Medical Screwdriver Speeds Screw Placements

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 11 Apr 2012

Image: The Kobalt Double Drive Medical Screwdriver (Photo courtesy of Double Drive Medical).

Image: The Kobalt Double Drive Medical Screwdriver (Photo courtesy of Double Drive Medical).

A novel ratcheting screwdriver cranks an attached tool in a single direction, doubling the insertion speed of medical screws during surgical procedures.

The Kobalt Double Drive Medical Screwdriver is based on patented technology that involves a unique set of gears that offer continuous driving, regardless of which way the handle is turned, so that the user can seat or unseat screws at twice the rate of either manual or ratcheting drivers. The medical-grade double-drive screwdriver is applicable in any surgery environment where manual screw driving is required, such as spine, orthopedic, cranial maxillofacial, trauma, and sports medicine procedures, and allows for very large cannulations.

Among the features of the screwdriver are limited axial and side-to-side play (wobble), and an all stainless steel construction which makes the device fully autoclavable and re-useable. The screwdriver offers both high torque capacity and very low back torque for small torque applications, giving users a smooth and consistent feel, and it can be configured for any handle type. The Kobalt Double Drive Medical Screwdriver is a product of Double Drive Medical (Fife, WA, USA).

“Medical staff are very receptive to reducing surgery time, even by a few minutes, because they are reducing costs, potential complications, and fatigue among surgical staff,” said Bob Overmars, the president and CEO of Double Drive Medical. “We actually had calls from surgeons who received the home double-drive screwdriver as a gift and encouraged us to accelerate our plans for the medical market.”

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