This specification covers the dimensions and tolerances for both driving and driven elements in square drive interconnections on stainless steel surgical instruments used for drilling, tapping, driving, or placing of medical devices during surgery. The specification is intended to lessen the chance of accidental disengagement of surgical instruments.

1.1 This specification applies to interconnections of surgical instruments used for drilling, tapping, driving, or placing of medical devices during surgery.

1.2 This specification includes dimensions and tolerances for both driving and driven elements.

1.3 The specifications given in ASME B107.4M-1995 are designed for industrial applications and are considered too loose for surgical applications. Springs used for industrial applications are generally made from carbon steel and are capable of higher loads than their stainless steel counterparts. The specifications given in this standard have been written to lessen the chance of accidental disengagement of surgical instruments. This accidental disengagement could injure the patient or end user, or damage or contaminate the instrument.

1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. Inch-pound values are in separate tables.