Patent ID: 7658740

Claim:
A surgical attachment instrument comprising: a housing adapted to be coupled to a motor; a tubular member coupled to the housing so that an end of the tubular member extends from the housing at a predetermined distance; and means for selectively adjusting the predetermined distance by a repeatable increment; wherein the adjusting means comprises a coupling connecting the tubular member and the housing, a through-opening formed in the coupling, and a ball extending through the through-opening and engaging the tubular member; wherein at least two positioning detents are formed in the tubular member and longitudinally spaced at a distance corresponding to the repeatable increment for engagement by the ball; wherein the adjusting means further comprises a keeper spring disposed in the housing and engaged with the coupling for applying an inwardly-directed radial force to the ball; wherein the adjusting means further comprises a positioning channel formed in the tubular member and extending between the two positioning detents so that the tubular member moves relative to the housing in a longitudinal direction upon application of a longitudinally-directed force to the tubular member; wherein application of the longitudinally-directed force overcomes the inwardly-directed radial force so that the ball disengages from one of the two positioning detents and engages the positioning channel during the longitudinal movement of the tubular member; wherein continued application of the longitudinally-directed force causes the ball to disengage from the positioning channel and engage the other of the two positioning detents.