Christopher G Magee

US Patent:

59579277, Sep 28, 1999

Filed:

Feb 24, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/028273

Inventors:

Christopher Michael Magee - Exton PA
Sean Hamilton Kerr - Collegeville PA

Assignee:

Synthes (USA) - Paoli PA

International Classification:

A61B 1788

US Classification:

606 99

Abstract:

A surgical tool for assisting the implantation of a bone fixation device is disclosed. The tool includes a bone fixation device holder for releaseably engaging a bone fixation device. The bone fixation device holder has at least one hole which is larger in diameter than the bone fixation device screws and aligns with at least one of the bone fixation device screw holes when the bone fixation device is engaged by the bone fixation device holder. The tool also includes a handle proximal to the holder and consisting of left and right portions. As the left and right portions are moveable relative to each other and a distal end of the handle is connected to a proximal end of the holder, the relative movement of the left and right portions results in angular movement of the bone fixation device holder. The tool according to the present invention facilitates the stabilization, fusion, or distraction of bone parts.