Multi-barrel drill guide

Inventors

Thibodeau, Robert A. • Summitt, Matthew C. • Alfonso, Gregory A. • Rofman, Robert A • Calvert, Erika T. • Miller, Peter

Assignees

Conmed Corp

Abstract

A multi-barrel drill guide with an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis having a proximal end and a distal end, an elongated distal guide tube attached to and extending from the distal end of the elongated body, and a handle extending from the elongated body between the proximal end and the distal end. The elongated body has a first channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end and a second channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end at an angle relative to the first channel. The first channel and the second channel intersect at a convergence area at the distal end. A drill bit is movable in a slidable manner within the second channel, and a driver loaded with a suture anchor is movable in a slidable manner within the first channel.

Core Innovation

A multi-barrel drill guide is provided for orthopedic repair. The drill guide includes an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis having a proximal end and a distal end, and a handle extending from the elongated body between the proximal end and the distal end. The elongated body has a first channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end and a second channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end at an angle relative to the first channel.

At the distal end, the first channel and the second channel meet in a convergence area where the channels intersect. The second channel curves in a direction toward the handle, and in some embodiments a portion of the second channel extends at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis different from the remainder of the second channel. In some embodiments, the convergence area extends to a single exit point.

The drill guide further includes an elongated distal guide tube extending distally from the distal end of the elongated body. In some embodiments, the elongated distal guide tube includes a distal guide tube channel extending to an opening at a most distal end of the distal guide tube, and in some embodiments a plurality of teeth is provided at the distal end of the distal guide tube. In some embodiments, a slit extends from the exterior into the first channel.

Claims Coverage

The document provides two independent claims covering a multi-barrel drill guide with an elongated body, a first channel and an angled second channel that intersect at a distal convergence area, and a distal guide tube including a distal guide tube channel opening at a most distal end. Across the independent claims, the inventive features are primarily geometric: angled intersecting channels with a convergence area, channel curvature toward the handle, and a distal guide tube with a defined distal opening behavior; dependent claims further narrow these features with a single exit point, a differently angled portion of the second channel, an exterior slit into the first channel, and teeth on the distal guide tube.

Overall, the claims cover a multi-barrel drill guide defined by intersecting angled channels at a distal convergence area, a handle with the second channel curving toward the handle, and an elongated distal guide tube having a distal guide tube channel that opens at the most distal end. Further narrowing features include a convergence area extending to a single exit point, an angled-only portion of the second channel, an exterior slit into the first channel, and teeth on the distal guide tube.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications