U.S. patent application number 10/326701 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-24 for bone screw fastener and apparatus for inserting and removing same.
This patent application is currently assigned to High Plains Technology Group, LLC. Invention is credited to Lewis, David H..
Application Number | 20040122442 10/326701 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32507333 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040122442 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lewis, David H. |
June 24, 2004 |
BONE SCREW FASTENER AND APPARATUS FOR INSERTING AND REMOVING
SAME
Abstract
A system for and methods of easily and securely inserting and
removing a fastener usable during orthopedic surgery to promote
proper healing of injured bone are disclosed. In at least one
embodiment, the invention provides a system for positive, complete
tri-modal retention of a bone media fastener element by a bone
media fastener driver element so that three types of positional
divergence of the driver relative to the fastener--bi-axial,
bi-rotational, and bi-lateral--may be prevented. At least one
embodiment of a bone media fastener apparatus may comprise a shaft
element, a threaded bone engagement element, and a head element
that itself may comprise a fastener-side, positive, complete
tri-modal retention element that is engageable with a driver-side,
positive, complete tri-modal retention element of a bone media
fastener driver element to prevent bi-lateral divergence,
bi-rotational divergence, and bi-axial divergence.
Inventors: |
Lewis, David H.; (Fort
Collins, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SANTANGELO LAW OFFICES, P.C.
125 SOUTH HOWES, THIRD FLOOR
FORT COLLINS
CO
80521
US
|
Assignee: |
High Plains Technology Group,
LLC
Fort Collins
CO
|
Family ID: |
32507333 |
Appl. No.: |
10/326701 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
606/104 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 17/861 20130101;
A61B 17/8877 20130101; A61B 17/8886 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
606/104 |
International
Class: |
A61B 017/56 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A bone media fastener and driver system comprising a bone media
fastener element that comprises a shaft element, a threaded bone
engagement element responsive to said shaft element, and a head
element responsive to said shaft element; a bone media fastener
driver element that comprises an applied force receptor element and
a force-to-bone fastener transfer element responsive to said
applied force receptor element; and a positive, complete trimodal
retention element.
2. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim 1
wherein said positive, complete trimodal retention element
comprises a positive, complete trimodal obstructive retention
element.
3. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim 1
wherein said positive, complete trimodal retention element
comprises a bi-lateral divergence prevention element; a
bi-rotational divergence prevention element; and a bi-axial
divergence prevention element.
4. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim 2
wherein said positive, complete tri-modal obstructive retention
element comprises a bi-lateral divergence prevention element; a
bi-rotational divergence prevention element; and a bi-axial
divergence prevention element.
5. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim 3
or 4 wherein said bi-lateral divergence prevention element
comprises an extendable bi-lateral divergence prevention
element.
6. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim 5
wherein each said bi-lateral divergence prevention element, said
bi-rotational divergence prevention element, and said bi-axial
divergence prevention element are discrete elements.
7. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim 4
wherein said bi-rotational divergence prevention element and said
bi-axial divergence prevention element together form a combined,
bi-rotational and bi-axial divergence prevention element.
8. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim 5
wherein said bi-rotational divergence prevention element and said
bi-axial divergence prevention element together form a combined,
bi-rotational and bi-axial divergence prevention element.
9. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim 4
wherein at least a portion of said bi-lateral divergence prevention
element comprises a portion of said bi-axial divergence prevention
element.
10. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim 5
wherein at least a portion of said extendable, bi-lateral
divergence prevention element comprises a portion of said bi-axial
divergence prevention element.
11. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim 7
wherein at least a portion of said bi-lateral divergence prevention
element comprises a portion of said combined bi-rotational and
bi-axial divergence prevention element.
12. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim 8
wherein at least a portion of said extendable, bi-lateral
divergence prevention element comprises a portion of said combined
bi-rotational and bi-axial divergence prevention element.
13. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim 5
wherein said bi-lateral divergence prevention element further
comprises a bi-lateral divergence prevention receptor element
adapted to receive said extendable, bi-lateral divergence
prevention element.
14. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
13 wherein said bone media fastener driver element comprises said
extendable bi-lateral divergence prevention element and said bone
media fastener element comprises said bi-lateral divergence
prevention receptor element.
15. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
14 wherein said extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention
element comprises a circular cross-sectional, extendable,
bi-lateral divergence prevention element and said bi-lateral
divergence prevention receptor element comprises a corresponding
circular cross-sectional, bi-lateral divergence prevention receptor
element.
16. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
14 wherein said extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention
element comprises a tapered, extendable, bi-lateral divergence
prevention element.
17. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
13 wherein said extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention
element comprises a non-circular cross-sectional extendable,
bi-lateral divergence prevention element and said bi-lateral
divergence prevention receptor element comprises a corresponding
non-circular cross-sectional lateral divergence prevention receptor
element.
18. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
17 wherein said bi-rotational divergence prevention element
comprises at least a portion of said non-circular cross-sectional
extendable bi-lateral divergence prevention element.
19. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim 5
wherein said extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention element
is movable along a driver length axis.
20. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim 8
wherein said combined bi-rotational and bi-axial divergence
prevention element comprises an axis-orthogonal appendage element
and an axis-orthogonal appendage receptor element engageable with
said axis-orthogonal appendage element.
21. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
20 wherein said axis-orthogonal appendage element and said
axis-orthogonal appendage receptor element is each established at
least partially along a diameter of a fastener/driver
interface.
22. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
21 wherein said axis-orthogonal appendage element comprises at
least two distally convergent, diameter-parallel walls.
23. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
22 wherein said axis-orthogonal appendage receptor element
comprises at least two distally divergent, diameter-parallel
walls.
24. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
20 wherein said bone media fastener driver element comprises said
axis-orthogonal appendage element and said bone media fastener
element comprises said axis-orthogonal appendage receptor
element.
25. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
20 wherein said axis-orthogonal appendage element is adapted to
surround at least a portion of said extendable, bi-lateral
divergence prevention element in an extended configuration and said
axis-orthogonal appendage receptor element is adapted to surround
at least a portion of said bi-lateral divergence prevention
receptor element.
26. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim 4
wherein said bi-lateral divergence prevention element comprises a
fastener axis-to-driver axis alignment facilitation element.
27. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
16 wherein said bi-lateral divergence prevention element further
comprises a fastener axis-to-driver axis alignment facilitation
element.
28. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim 4
further comprising an orthopedic healing aid adapted to respond to
said bone media fastener element in an installed configuration,
wherein said orthopedic healing aid is selected from the group of
healing aids consisting of: a plate and a rod.
29. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
20 further comprising an orthopedic healing aid adapted to respond
to said bone media fastener element in an installed configuration,
wherein said orthopedic healing aid is selected from the group of
healing aids consisting of: a plate and a rod.
30. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim 4
further comprising an engagement activation element to which said
extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention element is
responsive.
31. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
30 wherein said engagement activation element comprises an
incrementally adjusting engagement activation element.
32. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
20 further comprising an engagement activation element to which
said extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention element is
responsive.
33. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
32 wherein said engagement activation element comprises an
incrementally adjusting engagement activation element.
34. A bone media fastener apparatus comprising a shaft element, a
threaded bone engagement element responsive to said shaft element,
and a head element responsive to said shaft element, wherein said
head element comprises a fastener-side, positive, complete
tri-modal retention element that is engageable with a driver-side,
positive, complete tri-modal retention element of a bone media
fastener driver element.
35. A bone media fastener apparatus as described in claim 34
wherein said fastener-side, positive complete tri-modal retention
element comprises a fastener-side, positive complete tri-modal
obstructive retention element.
36. A bone media fastener apparatus as described in claim 34
wherein said fastener-side, positive complete tri-modal retention
element comprises a fastener-side bi-lateral divergence prevention
element, a fastener-side, bi-rotational divergence prevention
element, and a fastener-side, bi-axial divergence prevention
element.
37. A bone media fastener apparatus as described in claim 35
wherein said fastener-side, positive complete tri-modal obstructive
retention element comprises a fastener-side bi-lateral divergence
prevention element, a fastener-side, bi-rotational divergence
prevention element, and a fastener-side, bi-axial divergence
prevention element.
38. A bone media fastener apparatus as described in claim 36 or 37
wherein said fastener-side bi-lateral divergence prevention element
comprises a bi-lateral divergence prevention receptor element.
39. A bone media fastener apparatus as described in claim 37
wherein each said fastener-side bi-lateral divergence prevention
element, said fastener-side, bi-rotational divergence prevention
element, and said fastener-side, bi-axial divergence prevention
element are discrete elements.
40. A bone media fastener apparatus as described in claim 37
wherein said fastener-side, bi-rotational divergence prevention
element, and said fastener-side, bi-axial divergence prevention
element together form a fastener-side, combined bi-rotational and
bi-axial divergence prevention element.
41. A bone media fastener apparatus as described in claim 38
wherein said fastener-side, bi-rotational divergence prevention
element, and said fastener-side, bi-axial divergence prevention
element together form a fastener-side, combined bi-rotational and
bi-axial divergence prevention element.
42. A bone media fastener apparatus as described in claim 37
wherein at least a portion of said fastener-side bi-lateral
divergence prevention element comprises a portion of said
fastener-side, bi-axial divergence prevention element.
43. A bone media fastener apparatus as described in claim 38
wherein at least a portion of said bi-lateral divergence prevention
receptor element comprises a portion of said fastener-side,
bi-axial divergence prevention element.
44. A bone media fastener apparatus as described in claim 40
wherein at least a portion of said fastener-side bi-lateral
divergence prevention element comprises a portion of said
fastener-side, combined bi-rotational and bi-axial divergence
prevention element.
45. A bone media fastener apparatus as described in claim 41
wherein at least a portion of said bi-lateral divergence prevention
receptor element comprises a portion of said fastener-side,
combined bi-rotational and bi-axial divergence prevention
element.
46. A bone media fastener apparatus as described in claim 37
wherein said fastener-side, bi-axial divergence prevention element
comprises an axis-orthogonal appendage receptor element established
at least partially along a diameter of the fastener face.
47. A bone media fastener apparatus as described in claim 46
wherein said axis-orthogonal appendage receptor element comprises
at least two distally divergent, diameter-parallel walls.
48. A bone media fastener apparatus as described in claim 47
wherein said axis-orthogonal appendage receptor element is adapted
to surround at least a portion of said fastener-side bi-lateral
divergence prevention element.
49. A bone media fastener apparatus as described in claim 41
wherein said bi-lateral divergence prevention receptor element
comprises a circular cross-sectional bi-lateral divergence
prevention receptor element.
50. A bone media fastener apparatus as described in claim 41
wherein said bi-lateral divergence prevention receptor element
comprises a non-circular cross-sectional bi-lateral divergence
prevention receptor element.
51. A bone media fastener apparatus as described in claim 50
wherein said fastener-side, bi-rotational divergence prevention
element comprises at least a portion of said non-circular
cross-sectional bi-lateral divergence prevention receptor
element.
52. A bone media fastener apparatus as described in claim 38
wherein said bi-lateral divergence prevention receptor element is
engageable with a tapered, extendable, bi-lateral divergence
prevention element of said driver-side, positive, complete
tri-modal retention element.
53. A bone media fastener driver apparatus comprising an applied
force receptor element; a force-to-bone fastener transfer element
responsive to said applied force receptor element; a driver-side,
positive, complete tri-modal retention element responsive to said
force-to-bone fastener transfer element and engageable with a
fastener-side, positive, complete tri-modal retention element of
said bone media fastener element.
54. A bone media fastener driver apparatus as described in claim 53
wherein said driver-side, positive complete tri-modal retention
element comprises a driver-side, positive complete tri-modal
obstructive retention element.
55. A bone media fastener driver apparatus as described in claim 53
wherein said driver-side, positive complete tri-modal retention
element comprises a driver-side bi-lateral divergence prevention
element, a driver-side, bi-rotational divergence prevention
element, and a driver-side, bi-axial divergence prevention
element.
56. A bone media fastener driver apparatus as described in claim 54
wherein said driver-side, positive complete tri-modal obstructive
retention element comprises a driver-side bi-lateral divergence
prevention element, a driver-side, bi-rotational divergence
prevention element, and a driver-side, bi-axial divergence
prevention element.
57. A bone media fastener driver apparatus as described in claim 55
or 56 wherein said driver-side bi-lateral divergence prevention
element comprises a extendable bi-lateral divergence prevention
element.
58. A bone media fastener driver apparatus as described in claim 57
wherein each said driver-side, bi-lateral divergence prevention
element, said driver-side, bi-rotational divergence prevention
element, and said driver-side, bi-axial divergence prevention
element are discrete elements.
59. A bone media fastener driver apparatus as described in claim 53
wherein said driver-side, bi-rotational divergence prevention
element and said driver-side bi-axial divergence prevention element
together form a driver-side, combined bi-rotational and bi-axial
divergence prevention element.
60. A bone media fastener driver apparatus as described in claim 57
wherein said driver-side, bi-rotational divergence prevention
element and said driver-side, bi-axial divergence prevention
element together form a driver-side, combined bi-rotational and
bi-axial divergence prevention element.
61. A bone media fastener driver apparatus as described in claim 56
wherein at least a portion of said driver-side bi-lateral
divergence prevention element comprises a portion of said
driver-side bi-axial divergence prevention element.
62. A bone media fastener driver apparatus as described in claim 57
wherein at least a portion of said extendable, bi-lateral
divergence prevention element comprises a portion of said
driver-side, bi-axial divergence prevention element.
63. A bone media fastener driver apparatus as described in claim 59
wherein at least a portion of said driver-side, bi-lateral
divergence prevention element comprises a portion of said
driver-side, combined bi-rotational and bi-axial divergence
prevention element.
64. A bone media fastener driver apparatus as described in claim 60
wherein at least a portion of said extendable, bi-lateral
divergence prevention element comprises a portion of said
driver-side, combined bi-rotational and bi-axial divergence
prevention element.
65. A bone media fastener driver apparatus as described in claim 56
wherein said driver-side, bi-axial divergence prevention element
comprises an axis-orthogonal appendage element established at least
partially along a diameter of the driver face.
66. A bone media fastener driver apparatus as described in claim 65
wherein said axis-orthogonal appendage element comprises at least
two distally convergent, diameter parallel walls.
67. A bone media fastener driver apparatus as described in claim 65
wherein said axis-orthogonal appendage element is adapted to
surround at least a portion of said driver-side bi-lateral
divergence prevention element.
68. A bone media fastener driver apparatus as described in claim 60
wherein said extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention element
comprises a circular cross-sectional, extendable, bi-lateral
divergence prevention element.
69. A bone media fastener driver apparatus as described in claim 57
wherein said extendable bi-lateral divergence prevention element
comprises a non-circular cross-sectional extendable bi-lateral
divergence prevention element.
70. A bone media fastener driver apparatus as described in claim 69
wherein said driver-side, bi-rotational divergence prevention
element comprises at least a portion of said non-circular
cross-sectional extendable bi-lateral divergence prevention
element.
71. A bone media fastener driver apparatus as described in claim 57
wherein said extendable bi-lateral divergence prevention element
comprises a tapered, extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention
element.
72. A bone media fastener driver apparatus as described in claim 53
further comprising an engagement activation element to which said
extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention element is
responsive.
73. A bone media fastener driver apparatus as described in claim 72
wherein said engagement activation element comprises an
incrementally adjusting engagement activation element.
74. A bone media fastener and driver system comprising the steps of
establishing a bone media fastener element; establishing a bone
media fastener driver element; and establishing a positive,
complete trimodal retention element, wherein said step of
establishing a bone media fastener element comprises the steps of
establishing a shaft element, establishing a threaded bone
engagement element responsive to said shaft element, and
establishing a head element responsive to said shaft element, and
wherein said step of establishing a bone media fastener driver
element comprises the step of establishing an applied force
receptor element and a force-to-bone fastener transfer element
responsive to said applied force receptor element.
75. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
74 wherein said step of establishing a positive, complete trimodal
retention element comprises the step of establishing a positive,
complete trimodal obstructive retention element.
76. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
74 wherein said step of establishing a positive, complete trimodal
retention element comprises the steps of establishing a bi-lateral
divergence prevention element; establishing a bi-rotational
divergence prevention element, and establishing a bi-axial
divergence prevention element.
77. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
75 wherein said step of establishing a positive, complete tri-modal
obstructive retention element comprises the steps of establishing a
bi-lateral divergence prevention element; establishing a
bi-rotational divergence prevention element; and establishing a
bi-axial divergence prevention element.
78. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
76 or 77 wherein said steps of establishing a bi-lateral divergence
prevention element comprises the step of establishing an extendable
bi-lateral divergence prevention element.
79. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
78 wherein said steps of establishing a bi-lateral divergence
prevention element, establishing a bi-rotational divergence
prevention element, and a establishing a bi-axial divergence
prevention element comprise the step of establishing three discrete
elements.
80. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
77 wherein said step of establishing a bi-rotational divergence
prevention element and said step of establishing a bi-axial
divergence prevention element comprise the step of establishing a
combined, bi-rotational and bi-axial divergence prevention
element.
81. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
78 wherein said step of establishing a bi-rotational divergence
prevention element and said step of establishing a bi-axial
divergence prevention element comprise the step of establishing a
combined, bi-rotational and bi-axial divergence prevention
element.
82. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
77 wherein at least a portion of said step of establishing a
bi-lateral divergence prevention element comprises a portion of
said step of establishing a bi-axial divergence prevention
element.
83. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
78 wherein at least a portion of said step of establishing an
extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention element comprises a
portion of said step of establishing a bi-axial divergence
prevention element.
84. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
80 wherein at least a portion of said step of establishing a
bi-lateral divergence prevention element comprises a portion of
said step of establishing a combined bi-rotational and bi-axial
divergence prevention element.
85. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
81 wherein at least a portion of said step of establishing an
extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention element comprises a
portion of said step of establishing a combined bi-rotational and
bi-axial divergence prevention element.
86. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
78 wherein said step of establishing a bi-lateral divergence
prevention element further comprises the step of establishing a
bi-lateral divergence prevention receptor element adapted to
receive said extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention
element.
87. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
86 wherein said step of establishing a bone media fastener driver
element comprises the step of establishing said extendable
bi-lateral divergence prevention element and said step of
establishing a bone media fastener element comprises the step of
establishing said bi-lateral divergence prevention receptor
element.
88. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
87 wherein said step of establishing an extendable, bi-lateral
divergence prevention element comprises a the step of establishing
a circular cross-sectional, extendable, bi-lateral divergence
prevention element and said step of establishing a bi-lateral
divergence prevention receptor element comprises the step of
establishing a corresponding circular cross-sectional, bi-lateral
divergence prevention receptor element.
89. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
87 wherein said step of establishing an extendable, bi-lateral
divergence prevention element comprises the step of establishing a
tapered, extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention element.
90. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
86 wherein said step of establishing an extendable, bi-lateral
divergence prevention element comprises the step of establishing a
non-circular cross-sectional extendable, bi-lateral divergence
prevention element and said step of establishing a bi-lateral
divergence prevention receptor element comprises the step of
establishing a corresponding non-circular cross-sectional lateral
divergence prevention receptor element.
91. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
90 wherein said step of establishing a bi-rotational divergence
prevention element comprises at least a portion of said step of
establishing a non-circular cross-sectional extendable bi-lateral
divergence prevention element.
92. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
78 wherein said step of establishing an extendable, bi-lateral
divergence prevention element comprises the step of establishing an
extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention element that is
movable along a driver length axis.
93. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
81 wherein said step of establishing a combined bi-rotational and
bi-axial divergence prevention element comprises the step of
establishing an axis-orthogonal appendage element and the step of
establishing an axis-orthogonal appendage receptor element
engageable with said axis-orthogonal appendage element.
94. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
93 wherein said step of establishing an axis-orthogonal appendage
element comprises the step of establishing said axis-orthogonal
appendage element at least partially along a diameter of a
fastener/driver interface and said step of establishing an
axis-orthogonal appendage receptor element comprises the step of
establishing said axis-orthogonal appendage receptor element at
least partially along a diameter of a fastener/driver
interface.
95. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
94 wherein said step of establishing said axis-orthogonal appendage
element comprises the step of establishing at least two distally
convergent, diameter-parallel walls.
96. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
95 wherein said step of establishing said axis-orthogonal appendage
receptor element comprises the step of establishing at least two
distally divergent, diameter-parallel walls.
97. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
93 wherein said step of establishing a bone media fastener driver
element comprises the step of establishing said axis-orthogonal
appendage element and said step of establishing a bone media
fastener element comprises the step of establishing said
axis-orthogonal appendage receptor element.
98. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
93 wherein said step of establishing an axis-orthogonal appendage
element comprises the step of adapting said axis-orthogonal
appendage element to surround at least a portion of said
extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention element in an extended
configuration and wherein said step of establishing an
axis-orthogonal appendage receptor element comprises the step of
adapting said axis-orthogonal appendage receptor element to
surround at least a portion of said bi-lateral divergence
prevention receptor element.
99. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
77 wherein said step of establishing a bi-lateral divergence
prevention element comprises the step of establishing a fastener
axis-to-driver axis alignment facilitation element.
100. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
89 wherein said step of establishing a bi-lateral divergence
prevention element further comprises the step of establishing a
fastener axis-to-driver axis alignment facilitation element.
101. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
77 further comprising the step of establishing an orthopedic
healing aid that is adapted to respond to said bone media fastener
element in an installed configuration, wherein said orthopedic
healing aid is selected from the group of healing aids consisting
of: a plate and a rod.
102. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
93 further comprising the step of establishing an orthopedic
healing aid adapted to respond to said bone media fastener element
in an installed configuration, wherein said orthopedic healing aid
is selected from the group of healing aids consisting of: a plate
and a rod.
103. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
77 further comprising an the step of establishing an engagement
activation element to which said extendable, bi-lateral divergence
prevention element is responsive.
104. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
103 wherein said step of establishing an engagement activation
element comprises the step of establishing an incrementally
adjusting engagement activation element.
105. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
93 further comprising the step of establishing an engagement
activation element to which said extendable, bi-lateral divergence
prevention element is responsive.
106. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
105 wherein said step of establishing an engagement activation
element comprises the step of establishing an incrementally
adjusting engagement activation element.
107. A bone media fastener method comprising the steps of
establishing a shaft element, establishing a threaded bone
engagement element responsive to said shaft element, and
establishing a head element responsive to said shaft element,
wherein said step of establishing a head element comprises the step
of establishing a fastener-side, positive, complete tri-modal
retention element that is engageable with a driver-side, positive,
complete tri-modal retention element of a bone media fastener
driver element.
108. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
107 wherein said step of establishing a fastener-side, positive
complete tri-modal retention element comprises the step of
establishing a fastener-side, positive complete tri-modal
obstructive retention element.
109. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
107 wherein said steps of establishing a fastener-side, positive
complete tri-modal retention element comprises the step of
establishing a fastener-side bi-lateral divergence prevention
element, establishing a fastener-side, bi-rotational divergence
prevention element, and establishing a fastener-side, bi-axial
divergence prevention element.
110. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
108 wherein said steps of establishing a fastener-side, positive
complete tri-modal obstructive retention element comprises the step
of establishing a fastener-side bi-lateral divergence prevention
element, establishing a fastener-side, bi-rotational divergence
prevention element, and establishing a fastener-side, bi-axial
divergence prevention element.
111. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
109 or 110 wherein said step of establishing a fastener-side
bi-lateral divergence prevention element comprises the step of
establishing a bi-lateral divergence prevention receptor
element.
112. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
110 wherein said steps of establishing a fastener-side bi-lateral
divergence prevention element, establishing a fastener-side,
bi-rotational divergence prevention element, and establishing a
fastener-side, bi-axial divergence prevention element comprise the
step of establishing at least three discrete elements.
113. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
110 wherein said step of establishing a fastener-side,
bi-rotational divergence prevention element, and said step of
establishing a fastener-side, bi-axial divergence prevention
element comprise the step of establishing a fastener-side, combined
bi-rotational and bi-axial divergence prevention element.
114. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
111 wherein said step of establishing a fastener-side,
bi-rotational divergence prevention element, and said step of
establishing a fastener-side, bi-axial divergence prevention
element together form a fastener-side, combined bi-rotational and
bi-axial divergence prevention element.
115. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
110 wherein at least a portion of said step of establishing a
fastener-side bi-lateral divergence prevention element comprises a
portion of said step of establishing a fastener-side, bi-axial
divergence prevention element.
116. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
111 wherein at least a portion of said step of establishing a
bi-lateral divergence prevention receptor element comprises a
portion of said step of establishing a fastener-side, bi-axial
divergence prevention element.
117. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
113 wherein at least a portion of said step of establishing a
fastener-side bi-lateral divergence prevention element comprises a
portion of said step of establishing a fastener-side, combined
bi-rotational and bi-axial divergence prevention element.
118. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
114 wherein at least a portion of said step of establishing a
bi-lateral divergence prevention receptor element comprises a
portion of said step of establishing a fastener-side, combined
bi-rotational and bi-axial divergence prevention element.
119. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
110 wherein said step of establishing a fastener-side, bi-axial
divergence prevention element comprises the step of establishing an
axis-orthogonal appendage receptor element at least partially along
a diameter of the fastener face.
120. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
119 wherein said step of establishing an axis-orthogonal appendage
receptor element comprises the step of establishing at least two
distally divergent, diameter-parallel walls.
121. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
120 wherein said step of establishing an axis-orthogonal appendage
receptor element comprises the step of establishing an
axis-orthogonal appendage receptor element that is adapted to
surround at least a portion of said fastener-side bi-lateral
divergence prevention element.
122. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
114 wherein said step of establishing a bi-lateral divergence
prevention receptor element comprises the step of establishing a
circular cross-sectional bi-lateral divergence prevention receptor
element.
123. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
114 wherein said step of establishing a bi-lateral divergence
prevention receptor element comprises the step of establishing a
non-circular cross-sectional bi-lateral divergence prevention
receptor element.
124. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
123 wherein said step of establishing a fastener-side,
bi-rotational divergence prevention element comprises at least a
portion of said step of establishing said non-circular
cross-sectional bi-lateral divergence prevention receptor
element.
125. A bone media fastener and driver system as described in claim
111 wherein said step of establishing a bi-lateral divergence
prevention receptor element comprises the step of establishing a
bi-lateral divergence prevention receptor element that is
engageable with a tapered, extendable, bi-lateral divergence
prevention element of said driver-side, positive, complete
tri-modal retention element.
126. A bone media fastener driver method comprising the steps of
establishing an applied force receptor element; establishing an
force-to-bone fastener transfer element responsive to said applied
force receptor element; establishing a driver-side, positive,
complete tri-modal retention element responsive to said
force-to-bone fastener transfer element and engageable with a
fastener-side, positive, complete tri-modal retention element of
said bone media fastener element.
127. A bone media fastener driver method as described in claim 126
wherein said step of establishing a driver-side, positive complete
tri-modal retention element comprises the step of establishing a
driver-side, positive complete tri-modal obstructive retention
element.
128. A bone media fastener driver method as described in claim 126
wherein said step of establishing a driver-side, positive complete
tri-modal retention element comprises the step of establishing a
driver-side bi-lateral divergence prevention element, establishing
a driver-side, bi-rotational divergence prevention element, and
establishing a driver-side, bi-axial divergence prevention
element.
129. A bone media fastener driver method as described in claim 127
wherein said step of establishing a driver-side, positive complete
tri-modal obstructive retention element comprises the step of
establishing a driver-side bi-lateral divergence prevention
element, establishing a driver-side, bi-rotational divergence
prevention element, and establishing a driver-side, bi-axial
divergence prevention element.
130. A bone media fastener driver method as described in claim 128
or 129 wherein said step of establishing a driver-side bi-lateral
divergence prevention element comprises the step of establishing an
extendable bi-lateral divergence prevention element.
131. A bone media fastener driver method as described in claim 130
wherein said steps of establishing a driver-side, bi-lateral
divergence prevention element, establishing a driver-side,
bi-rotational divergence prevention element, and establishing a
driver-side, bi-axial divergence prevention element comprises the
step of establishing three discrete elements.
132. A bone media fastener driver method as described in claim 126
wherein said steps of establishing a driver-side, bi-rotational
divergence prevention element and establishing a driver-side
bi-axial divergence prevention element comprise the step of
establishing a driver-side, combined bi-rotational and bi-axial
divergence prevention element.
133. A bone media fastener driver method as described in claim 130
wherein said steps of establishing a driver-side, bi-rotational
divergence prevention element and establishing a driver-side,
bi-axial divergence prevention element comprise the step of
establishing a driver-side, combined bi-rotational and bi-axial
divergence prevention element.
134. A bone media fastener driver method as described in claim 129
wherein at least a portion of said step of establishing a
driver-side bi-lateral divergence prevention element comprises a
portion of said step of establishing a driver-side bi-axial
divergence prevention element.
135. A bone media fastener driver method as described in claim 130
wherein at least a portion of said step of establishing an
extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention element comprises a
portion of said step of establishing a driver-side, bi-axial
divergence prevention element.
136. A bone media fastener driver method as described in claim 132
wherein at least a portion of said step of establishing a
driver-side, bi-lateral divergence prevention element comprises a
portion of said step of establishing a driver-side, combined
bi-rotational and bi-axial divergence prevention element.
137. A bone media fastener driver method as described in claim 133
wherein at least a portion of said step of establishing an
extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention element comprises a
portion of said step of establishing a driver-side, combined
bi-rotational and bi-axial divergence prevention element.
138. A bone media fastener driver method as described in claim 129
wherein said step of establishing a driver-side, bi-axial
divergence prevention element comprises the step of establishing an
axis-orthogonal appendage element at least partially along a
diameter of the driver face.
139. A bone media fastener driver method as described in claim 138
wherein said step of establishing an axis-orthogonal appendage
element comprises the step of establishing at least two distally
convergent, diameter parallel walls.
140. A bone media fastener driver method as described in claim 138
wherein said step of establishing an axis-orthogonal appendage
element comprises the step of establishing an axis-orthogonal
appendage element that is adapted to surround at least a portion of
said driver-side bi-lateral divergence prevention element.
141. A bone media fastener driver method as described in claim 133
wherein said step of establishing an extendable, bi-lateral
divergence prevention element comprises the step of establishing a
circular cross-sectional, extendable, bi-lateral divergence
prevention element.
142. A bone media fastener driver method as described in claim 130
wherein said step of establishing an extendable bi-lateral
divergence prevention element comprises the step of establishing a
non-circular cross-sectional extendable bi-lateral divergence
prevention element.
143. A bone media fastener driver method as described in claim 142
wherein said step of establishing a driver-side, bi-rotational
divergence prevention element comprises at least a portion of said
step of establishing a non-circular cross-sectional extendable
bi-lateral divergence prevention element.
144. A bone media fastener driver method as described in claim 130
wherein said step of establishing an extendable bi-lateral
divergence prevention element comprises the step of establishing a
tapered, extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention element.
145. A bone media fastener driver method as described in claim 126
further comprising the step of establishing an engagement
activation element to which said extendable, bi-lateral divergence
prevention element is responsive.
146. A bone media fastener driver method as described in claim 145
wherein said step of establishing an engagement activation element
comprises an incrementally adjusting engagement activation
element.
147. A method of using a bone media fastener and bone media
fastener driver in orthopedic surgical application comprising the
steps of: establishing a bone media fastener element relative to a
bone medium; and engaging said bone media fastener element with a
bone media fastener driver element to accomplish complete trimodal
retention.
148. A method of using a bone media fastener and bone media
fastener driver in orthopedic surgical application as described in
claim 147 wherein said step of engaging said bone media fastener
element with a bone media fastener driver element comprises the
step of obstructively engaging said bone media fastener element
with a bone media fastener driver element.
149. A method of using a bone media fastener and bone media
fastener driver in orthopedic surgical application as described in
claim 147 or 148 wherein said step of engaging said bone media
fastener element with a bone media fastener driver element to
accomplish complete trimodal retention comprises the steps of
engaging to prevent bi-axial divergence; engaging to prevent
bi-rotational divergence; and engaging to prevent bi-lateral
divergence.
150. A method of using a bone media fastener and bone media
fastener driver in orthopedic surgical application as described in
claim 149 wherein said step of engaging to prevent bi-rotational
divergence and said step of engaging to prevent bi-axial divergence
is each accomplished by performing the same driver-to-fastener
relative motion.
151. A method of using a bone media fastener and bone media
fastener driver in orthopedic surgical application as described in
claim 150 wherein said step of performing the same
driver-to-fastener relative motion comprises the step of performing
a fastener end-to-driver end relative bi-lateral aligning
motion.
152. A method of using a bone media fastener and bone media
fastener driver in orthopedic surgical application as described in
claim 151 wherein said step of performing a fastener end-to-driver
end relative bi-lateral aligning motion comprises the step of
sliding an axis-orthogonal appendage element into an axis
orthogonal appendage receptor element from the side.
153. A method of using a bone media fastener and bone media
fastener driver in orthopedic surgical application as described in
claim 149 wherein said step of engaging to prevent bi-lateral
divergence is accomplished with a driver-to-fastener relative
motion that is different from that motion that is used to
accomplish each of said steps of engaging to prevent bi-rotational
divergence and engaging to prevent bi-axial divergence.
154. A method of using a bone media fastener and bone media
fastener driver in orthopedic surgical application as described in
claim 149 wherein said step of engaging to prevent bi-lateral
divergence comprises a portion of said step of engaging to prevent
bi-axial divergence.
155. A method of using a bone media fastener and bone media
fastener driver in orthopedic surgical application as described in
claim 150 wherein said step of engaging to prevent bi-lateral
divergence comprises a portion of said step of engaging to prevent
bi-axial divergence.
156. A method of using a bone media fastener and bone media
fastener driver in orthopedic surgical application as described in
claim 149 wherein said step of engaging to prevent bi-lateral
divergence comprises the step of extending an extendable driver
part.
157. A method of using a bone media fastener and bone media
fastener driver in orthopedic surgical application as described in
claim 151 wherein said step of engaging to prevent bi-lateral
divergence comprises the step of extending an extendable driver
part.
158. A method of using a bone media fastener and bone media
fastener driver in orthopedic surgical application as described in
claim 156 wherein said step of extending an extendable driver part
comprises the step of activating said extendable driver part.
159. A method of using a bone media fastener and bone media
fastener driver in orthopedic surgical application as described in
claim 157 wherein said step of extending an extendable driver part
comprises the step of activating said extendable driver part.
160. A method of using a bone media fastener and bone media
fastener driver in orthopedic surgical application as described in
claim 158 wherein said step of activating said extendable driver
part comprises the step of activating said extendable driver part
after performing said step of engaging to prevent bi-axial
divergence.
161. A method of using a bone media fastener and bone media
fastener driver in orthopedic surgical application as described in
claim 159 wherein said step of activating said extendable driver
part comprises the step of activating said extendable driver part
after performing said step of engaging to prevent bi-axial
divergence.
162. A method of using a bone media fastener and bone media
fastener driver in orthopedic surgical application as described in
claim 147 further comprising the step of applying a torque force to
said bone media fastener element by applying said torque force to
said bone media fastener driver element after performing said step
of engaging said bone media fastener element with a bone media
fastener driver element to accomplish complete trimodal
retention.
163. A method of using a bone media fastener and bone media
fastener driver in orthopedic surgical application as described in
claim 147 further comprising the step of establishing an orthopedic
healing aid substantially between said bone media fastener element
and bone media, wherein said orthopedic healing aid is selected
from the group of healing aids consisting of: a plate and a rod.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Generally, this invention relates to a system for and
methods of easily and securely inserting and removing a fastener
that in at least one application is used during orthopedic surgery
to promote proper healing of injured bone. Specifically, the
invention focuses upon a fastener and a corresponding driver that
is usable to insert and remove the fastener in a manner that
reduces the chance of slippage of the driver from the fastener--a
problem in orthopedics, other branches of health care, and
fastening generally.
[0002] Fasteners with threads, or screw fasteners, are commonly
used to hold broken bones in place during healing and to attach
orthopedic healing aids such as plates or rods to broken bones. In
many healing applications, the fastener should have the ability to
draw pieces of the bone into intimate contact, and/or the
orthopedic healing aid into intimate contact with the bone(s) or
bone pieces. The torque required to achieve this may be delivered
by an insertion device or driver. Ideally, the fastening system
will allow for quick insertion to minimize the time required for
the procedure and will have sufficient engagement with the
insertion device to prevent positional divergence such as slippage
of the driver from the fastener which could cause the fastener to
be improperly positioned and/or cause additional damage to the
bone, among other problems. Additionally, the system will allow for
secure non-slip insertion of the fastener without requiring an
improperly high compressive force be imparted by a user to the
driver. Finally, a removal device (which may be the same as the
insertion device) must be able to securely reengage the fastener so
it can be removed from the bone with a minimized chance of
positional divergence of the driver from the fastener, also without
requiring the application of an improperly high compressive force
into the fastener to assure secure removal of the fastener.
[0003] Efforts in the driver/fastener system field have tended to
focus on the design of thread systems to ensure intimate contact of
bone fragments and/or of the orthopedic healing aid with bone(s).
Examples of these efforts may be illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,022,352, 6,083,227, and 5,871,486. While these technologies
address an important problem, considerably less effort has been
applied to the equally important problem of quickly, safely, and
securely inserting and removing bone screw fasteners. Examples of
efforts in this specific area are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,885,286; 6,048,343; 6,183,472; and 5,997,538. Several of these
approaches are complex mechanical assemblies consisting of many
small parts which may be difficult to assemble and manipulate, and
that pose a hazard to the patient during orthopedic surgery. Often,
the physician must take additional time to use these devices and
ensure their proper assembly and disassembly. Thus, there is a need
for a fastener/driver device that is not a complex mechanical
assembly and that exhibits a positive, non-slip engagement between
driver and fastener. Although this problem is well known on
orthopedics and other fields of endeavor, the need for a simple
system that facilitates the rapid, reliable and secure insertion
and removal of fasteners has not been adequately met.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention includes a variety of aspects and
features which may be applied in various ways depending on the
exact application or need to be addressed. At least one embodiment
of his invention involves a system for the rapid and reliable
insertion and removal of fasteners for use in orthopedic surgery
and other applications requiring such capability. This system may
include a fastener and a tool such as a driver that is usable for
insertion and removal of the fastener. In one basic form, the
invention provides a system for positive, complete tri-modal
retention of a fastener by a fastener driver so that during
operation of the system in a fully engaged configuration and under
design loads, three types of positional divergence of the driver
relative the fastener--bi-axial, bi-rotational, and bi-lateral--are
prevented. Thus, relative to conventional fastener/driver systems,
the fastener can be inserted and removed by the driver more quickly
and with a reduced possibility of slippage, stripping, or other
hazardous, undesired positional divergence of the driver from the
fastener. The system is designed to better meet the needs of both
the patient and the physician in orthopedic surgery and other areas
of health care. It may also find use in other fastening
applications such as structural assembly, whether in fields such as
aerospace, aircraft or carpentry, as but a few examples.
[0005] An object of at least one embodiment of the invention is to
provide an insertion/removal device such as a bone fastener driver
that can be easily inserted into the head of a bone fastener, with
a resultant positive, complete tri-modal retention of the driver to
the fastener, where positive, complete tri-modal retention may
include the prevention of each bi-lateral, bi-rotational, and
bi-axial divergence of the driver from the fastener.
[0006] Another goal of at least one embodiment of the invention is
to provide a positive retention driver/fastener system that is
operable by a user who prefers to (or must) use only one hand.
[0007] A further feature of at least one embodiment of this
invention may be to provide a positive retention element that may
also facilitate proper alignment of the driver with the
fastener.
[0008] Another goal of the invention is to enable the application
of increased driving torques when necessary or desired without
resulting in positional divergence of the driver from the fastener.
Such increased torques may not have been possible with prior
systems whose designs may have resulted in positional divergence
(such as bi-axial, bi-lateral, or bi-rotational slippage) of the
driver from the fastener during higher applied torque load
operation, or whose designs may have required the application of an
improperly high compressive axial force to assure secure
driver-to-fastener engagement throughout the driving process.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] All drawings are intended merely as examples of at least one
embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 1a is a view of at least one embodiment of the fastener
apparatus.
[0011] FIG. 1b is a view of at least one embodiment of the fastener
apparatus.
[0012] FIG. 1c is a view of at least one embodiment of the fastener
apparatus showing different elements.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a view of at least one embodiment of the fastener
driver apparatus, including close up views of different embodiments
of the end of the fastener driver apparatus.
[0014] FIG. 3 is another view of at least one embodiment of the
fastener driver apparatus, including close up views of different
embodiments of the end of the fastener driver apparatus.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a view of at least one embodiment of the fastener
and driver system.
[0016] FIG. 5a is a view of at least one embodiment of the fastener
and driver system in an engaged configuration.
[0017] FIG. 5b is a view of at least one embodiment of the fastener
and driver system in an engaged configuration, and including an
orthopedic plate.
[0018] FIG. 5c is a view of at least one embodiment of the fastener
and driver system in an engaged configuration, and including an
orthopedic rod.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a view of at least one embodiment of the fastener
as it is used to fasten an orthopedic plate.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a view of at least one embodiment of the fastener
and driver system.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a view of at least one embodiment of the fastener
and driver system in an engaged configuration.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a view of at least one embodiment of the fastener
and driver system.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a view of at least one embodiment of the fastener
and driver system.
[0024] FIG. 11 is a view of at least one embodiment of the fastener
and driver system.
[0025] FIG. 12 is a view of at least one embodiment of the fastener
apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] At least one embodiment of a bone media fastener apparatus 1
may comprise a shaft element 2, a threaded bone engagement element
3 responsive to the shaft element 2, and a head element 4
responsive to the shaft element 2. The head element 4 may have a
larger width dimension 5 than does the threaded bone engagement
element 3 and the shaft element 2, and may comprise a
fastener-side, positive, complete tri-modal retention element 6
that is engageable with a driver-side, positive, complete tri-modal
retention element 7 of a bone media fastener driver element 8. This
fastener-side, positive, complete tri-modal retention element may
prevent bi-lateral divergence 9, bi-rotational divergence 10, and
bi-axial divergence 11. Note that in at least one embodiment, each
of these terms refer to driver-from-fastener divergence. The terms
"bone", "bone media", and "bone medium" may refer to bone, bone
fragments, osseous tissue, fibrous connective tissue, and/or
calcified tissue. As long as at least one of the two or more parts
that are to be fastened is bone or bone media (as but two examples,
one part may be an orthopedic plate 62 or rod 63), then the term
bone or bone media is properly applicable. Bi-lateral divergence 9
may refer to positional divergence or motion of the driver away
from the fastener in a lateral direction. Note that bi-lateral
divergence prevention may not only refer to prevention of
divergence in either of the two directions along any slot-like
receptors 15 that either the fastener 22 or the driver 14 may
comprise, but may also include prevention of lateral divergence in
other directions. Bi-rotational divergence 10 may refer to angular
displacement of the driver relative to the fastener in either a
clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Bi-axial divergence 11 may
refer to positional divergence or motion of the driver 14 away from
or towards the fastener 22 in an axial direction, where axial
direction may refer to along the length axis 35,29 of the driver 14
and/or fastener 22.
[0027] The fastener-side, positive, complete tri-modal retention
element 6 may comprise a fastener-side, positive complete tri-modal
obstructive retention element 101. The term obstructive retention
indicates that the retention of the driver 14 by (or to) the
fastener 22 is achieved primarily through obstruction of at least
one part by at least one other part, as opposed to through friction
between parts. The mere presence of some friction will not render
inapplicable the characterization of a retention element as
obstructive, as the term obstructive merely indicates that more
than half of the retention force is achieved through obstruction
instead of friction. Frictional retention is deemed to occur
whenever at least one of two substantially parallel contacting
surfaces is prevented from moving in a direction parallel to the
plane of the contacting surfaces by a force that compresses the
contacting surfaces against one another. Note also that, e.g., two
contacting spheres can be prevented from moving relative to one
another by frictional (or frictive) retention because the
contacting surfaces are substantially parallel (notwithstanding the
fact that the surfaces of which the contacting surfaces are a part
are not planar).
[0028] The fastener-side, positive complete tri-modal retention
element 6, in addition to the fastener-side positive complete
tri-modal obstructive retention element 101, may comprise a
fastener-side bi-lateral divergence prevention element 102, a
fastener-side, bi-rotational divergence prevention element 103, and
a fastener-side, bi-axial divergence prevention element 104. The
fastener-side bi-lateral divergence prevention element 102 may be
any part or element (including one shaped to create a void, space,
slot, recess or receptor) located on the fastener 22 that is usable
to prevent bi-lateral divergence 9; the fastener-side,
bi-rotational divergence prevention element 103 may be any part or
element (including one shaped to create a void, space, slot, recess
or receptor) located on the fastener 22 that is usable to prevent
bi-rotational divergence 10; and the fastener-side, bi-axial
divergence prevention element 104 may be any part or element
(including one shaped to create a void, space, slot, recess or
receptor) located on the fastener 22 that is usable to prevent
bi-axial divergence 11. These elements (as well as any other
elements presented in the claims) are not necessarily different and
discrete elements (although they may be), but instead two or more
elements may be the same structural part, e.g. Of course, certain
claims may limit certain elements as discrete elements, or may
limit one element as comprising one or more other elements. For
example, in at least one embodiment, at least a portion of the
fastener-side bi-lateral divergence prevention element 102 may
comprise a portion of the fastener-side bi-axial divergence
prevention element 104, as may be the case where, e.g., an
extendable driver part 67 is extendable into a receptor located on
the fastener and the extendable driver part end 141 contacts the
fastener receptor bottom 142 in an extended configuration 58.
[0029] The fastener-side bi-lateral divergence prevention element
102 may comprise a bi-lateral divergence prevention receptor
element 12, which may be engageable with an extendable, bi-lateral
divergence prevention element 13 of the driver-side, positive
retention element 7 to prevent bi-lateral divergence 9. The term
extendable may indicate that the referenced element or part is
extendable relative to a device such as the driver 14 that the
extendable element 13 is a part of. The fastener-side,
bi-rotational divergence prevention element 103, and the
fastener-side, bi-axial divergence prevention element 104 may
together form a fastener-side, combined bi-rotational and bi-axial
divergence prevention element 16. This fastener-side combined
element 16 may be engageable with a driver-side, combined
bi-rotational and bi-axial divergence prevention element 17 of the
driver-side, positive retention element 7 of the bone media
fastener driver element 8 to prevent bi-rotational and bi-axial
divergence 10, 11.
[0030] In at least one embodiment, at least a portion of the
fastener-side bi-lateral divergence prevention element 102 may
comprise a portion of the fastener-side bi-axial divergence
prevention element 104. Further, at least a portion of the
bi-lateral divergence prevention receptor element 12 may comprise a
portion of the fastener-side bi-axial divergence prevention element
104, as may be the case where, e.g., an extendable driver part 67
is extendable into a receptor located on the fastener and the
extendable driver part end 141 contacts the fastener receptor
bottom 142 in an extended configuration 58.
[0031] Additionally, at least a portion of the fastener-side
bi-lateral divergence prevention element 102 may comprise a portion
of the fastener-side, combined bi-rotational and bi-axial
divergence prevention element 16. Also, the bi-lateral divergence
prevention receptor element 12 may comprise a portion of the
fastener-side, combined bi-rotational and bi-axial divergence
prevention element 16. In any of these designs, the fastener-side
bi-lateral divergence prevention element 102 may be adapted and
dimensioned to interact with a driver part in order to prevent at
least some bi-axial divergence (such as movement of the driver 14
towards the fastener 22 along a driver and/or fastener axis 35,
29). Such a design may allow for a tighter retention fit upon
engagement of the driver 14 with the fastener 22, including a
design where the driver part that the fastener-side bi-lateral
divergence prevention element 102 interacts with is an extendable,
bi-lateral divergence prevention element 13 that is responsive to
an incrementally adjusting engagement activation element 47.
[0032] The fastener-side bi-axial divergence prevention element may
comprise an axis-orthogonal appendage receptor element 18
established at least partially along a diameter 19 of the fastener
face 20; the axis-orthogonal appendage receptor element 18 may
comprise at least two distally divergent, diameter-parallel walls
21. The term axis-orthogonal may indicate that the length axis of
the referenced term is orthogonal or perpendicular to the driver
length axis 35 or fastener length axis 29, whichever device the
referenced term is a part of. The term distally is used to indicate
in a direction away from the attachment of the driver 14 to the
fastener 22, and although the precise location of attachment
between the two may be a general area 23 at the terminus of each
24, 25, the very end 26, 27 of each of the termini 24, 25 is deemed
the attachment for the purposes of clarity. Thus, distally
divergent walls diverge in the direction away from the very end of
the relevant device (in the immediately preceding case, the
fastener 22). It is important to note that walls can be
diameter-parallel walls even though they extend along only a
portion of the diameter. The axis-orthogonal appendage receptor
element 18 may be adapted to surround at least a portion 28 of the
bi-lateral divergence prevention receptor element 12 and may be
symmetric about a fastener length axis 29. As used here, symmetric
about a fastener length axis 29 indicates that the referenced part
or element may be the same on one side of the axis as it is on the
other side.
[0033] It is important to understand that an element that acts to
prevent divergence in any direction need not be able to prevent
divergence under all forces, but only under design forces--those
forces that might be expected in a certain application. For
example, an axis-orthogonal appendage receptor element 18 may
prevent bi-axial divergence 11 during orthopedic surgery under a
tension load of two lbs. applied by the driver to the fastener, but
may not prevent bi-axial divergence 11 under a tension load of
two-hundred lbs. because application of such an extreme force is
not to be expected during orthopedic surgery.
[0034] In at least one embodiment of the bone fastener apparatus 1,
the axis-orthogonal appendage receptor element 18 may be adapted to
surround at least a portion of the fastener-side bi-lateral
divergence prevention element 102. Further, the bi-lateral
divergence prevention receptor element 12 may comprise a circular
cross-sectional bi-lateral divergence prevention receptor element
30, or it may comprise a non-circular cross-sectional bi-lateral
divergence prevention receptor element 31. As such a non-circular
cross-sectional bi-lateral divergence prevention receptor element
31 may be usable to prevent bi-rotational divergence 10 of the
driver from the fastener upon engagement with a non-circular driver
part, the fastener-side, bi-rotational divergence prevention
element 103 may be said to comprise at least a portion of the
non-circular cross-sectional bi-lateral divergence prevention
receptor element 31. Further, the bi-lateral divergence prevention
receptor element 12 may be engageable with a tapered, extendable,
bi-lateral divergence prevention element 32 of the driver-side,
positive complete tri-modal retention element 7 (regardless of the
cross-sectional shape of the extendable, bi-lateral divergence
prevention receptor element 12). The taper may also be termed a
chamfer. In at least one embodiment of the bone fastener apparatus
1, the bi-lateral divergence prevention receptor element 12 may
also exhibit a depth 36 along the fastener length axis 29 that is
approximately the same as the depth 37 of the axis-orthogonal
appendage receptor element 18 along the fastener length axis.
[0035] It is important to note that in a preferred embodiment, the
bone fastener apparatus 1 may be a single component which may be
made by a variety of means including machining, casting, molding,
or other techniques. It may be, e.g., of a generally cylindrical
shape 33 into which may be formed threads 34 of various types
appropriate to the specific application. The disclosure should also
be understood to provide support also for, a more generally
applicable fastener apparatus 49 that, as described, is not limited
by any bone or orthopedic related terms.
[0036] The invention also includes a bone media fastener driver
apparatus 38 alone and in combination with the bone media fastener
apparatus 1. At least one embodiment of a bone media fastener
driver apparatus 38 may comprise an applied force receptor element
39, a force-to-bone fastener transfer element 40 (which may be
elongated) that is responsive to the applied force receptor element
39, and a driver-side, positive complete tri-modal retention
element 7 responsive to the force-to-bone fastener transfer element
and engageable with the fastener-side, positive complete tri-modal
retention element 6. The driver-side, positive complete tri-modal
retention element 7 may comprise a driver-side, positive complete
tri-modal obstructive retention element 110. Either type of
driver-side complete tri-modal retention element (7 or 110) may
comprise a driver-side bi-lateral divergence prevention element
111, a driver-side bi-rotational divergence prevention element 112,
and a driver-side, bi-axial divergence prevention element 113. The
driver-side bi-lateral divergence prevention element 111 may be any
part or element (including one that is extendable) located on the
driver 14 that is usable to prevent bi-lateral divergence 9; the
driver-side, bi-rotational divergence prevention element 112 may be
any part or element located on the driver 14 that is usable to
prevent bi-rotational divergence 10; and the driver-side, bi-axial
divergence prevention element 113 may be any part or element
located on the driver 14 that is usable to prevent bi-axial
divergence 11. The driver-side bi-lateral divergence prevention
element 111 may comprise an extendable bi-lateral divergence
prevention element 13 that is engageable with a bi-lateral
divergence prevention receptor element 12 of the fastener-side,
positive complete tri-modal retention element 6 of the bone media
fastener element 41 to prevent bi-lateral divergence 9. The
driver-side bi-lateral divergence prevention element 111, the
driver-side bi-rotational divergence prevention element 112, and
the driver-side, bi-axial divergence prevention element 113 may
each be discrete elements, although in a preferred embodiment, at
least two of the three elements are the same part or parts
assembly. For example, the driver-side bi-rotational divergence
prevention element 112 and the driver-side, bi-axial divergence
prevention element 113 together may form a driver-side, combined
bi-rotational and bi-axial divergence prevention element 17 that is
engageable with a fastener-side, combined bi-rotational and
bi-axial divergence prevention element 16 of the fastener-side,
positive complete tri-modal retention element 6 of the bone media
fastener element 41 to prevent bi-rotational and bi-axial
divergence 10, 11.
[0037] In at least one embodiment, at least a portion of the
driver-side bi-lateral divergence prevention element 111 may
comprise a portion of the driver-side bi-axial divergence
prevention element 113, as may be the case where, e.g., an
extendable driver part 67 is extendable into a receptor located on
the fastener 22 and the extendable driver part end 141 contacts the
fastener receptor bottom 142 in an extended configuration 58.
Further, at least a portion of the extendable bi-lateral divergence
prevention element 13 may comprise a portion of the driver-side
bi-axial divergence prevention element 113. Additionally, at least
a portion of the driver-side bi-lateral divergence prevention
element 111 may comprise a portion of the driver-side, combined
bi-rotational and bi-axial divergence prevention element 17. Also,
the extendable bi-lateral divergence prevention element 13 may
comprise a portion of the driver-side, combined bi-rotational and
bi-axial divergence prevention element 17. In any of these designs,
the driver-side bi-lateral divergence prevention element 111 may be
adapted and dimensioned to interact with a fastener part (including
a recess, space, slot, void or receptor) in order to prevent at
least some bi-axial divergence (such as movement of the driver 14
towards the fastener 22 along a driver and/or fastener axis 35,
29). Such a design may allow for a tighter retention fit upon
engagement of the driver 14 with the fastener 22, including the
case where the driver part that the fastener-side bi-lateral
divergence prevention element 102 interacts with is an extendable,
bi-lateral divergence prevention element 13 that is responsive to
an incrementally adjusting engagement activation element 47.
[0038] The driver-side bi-axial divergence prevention element 113
or the driver-side, combined bi-rotational and bi-axial divergence
prevention element 17 may also comprise an axis-orthogonal
appendage element 43 such as, e.g., pawls, established at least
partially along a diameter of the driver face 44; the
axis-orthogonal appendage element 43 may comprise at least two
distally convergent, diameter-parallel walls 45. The
axis-orthogonal appendage element 43 may be adapted to surround at
least a portion of the extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention
element 13 in an extended configuration and may be symmetric about
a driver length axis 35.
[0039] In at least one embodiment, the extendable bi-lateral
divergence prevention element 13 may comprise a non-circular
cross-sectional extendable bi-lateral divergence prevention element
57. In such a design, the driver-side, bi-rotational divergence
prevention element 112 may comprise at least a portion of the
non-circular cross-sectional extendable bi-lateral divergence
prevention element 57. The bi-lateral divergence prevention
receptor element 12 may be a corresponding non-circular
cross-sectional bi-lateral divergence prevention receptor element
31. In any embodiment (regardless of the cross-sectional shape of
the extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention element 13), the
extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention element 13 may be
tapered so as to form a tapered, extendable, bi-lateral divergence
prevention element 32. By being tapered, the extendable, bi-lateral
divergence prevention element 13 may facilitate the axial alignment
of the driver 14 with the fastener 22 by improving, upon extension,
the axial alignment provided by the user of the apparatus. Further,
the extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention element 13 may be
movable along a driver length axis 35.
[0040] The bone media fastener driver apparatus 38 may further
comprise an engagement activation element 46 to which the
extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention element 13 is
responsive. In at least one embodiment, the engagement activation
element 46 may be operable by a user (i.e., user operated) and may
comprise an incrementally adjusting engagement activation element
47. It may comprise a threaded system 60 and may be operable by a
user via a knob 160 or other rotatable part, as but two examples.
The disclosure should also be understood to provide support also
for a more generally applicable fastener driver apparatus 48 that,
as described, is not limited by any bone or orthopedic related
terms.
[0041] In at least one embodiment, the applied force receptor
element 39 may comprise knurling 70. More generally, it may
comprise any appropriate treatment or feature to facilitate a
proper and secure hand grip. The force-to-bone fastener transfer
element 40 may be an elongated force-to-bone fastener transfer
element 140 and may have a cylindrical hole 42 established along at
least a portion of its length into which may be inserted and inside
of which may move the extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention
element 13.
[0042] A bone media fastener and driver system 50 may comprise a
bone media fastener element 41, a bone media fastener driver
element 8, and a positive complete tri-modal retention element 51.
The bone media fastener element 41 may comprise a shaft element 2,
a threaded bone engagement element 3 that is responsive to the
shaft element 2, and a head element 4 that is responsive to the
shaft element 2. The bone media fastener driver element 8 may
comprise an applied force receptor element 39, and a force-to-bone
fastener transfer element 40 responsive to the applied force
receptor element 39. The positive complete tri-modal retention
element 51 may comprise a positive complete tri-modal obstructive
retention element 121. Either the positive complete tri-modal
retention element 51 or the positive complete tri-modal obstructive
retention element 121 may prevent bi-lateral divergence 9 with a
bi-lateral divergence prevention element 130; bi-rotational
divergence 10 with a bi-rotational divergence prevention element
131; and bi-axial divergence 11 with a bi-axial divergence
prevention element 132. The bi-lateral divergence prevention
element 130 may comprise an extendable, bi-lateral divergence
prevention element 13.
[0043] At least one embodiment of the positive retention element 51
may comprise a discrete bi-lateral divergence prevention element, a
discrete bi-rotational divergence prevention element, and a
discrete bi-axial divergence prevention element, as there may be
discrete elements to prevent each of the three indicated divergent
motions. Instead of three discrete elements, the bi-rotational
divergence prevention element 131 and the bi-axial divergence
prevention element 132 may together form a combined bi-rotational
and bi-axial divergence prevention element 55. Any of the three
elements may be combined or overlap to some extent, as may any
elements indicated in the application. Further, the fact that a
second element performs a function that a first element performs
does not render inappropriate a reference to the first element
according this function.
[0044] In at least one embodiment, at least a portion of the
bi-lateral divergence prevention element 130 may comprise a portion
of the bi-axial divergence prevention element 132, as may be the
case where, e.g., an extendable driver part 67 is extendable into a
receptor located on the fastener 22 and the extendable driver part
end 141 contacts the fastener receptor bottom 142 in an extended
configuration 58. Further, at least a portion of the bi-lateral
divergence prevention receptor element 12 may comprise a portion of
the bi-axial divergence prevention element 132. Additionally, at
least a portion of the bi-lateral divergence prevention element 130
may comprise a portion of the combined bi-rotational and bi-axial
divergence prevention element 55. Also, the bi-lateral divergence
prevention receptor element 12 may comprise a portion of the
combined bi-rotational and bi-axial divergence prevention element
55. In any of these designs, the bi-lateral divergence prevention
element 130 may be adapted and dimensioned so that a driver part
such as the extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention element 13
interacts with a fastener part such as the bi-lateral divergence
prevention receptor element 12 in order to prevent at least some
bi-axial divergence (such as movement of the driver 14 towards the
fastener 22 along a driver and/or fastener axis 35, 29). Again,
such a design may allow for a tighter retention fit upon engagement
of the driver 14 with the fastener 22, including the case where the
driver part that interacts with a fastener part is an extendable,
bi-lateral divergence prevention element 13 that is responsive to
an incrementally adjusting engagement activation element 47.
[0045] The bi-lateral divergence prevention element 130 may further
comprise a bi-lateral divergence prevention receptor element 12
adapted to receive the extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention
element 13. In a preferred embodiment, the bone media fastener
driver element 8 may comprise the extendable bi-lateral divergence
prevention element 13 and the bone media fastener element 41 may
comprise the bi-lateral divergence prevention receptor element
12.
[0046] In at least one embodiment of the bone media fastener and
driver system 50, the extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention
element 13 may be a circular cross-sectional, extendable,
bi-lateral divergence prevention element 56 and the bi-lateral
divergence prevention receptor element 12 may be a corresponding
circular cross-sectional, bi-lateral divergence prevention receptor
element 30. In a different design, the extendable, bi-lateral
divergence prevention element 13 may be a non-circular
cross-sectional extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention
element 57 and the bi-lateral divergence prevention receptor
element 12 may be a corresponding non-circular cross-sectional
lateral divergence prevention receptor element 31. In such a
non-circular design, the non-circular shape may aid in preventing
bi-rotational divergence 10. Thus, the bi-rotational divergence
prevention element 131 may be said to comprise at least a portion
of the non-circular cross-sectional extendable bi-lateral
divergence prevention element 57. Regardless of the shape of the
extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention element 13, the
extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention element 13 may be a
tapered, extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention element 32
and may be movable along a driver length axis 35.
[0047] In embodiments of the bone media fastener and driver system
50 having a combined bi-rotational and bi-axial divergence
prevention element 55, this element 55 may comprise an
axis-orthogonal appendage element 43 and an axis-orthogonal
appendage receptor element 18 engageable with the axis-orthogonal
appendage element 43. The axis-orthogonal appendage element 43 and
the axis-orthogonal appendage receptor element 18 may each be
established at least partially along a diameter of a
fastener/driver interface 75. The fastener/driver interface 75 may
refer to either the fastener end 27 or the driver end 26 that
interfaces the corresponding driver end 26 or fastener end 27,
respectively. Further, the axis-orthogonal appendage element 43 may
comprise at least two distally convergent, diameter-parallel walls
45, as may the axis-orthogonal appendage receptor element 18. In a
preferred embodiment, the bone media fastener driver element 8 may
comprise the axis-orthogonal appendage element 43 and the bone
media fastener element 41 may comprise the axis-orthogonal
appendage receptor element 18. Additionally, in a preferred
embodiment, the axis-orthogonal appendage element 43 may be adapted
to surround at least a portion of the extendable, bi-lateral
divergence prevention element 13 in an extended configuration 58
and the axis-orthogonal appendage receptor element 18 may be
adapted to surround at least a portion of the bi-lateral divergence
prevention receptor element 12.
[0048] In at least one embodiment, the bi-lateral divergence
prevention element 130 may comprise a fastener axis-to-driver axis
alignment facilitation element 59, particularly where the
extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention element is a tapered,
extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention element 32.
[0049] The bone media fastener and driver system 50 may further
comprise an orthopedic healing aid 61 adapted to respond to the
bone media fastener element 41 in an installed configuration. In a
preferred embodiment involving the orthopedic healing aid 61, the
healing aid 61 is a plate 62 or rod 63 that is placed substantially
between the fastener 22 and the bone(s), including bone
piece(s).
[0050] The system 50 may include an engagement activation element
46 to which the extendable, bi-lateral divergence prevention
element 13 is responsive. In at least one embodiment, this
engagement activation element 46 is an incrementally adjusting
engagement activation element 47, as would be the case if the
engagement activation element 46 comprised, e.g., a threaded system
60 aligned along the length of the bone media fastener driver
element 8. The disclosure should also be understood to provide
support also for a more generally applicable fastener and driver
system 65 that, as described, is not limited by any bone or
orthopedic related terms.
[0051] Associated methods are also within the scope of the
inventive technology, including methods of using a bone media
fastener 1 and bone media fastener driver 38 in orthopedic surgical
application. At least one embodiment of such a method may comprise
the steps of establishing a bone media fastener element 41 relative
to a bone medium 64, and engaging the bone media fastener element
41 with a bone media fastener driver element 8 to accomplish
complete tri-modal retention. Such step of engaging may comprise
the steps of engaging to prevent bi-rotational divergence 10,
engaging to prevent bi-axial divergence 11 and engaging to prevent
bi-lateral divergence 9. In at least one embodiment, the step of
engaging the bone media fastener element 41 with a bone media
fastener driver element 8 to accomplish complete tri-modal
retention may comprise the step of obstructively engaging the bone
media fastener element 41 with a bone media fastener driver element
8. The step of engaging to prevent bi-rotational divergence 10 and
the step of engaging to prevent bi-axial divergence 11 may be each
be accomplished by performing the same driver-to-fastener relative
motion, which motion may comprise a fastener end-to-driver end
relative lateral aligning motion 66 such as sliding an
axis-orthogonal appendage element 43 into an axis-orthogonal
appendage receptor element 18 from the side. In at least one
embodiment, the step of engaging the bone media fastener element 41
with a bone media fastener driver element 8 to prevent bi-lateral
divergence 9 may be accomplished with a driver-to-fastener relative
motion that is different from that motion that is used to
accomplish each of the steps of engaging the bone media fastener
element 41 with a bone media fastener driver element 8 to prevent
bi-rotational divergence 10 and engaging the bone media fastener
element 41 with a bone media fastener driver element 8 to prevent
bi-axial divergence 11. The step of engaging to prevent bi-lateral
divergence 11 may comprise a portion of the step of engaging to
prevent bi-axial divergence, as may be the case where, e.g., an
extendable driver part 67 is extendable into a receptor located on
the fastener and the extendable driver part end 141 contacts the
fastener receptor bottom 142 in an extended configuration 58.
[0052] The step of engaging the bone media fastener element 41 with
a bone media fastener driver element 8 to prevent bi-lateral
divergence 9 may comprise extending an extendable driver part 67,
which step may comprise activating the extendable driver part 67.
The step of activating the extendable driver part 67 may comprise
activating the extendable driver part 67 after performing the steps
of engaging the bone media fastener element 41 with a bone media
fastener driver element 8 to prevent bi-rotational divergence 10
and/or engaging the bone media fastener element 41 with a bone
media fastener driver element 8 to prevent bi-axial divergence
11.
[0053] At least one embodiment of the method of using a bone media
fastener 1 and bone media fastener driver 38 in orthopedic surgical
application may further comprise the step of applying a torque
force 68 to the bone media fastener element 41 by applying the
torque force 68 to the bone media fastener driver element 8 after
engaging the bone media fastener element 41 with the bone media
fastener driver element 8 to accomplish complete tri-modal
retention. At least one embodiment of the method may further
comprise the step of establishing an orthopedic healing aid 61
substantially between the bone media fastener element 41 and bone
media 64. Further, the method of using a bone media fastener 1 and
bone media fastener driver 38 in orthopedic surgery may comprise
the step of retracting the extendable driver part 67 and performing
a fastener end-to-driver end relative lateral dis-aligning motion
69. The disclosure should also be understood to provide support for
more generally applicable methods of using a fastener 22 and
fastener driver 14 that is not limited by any bone or orthopedic
related terms.
[0054] As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic
concepts of the present invention may be embodied in a variety of
ways. It involves both exercise techniques as well as devices to
accomplish the appropriate exercise. In this application, the
fastening techniques are disclosed as part of the results shown to
be achieved by the various devices described and as steps which are
inherent to utilization. They are simply the natural result of
utilizing the devices as intended and described. In addition, while
some devices are disclosed, it should be understood that these not
only accomplish certain methods but also can be varied in a number
of ways. Importantly, as to all of the foregoing, all of these
facets should be understood to be encompassed by this
disclosure.
[0055] The discussion included in this nonprovisional application
is intended to serve as a basic description. The reader should be
aware that the specific discussion may not explicitly describe all
embodiments possible; many alternatives may be implicit. It may not
explicitly show how each feature or element can actually be
representative of a broader function or of a great variety of
alternative or equivalent elements. Again, these are implicitly
included in this disclosure. Where the invention is described in
deviceoriented terminology, each element of the device implicitly
performs a function. Apparatus claims may not only be included for
the device described, but also method or process claims may be
included to address the functions the invention and each element
performs. Neither the description nor the terminology is intended
to limit the scope of the claims included in this nonprovisional
patent application. Specifically, this application is to be
understood to include support for non-orthopedic analogs of any
claims that are indicated as covering an orthopedic application.
For example, it should be understood that new claims that
essentially are those existing claims that include elements with
the term "bone" or "bone media" without these terms may be added to
the case at a later time, and that such new claims also find
support in this specification.
[0056] It should also be understood that a variety of changes may
be made without departing from the essence of the invention. Such
changes are also implicitly included in the description. They still
fall within the scope of this invention. A broad disclosure
encompassing both the explicit embodiment(s) shown, the great
variety of implicit alternative embodiments, and the broad methods
or processes and the like are encompassed by this disclosure and
may be relied upon when drafting the claims for the full patent
application. It should be understood that such language changes and
broad claiming will be accomplished when the applicant later (filed
by the required deadline) seeks a patent filing based on this
provisional filing. This nonprovisional patent application seeks
examination of as broad a base of claims as deemed within the
applicant's right and is designed to yield a patent covering
numerous aspects of the invention both independently and as an
overall system.
[0057] Further, each of the various elements of the invention and
claims may also be achieved in a variety of manners. This
disclosure should be understood to encompass each such variation,
be it a variation of an embodiment of any apparatus embodiment, a
method or process embodiment, or even merely a variation of any
element of these. Particularly, it should be understood that as the
disclosure relates to elements of the invention, the words for each
element may be expressed by equivalent apparatus terms or method
terms--even if only the function or result is the same. Such
equivalent, broader, or even more generic terms should be
considered to be encompassed in the description of each element or
action. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make
explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this invention is
entitled. As but one example, it should be understood that all
actions may be expressed as a means for taking that action or as an
element which causes that action. Similarly, each physical element
disclosed should be understood to encompass a disclosure of the
action which that physical element facilitates. Regarding this last
aspect, as but one example, the disclosure of a "fastener" should
be understood to encompass disclosure of the act of
"fastening"--whether explicitly discussed or not--and, conversely,
were there effectively disclosure of the act of "fastening", such a
disclosure should be understood to encompass disclosure of a
"fastener" and even a "means for fastening" Such changes and
alternative terms are to be understood to be explicitly included in
the description.
[0058] Any acts of law, statutes, regulations, or rules mentioned
in this application for patent; or patents, publications, or other
references mentioned in this application for patent are hereby
incorporated by reference. In addition, as to each term used it
should be understood that unless its utilization in this
application is inconsistent with such interpretation, common
dictionary definitions should be understood as incorporated for
each term and all definitions, alternative terms, and synonyms such
as contained in the Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary,
second edition are hereby incorporated by reference. Finally, all
references listed in the list of References To Be Incorporated By
Reference In Accordance With The Patent Application or other
information statement filed with the application are hereby
appended and hereby incorporated by reference, however, as to each
of the above, to the extent that such information or statements
incorporated by reference might be considered inconsistent with the
patenting of this/these invention(s) such statements are expressly
not to be considered as made by the applicant(s).
[0059] Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to claim at
least: i) each of the fastener and fastener driver devices as
herein disclosed and described, ii) the related methods disclosed
and described, iii) similar, equivalent, and even implicit
variations of each of these devices and methods, iv) those
alternative designs which accomplish each of the functions shown as
are disclosed and described, v) those alternative designs and
methods which accomplish each of the functions shown as are
implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, vi)
each feature, component, and step shown as separate and independent
inventions, vii) the applications enhanced by the various systems
or components disclosed, viii) the resulting products produced by
such systems or components, and ix) methods and apparatuses
substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to any
of the accompanying examples, x) the various combinations and
permutations of each of the elements disclosed, and xi) each
potentially dependent claim or concept as a dependency on each and
every one of the independent claims or concepts presented. In this
regard it should be understood that for practical reasons and so as
to avoid adding potentially hundreds of claims, the applicant may
eventually present claims with initial dependencies only. Support
should be understood to exist to the degree required under new
matter laws--including but not limited to European Patent
Convention Article 123(2) and United States Patent Law 35 USC 132
or other such laws--to permit the addition of any of the various
dependencies or other elements presented under one independent
claim or concept as dependencies or elements under any other
independent claim or concept. Further, if or when used, the use of
the transitional phrase "comprising" is used to maintain the
"open-end" claims herein, according to traditional claim
interpretation. Thus, unless the context requires otherwise, it
should be understood that the term "comprise" or variations such as
"comprises" or "comprising", are intended to imply the inclusion of
a stated element or step or group of elements or steps but not the
exclusion of any other element or step or group of elements or
steps. Such terms should be interpreted in their most expansive
form so as to afford the applicant the broadest coverage legally
permissible.
[0060] In drafting any claims at any time in this application, it
should also be understood that the applicant has intended to
capture as full and broad a scope of coverage as legally available.
To the extent that insubstantial substitutes are made, to the
extent that the applicant did not in fact draft any claim so as to
literally encompass any particular embodiment, and to the extent
otherwise applicable, the applicant should not be understood to
have in any way intended to or actually relinquished such coverage
as the applicant simply may not have been able to anticipate all
eventualities; one skilled in the art, should not be reasonably
expected to have drafted a claim that would have literally
encompassed such alternative embodiments.
[0061] Any claims set forth are hereby incorporated by reference as
part of this description of the invention, and the applicant
expressly reserves the right to use all of or a portion of such
incorporated content of such claims as additional description to
support any of or all of the claims or any element or component
thereof, and the applicant further expressly reserves the right to
move any portion of or all of the incorporated content of such
claims or any element or component thereof from the description
into the claims or vice-versa as necessary to define the matter for
which protection is sought by this application or by any subsequent
continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application
thereof, or to obtain any benefit of, reduction in fees pursuant
to, or to comply with the patent laws, rules, or regulations of any
country or treaty, and such content incorporated by reference shall
survive during the entire pendency of this application including
any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part
application thereof or any reissue or extension thereon.
* * * * *