placed over the implant to hold the implant securely in place. The first tool is reintroduced through the second tool to engage and remove the implant carrier only. The first tool, the straight implant driver, looks and functions like a regular screwdriver except that the tip is able to mate with and positively engage the octagonal implant carrier head and plastic o-ring catch. The first tool drives the implants into place, and also mates with the second tool to remove the implant carrier in a faster, easier, and single plane process that is superior to currently existing and available tools. The first tool is also superior for tactile feedback while placing the implant, especially when expanding the osteotomy during the implant placement. 
         [0005]    Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is directed to a tool that includes a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis, a body portion that includes an exterior casing and an interior region defined by a passage extending from the first end to the second end of the tool along the longitudinal axis. The passage includes a first section with a first cross-sectional diameter and a second section with a second cross-sectional diameter, and the first cross-sectional diameter is larger than the second cross-sectional diameter. The tool also includes an arrangement that includes at least one substantially flat surface positioned at the second end of the tool. The passage is dimensioned for insertion of a driver comprising a socket into the first end of the tool in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tool, the passage is further dimensioned to allow the socket of the driver to be positioned substantially adjacent to the arrangement at the second end of the tool, and the passage is further dimensioned to allow the driver to rotate within the passage of the tool. 
         [0006]    In accordance with this exemplary embodiment of the invention, the arrangement may include at least two substantially flat surfaces, and the at least two substantially flat surfaces may be separated by a groove. The arrangement may have a substantially hexagonal cross-section in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tool. Adjacent edges the hexagonal cross-section of the arrangement may be connected by a segment of a circle. The groove may have a cross-sectional shape of a segment of a circle in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tool. 
         [0007]    In accordance with this exemplary embodiment of the invention, at least one substantially flat surface of the arrangement may originate at the second end of the tool and extends along the passage towards the first end of the tool. 
         [0008]    In accordance with this exemplary embodiment of the invention, the passage may also include a third section that includes the arrangement and may have a third cross-sectional diameter smaller than the second cross-sectional diameter. 
         [0009]    In accordance with this exemplary embodiment of the invention, the passage may also include a fourth section positioned between the first section and the second section, and the fourth section may be tapered to join the first section with the second section. 
         [0010]    In accordance with this exemplary embodiment of the invention, the second section of the passage may be positioned substantially concentric with the first section of the passage along the longitudinal axis of the tool. 
         [0011]    In accordance with this exemplary embodiment of the invention, the exterior casing may include a first substantially cylindrical region and a second substantially cylindrical region, and the first substantially cylindrical region may encompass at least the first section of the passage and the second substantially cylindrical region may encompass at least the second section of the passage. The first substantially cylindrical region may include at least one substantially flat surface and/or at least one substantially concave surface. 
         [0012]    In accordance with this exemplary embodiment of the invention, the arrangement may be configured for engagement with a first plurality of contact surfaces of a fastener, and the socket of the driver may be configured for engagement with a second plurality of contact surface of the fastener. When the socket of the driver is positioned substantially adjacent to the arrangement at the second end of the tool, the arrangement may be configured to engage the first plurality of contact surfaces of the fastener while the socket may be configured to engage the second plurality of contact surfaces of the fastener. 
         [0013]    In accordance with this exemplary embodiment of the invention, the driver may also include a driver handle, a driver longitudinal axis, and an elongated portion extending from the driver handle along the driver longitudinal axis. 
         [0014]    In accordance with this exemplary embodiment of the invention, the socket of the driver may be positioned at an end of the elongated portion opposite the driver handle. 
         [0015]    In accordance with this exemplary embodiment of the invention, the driver handle may have at least one substantially concave region. 
         [0016]    In accordance with this exemplary embodiment of the invention, the socket of the driver may include an opening, a base positioned substantially opposite the opening, an octagonal portion extending from the base, and a ring portion at least partially defining an arc of the opening. The octagonal portion may have a substantially octagonal cross-section in a direction substantially perpendicular to the driver longitudinal axis of the driver, and adjacent edges the octagonal cross-section of the octagonal portion may be connected by a segment of a circle. 
         [0017]    In accordance with this exemplary embodiment of the invention, the ring portion may include at least one groove positioned substantially parallel to the driver longitudinal axis, and the at least one groove may have a cross-sectional shape of a segment of a circle in a direction substantially perpendicular to the driver longitudinal axis. 
         [0018]    Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be directed to a tool kit for use with dental implants that includes an implant holding tool, and an implant driver. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, where: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of an implant driver according to the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a rear view of an exemplary embodiment of an implant driver according to the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of an implant driver according to the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged front view of an exemplary embodiment of an implant driver according to the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary embodiment of an implant driver according to the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the tip of an exemplary embodiment of an implant driver according to the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of an implant holding tool according to the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary embodiment of an implant holding tool according to the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is a rear view of an exemplary embodiment of an implant holding tool according to the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of an implant holding tool according to the present invention; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  an enlarged front view of an exemplary embodiment of an implant holding tool according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0031]    The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
         [0032]    An exemplary embodiment of an implant holding tool  200  according to the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 7-11 . The implant holding tool  200  includes a first end  201  and a second end  202 . Referring specifically to  FIG. 8 , the second end  202  of the implant holding tool  200  includes an arrangement  255  that is configured to securely engage a dental implant (not shown). While exemplary embodiments of the present invention are discussed with respect to dental implants it is understood that the examples of use are merely exemplary, and embodiments of the present invention may be used for other uses as well. The arrangement  255  defines one opening of a passage that extends along the interior region of the implant holding tool  200  from the second end  202  to the first end  201  of the implant holding tool  200 . As shown in detail in  FIG. 8 , the passage includes a first section  205 , a second section  209  and a third section  207 , as well as the arrangement  255 . The first section  205  of the passage has a larger cross-sectional diameter than the second section  209  of the passage, and the third section  207  may be tapered to join the first section  205  and the second section  209 . However, it is understood that the tapered third section  207  may be optional and the first section  205  and second section  209  of the passage may meet at a right angle. 
         [0033]    Referring again generally to  FIGS. 7-11 , the implant holding tool  200  includes an exterior casing surrounding the passage. The exterior casing includes a handle portion  210  positioned at the first end  201  of the implant holding tool  200 . The handle portion  210  encompasses at least the first section  205  of the passage, and may also encompass the third section  207  and at least part of the second section  209  of the passage. The handle portion  210  may include one or more regions  215  to facilitate holding and use of the implant holding tool  200 . The one or more regions  215  may be substantially flat surfaces positioned on the handle portion  210  or may be concave relative to the handle portion  210 . The one or more regions  215  may be positioned lengthwise along the handle portion  210  and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the implant holding tool  200 . As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10  for example, the one or more regions  215  may be positioned on opposite sides of the handle portion  210 . Referring again generally to  FIGS. 7-11 , the exterior casing also includes an elongated portion  240  and a tip portion  250 . The tip portion  250  may be positioned at the second end  202  of the implant holding tool  200 , and may encompass at least a portion of the arrangement  255 . The elongated portion  240  may be positioned between the handle portion  210  and the tip portion  250 . The elongated portion  240  may also encompass at least a portion of the second section  209  of the passage. The exterior casing of the implant holder tool  200  may also include one or more tapered portions  220 ,  235  that join together the other portions of the exterior casing due to the differing diameters of the other portions. Positioned between the tapered portion  220 ,  235  may be a trunk portion  230  that may provide additional rigidity to the exterior casing at the junction between the handle portion  210  and the elongated portion  240 . 
         [0034]    The arrangement  255  that may be positioned at the second end  202  of the implant holding tool  200  includes one or more substantially flat surfaces  252  as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 11 . In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the arrangement  255  may include six substantially flat surfaces  252  arranged in a hexagonal pattern. The substantially flat surfaces  252  extend from the second end  202  of the implant holding tool  200  to the second portion  209  of the passage. The substantially flat surfaces  252  allow for the arrangement  255  to act as a wrench for use on fasteners, bolts, lugs or the like that have a corresponding shape, size and orientation as the arrangement  255 . While the exemplary embodiment of the arrangement  255  shown in  FIGS. 8 and 11  includes six substantially flat surfaces  252  it is understood that the arrangement  255  may include any number of substantially flat surfaces  252  to make any number of patterns and/or shapes, for example, but not limited to, square, octagonal, hexalobular internal driving feature, triple square, polydrive, spline drive, double hex or the like. Positioned between the substantially flat surfaces  252  of the arrangement  255  may also be relief cuts in the form of grooves  257  that may be positioned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the implant holding tool  200 . The grooves  257  may be positioned at what would be the vertices of the cross-sectional pattern formed by the substantially flat surfaces  252 , and the grooves  257  may have a cross-sectional form of that of a segment of a circle, for example a semi-circle. 
         [0035]    An exemplary embodiment of an implant driver  100  is shown in  FIGS. 1-5 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the implant driver  100  may include a handle at a first end  140  of the implant driver, and the handle may include a handle portion  110 , a tapered grip region  115  and a hilt portion  120 . The tapered grip region  115  and the hilt portion  120  of the handle provide a surface on which force may be imparted by the user in order to effect use of the implant driver  100 . The handle portion  110  may include one or more surfaces  145  that may either be flat or concave relative to the handle portion  110 . The one or more surfaces  145  may allow for increased grip and force by a user of the implant driver  100  and/or better tactile feel by the user. As shown in  FIG. 2  for example, the one or more surfaces  145  may be positioned on opposite sides of the handle portion  110 . Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the implant driver  100  may also include an elongated portion  130  positioned between the hilt portion  120  of the handle and a second end  150  of the implant driver  100 . The elongated portion  130  may be joined to the hilt portion  120  of the handle by a conical portion  125 . 
         [0036]    Now referring to  FIGS. 4-6 , positioned at the second end  150  of the implant driver in the elongated portion  130  may be a socket  151 . The socket may include a base  154  and an opening positioned opposite the base  154 . One or more substantially flat surfaces  155  may extend from the base  154  towards to the opening. The one or more substantially flat surfaces  155  may be positioned substantially parallel to each other along the longitudinal axis of the implant driver  100 . Each of the one or more substantially flat surfaces  155  may be ended by a surface  153  that is positioned substantially perpendicular to each of the substantially flat surfaces  155 . While the exemplary embodiment of the socket  151  shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6  includes eight substantially flat surfaces  155  it is understood that the socket  151  may include any number of substantially flat surfaces  155  to make any number of patterns and/or shapes, for example, but not limited to, square, hexagonal, hexalobular internal driving feature, triple square, polydrive, spline drive, double hex or the like. A relief cut forming a groove  162  may be made between each substantially flat surface  155 . The grooves  157  may be positioned at what would be the vertices of the cross-sectional pattern formed by the substantially flat surfaces  155 , and the grooves  157  may have a cross-sectional form of that of a segment of a circle, for example a semi-circle. The opening of the socket  151  may be substantially circular in shape, and may include one or more semi-circular arcs  164  forming a raised region  160  extending inwardly at the opening of the socket  151 . The one or more semi-circular arcs  164  may be separated by relief cuts forming grooves  162 , and the grooves  162  may have a cross-sectional form of that of a segment of a circle, for example a semi-circle. The raised region  160  and the surface  153  of each substantially flat surface  155  may be separated by a hollow cylindrical region  158 . 
         [0037]    Now the operation of the implant driver  100  in combination with the implant holding tool  200  will be discussed. The implant driver  100  can be used to engage with an implant, for example a dental implant, by engaging the socket  151  of the implant driver  100  with an implant carrier head (not shown). The implant (not shown) is driven into an osteotomy (not shown) by rotational force imparted by a user on the implant driver  100  being transferred to the implant through the implant carrier head. Once the implant is fully seated and positioned in the appropriate location the implant driver  100  is removed from the implant carrier head. The implant holding tool  200  is then engaged with the implant to hold the implant securely in place. The arrangement  255  of the implant holding tool  200  is used to engage with corresponding surfaces on the implant. The implant driver  100  may then be inserted in the first end  201  of the implant holding tool  200  and through the passage so that the socket  151  of the implant driver  100  is positioned substantially adjacent to the arrangement  255  of the implant holding tool. This positioning allows the implant holding tool  200  to engage the implant, and the implant driver  100  to engage the implant carrier head. The implant driver  100  may then be rotated about its longitudinal axis in the opposite direction that was used to install the implant to remove the implant carrier. The implant holding tool  200  remains secured to the implant during the removal of the implant carrier, and by applying and/or maintaining a force in the opposite rotational direction from the one applied to the implant driver  100  the implant is not loosened from its location. The passage of the implant holding tool  200  is dimensioned so that the implant driver  100  can freely rotate about its longitudinal axis while inserted into the implant holding tool  200 . 
         [0038]    It is understood that the implant driver  100  and implant holding tool  200  may be made from any suitable material, for example stainless steel or the like. The implant driver  100  and implant holding 200 may be made from surgical stainless steel, for example 17-4 PH stainless steel or the like. In addition, either or both the implant driver  100  and implant holding tool  200  may be heat treated to enhance wear resistance and increase tool life. For example, the implant driver  100  may have a Rockwell C hardness between 48 and 52, and the implant holding tool  200  may have a Rockwell C hardness between 40 and 45. 
         [0039]    It is to be understood that all of the present figures, and the accompanying narrative discussions of corresponding embodiments, do not purport to be completely rigorous treatments of the invention under consideration. It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.