Method and apparatus for performing percutaneous bone surgery

Claim 2

For use in pin implant in bone structure, the combination of: an elongated tubular guide adapted to be inserted through a small diameter skin incision and positioned with its inner end in direct contact with the bone surface and its outer end extending outwardly from the skin surface, an implant pin of a length generally corresponding to the depth of a bore made by a drill bit, the pin embodying a threaded section and having tool interlock means at a rearward end, said pin being slidably engaged within said guide with its rearward end directed outwardly, and a pin driver tool slidably engaged in said guide and comprising an elongated shaft embodying at a forward end means engaging the interlock means on the pin.

Claim 3

The combination of claim 1 in which the interlock means on the pin comprises a longitudinally slotted socket, and the means on the pin driver engaging the interlock means on the pin comprises a section slidable in the socket with blades extending radially into the slots of the socket whereby rotation of the shaft will impart rotation to the pin.

Claim 4

The combination oF claim 1 in which the length of the pin is slightly greater than the depth of the bore made by the drill bit.

Claim 5

A combination as defined in claim 1 in which the inner end of the tubular guide is formed with serrations to slightly penetrate the bone and thus stabilize the guide in the location desired.

Claim 6

A combination as defined in claim 1 in which a pressure handle is fixed adjacent the outer end of the tubular guide adapted to be manually contacted as an aid in holding the guide in a position selected.

Claim 7

For use in pin implant in bone structure, the combination of: a drill bit of sufficient length to penetrate the bone defining a bore of a desired depth and to extend outwardly of the skin surface of the patient, and an elongated tubular guide shorter than the drill bit and in close slidable engagement thereon to guide the drill bit, the tubular guide being adapted to be inserted through an incision and positioned with its inner end in contact with the bone surface and its outer end extending outwardly from the patient''s skin surface, the drill bit being removable from the bore, the incision and the tubular guide while the tubular guide remains in the incision so that a pin can be inserted into the tubular guide and the bore without removing the tubular guide, means referenced for association with the drill bit and the tubular guide for measuring the depth of a bore drilled in the bone comprising a sleeve slidably engaged on the rear exposed end of the drill bit and in abutment with the outer end of the guide, and a stem slidably engaged in the sleeve and in abutment with the rear end of the drill bit, the total length of guide and sleeve being equal to the length of the drill bit, and the linear measurement of the stem from its contact with the drill bit to the point of emergence from the sleeve representing the depth of the bore.

Claim 8

For use in pin implant in bone structure, the combination of: a drill bit of sufficient length to penetrate the bone defining a bore of a desired depth and to extend outwardly of the skin surface of the patient, and an elongated tubular guide shorter than the drill bit and in close slidable engagement thereon to guide the drill bit, the tubular guide being adapted to be inserted through an incision and positioned with its inner end in contact with the bone surface and its outer end extending outwardly from the patient''s skin surface, the drill bit being removable from the bore, the incision and the tubular guide while the tubular guide remains in the incision so that a pin can be inserted into the tubular guide and the bore without removing the tubular guide, means referenced for association with the drill bit and the tubular guide for measuring the depth of a bore drilled in the bone comprising a sleeve slidably engaged on the rear exposed end of the drill bit and in abutment with the outer end of the guide, and a stem slidably engaged in the sleeve and in abutment with the rear end of the drill bit, the total length of guide and sleeve being equal to the length of the drill bit, and the linear measurement of the stem from its contact with the drill bit to the point of emergence from the sleeve representing the depth of the bore.

Claim 9

A combination as defined in claim 6 in which the inner end of the tubular guide is formed with serrations to slightly penetrate the bone and thus stabilize the guide in the location desired.

Claim 10

A combination as defined in claim 6 in which a pressure handle is fixed adjacent the outer end of the tubular guide adapted to be manually contacted as an aid in holding the guide in a position selected.

Claim 11

A combination as defined in claim 6 in which the drill bit embodies cutting sections of two diameters, the forward section being of less diameter than an adjacent following section.

Claim 12

In bone surgery involving the implanting of a pin in a bone structure comprising making of an incision of small diameter through flesh to the surface of the bone, the steps of: inserting a tubular guide through the incision into contact with the bone, manually holding the guide in the position desired, introducing a drill bit through the guide and operating the bit to drill a bore in the bone, while the bit remains in situ measuring the depth of the bore, withdrawing the bit, selecting a pin of a length generally equal to the depth of the bore, introducing the pin through the guide in alignment with the bore, and applying a tool through the guide to drive the pin into the bore.

Claim 13

In bone surgery involving the implanting of a pin in a bone structure comprising making of an incision of small diameter through flesh to the surface of the bone, the steps of: inserting a tubular guide through the incision into contact with the bone, manually holding the guide in the position desired, introducing a drill bit through the guide and operating the bit to drill a bore in the bone, while the bit remains in situ measuring the depth of the bore, withdrawing the bit, selecting a pin of a length generally equal to the depth of the bore, introducing the pin through the guide in alignment with the bore, and applying a tool through the guide to drive the pin into the bore.

Claim 14

A method as defined in claim 10 in which the depth of the bore is measured by placing a sleeve over the outwardly protruding end of the drill bit in end abutment with the guide, the total length of guide and sleeve being equal to the length of the drill bit, inserting a stem into the sleeve into abutment with the outer end of the drill, and determining by reference to the stem the distance from the outer end of the drill to the outer end of the sleeve, the distance being the bore depth.