Snap-lock for drill sleeve

摘要

A device for drilling a hole in bone and for inserting bone screws into the drilled hole is provided. The device comprises a trocar, drill sleeve and protection sleeve in a telescopically nested configuration. The drill sleeve and protection sleeve may have an axial locking feature that allows the two pieces to be handled together as a unit by preventing inadvertent separation. The axial locking feature may comprise an integral annular ridge provided on one sleeve that cooperates with an annular groove provided on the other sleeve. One sleeve may also have at least one slot allowing the locking feature to be disengaged prior to separation of the sleeves. The sleeves may be easily separated with one hand by the user by the application of an axial separation force between a pair of flanges provided with the sleeves, and by a radial compression force applied to at least a portion of the drill sleeve.

主权项

1. An orthopedic system, comprising:
a protection sleeve having proximal and distal ends, a longitudinal axis and first inner and outer surfaces, the protection sleeve further having a protrusion extending inward from the first inner surface into a first longitudinal bore extending therethrough; and a drill sleeve having proximal and distal ends, a longitudinal axis, second inner and outer surfaces and a second longitudinal bore extending therethrough, the second outer surface configured to be received within at least a portion of the protection sleeve, the drill sleeve having a recess extending into the second outer surface, the protrusion and recess cooperating to releasably axially lock the protection sleeve with the drill sleeve, the sleeves being separable from each other by applying an axial separation force between the protection and drill sleeves and a radial compression force to at least a portion of the drill sleeve, wherein the inner surface of at least one of the protection and drill sleeves is configured to receive a drill bit for drilling a hole in bone.