Patent Publication Number: US-2016242792-A1

Title: A device for inserting a surgical pin into a bone structure

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention generally relates to surgical instruments and more particularly to a device for use in inserting a surgical pin into a bone structure. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Maintaining proper anatomical alignment and angulations in surgical procedures often requires the use of surgical pins. Such surgical pins may be used as implants to stabilize broken bones or as instruments for stabilizing other surgical instruments. Surgical pins are of great value in performing, for example, a knee replacement procedure where a femoral cutting block is positioned on an anterior, distal portion of a femur adjacent the condyles of a knee for guiding an oscillating bone saw to cut the knee bone to fit a matching prosthesis. The positioning of the femoral cutting block should be accompanied by fixedly and stably holding the same in place. One or more surgical pins are usually driven into the knee&#39;s femur portion to prevent unnecessary movement of the femoral cutting block. The degree of stability of the femoral cutting block depends on the steadiness of the fixedly held surgical pins, i.e., the femoral cutting block is more stabilized if the surgical pins supporting it are properly disposed on the knee with regard to the holes of the femoral cutting block through which the surgical pins pass through. 
     In any fixing means such as that described above, the use of multiple surgical pins is typically preferred so as to fix the position of any surgical instrument in place. Most of the surgical pin drivers in the industry today are configured to receive and hold a single pin. Thus, in cases where, for example, four pins are required to fix a position of a femoral cutting block on a knee bone, the conventional pin drivers have to be used four times. This arrangement necessitates a surgeon to drive a first pin into the bone using the pin driver, withdraw the pin driver from its attachment to the first pin, reload the pin driver with a second pin, and then drive the second pin into the bone again. This loop of steps is continually repeated until such time that a fourth or the last pin is finally driven into the bone. 
     The step of reloading the pin driver with a subsequent pin by itself is time-consuming and usually introduces considerable delays and intricacies into the process of performing a bone surgery. Customarily, such pin driver of the type that is designed to hold and drive a single pin is used by a surgeon in such a manner that the surgeon is obliged to detach the pin driver from the pin to that is fixedly positioned on the bone. 
     Surgical pins can be driven into a bone structure with the use of surgical power drills. A typical surgical power drill usually includes a chuck or a similar device for holding the surgical pin. The surgical pin is attached to the chuck of the surgical power drill. The pin is then driven into the bone by rotating it using is the surgical power drill while exerting a downward pressure onto the surface of the bone. Although the chuck, such as that marketed by Jacob Chuck Company, is generally easy to use, attaching and detaching the surgical pin from the chuck of the power drill adds an extra step and can delay the surgical procedure, particularly if multiple pins have to be used. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,026,870, issued on Mar. 27, 1962 to Charles W. Buckingham, discloses a surgical pin driver that includes a cylindrical shank having a striking end and a longitudinal bore extending partially into the opposite end of the striking end. An adapter element in the form of a threaded stud has a flat portion formed at its one end for insertion into the longitudinal bore of the aforementioned cylindrical shank. There is also included in this pin driver a radially extending set screw carried by the cylindrical shank. The set screw releasably secures the adapter stud within the longitudinal bore. The actions of tightening and loosening the set screw included in the same pin driver introduce difficulties and significant delay in a surgical procedure. 
     In view of the limitations of the abovementioned prior art, a need therefore exists for providing a device suitable for use in inserting a pin into an s object wherein the device is simple in construction and allows a pin to be readily attached and detached from a pin driver so as to prevent delays in a surgical procedure. 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a device suitable for use in inserting a to pin into an object comprising: (1) an elongated pin driver having a cavity extending longitudinally from one end thereof, the cavity defining an interior wall member of the pin driver, and a first abutting member extending transversely of the cavity from the interior wall member of the pin driver, wherein the first abutting member has first and second abutment surfaces; (2) is an elongated pin for engagement with the pin driver, the pin having a second abutting member on one end thereof, wherein the second abutting member has a third abutment surface for abutment against the first abutment surface of the first abutting member; and (3) a locking mechanism for locking the engagement of the pin driver and the pin. 
     Preferably, the locking mechanism includes a stud portion projecting longitudinally from the second abutting member of the pin. The locking mechanism further includes a slot extending partially into the stud portion and transversely of a longitudinal length of the stud portion. The stud portion defines a fourth abutment surface while the slot defines a fifth abutment surface. Furthermore, the slot is in spaced apart relation with one end of the stud portion projecting away from the second abutting member of the pin. The slot is also provided by at least one rounded edge about which the first abutting member along with the pin driver pivots. This configuration enables movement of the device to a first locking position when the pin is inserted into the pin driver such that each of the first and third abutment surfaces abuts against one another and such that each of the second and fourth abutment surfaces abuts against one another, and by means of which, the pin is prevented from moving further into the cavity of the pin driver, the pin driver and the pin are prevented from rotating relative to each other in a first direction, and the pin is allowed to be readily pulled out of the pin driver. The same configuration further enables movement of the device to a second locking position when the pin driver and the pin are rotated relative to each other in a to second direction substantially opposite the first direction until each of the second and fifth abutment surfaces abuts against one another which in turn causes the first abutting member to be captured inside the slot, and by means of which, the pin is prevented from moving further into the cavity of the pin driver and from being pulled out of the pin driver. In order to move the device is to an unlocking position, the pin driver and the pin can be rotated relative to each other in the first direction until the device is moved back to the first locking position. This thereby allows the pin to be readily pulled out of the pin driver. 
     Preferably, each of the pin driver and the pin has a cylindrical shape. The third abutment surface associated with the second abutting member of the cylindrical pin defines a first end face having a first surface area and the end of the stud portion defines a second end face having a second surface area, wherein said second surface area associated with the second end face is smaller than the first surface area associated with the first end face. 
     Preferably, the first abutting member has a length that allows the surface area of the stud portion to pass through a portion of the cavity associated with the pin driver. 
     In one embodiment, the pin of the device is a surgical pin and the object is a bone structure through which the surgical pin can be driven. In another embodiment, the pin is a surgical drill bit. A typical surgical drill bit has one end that is provided with a conical tip for insertion into the bone structure. The other end of the drill bit opposite the conical tip can be arranged to have a structure similar to the stud portion as described above so that the drill bit can be engaged with the pin driver through the locking mechanism as described above. 
     For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be performed and carried out into practice, a preferred embodiment will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a device suitable for use in inserting a pin into an object according to the invention; 
         FIG. 1A  is an enlarged fragmentary view of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged fragmentary isometric view of  FIG. 1 , with parts broken away, showing a locking mechanism wherein a pin driver and a pin of the device are disengaged; 
         FIG. 4  is another enlarged fragmentary isometric view of  FIG. 1 , with parts broken away, showing a locking mechanism wherein the pin driver and the pin of the device are engaged; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded fragmentary view of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a fragmentary side view of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a view of the device of  FIG. 1  being handled by a user; 
         FIG. 8  is a view of the device of  FIG. 1  being used in inserting a pin into an object using a surgical power drill; and 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged, exploded fragmentary view of  FIG. 8 , with parts broken away, showing a locking mechanism wherein the pin driver and the pin of the device are engaged. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 1A, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 , there are shown different views of a device suitable for use in inserting a pin into an object, generally to designated by reference numeral  100 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In particular,  FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the device  100 ,  FIG. 1A  is an enlarged fragmentary view of  FIG. 1 , and  FIG. 2  is an exploded view of  FIG. 1  while  FIGS. 3 and 4  show enlarged fragmentary isometric views of  FIG. 1  in which some parts of the device  100  are broken is away so as to illustrate the components of the device  100  of the present invention in a clear manner.  FIG. 5  is an exploded fragmentary view of  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 6  is a fragmentary side view of  FIG. 1 . The device  100  comprises mainly of an elongated pin driver  120  having a cavity  122  extending longitudinally from its one end  120   a  and a pin  140  for engagement with the pin driver  120  passing through the longitudinal cavity  122 . The pin driver  120  has a cylindrical shape with a hollow interior defining the cavity  122 . On the other hand, the pin  140  is shaped as a solid rod which likewise has a cylindrical cross-section. The cavity  122  defines an interior wall member  120   b  of the pin driver  120  and extends throughout the longitudinal axis of the pin driver  120 . It is the interior wall member  120   b  of the pin driver  120  that comes in contact with an exterior wall member  140   a  of the pin  140  wherein said contact allows the pin driver  120  and the pin  140  to rotate relative to each other. The rotational movement of each of the pin driver  120  and the pin  140  relative to one another is simply effected by virtue of the sizes of the pin driver  120  and the pin  140 . Limits and fits in mechanical engineering can be arranged desirably to achieve different types of fit for the contact of the interior wall member  120   b  associated with the pin driver  120  and the exterior wall member  140   a  associated with the pin  140 . For example, the diameter of the interior wall member  120   b  associated with the cylindrical pin driver  120  can be arranged to make it slightly larger than the diameter of the exterior wall member  140   a  associated with the cylindrical pin  140  so as to produce a fit of, for example, sliding type or loose type. 
     The pin driver  120  further includes a first abutting member  124  extending transversely of its cavity  122  from its interior wall member  120   b.  The first abutting member  124  is shaped as a half-circle, and the outside diameter of said half circle-like first abutting member  124  substantially matches the diameter of an exterior wall member  120   c  associated with the cylindrical pin driver  120 . The first abutting member  124  has a length defined by its radius that is less than one-half of the radius of the cylindrical pin driver  120 . The first abutting member  124  is inserted into an opening  126  which is formed transversely of the cavity  122  from the exterior wall member  120   c  to the interior wall member  120   b  of the pin driver  120 , and said opening  126  has a shape that substantially matches the shape of the first abutting member  124 . Moreover, the first abutting member  124  has a first abutment surface  124   a  and a second abutment surface  124   b,  both of which are substantially flat. Particularly, the second abutment surface  124   b  is arranged to face towards the cavity  122 . The first abutting member  124  can be fixed to the pin driver  120  either by welding or by using any suitable adhesive. 
     The pin  140  further includes a second abutting member  142 . This second abutting member  142  has a third abutment surface  142   a  that is substantially flat. The pin  140  can be continuously inserted into the pin driver  120  through the cavity  122  of the pin driver  120  until the third abutment surface  142   a  abuts against the first abutment surface  124   a  of the first abutting member  124  provided into the opening  126  formed in the pin driver  120 . With this configuration, the first abutting member  124  essentially serves as a stopper which stops the sliding motion of the pin  140  that is being passed through the cavity  122  of the pin driver  120 . In other words, the abutment of the first and third abutment surfaces  124   a,    142   a  is an indicator that the pin  140  can no longer be pushed further into the cavity  122  of the pin driver  120 . 
     A locking mechanism  160  is associated with the pin driver  120  and the pin  140 . More particularly, the locking mechanism  160  is designed for locking to an engagement of the pin driver  120  and the pin  140 . The locking mechanism  160  includes a stud portion  162  that projects longitudinally from the second abutting member  142  of the pin  140 . Similar to the shape of the pin  140 , the stud portion  162  also depicts a cylindrical cross section. It means that the diameter of the exterior wall member  140   a  of the pin  140  is substantially the is same as the exterior diameter of the depicted cylindrical shape of the stud portion  162 . However, the stud portion  162  is partially cut along its length producing flat portions  162   a,    162   b.  Specifically, the flat portions  162   b  serves as a fourth abutment surface. The locking mechanism  160  further includes a slot  164  extending partially into the stud portion  162  and transversely of a longitudinal length of the stud portion  162 . The slot  164  defines a flat portion  164   a  which serves as a fifth abutment surface. The position of the slot  164  is in spaced apart relation with one end  162   c  of the stud portion  162  projecting away from the second abutting member  142  of the pin  140 . 
     The third abutment surface  142   a  associated with the second abutting member  142  of the pin  140  defines a first end face having a first surface area and the end  162   c  of the stud portion  162  defines a second end face having a second surface area. The second surface area associated with the end  162   c  of the stud portion  162  is smaller than the first surface area associated with the third abutment surface  142   a.  Furthermore, the first abutting member  124  has a length that allows the second surface area of the end  162   c  of the stud portion  162  to pass through a portion of the cavity  122  defined by the interior wall member  120   b  of the pin driver  120 . 
     The pin driver  120  is further provided with a space (S) extending from its interior wall member  120   b  in the direction towards its exterior wall member  120   c.  The space (S) is clearly shown in  FIG. 6 . This space (S) is created by cutting a portion of the cylindrical pin driver  120  along a route from the exterior wall member  120   c  of the pin driver  120  to its interior wall member  120   b  that is in a sliding contact with the exterior wall member  140   a  of the pin  140  when the pin  140  is inserted into the pin driver  120 . A portion between the interior wall member  120   b  and the exterior wall member  120   c  of the pin driver  120  left after the cut is characterized by a substantially thin material that can be subjected to slight deformation towards the cavity  122  during manufacturing of the pin driver  120 . This deformation creates a bias of a tip (T) of the portion of the pin driver&#39;s interior and exterior wall members  120   b ,  120   c  left after the cut towards the cavity  122  which in turn results in an interference of said tip (T) with the exterior wall member  140   a  of the pin  140  when the pin  140  is inserted into the pin driver  120 . This interference makes the portion of the pin driver&#39;s interior and exterior wall members  120   b,    120   c  left after the cut act like a spring or clamp as if there is a finger pushing it towards the cavity  122  of the pin driver  120 . In effect, the interference holds the pin  140  against the interior wall member  120   b  associated with the cavity  122  of the pin driver  120  by virtue of friction between them. The friction prevents the pin  140  from inadvertently falling off from the pin driver  120  once the pin  140  has been inserted into the pin driver  120 . The friction which acts to maintain the engagement of the pin driver  120  and the pin  140  is particularly advantageous when the device  100  is in use, as the device  100  can be held by a surgeon in different positions without requiring any fasteners such as screws, bolts, or the like. 
     Referring particularly to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , both of which show an enlarged fragmentary isometric view of  FIG. 1 , illustrated is a locking mechanism  160  wherein the pin driver  120  and the pin  140  of the device  100  are disengaged and engaged, respectively.  FIG. 5  is an exploded view of  FIG. 4 . In these figures, some parts are broken away in order to clearly illustrate how the locking mechanism  160  operates with regard to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A first locking position is defined by the locking mechanism  160  wherein the pin  140  is inserted into pin driver  120  such that the third abutment surface  142   a  abuts against the first abutment surface  124   a  and the fourth abutment surface  162   b  abuts against the second abutment surface  124   b,  wherein the fourth abutment surface  162   b  is substantially parallel to the second abutment surface  124   b.  In this first locking position, the pin driver  120  and the pin  140  are prevented from rotating relative to each other in a first direction due to the abutment of the fourth abutment surface  162   b  against the second abutment surface  124   b.  This first direction characterizes a clockwise direction when the device  100  is viewed from an opposite end  120   d  of the end  120   a  of the pin driver  120  as clearly shown in  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 , for example, the pin driver  120  is prevented from rotating relative to the pin  140  in the direction indicated by arrow A while the pin  140  is prevented from rotating relative to the pin driver  120  in the direction indicated by arrow B. The slot  164  is adapted to have at least one rounded edge  164   b  about which the first abutting member  124  along with the pin driver  120  pivots. This allows the pin driver  120  and the pin  140  to rotate relative to each other in a second direction that is substantially opposite the first direction. This second direction characterizes a counter-clockwise direction when the device  100  is viewed from the opposite end  120   d  of the end  120   a  of the pin driver  120 , wherein the opposite end  120   d  is clearly shown in  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 , for example, the pin driver  120  rotates relative to the pin  140  in the direction indicated by arrow B while the pin  140  rotates relative to the pin driver  120  in the direction indicated by arrow A. Thus, in the first locking position, the pin  140  is prevented from moving further into the cavity  122  of the pin driver  120  and, at the same time, the pin driver  120  and the pin  140  are prevented from rotating relative to each other in the direction indicated by arrow A (or in a clockwise direction when the device  100  is viewed from the opposite end  120   d  of the end  120   a  of the pin driver as clearly shown in  FIG. 2 ) for the pin driver  120  and arrow B (or in a counter-clockwise direction when the device  100  is viewed from the opposite end  120   d  of the end  120   a  of the pin driver  120  as clearly shown in  FIG. 2 ) for the pin  140 . However, the first locking position allows the pin  140  to be pulled out of the pin driver  120 . While the pin driver  120  and the pin  140  are in the first locking position, any of the pin driver  120  and pin  140  can be rotated to move the device  100  to a second locking position as described below. As shown in  FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 , for example, the second locking position is achieved when pin driver  120  is rotated relative to the pin  140  as indicated by arrow B or when the pin  140  is rotated relative to the pin driver  120  as indicated by arrow A. 
     After the pin  140  is positioned inside the pin driver  120  wherein the device  100  is moved to the first locking position, each of the pin driver  120  and the pin  140  can be rotated approximately 90 degrees following the directions indicated by arrows B and A, respectively, relative to one another until the second abutment surface  124   b  and the fifth abutment surface  164   a  abuts against one another as clearly shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . In this second locking position, the first abutting member  124  is captured inside the slot  164  thereby preventing the pin  140  from being pulled out of the pin driver  120 . This defines a second locking position. In this second locking position, the pin  140  is prevented from moving further into the cavity  122  of the pin driver  120  while also being prevented from being pulled out of pin driver  120 . At the same time, the pin driver  120  is prevented from rotating relative to the pin  140  in the second direction as indicated by arrow B while the pin  140  is prevented from rotating relative to the pin driver  120  in the first direction as indicated by arrow A. In order to move the device  100  to an unlocking position, the pin driver  120  can be rotated back approximately 90 degrees relative to the pin  140  following the first direction indicated by arrow A (or in a clockwise direction when the device  100  is viewed from the opposite end  120   d  of the end  120   a  of the pin driver  120 , wherein the opposite end  120   d  is clearly shown in  FIG. 2 ) thereby moving the device  100  from the second locking position back to the first locking position. Moving the device  100  from the second locking position back to the first locking position can also be achieved by rotating back the pin  140  approximately 90 degrees relative to the pin driver  120  following the second direction as indicated by arrow B (or in a counter-clockwise direction when the to device  100  is viewed from the opposite end  120   d  of the end  120   a  of the pin driver  120 , wherein the opposite end  120   d  is clearly shown in  FIG. 2 ). With the first locking position back in place, the pin driver  120  and the pin  140  can be readily disengaged from each other. In essence, the first locking position allows the pin  140  to be readily pulled out of the pin driver  120 . 
     In use, the pin  140  can be inserted into the pin driver  120  in order to move the device  100  to the first locking position. A surgeon can then push and rotate the pin driver  120  following the first direction as indicated by arrow A (or in a clockwise direction when the device  100  is viewed from the opposite end  120   d  of the end  120   a  of the pin driver  120 , wherein the opposite end  120   d  is clearly shown in  FIG. 2 ) to drive the pin  140  into the object to be pinned such as, for example, a bone structure. Once the pin  140  is inserted into the object to the desired depth, the surgeon can simply pull the pin driver  120  away from the pin  140 , and the pin  140  can be left attached to the object. To remove the pin  140  from the object, the pin driver  120  can be placed back over the pin  140  moving the device  100  to the first locking position. The surgeon can then rotate the pin driver  120  in the second direction as indicated by arrow B (or in a counter-clockwise direction when the device  100  is viewed from the opposite end  120   d  of the end  120   a  of the pin driver  120 , wherein the opposite end  120   d  is clearly shown in  FIG. 2 ) in order to move the device  100  to the second locking position. The surgeon can continue the rotation following the second direction as indicated by arrow B and, at any given point of time, pull the pin driver  120  away from the bone structure. Since the pin driver  120  and the pin  140  are in the second locking position, the pin  140  moves together with the pin driver  120  and then the pin  140  can be pulled out of the object. Since there are only two components involved in using the device  100 , namely, the pin driver  120  and the surgical pin  140 , the surgeon no longer needs to manipulate a third component or any additional number of components for that matter. The construction of the device  100  is simple, and the surgeon is therefore able to save a significant amount of time in installing the pin  140  into to the cavity  122  of the pin driver  120 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , there is shown the device  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1  being handled by a user and being used in inserting the pin  140  into an object (K) using a surgical power drill, respectively.  FIG. 9  is an enlarged, exploded fragmentary isometric view of  FIG. 8 , with parts is broken away, showing the locking mechanism  160  wherein the pin driver  120  and the pin  140  of the device  100  are engaged. Preferably, the device  100  is used in inserting a surgical pin  140  into a bone structure such as for example a knee (K). The device  100  may used manually by a surgeon. Alternatively, the device  100  can also be used in conjunction with a standard drilling tool (D) that is commonly used in surgical operations and is more commonly known as surgical power drill. At the discretion of the surgeon, the device  100  can be held by the surgeon who may apply an adequate force or specifically downward pressure in order to insert the surgical pin  140  into a substantially soft surface surrounding the knee bone (K). Where the surgical pin  140  has a threaded tip for insertion into the knee (K), the surgeon can drive the surgical pin  140  manually using the pin driver  120  in order to effect the insertion, or attach to the surgical power drill (D) to drive the pin  140  into the knee (K). Where the surgical pin  140  is of type that requires blowing in order to be driven into the knee (K), the surgeon may strike the end  120   d  of the pin driver  120  in order to force the insertion of the surgical pin  140  into the knee (K). In any case, the surgeon can simply prepare the pin driver  120  and the surgical pin  140 . Before threading or impacting the surgical pin  140  into the knee (K) or surrounding portions thereof, the surgical pin  140  can be inserted into the pin driver  120  by the surgeon or by anyone assisting the surgeon. In this insertion process, it is highly advantageous that the pin driver  120  is provided with a marker section  720  which is arranged to be recognizable from the outside of its exterior wall member  120   c.  With a further marker section  740  provided on the exterior wall member  140   a  of the surgical pin  140  and which is also arranged to be recognizable from the outside of the exterior wall member  140   a  of the to surgical pin  140 , it is possible that the marker section  720  on the pin driver  120  can be matched to the further marker section  740  on the surgical pin  140  such that a single straight line or path is formed. This straight line ensures that the surgical pin  140  is inserted into the pin driver  120  such that the device  100  is moved to the first locking position as described above. In another embodiment, is the pin  140  is a surgical drill bit. A typical surgical drill bit has one end that is provided with a conical tip for insertion into the bone structure. The other end of the drill bit opposite the conical tip can be arranged to have a structure similar to the stud portion  162  as described above so that the drill bit can be engaged with the pin driver  120  through the locking mechanism  160  as described above. 
     In an instance where for example a femoral cutting block (F) is required to be installed during a standard Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) procedure, multiple surgical pins  140  are also necessary to be used in order to secure the femoral cutting block (F) in place before a surgeon starts cutting any portion of the knee (K). Since only the pin driver  120  and the surgical pin  140  are as fewest components that are required to be manipulated by the surgeon, the surgeon is able to save a considerable amount of time in installing more than one surgical pins  140 . The locking mechanism  160  of the device  100  allows each of the surgical pins  140  to be readily detached from the pin driver  120  thereby preventing delays in the surgical procedure. Another advantage of the device  100  of the present invention is that the risk of contaminating the surgical pins  140  is minimized. Since each of the surgical pins  140  is securely engaged within the cavity  122  of the pin driver  120  by the tip (T) at all times, there is a low tendency that the surgical pin  140  would inadvertently fall off to the ground. One notable advantage of the present invention becomes apparent when the device  100  is used with a surgical power drill (D), wherein the pin driver  120  of the device  100  is inserted to a chuck (C) of the drill (D) and then use the drill (D) to insert the pin  140  into the knee bone (K). Particularly, the end  120   d  of the pin driver  120  is the portion of the device  100  to that can be inserted into the chuck (C). Once a first pin  140  is drilled into the knee bone (K) using the first locking position as described above, the surgeon performing the drilling procedure can conveniently disengage the pin driver  120  from the drilled pin  140  and replace it with another pin  140  without the need to tighten or loosen the chuck (C). While a surgical procedure is ongoing, the pin is driver  120  can be left held in the drill&#39;s chuck (C). In this manner, the surgeon performing the drilling operation is able to save time by spontaneously feeding a pin  140  into the pin driver  120  every after a successful insertion of the pin  140  is accomplished. This means that the surgeon no longer needs an additional step to manually fix any component in the process of drilling since all that is required is to drill the pin  140  into the knee bone (K) and once the desired depth of insertion is achieved, the drill (D) carrying the pin driver  120  can be withdrawn smoothly and completely from its attachment to the pin  140  driven into the knee bone (K). Thereafter, a succeeding pin  140  can be pushed into the cavity  122  of the pin driver  120 . To remove a pin  140  from the knee bone (K), the pin driver is simply placed over the pin  140  until the device  100  is moved to the first locking position wherein the pin  140  is placed inside the pin driver  120 . The surgeon then rotates the drill (D) carrying the pin driver  120  in the direction indicated by arrow B in  FIG. 9  to move the device  100  to the second locking position. In this position, the fifth abutment surface  164   a  associated with the slot  164  provided in the stud portion  162  of the pin  140  abuts against the second abutment surface  124   b.  The surgeon continues to the rotate the drill in the direction indicated by arrow B in  FIG. 9  and, at any given point of time, pull the drill (D) away from the knee (K) to remove the pin  140  from the knee bone (K). 
     Although it is described from the above disclosure that there are marker and further marker sections  720 ,  740  provided on the pin driver  120  and the pin  140 , respectively, to enable insertion of the pin  140  into the pin driver  120  in a proper position, i.e., the first locking position as described above wherein the first abutment surface  124   a  of the first abutting member  124  abuts against the third abutment surface  142   a  and wherein the second abutment surface to  124   b  of the first abutting member  124  abuts against the fourth abutment surface  164   a  of the slot  164 , an alternative marker section  900  around a circumference of the pin  140  can also be made. Such an alternative marker section  900  around the circumference of the pin  140  serves as an indicator that the pin  140  is already in the proper position inside the cavity  122  of the pin is driver  120 . The circumferential alternative marker section  900  reaching the end  120   a  (as clearly shown in  FIG. 2 ) of the pin driver  120  is an indicator that the pin  140  has been set in place through the cavity  122  of the pin driver  120 . Each of the marker section  720 , further marker section  740 , and alternative marker section  900  is preferably made by laser marking or machining the exterior wall members  120   c,    140   a,  of the pin driver  120  and the surgical pin  140 , respectively. 
     The pin driver  120 , the surgical pin  140 , and the components associated with the locking mechanism  160 , as illustrated in previous figures, associated with the pin driver  120  and the surgical pin  140  are preferably made from stainless steel so that corrosion is prevented. One possible way to manufacture the device  100  is by using a wire saw or any suitable machine that utilizes a metal wire in performing a manual cut. It is likewise possible that the required cutting process is carried out automatically by Wire EDM (electrical discharge machining) cutting machine which utilizes an electrically energized thin wire to perform a cut. Such EDM cutting is suitable for mass production of the device  100  since the same may be operated with controlled parameters to effect rapid and consistent cut.