초록 ▼

An implant inserter device having an outer collar, an inner sleeve slidably and rotatably received within the outer collar, and a push rod slidably received within the inner sleeve. The outer collar has at least one cammed surface formed on an interior surface thereof, while the inner sleeve has at

An implant inserter device having an outer collar, an inner sleeve slidably and rotatably received within the outer collar, and a push rod slidably received within the inner sleeve. The outer collar has at least one cammed surface formed on an interior surface thereof, while the inner sleeve has at least one rib projecting outwardly from an exterior surface thereof. The rib is releasably engageable with the cammed surface when the inner sleeve is rotated relative to the outer collar. As a result, a distal end of the inner sleeve collapses from an undeformed position, in which the inner sleeve does not grip an implant housed therein, and a deformed position, in which the inner sleeve grips the implant. The push rod is movable between an extended position and a retracted position for urging the implant through and from the inner sleeve for insertion into a defect in damaged cartilage and bone.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An implant inserter device, comprising an outer collar having a proximal end, a distal end, an aperture extending from said proximal end to said distal end, an interior surface, and a plurality of cammed surfaces formed on said interior surface extending proximate from said distal end; an inner s

1. An implant inserter device, comprising an outer collar having a proximal end, a distal end, an aperture extending from said proximal end to said distal end, an interior surface, and a plurality of cammed surfaces formed on said interior surface extending proximate from said distal end; an inner sleeve having a proximal end, a distal end, an aperture extending from said proximal end of said inner sleeve to said distal end of said inner sleeve, an exterior surface, and a plurality of ribs projecting outwardly from said exterior surface proximate to said distal end of said inner sleeve, said inner sleeve being slidably and rotatably received within said aperture of said outer collar such that said inner sleeve and said outer collar are arranged substantially coaxially relative to each other, each of said plurality of ribs being releasably engageable with a corresponding one of said plurality of cammed surfaces when said inner sleeve is rotated relative to said outer collar, whereby when said plurality of ribs releasably engages said plurality of cammed surfaces, said distal end of said inner sleeve collapses from an undeformed position, in which said distal end of said inner sleeve does not grip an implant housed within said inner sleeve proximate to said distal end of said inner sleeve, and a deformed position, in which said distal end of said inner sleeve grips the implant; and a push rod slidably received within said aperture of said inner sleeve, said push rod being movable between an extended position and a retracted position. 2. The implant inserter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inner sleeve includes a retaining groove formed circumferentially within said exterior surface of said inner sleeve, and said outer collar includes a least one hook member extending outwardly from and circumferentially on said interior surface of said outer collar, said at least one hook member engages said retaining groove to removably and rotatably interlock said inner sleeve and said outer collar with one another. 3. The implant inserter device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said proximal end of said outer collar includes a slot having a pair of opposing end walls, and said inner sleeve includes a stop member extending outwardly from said exterior surface of said inner sleeve, said stop member being received within said slot, whereby said stop member limits the rotation of said inner sleeve relative to said outer collar when said stop member travels within said slot from one of said end walls to the other of said end walls. 4. The implant inserter device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said inner sleeve includes a first portion positioned at said proximal end of said inner sleeve, and an elongated tubular member that extends from said first portion to said distal end of said inner sleeve, said tubular member being sheathed within said aperture of said outer collar, and said first portion being exposed from said outer collar. 5. The implant inserter device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said outer collar includes an exterior surface and first gripping means positioned on said exterior surface of said outer collar, and said inner sleeve includes second gripping means positioned on said exterior surface of said first portion of said inner sleeve, said first and second gripping means facilitating the rotation of said inner sleeve relative to said outer collar. 6. The implant inserter device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said first gripping means includes a first pair of diametrically opposed fins extending outwardly from said exterior surface of said outer collar, and said second gripping means includes a second pair of diametrically opposed fins extending outwardly from said exterior surface of said first portion of said inner sleeve. 7. The implant inserter device as claimed in claim 6, wherein one of said first pair of fins is aligned longitudinally with one of said second pair of fins, and the other of said first pair of fins is aligned longitudinally with the other of said second pair of fins when said distal end of said inner sleeve is in its said undeformed position. 8. The implant inserter device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said first pair of fins extends in a first plane and said second pair of fins extends in a second plane when said distal end of said inner sleeve is in its said deformed position, said first plane being substantially perpendicular to said second plane. 9. The implant inserter device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said tubular member includes a wall thickness that decreases from said proximal end of said inner sleeve to said distal end of said inner sleeve. 10. The implant inserter device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said tubular member is made from a substantially soft and flexible material. 11. The implant inserter device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said push rod urges the implant through said tubular member of said inner sleeve when said push rod is moved from its retracted position to its extended position. 12. The implant inserter device as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of said first and second gripping means includes a plurality of ribs. 13. The implant inserter device as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of said first and second gripping means includes a plurality of raised beads. 14. The implant inserter device as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of said first and second gripping means includes an overmolded portion. 15. The implant inserter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inner sleeve is made from a translucent material and said outer collar is made from an opaque material. 16. The implant inserter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inner sleeve and said outer collar are each made from an opaque material. 17. The implant inserter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inner sleeve is made from a translucent material and said outer collar is made from a transparent material.