US Patent 7338494 Spring-loaded awl

A spring-loaded surgical awl is provided for orthopedic applications that include creating or enlarging holes in bone. The awl has an awl shaft with a cutting tip within a sleeve, with a spring disposed between the awl shaft and sleeve to return the cutting tip of the awl tip to a position within the sleeve after the cutting tip of the awl shaft contacts the bone. The outer sleeve has an end that preferably engages a bone plate and the travel of the awl tip is limited by a shoulder within the outer sleeve.