Patent Description:
In the field of orthopaedic surgery, it is often necessary to remove bone material to enable implantation of a prosthesis to repair joints in the human body. Patella cutters and acetabular reamer cups and glenoid reamers are surgical tools which are used in surgery for the insertion of artificial joints. Acetabular reamer cups are used to cut hemispherical cavities in pelvis bones for the insertion of artificial hip joints. Patella cutters are used to shape the underside of the patella or knee cap during knee replacement surgery. Glenoid reamers are used to cut hemispherical cavities in shoulder bones for the insertion of artificial shoulder joints. Patella cutters have a complex arrangement of precisely shaped cutting edges arranged around an axis of rotation for cutting the patella. Acetabular reamer cups and glenoid reamers have a complex arrangement of cutting edges arranged on a spherical surface around the axis of rotation of the cup.

A number of tools have been developed for this purpose and include reamers having generally semi-hemispherical configuration with cutting elements on them so that a corresponding semi-hemispherical hollow can be formed in the bone material for providing a foundation for the repair of the joint.

There are two major driver styles in the field, one of which is for the Othy style manufactured by Symmetry Medical, Inc. and the other style manufactured by Precimed SA of L'Echelette, Switzerland (now owned by Greatbatch Medical). Although these both have semi-hemispherical cutting heads, they have different interfaces between driving tools with which they are associated. The Othy style has a crossbridge (also known as a bridgeback) element. This element is a bar extending between the circumference of the hemisphere and having a circular expanded section in the middle. Numerous arrangements are available for securing this device as exemplified by <CIT>. Alternatively, the Precimed reamer has a crossbar shape in which two circular cross section bars intersect at the center and extend to the walls of the hemisphere and is known as a cruciform reamer. An example of a driver for this type is found in <CIT> in which a bayonet interconnection is provided between the reamer and the driver.

Typically, surgeons use specialized drivers for each of the reamers. The drivers connect to a source of power and have appropriate handles for guiding the operation of the reamer by a surgeon. If a surgeon has one of the adaptors, it is difficult to utilize the other type of reamer since it requires a specialized driver for that reamer. It has been proposed in <CIT> to provide a dual adapter that accommodates both the Othy and the Precimed reamers. This type of driver has a bayonet interconnection in which the assemblies are inserted axially and then a rotational movement, in accordance with a bayonet connection, is provided to lock the elements in place. The bayonet connection of the driver has a two-tiered construction, which requires a more complicated manufacturing process. <CIT> provides an orthopaedic reamer connector according to the preamble of claim <NUM>, including a base shaped to allow for connection of an orthopaedic reamer having a connection surface and being configured to rotatably connect to a rotary actuator. <CIT> provides a further device for connecting an instrument to a driver, the device comprising: a first connector having at least two protrusions connectable, in use, to the instrument; a mechanism for moving the protrusions between a connected and a disconnected position; and a second connector for connecting the device to the driver, in use.

<CIT> discloses an orthopaedic reamer connector in which an interlocking between a holder section and a stop section can be reversed, allowing the holder section and the stop section to be sterilized separately.

One additional consideration when designing orthopaedic reamer connectors is the ability to sterilize the reamer connector after contacting biological tissues and fluids; if the reamer connector cannot be sterilized between uses, the reamer connector must be single-use. Single-use reamer connectors, generally, are not economically feasible for users due to the high cost associated with creating the complex connector shapes and the materials required to provide the necessary strength. Further, many reamer connectors are formed as one-piece items which must be entirely replaced when the reamer connector becomes inoperable due to, for example, wear.

What is needed in the art is an orthopaedic reamer connector that can accommodate multiple styles of reamers, be sterilized between uses and be more economically replaced or repaired compared to known reamer connectors.

The present invention provides an orthopaedic reamer connector in accordance with claim <NUM> with a holder section having two pairs of holders that are opposed to each other by <NUM> degrees, the holders of each pair forming an acute angle therebetween, and a stop section mechanically interlocked with the holder section and having a stop associated with each holder.

An advantage of the present invention is that it can connect to both a bridgeback style reamer and a cruciform style reamer.

Another advantage is that the holder section can be separated from the stop section to sterilize the sections and, when necessary, replace one of the sections without having to replace the entire reamer connector.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates one embodiment of the invention and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to <FIG>, there is shown a bridgeback reamer <NUM>, which can also be referred to as an Othy style reamer, which generally includes a reamer surface <NUM> and a connecting portion <NUM> attached to the reamer surface <NUM>. As can be seen, the reamer surface <NUM> has a semi-spherical shape with the connecting portion <NUM> extending across a diameter D1 of the bottom of the reamer <NUM>. The connecting portion <NUM> includes two bridge portions <NUM> which have a substantially rectangular cross-section that meet at a central hub <NUM> which has a circular shape. The connecting portion <NUM> of reamer <NUM> connects to an orthopaedic reamer driver (not shown) through an orthopaedic reamer connector (such as the one shown in <FIG>) and drive train (not shown). The drive train allows for the orthopaedic reamer connector to be rotated by a rotary actuator, such as a medical power drill, and that rotation is transferred to the reamer <NUM> by the orthopaedic reamer connector.

Referring now to <FIG>, a cruciform reamer <NUM>, which can also be referred to as a Precimed style reamer, is shown. As can be seen, the cruciform reamer <NUM> has a circular bottom <NUM> that has a connecting portion <NUM> for connecting to an orthopaedic reamer connector. The connecting portion <NUM> includes four spokes <NUM> that meet at a central hub <NUM> which has a circular shape. The spokes <NUM> extend from the bottom <NUM> to the central hub <NUM> and each spoke <NUM> forms a generally <NUM> degree angle to adjacent spokes <NUM>. Similarly to the bridgeback reamer <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the cruciform reamer <NUM> can be connected to an orthopaedic reamer connector to be driven by a rotary actuator.

As can be seen from <FIG>, the bridgeback reamer <NUM> and cruciform reamer <NUM> have significantly different connecting portions <NUM>, <NUM>. As the reamers <NUM>, <NUM> are modular, it is desirable that an orthopaedic reamer connector is able to connect to and drive both reamer styles.

Referring now to <FIG>, an embodiment of an orthopaedic reamer connector <NUM> useful for understanding the present invention is shown which generally includes a base <NUM> with a connection surface <NUM>, two pairs of holders <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> associated with the connection surface <NUM>, and a pair of stops <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> associated with each pair of holders <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The base <NUM> has a drive train connector (not shown) held within the orthopaedic reamer connector <NUM> that rotatably attaches to a drive train (not shown) which is attached to a rotary actuator, such as a medical power drill, so that the torque generated by the rotary actuator can be transferred to the base <NUM> and rotate an attached orthopaedic reamer. Any type of drive train connector that can allow for the base <NUM> to be rotated by the rotary actuator can be used, and many types of such connections are known. The base <NUM> can have a roughly annular cross-section, as shown, with a center C1, which will also be the center of rotation of the base <NUM>, and a circumference <NUM> defined about center C1, but other shapes can be chosen. The base <NUM> should be sufficiently sized to allow for connecting portions, such as connecting portions <NUM> and <NUM> shown in <FIG>, to be held by the orthopaedic reamer connector <NUM> during use. Since the orthopaedic reamer connector <NUM> is likely to encounter bodily fluids and tissues during use, it is useful if the base <NUM>, and other components of the orthopaedic reamer connector <NUM>, are formed from biocompatible materials that do not present local toxicity during use of the orthopaedic reamer. Such materials can include, but are not limited to, cobalt chrome, stainless steel, titanium, tantalum, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), and poly ether etherketone (PEEK). The base <NUM> can be formed by any fabrication capable of producing a suitable shape, such as casting, machining, molding, punching, extrusion, etc..

The orthopaedic reamer connector <NUM> has two pairs of holders <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> associated with the connection surface <NUM>. As used herein when describing the holders <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, "associated with" can mean, among other things, "formed on," "connected to," "held by," "held with," and "attached to," such that the holders <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> can act as holding structural features in conjunction with the connection surface <NUM>. The holders <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are arranged in pairs, with holders <NUM> and <NUM> forming a pair and holders <NUM> and <NUM> forming a pair. In this regard, holders <NUM> and <NUM> can each be considered first holders of their respective pair and holders <NUM> and <NUM> can each be considered second holders of their respective pair. As can be seen, holders <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> all extend at least partially away from the base <NUM> and connection surface <NUM> so that when the base <NUM> and holders <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> rotate, an object that radially extends, relative to center C1, to or past the holders <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> and is abutting the connection surface <NUM> will be forced against one or more of the holders <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> and rotate along with the base <NUM>. The first holders <NUM> and <NUM> are opposed about <NUM> degrees relative to each other and the second holders <NUM> and <NUM> are also opposed about <NUM> degrees relative to each other. As used herein, "opposed about <NUM> degrees relative to each other" signifies that the first holders <NUM> and <NUM> and second holders <NUM> and <NUM> are held at opposed locations relative to the center C1, i.e., a straight line can be drawn through first holders <NUM> and <NUM> that passes through center C1 and a straight line can be drawn through second holders <NUM> and <NUM> that passes through center C1. The first holders <NUM>, <NUM> and their respective second holders <NUM>, <NUM> also form an acute angle relative to each other. The significance of the acute angle between the first holders <NUM> and <NUM> and their respective second holders <NUM> and <NUM> will be described below. Such an arrangement is in contrast to other known orthopaedic reamer connectors, where the holders are arranged so that a <NUM> degree angle is formed between adjacent holders on the connection surface.

As can be seen, the holders <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> can have different shapes. As shown, first holder <NUM> can be formed as an L-shaped hook with a vertical portion <NUM> that extends away from the connection surface <NUM> and a horizontal portion <NUM> that extends along the circumference <NUM> of the connection surface <NUM>. Such a shape forms a holding channel <NUM> between a part of the horizontal portion <NUM> and the connection surface <NUM> that faces associated stop <NUM>, where part of an orthopaedic reamer connecting portion can be held during use. The length of the vertical portion <NUM> and horizontal portion <NUM> can be adjusted, as desired, to accommodate various sizes and shapes of orthopaedic reamer connecting portions. First holder <NUM>, as shown, has a wedge shape with a curved surface <NUM> that extends radially outward from a point on the base <NUM> to an annular surface <NUM> that extends along circumference <NUM>. A channel <NUM> can be formed between the holder <NUM> and connecting surface <NUM> that faces associated stop <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. Optionally, first holder <NUM> could be formed as a mirror image of first holder <NUM>, i.e., an L-shaped hook. Second holders <NUM> and <NUM> can have vertical portions <NUM> and horizontal portions <NUM> similar to first holder <NUM>, while also having rounded edges <NUM> formed in the second holders <NUM> and <NUM> that face associated stops <NUM> and <NUM>. The rounded edges <NUM> can be sized to accommodate a cruciform reamer, such as reamer <NUM> shown in <FIG>, so that the spokes <NUM> of the reamer <NUM> will be held against the rounded edges <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In this regard, first holders <NUM> and <NUM> can be sized and shaped to engage a bridgeback reamer <NUM> during rotation of the base <NUM> and second holders <NUM> and <NUM> can be sized and shaped to engage a cruciform reamer <NUM> during rotation of the base <NUM>. It should be appreciated that the described and shown shapes of the holders <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are exemplary only and can be modified in different ways.

As can be seen in <FIG>, the orthopaedic reamer connector <NUM> also includes two pairs of stops <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> associated with the holders <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. As used herein when describing the stops <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, "associated with" signifies that each stop <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> has an associated holder <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, that the stop is distanced from so that both the stop and its associated holder can act in concert to contact opposing surfaces of an object placed in between and cause the object to rotate along with the orthopaedic reamer connector <NUM>. In this regard, stops <NUM> and <NUM> can be considered first stops since stop <NUM> is associated with first holder <NUM> and stop <NUM> is associated with first holder <NUM> and stops <NUM> and <NUM> can be considered second stops since stop <NUM> is associated with second holder <NUM> and stop <NUM> is associated with second holder <NUM>. Similar to the first holders <NUM>, <NUM> and second holders <NUM>, <NUM>, the first stops <NUM> and <NUM> can form an acute angle relative to their paired second stops <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. As the first stops <NUM> and <NUM> are associated with the first holders <NUM> and <NUM>, the first stops <NUM> and <NUM> can be held a distance from their associated first holders <NUM> and <NUM> that corresponds to a width W1 of the bridge portions <NUM> of the bridgeback reamer <NUM>. Such a distancing allows for the bridgeback reamer <NUM> to be tightly held against the first holders <NUM> and <NUM> and first stops <NUM> and <NUM> to secure the bridgeback reamer <NUM> to the orthopaedic reamer connector <NUM>, as can be seen in <FIG>. As can be seen, the vertical portion <NUM> of first holder <NUM> has an abutting surface <NUM> that the bridgeback reamer <NUM> connecting portion <NUM> can abut against when connected to the orthopaedic reamer connector <NUM>. The distance between the abutting surface <NUM> and first stop <NUM> can therefore be close to the width W1 of the bridge portions <NUM> so that opposite edges of one of the bridge portions <NUM> will contact both the abutting surface <NUM> and first stop <NUM> during use and movement of the bridge portions <NUM> along the circumference <NUM> can be minimized. In a similar fashion, first stop <NUM> can have a distance from contacting surface <NUM> of first holder <NUM> that corresponds to the width W1 of the bridge portions. Similarly, second stops <NUM> and <NUM> can be held a distance from their associated second holders <NUM> and <NUM> that corresponds to a width W2 of the spokes <NUM> of the cruciform reamer <NUM>. Such a distancing allows for the cruciform reamer <NUM> to be tightly held against the second holders <NUM> and <NUM> and first stops <NUM> and <NUM> to secure the cruciform reamer <NUM> to the orthopaedic reamer connector <NUM>, as can be seen in <FIG>.

The stops <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> can all be similarly shaped or have different shapes, as desired. As shown in <FIG>, the stops <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are configured as pins that are spring loaded so they can be pushed down below the connecting surface <NUM> to allow for connecting portions <NUM>, <NUM> to be placed against their respective holders <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> and then naturally push back up to hold the connecting portions <NUM>, <NUM> between the stops <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> and their associated holders <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, the connecting portion <NUM> of the bridgeback reamer <NUM> is shown connected to the orthopaedic reamer connector <NUM>. As can be seen, the bridge portions <NUM> extend radially past the circumference <NUM> of the connection surface <NUM> and abut against first holders <NUM> and <NUM> and first stops <NUM> and <NUM>. The vertical portion <NUM> of holder <NUM> extends a distance from the connection surface <NUM> that is close to a thickness T1 of the bridge portions <NUM>, to constrain movement of the connecting portion <NUM> in a direction away from the connection surface <NUM>. In this regard, the bridge portions <NUM> being held between the channel <NUM> and first stop <NUM> and the channel <NUM> and first stop <NUM> constraints rotation of the connecting portion <NUM> relative to the orthopaedic reamer connector <NUM> and movement of the connecting portion <NUM> away from the connecting surface <NUM>. Optionally, the holders <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> can all have curved portions <NUM> that abut against a circumference <NUM> of the central hub <NUM> when the connecting portion <NUM> is placed against the connection surface <NUM>, further securing the connecting portion <NUM> to the orthopaedic reamer connector <NUM>.

Since the connecting portion <NUM> of the bridgeback reamer <NUM> only has two bridge portions <NUM>, second holders <NUM> and <NUM> and second stops <NUM> and <NUM> do not contact the bridge portions <NUM> when the bridgeback reamer <NUM> is connected to the orthopaedic reamer connector <NUM>. To assist a user with determining which of the holders <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> and stops <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> correspond to the connecting portion <NUM> of the bridgeback reamer <NUM>, the first stops <NUM> and <NUM> can be shorter than second stops <NUM> and <NUM>, due to the thickness T1 of the connecting portion <NUM> of the bridgeback reamer <NUM> generally being less than a thickness T2 of the connecting portion <NUM> of the cruciform reamer <NUM>. Since the thickness T1 is less than the thickness T2, the first stops <NUM> and <NUM> can have a smaller height H1 to constrain the connecting portion <NUM> of the bridgeback reamer <NUM> than the second stops <NUM> and <NUM> which can have a larger height H2 to constrain the connecting portion <NUM> of the cruciform reamer <NUM>. If the thickness T1 of the bridgeback reamer <NUM> is greater than the thickness T2 of the cruciform reamer <NUM>, the height H1 of first stops <NUM> and <NUM> can be greater than the height H2 of second stops <NUM> and <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, the orthopaedic reamer connector <NUM> is shown connected to the connecting portion <NUM> of the cruciform reamer <NUM>. As can be seen, two spokes <NUM> of the connecting portion <NUM> are held between the rounded edges <NUM> of second holders <NUM> and <NUM> and their associated stops <NUM> and <NUM> and the other two spokes abut against the holders <NUM> and <NUM>. The stops <NUM> and <NUM> have a greater height H2 than stops <NUM> and <NUM>, as previously described, to correspond to the thickness T2 of the cruciform reamer <NUM>. Since the stops <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> can be spring loaded pins, the spokes <NUM> can be pressed down toward the connecting surface <NUM> to push down the stops <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> then rotated to place two of the spokes <NUM> between the rounded edges <NUM> of second holders <NUM> and <NUM> and their associated stops <NUM> and <NUM>. Since stops <NUM> and <NUM> are pressed down by spokes <NUM> and spring loaded, stops <NUM> and <NUM> will provide an upward force against the spokes <NUM> to better secure the cruciform reamer <NUM> to the orthopaedic reamer connector <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an overlay of how the bridgeback reamer <NUM> and cruciform reamer <NUM> will both look when connected to the orthopaedic reamer connector <NUM>.

As can be seen, the bridge portions <NUM> of the bridgeback reamer <NUM> are significantly wider than the spokes <NUM> of the cruciform reamer <NUM>. This width difference makes it difficult to accommodate both reamers <NUM>, <NUM> using an orthopaedic reamer connector that has four equally spaced holders that form <NUM> degree angles relative to each other. By utilizing two opposed pairs of holders <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> with a first holder <NUM>, <NUM> and a second holder <NUM>, <NUM> that form an acute angle relative to each other in combination with associated first stops <NUM>, <NUM> and second stops <NUM>, <NUM>, both the bridgeback reamer <NUM> and cruciform reamer <NUM> can be secured to the orthopaedic reamer connector <NUM> without using a two-tiered construction. Further, since the first holders <NUM>, <NUM> and first stops <NUM>, <NUM> primarily hold the bridgeback reamer <NUM> and the second holders <NUM>, <NUM> and second stops <NUM>, <NUM> primarily hold the cruciform reamer <NUM>, the holders <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and stops <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> can be more specifically tailored to the connecting portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the reamers <NUM> and <NUM>. As such, the holders <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> and stops <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can be adjusted to accommodate many different types of modular reamers.

Referring now to <FIG>, an embodiment of an orthopaedic reamer connector <NUM> formed according to the present invention is shown. As the orthopaedic reamer connector <NUM> is similar to the previously described orthopaedic reamer connector <NUM>, similar elements of orthopaedic reamer connector <NUM> are assigned similar reference numerals raised by <NUM>. The orthopaedic reamer connector <NUM> includes a holder section <NUM> shaped to allow for connection of an orthopaedic reamer, such as previously described bridgeback reamer <NUM> and cruciform reamer <NUM>, and a stop section <NUM> mechanically interlocked with the holder section <NUM> so as to prevent relative rotation between the holder section <NUM> and the stop section <NUM>. The holder section <NUM>, which is shown by itself in <FIG>, includes a pair of first holders <NUM>, <NUM> and a pair of second holders <NUM>, <NUM>, which can be similar to the holders <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the orthopaedic reamer connector <NUM>, and has a connection surface <NUM>. The connection surface <NUM> can be formed as a substantially round shape, similar to connection surface <NUM>, with a center C and a peripheral surface <NUM>, shown as a circumference. One or more cutouts <NUM>, <NUM> can be formed in the peripheral surface <NUM> between the holders <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the significance of which will be described further herein. The holder section <NUM> can also have a base bottom surface <NUM> opposite the connection surface <NUM> and a driving stem <NUM> connected to the base bottom surface <NUM>. The driving stem <NUM> can be shaped to connect to a drive train (not shown) at a driving end <NUM> of the driving stem <NUM>. The driving stem <NUM> can be formed as a pair of connected cylindrical sections 188A, 188B, with the first cylindrical section 188A being connected to the base bottom surface <NUM> and having a greater diameter than the second cylindrical section 188B which defines the driving end <NUM> and has a pair of openings 189A for connecting to a drive train. When connected to a drive train, the driving stem <NUM> can cause the holder section <NUM> to be rotated by, for example, a rotary actuator and drive the connected orthopaedic reamer connector. The cutouts <NUM>, which can be referred to as a pair of first cutouts, can be placed on opposite sides of the center C so that the first cutouts <NUM> are separated from one another by <NUM> degrees about the center C. Similarly, the cutouts <NUM>, which can be referred to as a pair of second cutouts, can be placed on opposite sides of the center C so that the second cutouts <NUM> are separated from one another by <NUM> degrees about the center C. The first cutouts <NUM> can be formed to have a first arc length AL1 which is greater than a second arc length AL2 of the second cutouts <NUM>, the significance of which will be further described herein.

The stop section <NUM>, which is shown by itself in <FIG>, includes stops <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> which are associated with the holders <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the holder section <NUM>, similar to the previously described orthopaedic reamer connector <NUM>. The stops <NUM> and <NUM>, for example, are a pair of first stops <NUM>, <NUM> each associated with a respective one of the first holders <NUM>, <NUM> and the stops <NUM>, <NUM> are a pair of second stops <NUM>, <NUM> each associated with a respective one of the second stops <NUM>, <NUM>. As shown, the stop section <NUM> can be formed as a circular collar having a circular opening <NUM> through which the driving stem <NUM> is placed so portions of the base bottom surface <NUM> of the holder section <NUM> abut against a top surface <NUM> of the stop section <NUM>, as can be seen in <FIG>. To reduce toggle prior to use of the orthopaedic reamer connector <NUM>, the top surface <NUM> of the stop section <NUM> can be substantially flat, i.e., planar, so the base bottom surface <NUM> can sit flush on the top surface <NUM>. The holders <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in conjunction with the stops <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the orthopaedic reamer connector <NUM> can accommodate various types of orthopaedic reamer connections, such as a bridgeback connection <NUM> shown in <FIG>, similarly to the previously described orthopaedic reamer connector <NUM>.

To mechanically interlock the stop section <NUM> to the holder section <NUM> so as to prevent relative rotation therebetween when, for example, the driving stem <NUM> is rotatably driven, the pair of first stops <NUM>, <NUM> can each be formed on raised wedges <NUM> of the stop section <NUM>. As can be seen, each of the first stops <NUM>, <NUM> is formed to have a partially arcuate shape including a respective straight edge <NUM>, <NUM> which will abut against the connected orthopaedic reamer connection <NUM>. Alternatively, the first stops <NUM>, <NUM> can be completely round, similar to the second stops <NUM>, <NUM>. The raised wedges <NUM> can each define a wedge arc length WAL that closely matches the first arc length AL1 of the first cutouts <NUM> so the raised wedges <NUM> can be placed within the first cutouts <NUM> and substantially fill the first cutouts <NUM> to abut against the material of the holder section <NUM>. Similarly, the pair of second stops <NUM>, <NUM> can each define a stop diameter SD that closely matches the second arc length AL2 of the second cutouts <NUM> so the second stops <NUM>, <NUM> can be placed within the second cutouts <NUM> and substantially fill the second cutouts <NUM> to abut against the material of the holder section <NUM>. By having the stops <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> placed within the cutouts <NUM>, <NUM> and abutting against material of the holder section <NUM>, the stop section <NUM> mechanically interlocks to the holder section <NUM> such that rotation of the holder section <NUM> will also cause rotation of the stop section <NUM>, allowing the holder section <NUM> and stop section <NUM> to, in conjunction, rotate a connected orthopaedic reamer. Optionally, the wedge arc lengths WAL and stop diameters SD of the stops <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> can be smaller than the corresponding first arc lengths AL1 and second arc lengths AL2 to allow for some movement of the second stops <NUM>, <NUM> and raised wedges <NUM> within their respective cutouts <NUM>, <NUM> in order to accommodate connection to differently sized reamer connections, i.e., the second stops <NUM>, <NUM> and raised wedges <NUM> can be forced into abutting contact with the material of the holder section <NUM> upon being connected to the reamer and/or during rotation. Further, the mechanical interlocking between the holder section <NUM> and stop section <NUM> is configured to be be reversed by disconnecting the driving stem <NUM> of the holder section <NUM> from a drive train and pulling the holder section <NUM> apart from the stop section <NUM>, allowing the holder section <NUM> and stop section <NUM> to be sterilized separately.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the holder section <NUM> and the stop section <NUM> can be formed of different materials. For example, the holder section <NUM> can be formed of a relatively high strength material, such as stainless steel, while the stop section <NUM> is formed of a lower strength material, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), so that the stop section <NUM> is more prone to wear during rotation of the orthopaedic reamer connector <NUM> than the holder section <NUM>. It should be appreciated that the previously described materials are exemplary only, and other types of materials can be utilized to form the holder section <NUM> and stop section <NUM>. As the holder section <NUM> has a relatively complex shape compared to the stop section <NUM> and can experience large stresses at the driving stem <NUM>, forming the holder section <NUM> from a higher strength material than the stop section <NUM> allows the holder section <NUM> to be re-usable for many uses of the orthopaedic reamer connector <NUM>. The stop section <NUM>, on the other hand, can be formed in a relatively cost-efficient manner by, for example, molding and can therefore be a single-use item or relatively inexpensive to replace due to wear. It should therefore be appreciated that the present invention provides an orthopaedic reamer connector <NUM> which can accommodate different types of reamer connections, be easily sterilized, and have a section that is relatively economical to replace.

Claim 1:
An orthopaedic reamer connector (<NUM>), comprising:
a holder section (<NUM>) shaped to allow for connection of an orthopaedic reamer comprising an orthopaedic reamer connection, said holder section (<NUM>) including a connection surface (<NUM>) and two pairs of holders (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) associated with said connection surface said two pairs of holders respectively having a pair of first holders (<NUM>, <NUM>) and a pair of second holders (<NUM>, <NUM>), the pair of second holders (<NUM>, <NUM>) forming an acute angle relative to the pair of first holders (<NUM>, <NUM>), said first holders (<NUM>, <NUM>) being opposed to each other by <NUM> degrees and said second holders (<NUM>, <NUM>) being opposed to each other by <NUM> degrees; and
a stop section (<NUM>) mechanically interlocked with said holder section (<NUM>) so as to prevent relative rotation therebetween and including two pairs of stops (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) respectively associated with said two pairs of holders (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), wherein said pairs of stops (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprise a pair of first stops (<NUM>, <NUM>) associated with said pair of first holders (<NUM>, <NUM>), and a pair of second stops (<NUM>, <NUM>) associated with said pair of second holders (<NUM>, <NUM>), characterized in that each of said first stops (<NUM>, <NUM>) is formed to have a partially arcuate shape including a respective straight edge (<NUM>, <NUM>), which is configured to abut against the connected orthopaedic reamer connection (<NUM>), and in that the mechanical interlocking between said holder section (<NUM>) and said stop section (<NUM>) is configured to be reversed by disconnecting a driving stem (<NUM>) of the holder section (<NUM>) from a drive train and pulling the holder section (<NUM>) apart from the stop section (<NUM>), allowing the holder section (<NUM>) and the stop section (<NUM>) to be sterilized separately.