Patent US4803976A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4803976A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sighting instrument
Assignee: SYNTHES
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Filing: 1988-04-08
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Granted: 1989-02-14
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Expires: 2008-04-08
Abstract
Abstract A sighting instrument, particularly for surgical purposes, comprising a handle, a tool socket and a direction finder which may be held between a radiation source and a radiation receiver, the position of which can be represented visibly by means of an image converter, allowing continuous adjustment of its orientation.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Frigg
- 👤 Paul Gisin
- 👤 Stephan M. Perren
- 👤 Urs Jenny
- 👤 Gebhard Ritter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:37
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/16; A61B17/17; A61B17/1725; A61B17/1703; A61B17/34; A61B17/3403; B; B23; B23Q; B23Q17/00; B23Q17/24; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/00902; A61B90/00; A61B90/39
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A sighting instrument for use in bone surgery for drilling holes in bones comprising a tool socket structured to receive drill guides for drills of varying diameter, a direction finder connected to said socket and having an axis at a predetermined angle to the axis of the tool socket for indicating the axial alignment of the tool socket and an elongated handle connected to said direction finder and tool socket whereby the socket and direction finder may be held in a predetermined orientation between a radiation source and a radiation receiver.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A sighting instrument for use in bone surgery for drilling holes in bones comprising a tool socket structured to receive drill guides for drills of varying diameter, a direction finder connected to said socket and having an axis at a predetermined angle to the axis of the tool socket for indicating the axial alignment of the tool socket and an elongated handle connected to said direction finder and tool socket whereby the socket and direction finder may be held in a predetermined orientation between a radiation source and a radiation receiver.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A sighting instrument according to claim 1 wherein the direction finder has an axis which is parallel to the axis of the tool socket.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A sighting instrument according to claim 1, wherein the axis of the direction finder is at an acute angle to the axis of the tool socket.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A sighting instrument according to claim 1 further comprising a pin made of radiation-permeable material for insertion into the tool socket, said pin having a reference component made of radiation-impermeable material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
A sighting instrument according to claim 4 wherein the reference component is spherical.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A sighting instrument according to claim 1, wherein the direction finder is pivotable around the tool socket.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A sighting instrument according to claim 6, wherein the direction finder is arranged in a unit pivotable around the tool socket, said unit further comprising a drill bushing having an axis parallel to the axis of the tool socket.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A sighting instrument according to claim 7, wherein the direction finder is arranged between the drill bushing and the tool socket.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A sighting instrument according to claim 1, wherein the direction finder comprises two aiming elements lying in different planes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The instrument claimed in claim 1 wherein the tool socket is elongated to shield soft tissue from contact with a drill operating through said socket.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
115 words
A sighting instrument comprising a tool socket, a direction finder connected to said tool socket and mounted in a unit pivotable around the tool socket for indicating the axial alignment of the tool socket, and a handle connected to said direction finder and a tool socket, whereby the socket and direction finder may be maintained in a defined position relative to one another and can be held between a radiation source and a radiation receiver and the orientation of said direction finder and socket adjusted, said unit further comprising a drill bushing having an axis parallel to the axis of the tool socket, said unit being made of radiation-permeable material and comprising radiation-impermeable reference means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
115 words
A sighting instrument comprising a tool socket, a direction finder connected to said tool socket and mounted in a unit pivotable around the tool socket for indicating the axial alignment of the tool socket, and a handle connected to said direction finder and a tool socket, whereby the socket and direction finder may be maintained in a defined position relative to one another and can be held between a radiation source and a radiation receiver and the orientation of said direction finder and socket adjusted, said unit further comprising a drill bushing having an axis parallel to the axis of the tool socket, said unit being made of radiation-permeable material and comprising radiation-impermeable reference means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The sighting instrument claimed in claim 11 wherein the reference means comprises two parallel elongated elements, defining a plane generally normal to the plane defined by the axes of the tool socket and the bushing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
118 words
A sighting instrument for drilling holes through a bone for the insertion of two retaining pins in transverse interlocking holes in an intramedullary nail comprising a tool socket structured to receive drill guides for drills of varying diameter, a direction finder connected to the tool socket for indicating the axial adjustment of the tool socket and an elongated handle connected to said direction finder and tool socket, whereby the socket and direction finder can be held between a radiation source and a radiation receiver for adjusting the orientation of said direction finder and socket, the distance between the axes of said direction finder and socket being the same as the distance between the interlocking holes in said nail.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
118 words
A sighting instrument for drilling holes through a bone for the insertion of two retaining pins in transverse interlocking holes in an intramedullary nail comprising a tool socket structured to receive drill guides for drills of varying diameter, a direction finder connected to the tool socket for indicating the axial adjustment of the tool socket and an elongated handle connected to said direction finder and tool socket, whereby the socket and direction finder can be held between a radiation source and a radiation receiver for adjusting the orientation of said direction finder and socket, the distance between the axes of said direction finder and socket being the same as the distance between the interlocking holes in said nail.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The instrument claimed in claim 13 and wherein the socket comprises a plurality of teeth for engagement with the bone to prevent slippage of the socket on the bone.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
96 words
A sighting instrument for drilling holes through a bone for insertion of two retaining pins in transverse interlocking holes in an intramedullary nail comprising a block having a tool socket rotatably mounted in and extending through said block, a drill bushing in said block, the axis of said bushing being parallel to the axis of said socket and spaced from said socket at a distance equal to the distance between the holes in the nail, and a direction finder in said block and extending through said block for indicating the axial adjustment of the tool socket.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
96 words
A sighting instrument for drilling holes through a bone for insertion of two retaining pins in transverse interlocking holes in an intramedullary nail comprising a block having a tool socket rotatably mounted in and extending through said block, a drill bushing in said block, the axis of said bushing being parallel to the axis of said socket and spaced from said socket at a distance equal to the distance between the holes in the nail, and a direction finder in said block and extending through said block for indicating the axial adjustment of the tool socket.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The instrument claimed in claim 15 wherein the direction finder is between the socket and the bushing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
110 words
A sighting instrument for drilling holes through a bone for insertion of two retaining pins in transverse interlocking holes in an intramedullary nail comprising a block having a tool socket rotatably mounted in and extending through said block, a drill bushing in said block, the axis of said bushing being parallel to the axis of said socket and spaced from said socket at a distance equal to the distance between the holes in the nail, and a direction finder in said block and extending through said block for indicating the axial alignment of the tool socket, said block being made of radiation permeable material and comprising radiation impermeable reference means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
110 words
A sighting instrument for drilling holes through a bone for insertion of two retaining pins in transverse interlocking holes in an intramedullary nail comprising a block having a tool socket rotatably mounted in and extending through said block, a drill bushing in said block, the axis of said bushing being parallel to the axis of said socket and spaced from said socket at a distance equal to the distance between the holes in the nail, and a direction finder in said block and extending through said block for indicating the axial alignment of the tool socket, said block being made of radiation permeable material and comprising radiation impermeable reference means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The instrument claimed in claim 17 wherein the reference means comprises two parallel elongated elements arranged in a plane normal to the axes of said socket and bushing.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
136 words
An apparatus for drilling a hole under conditions preventing direct observation of the direction of drilling which comprises a source of radiation, a receiver for receiving said radiation, a converter for visually displaying objects lying in the radiation field between said source and said receiver and a sighting instrument comprising a drill socket structured to receive drill guides for drills of varying diameter, a direction finder connected to said drill socket for indicating the axial orientation of the drill socket, the axis of said direction finder being parallel to the axis of the socket, and means for positioning said drill socket and direction finder in said radiation field, whereby the direction of a plurality of drills of different sizes inserted serially in said drill socket may be controlled by controlling the orientation of said direction finder.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
136 words
An apparatus for drilling a hole under conditions preventing direct observation of the direction of drilling which comprises a source of radiation, a receiver for receiving said radiation, a converter for visually displaying objects lying in the radiation field between said source and said receiver and a sighting instrument comprising a drill socket structured to receive drill guides for drills of varying diameter, a direction finder connected to said drill socket for indicating the axial orientation of the drill socket, the axis of said direction finder being parallel to the axis of the socket, and means for positioning said drill socket and direction finder in said radiation field, whereby the direction of a plurality of drills of different sizes inserted serially in said drill socket may be controlled by controlling the orientation of said direction finder.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus claimed in claim 19 wherein the radiation source is a source of x-radiation.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus claimed in claim 19, wherein the radiation source is a source of visible light and the radiation receiver is a video camera.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus claimed in claim 19 wherein the direction finder has two aiming elements located in different planes.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus claimed in claim 19 and comprising a pin for insertion into the socket for positioning the socket at the desired location for drilling.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus claimed in claim 23 wherein the pin is made of radiation permeable material except for a reference component made of radiation impermeable material.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for drilling a hole in a bone for the insertion of a transverse retaining pin in a transverse hole in an intramedullary nail which comprises positioning the bone in a radiation field so that the axis of the nail is transverse to the direction of the field and the axis of the transverse hole is aligned with the direction of the field, positioning a sighting instrument having a tool socket adapted to receive drill guides for drills of varying diameter and a direction finder with an axis parallel to the axis of the socket for indicating the axial alignment of the tool socket, adjacent to the bone so that the axis of the socket is aligned with the axis of the transverse hole, and drilling a hole in the bone using a plurality of drills of different sizes, while controlling the direction of drilling by means of said direction finder.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for drilling a hole in a bone for the insertion of a transverse retaining pin in a transverse hole in an intramedullary nail which comprises positioning the bone in a radiation field so that the axis of the nail is transverse to the direction of the field and the axis of the transverse hole is aligned with the direction of the field, positioning a sighting instrument having a tool socket adapted to receive drill guides for drills of varying diameter and a direction finder with an axis parallel to the axis of the socket for indicating the axial alignment of the tool socket, adjacent to the bone so that the axis of the socket is aligned with the axis of the transverse hole, and drilling a hole in the bone using a plurality of drills of different sizes, while controlling the direction of drilling by means of said direction finder.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method claimed in claim 25 wherein the direction finder has two aiming elements in different planes and the direction of drilling is maintained by keeping said elements aligned with one another.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method claimed in claim 25 wherein said nail has two parallel transverse holes and the distance between the axis of the socket and the axis of the direction finder is equal to the distance between the axes of the transverse holes.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method claimed in claim 25 wherein the position of the direction finder during drilling is observed by viewing the alignment of the aiming element on a image converter responsive to said radiation.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for drilling a hole in a bone for the insertion of a transverse retaining pin in a transverse hole in an intramedullary nail which comprises positioning the bone in a radiation field so that the axis of the nail is transverse to the direction of the field and the axis of the transverse hole is aligned with the direction of the field, positioning a sighting instrument having a tool socket and a direction finder with an axis parallel to the axis of the tool socket for indicating the axial alignment of the tool socket adjacent to the bone, inserting a pin having a body transparent to x-radiation and a tip impermeable to x-radiation through said socket and aligning said socket with the axis of the transverse hole by means of said pin, removing the pin and drilling a hole in the bone, while controlling the direction of drilling by means of said direction finder.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for drilling a hole in a bone for the insertion of a transverse retaining pin in a transverse hole in an intramedullary nail which comprises positioning the bone in a radiation field so that the axis of the nail is transverse to the direction of the field and the axis of the transverse hole is aligned with the direction of the field, positioning a sighting instrument having a tool socket and a direction finder with an axis parallel to the axis of the tool socket for indicating the axial alignment of the tool socket adjacent to the bone, inserting a pin having a body transparent to x-radiation and a tip impermeable to x-radiation through said socket and aligning said socket with the axis of the transverse hole by means of said pin, removing the pin and drilling a hole in the bone, while controlling the direction of drilling by means of said direction finder.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
165 words
A method for drilling a hole in a bone for the insertion of a transverse retaining pin in a transverse hole in an intramedullary nail which comprises positioning the bone in a radiation field so that the axis of the nail is transverse to the direction of the field and the axis of the transverse hole is aligned with the direction of the field, positioning a sighting instrument having a tool socket and a direction finder with an axis parallel to the axis of the tool socket for indicating the axial alignment of the tool socket, adjacent to the bone so that the axis of the socket is aligned with the axis of the transverse hole, and drilling a hole in the bone, while controlling the direction of drilling by means of said direction finder, wherein the socket is kept aligned with the axis of one hole during drilling by maintaining the axis of the direction finder aligned with the axis of the second hole.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
165 words
A method for drilling a hole in a bone for the insertion of a transverse retaining pin in a transverse hole in an intramedullary nail which comprises positioning the bone in a radiation field so that the axis of the nail is transverse to the direction of the field and the axis of the transverse hole is aligned with the direction of the field, positioning a sighting instrument having a tool socket and a direction finder with an axis parallel to the axis of the tool socket for indicating the axial alignment of the tool socket, adjacent to the bone so that the axis of the socket is aligned with the axis of the transverse hole, and drilling a hole in the bone, while controlling the direction of drilling by means of said direction finder, wherein the socket is kept aligned with the axis of one hole during drilling by maintaining the axis of the direction finder aligned with the axis of the second hole.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
97 words
A sighting instrument for use in bone surgery in drilling holes in bones comprising a block, an elongated handle attached to said block, a tool socket in said block structured to receive drill guides for drills of varying diameter, and a direction finder comprising an aperture in said block having an axis with a predetermined relation to the axis of said tool socket for indicating the axial alignment of the tool socket, whereby said tool socket may be held between a source of radiation and a radiation receiver and positioned and maintained in a desired axial orientation.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
97 words
A sighting instrument for use in bone surgery in drilling holes in bones comprising a block, an elongated handle attached to said block, a tool socket in said block structured to receive drill guides for drills of varying diameter, and a direction finder comprising an aperture in said block having an axis with a predetermined relation to the axis of said tool socket for indicating the axial alignment of the tool socket, whereby said tool socket may be held between a source of radiation and a radiation receiver and positioned and maintained in a desired axial orientation.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
26 words
The instrument claimed in claim 31 wherein the tool socket extends beyond the block to shield soft tissue from contact with drills operating through said socket.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
17 words
The instrument claimed in claim 32 and comprising means on said socket for temporarily engaging a bone.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
106 words
A sighting instrument for use in surgery for drilling holes in bones comprising a tool socket having an elongated sleeve for shielding soft tissue from contact with a drill operating through said socket, teeth on said sleeve for anchoring to a bone a direction finder connected to said socket and having an axis at a predetermined angle to the axis of the tool socket for indicating the axial alignment of the tool socket and an elongated handle connected to the direction finder and tool socket whereby the socket and direction finder may be held in a predetermined orientation between a radiation source and a radiation receiver.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
106 words
A sighting instrument for use in surgery for drilling holes in bones comprising a tool socket having an elongated sleeve for shielding soft tissue from contact with a drill operating through said socket, teeth on said sleeve for anchoring to a bone a direction finder connected to said socket and having an axis at a predetermined angle to the axis of the tool socket for indicating the axial alignment of the tool socket and an elongated handle connected to the direction finder and tool socket whereby the socket and direction finder may be held in a predetermined orientation between a radiation source and a radiation receiver.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-02-14 | 1992-08-15 | 1993-02-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-02-14 | 1996-08-15 | 1997-02-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-02-14 | 2000-08-15 | 2001-02-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |