Spring loaded fixation element insertion device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for attaching fixation elements to bone, having a longitudinal member with a channel extending therein adapted for receiving at least one fixation element. A shaft extends within the channel and is positioned coaxially within at least a portion of the longitudinal member and at least a portion of the shaft is retained within the longitudinal member and a distal end of the shaft is configured and adapted to contact at least a portion of the fixation element received within the longitudinal member. A spring is positioned adjacent the shaft for resiliently biasing the shaft in an axial direction and the shaft is moveable with respect to the longitudinal member to drive the fixation element into bone.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for attaching a fixation element to bone, comprising: 
 a longitudinal member extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end and having a channel extending therein adapted for receiving at least a portion of one fixation element; and    a shaft positioned coaxially within and extending along at least a portion of the longitudinal member, at least a portion of the shaft retained within the channel of the longitudinal member and having a distal end configured and adapted to contact at least a portion of the fixation element, 
 a spring positioned adjacent the shaft for resiliently biasing the shaft in an axial direction,  
 wherein the shaft is moveable with respect to the longitudinal member to drive the fixation element into bone.  
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an adjustment gauge for adjusting the bias of the spring.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft is moveable from a loaded position to a unloaded position.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , further comprising a locking mechanism for engaging the shaft, wherein the locking mechanism is moveable from a first position to a second position, and when the locking mechanism is in the first position the shaft is locked in the loaded position and when the shaft is in the second position the shaft is moveable to the second unloaded position.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the locking mechanism is pivotally mounted to the longitudinal member and is resiliently biased into the locking position.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 3 , further comprising a loading mechanism for engaging the shaft and moving the shaft from the unloaded to the loaded position.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the loading mechanism comprises a slide member moveably mounted to the longitudinal member that is operable by a user to manually move the shaft in an axial direction.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the slide member is resiliently biased out of engagement with the shaft.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the shaft is moveable to the loaded position by applying force on the distal end of the device.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 6 , further comprising at least one pin member rigidly mounted tot he shaft and extending radially therefrom, and 
 wherein the loading mechanism comprises a cam mechanism that has an internal ramp for engaging the pin and moving the shaft in the axial direction.