Patent ID: 6951562

Claim:
An adjustable length tap assembly for drilling threaded holes in bone comprising: a shaft having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end, at least a portion of the shaft having cutting threads for drilling threaded holes in bone; a stop collar having proximal and distal ends, the stop collar configured and dimensioned to be translatable along the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and comprising a body having an inner surface and an outer surface, at least a portion of the inner surface being configured and dimensioned to engage with the shaft in at least one predetermined location; and a locking collar comprising a member configured and dimensioned to be received over at least a portion of the stop collar, wherein the locking collar is configured and dimensioned to engage with the stop collar to set at least one effective length for the cutting threads, and to prevent movement of the stop collar along the longitudinal axis of the shaft.