Carbon reamer handle

Abstract

A reamer for use in minimally invasive hip replacement surgical approaches is provided. The reamer spindle includes an offset elongate housing portion that extends from a proximal housing end portion a distal housing end portion. A handle assembly, preferably comprising a durable lightweight material such as carbon fiber that is removably connectable to the housing of the reamer spindle. A reamer head is removably connectable to the distal neck portion and has a surface configured to cut bone.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A handle assembly, comprising:
 a handle head portion supporting a handle grip, wherein the handle head portion defines a throughbore that extends along a first longitudinal axis that receives at least a portion of a tool;   b) a locking mechanism supported by the handle head portion comprising a lever pivotably supported by a pivot pin secured to the handle head portion, wherein the lever extends along a second longitudinal axis from a proximal lever portion to a distal lever portion, and wherein the second longitudinal axis is spaced from the first longitudinal axis; and   c) wherein the proximal lever portion is pivotably manipulatable about the pivot pin to provide a contactable relationship of the distal lever portion with at least a portion of a surface of the tool when inserted within the handle head portion throughbore to thereby provide the handle grip supported by the handle head portion in a lockable position with at least a portion of the tool inserted within the throughbore.   
     
     
         2 . The handle assembly of  claim 1  wherein the proximal lever portion is further manipulatable about the pivot pin to move the distal lever portion away from the tool surface to thereby permit removal of the tool from the handle head portion. 
     
     
         3 . The handle assembly of  claim 1  wherein a spring is positioned between the handle head portion and the proximal lever portion to thereby provide a bias against the proximal lever portion. 
     
     
         4 . The handle assembly of  claim 1  wherein a lever pin extends from the distal lever portion, the lever pin extending inwardly toward the first longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         5 . The handle assembly of  claim 4  wherein the lever pin is registerable with an opening that at least partially extends through the surface of the tool. 
     
     
         6 . The handle assembly of  claim 1  wherein the tool is selected from the group consisting of a drive shaft, a rod, a tube, a drive train, and an orthopedic reamer spindle. 
     
     
         7 . The handle assembly of  claim 1  wherein the distal lever portion is contactable with the surface of a tool housing. 
     
     
         8 . The handle assembly of  claim 1  further composed of a polymeric material. 
     
     
         9 . The handle assembly of  claim 1  further composed of a carbon fiber material. 
     
     
         10 . A handle assembly, comprising:
 a) a handle head portion supporting a handle grip, wherein the handle head portion defines a throughbore that extends along a first longitudinal axis that receives at least a portion of a tool;   b) a locking mechanism supported by the handle head portion, the locking mechanism comprising:
 i) a lever pivotably supported by a pivot pin secured to the handle head portion, wherein the lever extends along a second longitudinal axis from a proximal lever portion to a distal lever portion, and wherein the second longitudinal axis is spaced from the first longitudinal axis of the main housing section; 
 ii) a lever pin at the distal lever portion, the lever pin extending inwardly toward the first longitudinal axis; and 
 iii) a spring positioned between the handle head portion and the proximal lever portion; and 
   c) wherein the proximal lever portion is pivotably manipulatable about the pivot pin and against a bias of the spring so that the lever pin is in a contactable relationship with a surface of the tool when at least partially inserted within the throughbore to thereby provide the handle grip supported by the handle head portion in a removably lockable position with respect to the first longitudinal axis of the handle head portion.   
     
     
         11 . The handle assembly of  claim 10  wherein the proximal lever portion is further manipulatable about the pivot pin and against the bias of the spring to move the lever pin away from the surface of the tool to thereby permit removal of the tool from the handle head portion. 
     
     
         12 . The handle assembly of  claim 10  wherein the tool is selected from the group consisting of a drive shaft, a rod, a tube, a drive train, and an orthopedic reamer spindle. 
     
     
         13 . The handle assembly of  claim 10  wherein the proximal lever portion is further manipulatable about the pivot pin and against the bias of the spring to register the lever pin with a first opening that at least partially extends through the surface of the tool to thereby create a lockable relationship therebetween. 
     
     
         14 . The handle assembly of  claim 13  wherein the proximal lever portion is further manipulatable about the pivot pin and against. the bias of the spring to remove the lever pin from the first opening to thereby permit relative rotational movement of the handle grip connected to the handle head portion about the tool until the lever pin is aligned with a second opening that at least partially extends through the surface of the tool and then the proximal lever portion is manipulatable to cause the spring to bias the lever pin into registry with the second opening to thereby provide, with respect to the first longitudinal axis of the handle head portion, the handle grip in a second locked position different than a first locked position. 
     
     
         15 . The handle assembly of  claim 10  further composed of a polymeric material. 
     
     
         16 . The handle assembly of  claim 10  further composed of a carbon fiber material. 
     
     
         17 . The handle assembly of  claim 10  wherein the lever pin is contactable with the surface of a tool housing.