US-12616512-B2 - Surgical rod cutter-bender assembly

US12616512B2US 12616512 B2US12616512 B2US 12616512B2US-12616512-B2

Abstract

A surgical rod cutter-bender assembly includes: a first portion including a protrusion; and a second portion including a recess associated with the protrusion, the first portion and the second portion together defining a pivot axis such that the first portion and the second portion are configured for pivoting relative to one another about the pivot axis.

Inventors

Christopher Melnick
Tomas Fandel

Assignees

Symmetry Medical Manufacturing, Inc.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20220817

Claims (11)

1 . A surgical rod cutter-bender assembly, comprising: a first portion including a protrusion; and a second portion including a recess associated with the protrusion, the first portion and the second portion together defining a pivot axis such that the first portion and the second portion are configured for pivoting relative to one another about the pivot axis, the protrusion and the recess being positioned proximally relative to the pivot axis when the surgical rod cutter-bender assembly is in a closed position, the protrusion including a first lateral side, a second lateral side opposing the first lateral side, and a middle section positioned between the first lateral side and the second lateral side, the middle section extending lower than the first lateral side and the second lateral side when the surgical rod cutter-bender assembly is in the closed position, the first lateral side and the second lateral side being spaced apart transversely from one another and thus along a transverse axis that is parallel to the pivot axis.
2 . The surgical rod cutter-bender assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a pivot block assembly including the first portion and the second portion which are coupled with one another.
3 . The surgical rod cutter-bender assembly of claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of jaws coupled with the pivot block assembly and configured for cutting a surgical rod including stainless steel, titanium, or cobalt chromium.
4 . The surgical rod cutter-bender assembly of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of jaws are positioned distally relative to the pivot axis.
5 . The surgical rod cutter-bender assembly of claim 4 , wherein the recess is configured for receiving at least a portion of the surgical rod therein when the protrusion pushes the surgical rod into the recess in order to bend the surgical rod.
6 . The surgical rod cutter-bender assembly of claim 5 , further comprising at least one handle coupled with the first portion or the second portion.
7 . The surgical rod cutter-bender assembly of claim 6 , wherein the protrusion and the recess are substantially parallel relative to the pivot axis.
8 . The surgical rod cutter-bender assembly of claim 7 , wherein the first portion includes a base and an extension including a first pivot hole, the surgical rod cutter-bender assembly including a handheld configuration or a tabletop configuration.
9 . The surgical rod cutter-bender assembly of claim 7 , wherein each one of the plurality of jaws includes respectively a distal end, the plurality of jaws being coupled with one another at the distal end of each respective one of the plurality of jaws.
10 . The surgical rod cutter-bender assembly of claim 8 , wherein the second portion includes a base and an extension including a second pivot hole, the pivot axis extending through the first pivot hole and the second pivot hole.
11 . The surgical rod cutter-bender assembly of claim 1 , wherein the surgical rod cutter-bender assembly further includes a pivot block assembly and a plurality of jaws, the pivot block assembly including the first portion and the second portion which are coupled with one another, the plurality of jaws being coupled with the pivot block assembly and configured for cutting a surgical rod, wherein the plurality of jaws are positioned distally relative to the pivot axis, wherein each one of the plurality of jaws includes respectively a distal end, the plurality of jaws being coupled with one another at the distal end of each respective one of the plurality of jaws.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to medical devices, and, more particularly, to surgical rod cutter-bender assemblies. 2. Description of the Related Art Surgical rod cutters are known that have either a handheld configuration or a tabletop configuration. With respect to either configuration, such rod cutters include a plurality of jaws coupled together at their distal ends, at least one of the jaws including at its distal end at least one cutting hole, which allows for easy insertion and proper positioning of the rod prior to cutting. Also known are assemblies which provide for both cutting and bending. What is needed in the art is an improved surgical rod cutter-bender assembly that is efficient and cost-effective. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a surgical rod cutter-bender assembly that provides for both cutting and bending of a surgical rod, with the bending occurring by way of a protrusion and a recess of respective portions that pivot relative to one another. The invention in one form is directed to a surgical rod cutter-bender assembly, including: a first portion including a protrusion; and a second portion including a recess associated with the protrusion, the first portion and the second portion together defining a pivot axis such that the first portion and the second portion are configured for pivoting relative to one another about the pivot axis. The invention in another form is directed to a method of using a surgical rod cutter-bender assembly, the method including the steps of: providing that the surgical rod cutter-bender assembly includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion including a protrusion, the second portion including a recess associated with the protrusion, the first portion and the second portion together defining a pivot axis; and pivoting the first portion and the second portion relative to one another about the pivot axis. An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a single assembly that provides for both cutting and bending of surgical rods (2-for-1), thereby reducing the required number of instruments for a particular surgery. Further, advantageously, fewer instruments are needed to be fit within a surgical tray or system, and the weight of the overall tray or system is reduced. Another advantage of the present invention is that it enables a surgeon to exert additional control when bending surgical rods, to ensure the best rod shape for a patient's specific anatomy. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it reduces the amount of effort required from the surgeon to bend the surgical rod. Conventionally, users have to exert significant effort, because of the hardness and stiffness that is inherent in the material that is used for surgical rods. The present invention significantly increases the user's mechanical advantage, thus reducing the effort required of the user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a surgical rod cutter-bender assembly, the surgical rod cutter-bender assembly including a pivot block assembly including a first portion and a second portion, the surgical rod cutter-bender assembly shown in an open position with a surgical rod in position to be bent by the surgical rod cutter-bender assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the surgical rod cutter-bender assembly of FIG. 1, with portions broken away and omitting the surgical rod; FIG. 3 is a schematic rear view of the surgical rod cutter-bender assembly of FIG. 1, with the surgical rod having been bent by the surgical rod cutter-bender assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a side view of the surgical rod cutter-bender assembly of FIG. 1, with the surgical rod cutter-bender assembly shown in a closed position, though lacking the surgical rod, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the surgical rod cutter-bender assembly of FIG. 1, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a side view of the first portion of the pivot block assembly of the surgical rod cutter-bender assembly of FIG. 1, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the second portion of the pivot block assembly of the surgical rod cutter-bender assembly of FIG. 1, with portions broken away, the cross-section being taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 2, in accordance with an exemplary e