US 11,717,331 B2
Systems, methods of use and surgical instruments employing a secure slide lock to fasten a head
William A. Rezach, Covington, TN (US); Daniel P. Wall, Cordova, TN (US); Abel C. Kim, Cordova, TN (US); and Brian A. Butler, Millington, TN (US)
Assigned to WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC, INC., Warsaw, IN (US)
Filed by Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc., Warsaw, IN (US)
Filed on Feb. 9, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/171,640.
Application 17/171,640 is a continuation of application No. 17/169,920, filed on Feb. 8, 2021, granted, now 11,617,602.
Application 17/169,920 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/850,385, filed on Apr. 16, 2020, granted, now 11,439,442.
Prior Publication US 2021/0322065 A1, Oct. 21, 2021
Int. Cl. A61B 17/70 (2006.01); A61B 17/02 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/7074 (2013.01) [A61B 2017/0256 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
a body member having a top end and a bottom end;
a leg having a first end integrated with a leg portion extending from the body member;
a head cavity formed in a free end of the leg portion and configured to hold a head of a bone fastener;
a first channel formed along a longitudinal length of the leg;
an elongated rocker assembly including an elongated lever arm pivotally coupled within the first channel about a fulcrum and a spring actuation tab at one end of the elongated lever arm in proximity to the body member, wherein a first projection is provided at a second end of the elongate lever arm that projects in a direction of the head cavity, and at least one second projection projects from a sidewall of the elongated lever arm in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongated arm, is located between the first projection and the fulcrum, and is sized and shaped to fit and slide within a second channel formed in the leg; and
a rocker slide lock having a collar slidably coupled around the body member and having a first position located between the body member and the spring actuation tab, such that a portion of the collar is under the spring actuation tab to limit pivotal motion of the elongated rocker assembly, and a second position of the collar has a clearance from under the spring actuation tab; and
wherein the at least one second projection and the second channel of the leg are collectively configured to limit movement of a lower portion of the elongated lever arm into the head cavity and prevent the lower portion of the elongated lever arm from extending out from the elongated lever arm when the first projection is being disengaged from the head of the bone fastener.