WO2020150314A1

WO2020150314A1 - Adaptor and drill for use with a driver and a cannula for drilling into bone

Info

Publication number: WO2020150314A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/013630
Authority: WO
Inventors: Calin Druma; Travis Nolan; Neil Sasaki
Original assignee: Medtronic Holding Company Sarl
Priority date: 2019-01-17
Filing date: 2020-01-15
Publication date: 2020-07-23

Abstract

A adaptor is used with a driver, a drill, and a cannula to facilitate removal of material from bone and placement of the cannula in the bone. The adaptor includes an end portion provided at a proximal first end that is configured to engage a portion of the drill; a body portion attached to the end portion and extending from the end portion toward a distal second end; a head portion provided at the distal second end and attached to the body portion; and a passageway for receiving the drill that extends through the adaptor. Furthermore, the head portion includes a distal surface and at least one coupler provided on or adjacent the distal surface for releasably engaging the cannula.

Description

ADAPTOR AND DRILL FOR USE WITH A DRIVER AND

A CANNULA FOR DRILLING INTO BONE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001 ] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent

Application No. 15/880,088 filed January 25, 2018; all of which is incorporated by reference herein

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is generally directed to an adaptor and a drill used to aid in the placement of a cannula into bone. More particularly, the present invention is directed to an adaptor and a drill, where the adaptor releasably couples to a cannula, and the cannula and the drill interact with one another to cause the adaptor and the cannula to rotate with the drill. More specifically, the present invention is directed to an adaptor and a drill, where one of the adaptor and the drill includes a channel or an aperture, and the other of the adaptor and the drill includes a key sized for receipt in the channel or the aperture, interaction of the key with the channel or the aperture affords the adaptor and a cannula attached to the adaptor to rotate with the drill.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0003] Cannulas are used to afford access to portions of the human body. Such cannulas provide access to a portion of the human body via a passageway extending therethrough. Typically, a cannula is manipulated by a user, such as a surgeon, to facilitate placement in the human body. If the cannula is to provide access to bone, the surgeon can manipulate the cannula by hand to a position adjacent the bone, and then apply blunt force to the cannula to facilitate its placement into the bone. A drill can then be inserted through the passageway in the cannula to remove material from the bone. In doing so, an aperture is formed in the bone. Thereafter, instruments can be inserted through the passageway in the cannula to the aperture formed in the bone. As such, the process for placing cannulas has typically required multiple steps, and these multiple steps add complexity to surgeries involving the placement of such cannulas into bone. Therefore, there is a need for tools that simplify placement of cannulas into bone. Such tools can include an adaptor that affords forward linear force applied to a driver to be transferred through the adaptor to a cannula releasably coupled to the adaptor, and prevents a drill from extending more than a desired amount out of the cannula in order to facilitate placement of the cannula into bone.

Furthermore, one of the adaptor and the drill can include a channel or an aperture, and the other of the adaptor and the drill can include a key sized for receipt in the channel or the aperture, such that interaction of the key with the channel or the aperture affords the adaptor and the cannula releasably coupled to the adaptor to rotate with the drill to aid penetration of the cannula into bone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention in one preferred embodiment contemplates an adaptor and a drill for use with a driver and a cannula, the adaptor including a proximal first end, an opposite distal second end, a mid-longitudinal axis extending through the proximal first end and the distal second end of the adaptor, a length extending between the proximal first end and the opposite distal second end of the adaptor, an end portion provided at the proximal first end of the adaptor, the end portion including one of a channel and an aperture formed at least adjacent the proximal first end of the adaptor, and a head portion including a distal surface and at least one coupler provided on or adjacent the distal surface, the at least one coupler being configured to releasably engage the cannula, and the drill including a shaft portion and collar portion, the shaft portion extending outwardly from the collar portion, and the collar portion including a recess having an interior surface, an end surface, and a key that interrupts portions of the interior surface and the end surface, where at least a portion of the end portion of the adaptor is receivable in the recess, and where the key is engageable to the one of the channel and the aperture of the adaptor, the engagement of the key with the one of the channel and the aperture rotatably coupling the drill and the adaptor.

[0005] The present invention in another preferred embodiment contemplates an assembly for removal of material from bone and placement of at least a portion of the assembly in the bone, the assembly including an adaptor having a proximal first end, an opposite distal second end, a mid-longitudinal axis extending through the proximal first end and the distal second end of the adaptor, a length extending between the proximal first end and the opposite distal second end of the adaptor, an end portion provided at the proximal first end, and the end portion including one of a channel and an aperture formed at least adjacent the proximal first end of the adaptor, a head portion including a distal surface at least adjacent the distal second end of the adaptor, and the head portion including at least one coupler provided on or adjacent the distal surface, the at least one coupler being configured to releasably engage a cannula; a driver having a chuck configured to engage a portion of a drill, the driver being configured to rotate the drill engaged to the chuck in at least one rotational direction; the drill having a proximal first end, an opposite distal second end, a key portion for engaging the chuck of the driver extending from at least adjacent the proximal first end of the drill toward the distal second end, a collar portion being positioned between the proximal first end and the distal second end of the drill, and a shaft portion including flutes facilitating removal of material from the bone extending from the collar portion to the distal second end, the collar portion including a recess having an interior surface, an end surface, and a key that interrupts portions of the interior surface and the end surface, at least a portion of the end portion of the adaptor being receivable in the recess, and the key being engageable to the one of the channel and the aperture, the engagement of the key with the one of the channel and the aperture rotatably coupling the drill and the adaptor; and a cannula having at least one complementary coupler for engaging the at least one coupler on the adaptor, the engagement of the at least one coupler and the at least one complementary coupler preventing rotation of the adaptor and the cannula with respect to one another in at least one rotational direction.

[0006] The present invention in yet another preferred embodiment

contemplates an assembly for removal of material from bone and placement of at least a portion of the assembly in the bone, the assembly including an adaptor having a proximal first end, an opposite distal second end, a mid-longitudinal axis extending through the proximal first end and the distal second end of the adaptor, a length extending between the proximal first end and the opposite distal second end of the adaptor, an end portion provided at the proximal first end, and the end portion including one of a channel and an aperture formed at least adjacent the proximal first end of the adaptor, a head portion being attached to the body portion, the head portion including a distal surface at least adjacent the distal second end of the adaptor, and the head portion including at least one coupler provided on or adjacent the distal surface; a driver having a chuck configured to engage a portion of a drill, the driver being configured to rotate the drill engaged to the chuck in at least one rotational direction; and the drill having a proximal first end, an opposite distal second end, a key portion for engaging the chuck of the driver extending from at least adjacent the proximal first end of the drill toward the distal end, a collar portion being positioned between the proximal first end and the distal second end of the drill, and a shaft portion including flutes facilitating removal of material from the bone extending from the collar portion to the distal second end, the collar portion including a recess having an interior surface, an end surface, and a key that interrupts portions of the interior surface and the end surface, at least a portion of the end portion of the adaptor being receivable in the recess, and the key being engageable to the one of the channel and the aperture, the engagement of the key with the one of the channel and the aperture rotatably coupling the drill and the adaptor.

[0007] These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent from review of the following specification and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is perspective view of an adaptor or spacer assembled with a cannula attached to the adaptor, a drill extending through the adaptor and the cannula, and a driver attached to the drill;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a cross-section of the assembly along Line 2-2 of FIG. 1 ;

[0010] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 1 ;

[001 1 ] FIG. 4 is a first enlarged perspective view of the adaptor from a first side thereof at a distal end thereof;

[0012] FIG. 5 is a second enlarged perspective view of the adaptor from a second side thereof at the distal end thereof; [0013] FIG. 6 is a third enlarged perspective view of the adaptor from the second side thereof at a proximal end thereof;

[0014] FIG. 7 is a first enlarged perspective view of a head portion of the cannula from a first side thereof at a proximal end thereof;

[0015] FIG. 8 is a second enlarged perspective view of the head portion of the cannula from a second side thereof at the proximal end thereof;

[0016] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the adaptor, the cannula, and a modified drill;

[0017] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view the adaptor, the cannula, and the modified drill assembled to one another;

[0018] FIG. 1 1 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled adaptor, cannula, and modified drill taken along Line 1 1-1 1 of FIG. 10; and

[0019] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled adaptor and modified drill taken along Line 12-12 of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020] An adaptor or spacer according to one embodiment of the present invention is generally indicated by the numeral 10 in FIGS. 1 -6. As depicted in FIGS. 1 -3, the adaptor 10 is used in conjunction with a driver 12, a drill 14, and a cannula 16. The adaptor 10 can be used to afford placement of the drill 14 and the cannula 16 into bone such as a vertebral body. For example, the use of the drill 14 and the cannula 16, as discussed below, can afford access to the interior of the vertebral body.

[0021 ] When the adaptor 10, the driver 12, the drill 14, and the cannula 16 are assembled, the adaptor 10 can serve to afford forward linear force applied to the driver 12 to be transferred through the adaptor 10 to the cannula 16, and to prevent the drill 14 from extending more than a desired amount out of the cannula 16. Additionally, the adaptor 10 can also serve to impart rotational movement of the drill 14 to the cannula 16. As such, the adaptor 10 aids placement of the cannula 16 into bone. [0022] As depicted in FIGS. 1 -6, the adaptor 10 includes a proximal end 20 and a distal end 22 opposite from one another, and a mid-longitudinal axis extending the proximal end 20 and the distal end 22. The adaptor 10 includes a end portion 24, a body portion 26, and a head portion 28.

[0023] The end portion 24 is provided at the proximal end 20, the body portion 26 extends from the end portion 24 to the head portion 28, and the head portion 28 is provided at the distal end 22. As depicted in FIGS. 1-6, the end portion 24 is cylindrical, and the body portion 26 includes a middle portion 30 and first and second reinforcing struts 32 and 34 on opposite sides of the middle portion 30. Furthermore, as depicted in FIGS. 1 -6, the head portion 28 includes a proximal surface 36 and a distal surface 38 opposite from one another, a first side surface 40 and a second side surface 42 opposite from one another, a first internal web portion 44, a second internal web portion 46, and a middle portion 48.

[0024] As depicted in FIGS. 4-6, the adaptor 10 includes a passageway 50 for receiving a portion of the drill 14 extending therethrough. The passageway 50 extends through the end portion 24, the middle portion 30 of the body portion 26, and the middle portion 48 of the head portion 28. The passageway 50 extends from a first opening 52 formed in the end portion 24 at the proximal end 20 of the adaptor 10 to a second opening 54 formed in the distal surface 38 of the head portion 28 at the distal end 22 of the adaptor 10. The passageway 50 is configured to receive a portion of the drill 14 therethrough, and the passageway 50 is configured to receive a portion of the cannula 16 at the distal end 22.

[0025] The adaptor 10, as depicted in FIGS. 1-3, is configured for releasably coupling to the cannula 16. To that end, the adaptor 10 includes at least one coupler. For example, the passageway 50 adjacent the second opening 54 can include a coupler such as threads 60, and the distal surface 38 can include a coupler such as a first tab 62, a second tab 64, and recesses 65. The threads 60, the first tab 62, the second tab 64, and one of the recesses 65 can facilitate releasable coupling with the cannula 16. Such engagement can prevent movement of the adaptor 10 and the cannula 16 with respect to one another. [0026] Furthermore, a channel 66 can extend between the proximal end 20 and the distal end 22 of the adaptor 10. The channel 66 provides access to the passageway 50 extending through the adaptor 10.

[0027] As depicted in FIGS. 1 -3, the driver 12 includes a handle portion 70, a body portion 72, and a chuck 74. The chuck 74 includes detents 76 for facilitating engagement with the drill 14. Furthermore, the handle portion 70 is rotatable relative to the body portion 72, and rotation of the handle portion 70 by a user causes corresponding rotation of the chuck 74. As such, the user can manipulate the handle portion 70 to force the driver 12 forward linearly, and to cause rotation of the chuck 74. As discussed below, such forward linear force and rotation of the chuck 74 is used to facilitate insertion of the drill 14 and the cannula 16 into the vertebral body.

[0028] The drill 14, as depicted in FIGS. 1-3, includes a proximal end 80 and a distal end 82 opposite from one another. The drill 14 includes a key portion 84 at the proximal end 80, a collar portion 86 provided adjacent the key portion 84, a shaft portion 88 extending from the key portion 84 through the collar portion 86 toward the distal end 82. The shaft portion 88 includes a tip portion 90 at the distal end 82 including flutes facilitating removal of material from the bone. The key portion 84 can be received in and engaged to the chuck portion 74 of the driver 12. The key portion 84 can include a recess 91 for receiving the detents 76 of the chuck 74. Furthermore, the chuck portion 74 and the key portion 84 can be magnetized to secure the engagement therebetween. As such, rotation of the chuck portion 74 via manipulation of the handle portion 70 also rotates the drill 14.

[0029] The shaft portion 88 also includes various exterior markings 92 adjacent the collar portion 86. During use of the drill 14, as discussed below, the exterior markings 92 allow the user to determine the depth of the tip portion 90 in the bone.

[0030] As depicted in FIGS. 1 -3 and 7, the cannula 16 includes a proximal end 100 and a distal end 102 opposite from one another. The cannula 16 includes a post portion 104 at the proximal end 100, a handle portion 106 adjacent the post portion 104, a pedestal portion 108 adjacent the handle portion 106, and a shaft portion 1 10 extending from portions of the handle portion 106 and the pedestal portion 108 to the distal end 102.

[0031 ] The post portion 104, the handle portion 106, and the pedestal portion 108 can be unitarily formed with one another, and the shaft portion 1 10 can be secured within a passageway 1 12 extending through the post portion 104, the handle portion 106, and the pedestal portion 108. The shaft portion 1 10 includes a passageway 1 14 therethrough. The passageway 1 14, together with the portion of the passageway 1 12 in which the shaft portion 1 10 is not received, form a passageway 1 16 extending from the proximal end 100 to the distal end 102. The passageway 1 16 is configured to receive the shaft portion 88 of the drill 14 therethrough.

[0032] The shaft portion 1 10 also includes various exterior markings 1 18 therealong. During use of the cannula 16, as discussed below, the exterior markings 1 18 allow the user to determine the depth of the shaft portion 1 10 in the bone.

[0033] As depicted in FIG. 7, the post portion 104 includes threads 120 configured to engage the threads 60 in the passageway 50. Furthermore, the handle portion 106 includes a proximal surface 122 and a distal surface 124 opposite from one another. The proximal surface 122 includes a first recess 126, a second recess 128, and a detent 129 formed thereon. The first recess 126 is configured to receive and engage the first tab 62, the second recess 128 is configured to receive and engage the second tab 64, and the detent 129 is configured for receipt in one of the recesses 65.

[0034] When the threads 60 and 120 are engaged with one another, and the adaptor 10 and the cannula 16 are rotated with respect to one another to complete engagement of the threads 60 and 120, the first recess 126 comes into engagement with the first tab 62, the second recess 128 comes into engagement with the second tab 64, and the detent 129 comes into engagement with one of the recesses 65. Using the engagement of the threads 60 and 120 with one another, the engagement of the first tab 62 in the first recess 126, the

engagement of the second tab 64 in the second recess 128, and the engagement of the detent 129 in one of the recesses 65, the adaptor 10 is releasably coupled to the handle portion 106 of the cannula 16.

[0035] To facilitate insertion of the cannula 16 into bone, the adaptor 10, the driver 12, the drill 14, and the cannula 16 can be assembled to one another as an assembly 130. Thereafter, the user can manipulate the assembly 130 to insert the shaft portion 1 10 of the cannula 16 into the bone. The adaptor 10 can be engaged to the handle portion 106 of the cannula 16 to prevent movement of the adaptor 10 and the cannula 16 with respect to one another. Furthermore, the drill 14 can be engaged to the driver 12 by inserting the key portion 84 into the chuck portion 74. The magnetic connection between the chuck portion 74 and the key portion 84, and engagement between the detents 76 and the recess 91 serve to secure the driver 12 and the drill 14 to one another.

[0036] Thereafter, the user can manipulate the driver 12 and the drill 14 to insert the shaft portion 88 of the drill 14 into the passageway 50 through the adaptor 10 and the passageway 1 16 through the cannula 16. After receipt therein, the shaft portion 88 of the drill 14 can be used to reinforce the shaft portion 1 10 of the cannula 16. Furthermore, the lengths of the shaft portion 88 of the drill 14 and the shaft portion 1 10 of the cannula 16 can be selected to adjust the amount that the tip portion 90 extends out of the shaft portion 1 10 at the distal end 102 of the cannula 16. The adaptor 10 can also be sized to prevent over insertion of the tip portion 90 into the bone.

[0037] When the shaft portion 88 has been fully inserted into the adaptor 10 and the cannula 16, the end portion 24 of the adaptor 10 is received at least partially within and engages the collar portion 86 of the drill 14. As depicted in FIGS. 4-6, the end portion 24 includes an exterior surface 140 and an end surface 142. Furthermore, the collar portion 86 includes a recess 144, and as depicted in FIG. 2, the recess 144 includes an interior surface 146 and an end surface 148. The end surface 142 and the end surface 148 can be engaged with one another, and the exterior surface 140 and the interior surface 146 can be cylindrical to allow the drill 14 to rotate relative to the adaptor 10 without interference. [0038] Forward linear force applied to the driver 12 is transferred to the drill 14, and engagement of the end surface 142 and the end surface 148 with one another also affords such forward linear force applied to the driver 12 to be transferred through the adaptor 10 to the cannula 16. That is, using the adaptor 10, the user can push on the driver 12 and such pushing force can ultimately be transferred to both the drill 14 and the cannula 16. Furthermore, the exterior surface 140 and the interior surface 146 are sized to allow the drill 14 to rotate relative to the adaptor 10 without interference. However, the friction due to contact between the end surface 142 and the end surface 148 can cause the adaptor 10 (and the cannula 16 attached thereto) to rotate with the drill 14.

During use of the assembly 130, simultaneous rotation of the cannula 16 with the drill 14 during linear advancement can aid the penetration of the shaft portion 1 10 of the cannula 16 into the bone.

[0039] As discussed above, the adaptor 10 (and the cannula 16 attached thereto) can rotate with the drill 14 via friction caused by the contact, as depicted in FIG. 2, between the end surface 142 and the end surface 148. However, rather than relying on such friction to facilitate rotation of the adaptor 10 and the cannula 16, a modified drill 14’ can include a key 200 for receipt in the channel 66 adjacent the proximal end 20 of the adaptor 10.

[0040] As depicted in FIGS. 9-1 1 , the modified drill 14’ can be used with both the adaptor 10 and the cannula 16. Furthermore, the modified drill 14’ can be used in place of the drill 12 in the assembly 130. As discussed below, the interaction of the key 200 in the channel 66 causes the adaptor 10 (and the cannula 16 attached thereto) to rotate with the modified drill 14’. In other words, the adaptor 10 is rotatably coupled to the modified drill 14’ using the interaction of the key 200 in the channel 66. The simultaneous rotation of the cannula 16 with the modified drill 14’ due to the interaction of the key 200 in the channel 66 can aid the penetration of the shaft portion 1 10 of the cannula 16 into the bone.

[0041] As depicted in FIGS. 9 and 1 1 , the modified drill 14’ can include the components of the drill 14. For example, the modified drill 14’, like the drill 14, includes a proximal end 80 and a distal end 82 opposite from one another, a key portion 84 at the proximal end 80, and a shaft portion 88 extending from the key portion 84 toward the distal end 82. Furthermore, the modified drill 14’, as depicted in FIGS. 9, 1 1 , and 12, includes a collar portion 202 that incorporates the key 200. The collar portion 202 can be similar to the collar portion 86 of the drill 14, except that the key 200 is incorporated into the collar portion 202. The collar portion 202 includes a recess 204, and the recess 204 includes an interior surface 206 and an end surface 208. As depicted in FIG. 9, the key 200 can extend into the recess 204, and interrupts both of the interior surface 206 and the end surface 208. The key 200, as depicted in FIG. 12, can also contact the shaft 88.

[0042] After attachment of the adaptor 10 to the cannula 16, and when the shaft portion 88 has been fully inserted into the adaptor 10 and the cannula 16, the end portion 24 of the adaptor 10 is received at least partially within the recess 204 and engages the collar portion 202. In doing so, the key 200 is at least partially received in the channel 66. The key 200 can be sized to be received in the channel 66 with limited (if any) play to facilitate rotation of the adaptor 10 (and the cannula 16 attached thereto) with the modified drill 14’.

[0043] Play between the adaptor 10 and the modified drill 14’ at the interface of the key 200 with the channel 66 can be limited by using resilient and non- resilient materials for the adaptor 10 and the modified drill 14’. For example, the adaptor 10 can be made from a polymeric material or materials, and the modified drill 14’ can be made from a metallic material or materials. As such, the key 200 can be metallic and portions of the end portion 24 adjacent the channel 66 can be polymeric. Furthermore, the channel 66 and the key 200 can be sized such that end portion 24 deflects slightly upon receipt of the key 200 in the channel 66.

[0044] As an alternative to the channel 66, the adaptor 10 instead could include an aperture (not shown) formed in the end portion 24 sized to receive the key 200. Furthermore, rather than the modified drill 14’ including the key 200, the adaptor 10 instead could include the key 200, and the modified drill 14’ instead could include a channel (not shown) or an aperture (not shown) formed in the collar portion 202 for receiving the key 200 including on the adaptor 10.

[0045] The interaction of the key 200 in the channel 66 causes the

simultaneous rotation of the adaptor 10 and the cannula 16 with the modified drill 14’. During linear advancement of the assembly 130, such rotation of the cannula 16 with the modified drill 14’ can aid the penetration of the shaft portion 1 10 of the cannula 16 into the bone.

[0046] When using the assembly 130, the tip portion 90 is first contacted to the bone. Rotation of the drill 14/modified drill 14’ via use of the driver 12 causes the tip portion 90 to penetrate the bone. In doing so, the tip portion 90 forms an aperture in the bone. Furthermore, linear force applied to the driver 12 is transferred to the drill 14/modified drill 14’ and the cannula 16. Such linear force can aid penetration of the tip portion 90 and the shaft portion 1 10 of the cannula 16 into the bone. Furthermore, rotation of the cannula 16 with the drill

14/modified drill 14’ can aid penetration of the shaft portion 1 10 into the bone.

The exterior markings 1 18 on the shaft portion 1 10 can be used to afford insertion of the shaft portion 1 10 to a proper depth in the bone.

[0047] After the cannula 16 has been positioned in the bone. The drill 14/modified drill 14’ can be removed from the passageway 50 and the

passageway 1 16, and the adaptor 10 can be disconnected from the cannula 16. Thereafter, the drill 14/modified drill 14’ or another instrument can be reinserted into the passageway 1 16. The drill 14/modified drill 14’ can be used to further enlarge the aperture formed in the bone. If using the drill 14/modified drill 14’ without the adaptor 10, the markings 92 on the shaft portion 88 of the drill 14/modified drill 14’ can be used to afford insertion of the shaft portion 88 to a proper depth in the bone.

[0048] Once an aperture having a desired depth has been formed in the bone, another instrument (such as an ablation probe) can be inserted into the passageway 1 16 and into the aperture formed in the bone.

[0049] Alternatively, the handle portion 106 of the cannula 16 can be manipulated by the user to facilitate insertion thereof into the bone. The user can manipulate the handle portion 106 to insert the shaft portion 1 10 into the bone, and the exterior markings 1 18 on the shaft portion 1 10 can be used to afford insertion of the shaft portion 1 10 to a proper depth in the bone. The adaptor 10 can then be engaged to the handle portion 106 of the cannula 16 to prevent movement of the adaptor 10 and the cannula 16 with respect to one another. Thereafter, the shaft portion 88 of the drill 14/modified drill 14’ can be inserted through the passageway 50 and the passageway 1 16. The drill 14/modified drill 14’ can be attached to or detached from the driver 12 during initial insertion thereof into the passageway 50 and the passageway 1 16. The driver 12 can then be used to rotate the drill 14/modified drill 14’ to cause the tip portion 90 to penetrate the bone.

[0050] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

l/WE CLAIM:

1. An adaptor and a drill for use with a driver and a cannula, the adaptor and the drill comprising:

the adaptor including a proximal first end, an opposite distal second end, a mid-longitudinal axis extending through the proximal first end and the distal second end of the adaptor, a length extending between the proximal first end and the opposite distal second end of the adaptor, an end portion provided at the proximal first end of the adaptor, the end portion including one of a channel and an aperture formed at least adjacent the proximal first end of the adaptor, and a head portion including a distal surface and at least one coupler provided on or adjacent the distal surface, the at least one coupler being configured to releasably engage the cannula, and

the drill including a shaft portion and collar portion, the shaft portion extending outwardly from the collar portion, and the collar portion including a recess having an interior surface, an end surface, and a key that interrupts portions of the interior surface and the end surface,

wherein at least a portion of the end portion of the adaptor is receivable in the recess, and wherein the key is engageable to the one of the channel and the aperture of the adaptor, the engagement of the key with the one of the channel and the aperture rotatably coupling the drill and the adaptor.

2. The adaptor and the drill of claim 1 , wherein the end portion of the adaptor includes an end surface, and the end surface of the adaptor is engageable to the end surface of the recess when the at least a portion of the end portion is received in the recess.

3. The adaptor and the drill of claim 1 , wherein the at least one coupler

includes at least one tab formed on the distal surface, the at least one tab being configured to engage a complimentary structure on the cannula.

4. The adaptor and the drill of claim 1 , wherein the at least one coupler

includes at least one recess formed on the distal surface, the at least one recess being configured to engage a complimentary structure on the cannula.

5. The adaptor and the drill of claim 1 , wherein the at least one coupler includes threads formed in a passageway formed through a portion of the adaptor, the threads being configured to engage complimentary threads on the cannula.

6. The adaptor and the drill of claim 1 in combination with a cannula, the cannula comprising at least one complementary coupler for engaging the at least one coupler on the adaptor, the engagement of the at least one coupler and the at least one complementary coupler preventing rotation of the adaptor and the cannula with respect to one another in at least one rotational direction.

7. The combination of claim 6, wherein rotation of the drill in the at least one rotational direction rotates the adaptor via interaction of the key of the drill with the one of the channel and aperture of the adaptor, and rotation of the adaptor rotates the cannula via the interaction of the at least one coupler of the adaptor and the at least one complementary coupler of the cannula.

8. The combination of claim 6, wherein the at least one coupler on the

adaptor is one of at least one tab formed on the distal surface, at least one recess formed on the distal surface, and threads formed in a passageway formed through a portion of the adaptor, and the at least one

complimentary coupler is configured to engage the one of the at least one tab, the at least one recess, and the threads.

9. An assembly for removal of material from bone and placement of at least a portion of the assembly in the bone, the assembly comprising:

an adaptor having a proximal first end, an opposite distal second end, a mid-longitudinal axis extending through the proximal first end and the distal second end of the adaptor, a length extending between the proximal first end and the opposite distal second end of the adaptor, an end portion provided at the proximal first end, and the end portion including one of a channel and an aperture formed at least adjacent the proximal first end of the adaptor, a head portion including a distal surface at least adjacent the distal second end of the adaptor, and the head portion including at least one coupler provided on or adjacent the distal surface, the at least one coupler being configured to releasably engage a cannula; a driver having a chuck configured to engage a portion of a drill, the driver being configured to rotate the drill engaged to the chuck in at least one rotational direction;

the drill having a proximal first end, an opposite distal second end, a key portion for engaging the chuck of the driver extending from at least adjacent the proximal first end of the drill toward the distal second end, a collar portion being positioned between the proximal first end and the distal second end of the drill, and a shaft portion including flutes facilitating removal of material from the bone extending from the collar portion to the distal second end, the collar portion including a recess having an interior surface, an end surface, and a key that interrupts portions of the interior surface and the end surface, at least a portion of the end portion of the adaptor being receivable in the recess, and the key being engageable to the one of the channel and the aperture, the engagement of the key with the one of the channel and the aperture rotatably coupling the drill and the adaptor; and

a cannula having at least one complementary coupler for engaging the at least one coupler on the adaptor, the engagement of the at least one coupler and the at least one complementary coupler preventing rotation of the adaptor and the cannula with respect to one another in at least one rotational direction.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the end portion of the adaptor includes an end surface, and the end surface of the adaptor is engageable to the end surface of the recess when the at least a portion of the end portion is received in the recess.

1 1. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the at least one coupler includes at least one tab formed on the distal surface, the at least one tab being configured to engage a complimentary structure on the cannula.

12. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the at least one coupler includes at least one recess formed on the distal surface, the at least one recess being configured to engage a complimentary structure on the cannula.

13. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the at least one coupler includes threads formed in a passageway formed through a portion of the adaptor, the threads being configured to engage complimentary threads on the cannula.

14. The assembly of claim 9, wherein rotation of the drill in the at least one rotational direction rotates the adaptor via interaction of the key of the drill with the one of the channel and aperture of the adaptor, and rotation of the adaptor rotates the cannula via the interaction of the at least one coupler of the adaptor and the at least one complementary coupler of the cannula.

15 An assembly for removal of material from bone and placement of at least a portion of the assembly in the bone, the assembly comprising:

an adaptor having a proximal first end, an opposite distal second end, a mid-longitudinal axis extending through the proximal first end and the distal second end of the adaptor, a length extending between the proximal first end and the opposite distal second end of the adaptor, an end portion provided at the proximal first end, and the end portion including one of a channel and an aperture formed at least adjacent the proximal first end of the adaptor, a head portion being attached to the body portion, the head portion including a distal surface at least adjacent the distal second end of the adaptor, and the head portion including at least one coupler provided on or adjacent the distal surface;

a driver having a chuck configured to engage a portion of a drill, the driver being configured to rotate the drill engaged to the chuck in at least one rotational direction; and

the drill having a proximal first end, an opposite distal second end, a key portion for engaging the chuck of the driver extending from at least adjacent the proximal first end of the drill toward the distal end, a collar portion being positioned between the proximal first end and the distal second end of the drill, and a shaft portion including flutes facilitating removal of material from the bone extending from the collar portion to the distal second end, the collar portion including a recess having an interior surface, an end surface, and a key that interrupts portions of the interior surface and the end surface, at least a portion of the end portion of the adaptor being receivable in the recess, and the key being engageable to the one of the channel and the aperture, the engagement of the key with the one of the channel and the aperture rotatably coupling the drill and the adaptor.

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the end portion of the adaptor includes an end surface, and the end surface of the adaptor is engageable to the end surface of the recess when the at least a portion of the end portion is received in the recess.

17. The assembly of claim 15, further comprising a cannula, wherein the

adaptor includes at least one coupler, and the at least one coupler is one of at least one tab formed on the distal surface, at least one recess formed on the distal surface, and threads formed in the passageway adjacent the second opening, and the cannula includes at least one complimentary coupler configured to engage the one of the at least one tab, the at least one recess, and the threads.

18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the engagement of the at least one coupler and the at least one complementary coupler prevents rotation of the adaptor and the cannula with respect to one another in at least one rotational direction.

19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein rotation of the drill in the at least one rotational direction rotates the adaptor via interaction of the key of the drill with the one of the channel and aperture of the adaptor, and rotation of the adaptor rotates the cannula via the interaction of the at least one coupler of the adaptor and the at least one complementary coupler of the cannula.

20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the cannula further comprises a shaft portion, and rotation of the drill serves to facilitate of rotation of the shaft portion of the cannula.