Multiple connection drive shaft

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11076871-B2
Application number	US-201615252858-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 31, 2016
Priority date	Aug 31, 2016
Publication date	Aug 3, 2021
Grant date	Aug 3, 2021

Abstract

Disclosed is a system to engage a plurality of tools. In the system a drive shaft and collet may be assembled to engage and disengage, selectively, a plurality of tools. User selection may allow use of a plurality of tools during a procedure or during a plurality of procedures.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A drive shaft assembly for driving at least one of a plurality of tools at different times, comprising:
a drive shaft extending from a first end to a second end, the drive shaft including,
a first drive shaft member forming a through bore extending through the first drive shaft member; and
a second drive shaft member axially and rotationally fixed to the first drive shaft member within the through bore of the first drive shaft member;

a first tool driving region formed within and by the drive shaft and configured to axially fix the plurality of tools; and
a second tool driving region formed within and by the drive shaft and configured to engage at least a first tool of the plurality of tools; and
wherein the second drive shaft member forms the first tool driving region and includes a first finger extending from a body of the second drive shaft member having a first flex region and a first tool engaging region and a second finger extending from the body of the second drive shaft member having a second flex region and a second tool engaging region;
wherein the first and second flex regions are configured to flex to allow the first and second tool engaging regions to flex radially outward to engage each of the plurality of tools.

2. The drive shaft assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a third tool driving region formed within the drive shaft configured to engage at least a second tool of the plurality of tools.

3. The drive shaft assembly of claim 2 , wherein the second tool driving region is formed as a first internal geometry having a first diameter within the through bore and the third tool driving region is formed as a second internal geometry having a second diameter within the through bore.

4. The drive shaft assembly of claim 3 , wherein the second diameter is greater than the first diameter.

5. The drive shaft assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a biasing system biased in a first position to move at least one of the first finger or the second finger towards the other of the first finger or the second finger.

6. The drive shaft assembly of claim 5 , the biasing system includes:
an inner sleeve and a biasing spring within the through bore;
an outer sleeve around the first drive shaft member; and
a biasing pin captured between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve;
wherein the inner sleeve, the outer sleeve and the captured biasing pin are axially moveable relative to the first drive shaft member.

7. The drive shaft assembly of claim 6 , further comprising:
a carrier member moveable axially relative to the first drive shaft member, wherein the carrier member is moveable to selectively engage the outer sleeve to axially move the outer sleeve.

8. The drive shaft assembly of claim 7 , further comprising:
a collet housing having a slot formed therein;
a ring configured to rotate relative to the collet housing;
a carrier pin extending through the slot and engaging the ring and the carrier member;
wherein rotation of the ring engages the carrier pin to move the carrier pin within the slot to axially move the carrier member.

9. The drive shaft assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a biasing system biased in a first position to move at least a first locking member through an inner surface of the first drive shaft member;
wherein the locking member is configured to at least contact an exterior surface of the plurality of tools.

10. The drive shaft assembly of claim 9 , wherein the locking member is configured to engage a retaining region of at least the first tool or the second tool to axially fix the first tool or the second tool within the axial portion.

11. A drive shaft assembly for driving at least one of a plurality of tools at different times, comprising:
a first drive shaft portion having a through bore extending through the first drive shaft portion;
a second drive shaft portion axially and rotationally fixed to the first drive shaft portion within the through bore of the first drive shaft portion;
a first tool driving region formed by the second drive shaft portion;
a second tool driving region formed by the first drive shaft portion;
wherein the first tool driving region is configured to axially fix a first tool;
wherein the second tool driving region is configured to rotationally engage a second tool; and
wherein the second drive shaft portion forms the first tool driving region and includes a first finger extending from a body of the second drive shaft portion having a first flex region and a first tool engaging region and a second finger extending from the body of the second drive shaft portion having a second flex region and a second tool engaging region;
wherein the first and second flex regions are configured to flex to allow the first and second tool engaging regions to flex outward to engage each of the plurality of tools.

12. The drive shaft assembly of claim 11 , further comprising a third tool driving region formed by the second drive shaft portion and configured to engage a third tool.

13. The drive shaft assembly of claim 12 , wherein the first tool driving region is configured to axially fix the first tool, the second tool, and the third tool.

14. The drive shaft assembly of claim 13 , further comprising:
a biasing system biased in a first position to move at least one of the first finger or the second finger towards the other of the first finger or the second finger.

15. The drive shaft assembly of claim 11 , further comprising a secondary axial fixation system configured to provide secondary axial fixation to at least the first tool.

16. The drive shaft assembly of claim 11 , wherein the second tool driving region is formed as an internal geometry within the first drive shaft portion configured to rotatably engage the second tool.

Assignees

• Medtronic Ps Medical Inc

Inventors

• Barnes Milton F

Classifications

• B23B31/2072

  Axially moving cam, fixed jaws · CPC title

• B25F5/02

  Construction of casings, bodies or handles {(B25F5/006, B25F5/008 take precedence)} · CPC title

• A61B17/162 Primary

  Chucks or tool parts which are to be held in a chuck · CPC title

• A61B17/1631 Primary

  Special drive shafts, e.g. flexible shafts (A61B17/1642, A61B17/164 take precedence) · CPC title

• B23B31/1071

  Retention by balls (balls acting as jaws B23B31/22) · CPC title