Patent ID: 7141074

Claim:
A surgical drill assembly, comprising: an elongate shaft having a proximal end adapted to mate to a driver mechanism, and a distal end having a bone preparation element formed thereon; and an elongate, hollow sleeve slidably disposed around at least a portion of the elongate shaft, the sleeve including a stepped region positioned between proximal and distal portions such that the distal portion has an outer diameter that is less than an outer diameter of the stepped region to allow the distal portion to be disposed within a lumen in a drill guide, and the stepped region to abut the drill guide; an engagement member formed on and disposed between the elongate shaft and the hollow sleeve such that the engagement is effective to temporarily maintain the hollow sleeve in a predetermined position with respect to the elongate shaft; and a stop member disposed around a proximal portion of the elongate shaft and adjustable to mate to the elongate shaft at a plurality of predetermined fixed positions along a length of the elongate shaft, the stop member being effective to abut the hollow sleeve to limit penetration of the distal end of the elongate shaft into bone; wherein the elongate, hollow sleeve is effective to longitudinally align the elongate shaft therein during a surgical procedure.