ARTICULATED BONE DRILL AND TAP

摘要

Technologies related to articulated bone drill and articulated bone tap apparatus are generally described. In some examples, articulated bone drills and taps may comprise bendable spines, movable bits, and flexible cylindrical tap or drill sleeves. The movable bit may be engaged at a distal end of the spine, and tensioning the spine and/or longitudinal displacement of at least one spine section with respect to at least one other spine section may be effective to steer the bit. The flexible cylindrical sleeve may be adapted to at least partially encase the spine, and the sleeve and the bit may be mechanically engaged so that rotation of the sleeve around the spine is effective to rotate the bit.

主权项

1. An articulated bone tap apparatus, comprising:
a bendable spine having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis, the spine comprising two or more sections extending from the proximal end along the longitudinal axis to the distal end; a movable bit engaged at the distal end of the spine; wherein longitudinal displacement of at least one spine section with respect to at least one other spine section is effective to steer the bit; and a flexible cylindrical tap sleeve adapted to at least partially encase the spine, wherein the tap sleeve and the bit are mechanically engaged so that rotation of the tap sleeve around the longitudinal axis of the spine is effective to rotate the bit.