Torque transfer unit

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12582804-B2
Application number	US-202319099627-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 2, 2023
Priority date	Aug 4, 2022
Publication date	Mar 24, 2026
Grant date	Mar 24, 2026

Abstract

Various embodiments provide a torque transfer unit for rotating a flexible shaft. The torque transfer unit comprises an elongate track defining a track passage, and a key attachable to the flexible shaft and movable along the track passage. The key and the elongate track are configured to engage each other to inhibit relative rotation of the key and the track passage. The torque transfer unit is actuatable to selectively adjust an axial position of the key relative to the track passage. Some other embodiments provide a kit of parts.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . A torque transfer unit for rotating a flexible shaft, the torque transfer unit comprising:
an elongate track defining a track passage; a key attachable to the flexible shaft and movable along the track passage, the key and the elongate track being configured to engage each other to inhibit relative rotation of the key and the track passage; and a clamping element connectable to the elongate track and actuatable to selectively adjust an axial position of the key relative to the track passage, the clamping element being actuatable between:
a clamped position for clamping onto the flexible shaft to thereby prevent axial movement of the elongate track relative to the key; and
an unclamped position for unclamping the flexible shaft to thereby permit axial movement of the elongate track relative to the key.

2 . The torque transfer unit according to claim 1 , wherein the clamping element has a gripping surface to facilitate grip by a user.

3 . The torque transfer unit according to claim 1 , wherein the clamping element is rotatably actuatable between the clamped position and the unclamped position.

4 . The torque transfer unit according to claim 1 , wherein the clamping element comprises a resilient member that is resiliently biased towards the clamped position.

5 . The torque transfer unit according to claim 1 , wherein the key is a collar defining a collar passage for the flexible shaft to extend through.

6 . The torque transfer unit according to claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the key has a rectangular cross-sectional shape, and an inner surface of the elongate track has a complementary rectangular cross-sectional shape for inhibiting relative rotation with the key.

7 . The torque transfer unit according to claim 1 , wherein the track passage terminates in a narrowed section for retaining the key along the track passage.

8 . The torque transfer unit according to claim 1 , wherein the elongate track has a length that is at least three times longer than a length of the key, more preferably at least four times longer than the length of the key, more preferably at least five times longer than the length of the key.

9 . The torque transfer unit according to claim 1 , wherein the clamping element defines a clamping passage for the flexible shaft to extend through, wherein the clamping element is actuatable to selectively tighten the clamping passage onto the flexible shaft.

10 . The torque transfer unit according to claim 9 , wherein the clamping element is a collet-type clamp.

11 . The torque transfer unit according to claim 9 , wherein the clamping element comprises:
a first jaw and a second jaw, the first jaw being movable relative to the second jaw to tighten the clamping passage onto the flexible shaft; and a retaining member that is actuatable to retain the first jaw in the clamped position or to release the first jaw from the clamped position.

12 . The torque transfer unit according to claim 1 , further comprising an outer cover around the elongate track, the cover including a gripping surface to facilitate grip by a user.

13 . The torque transfer unit according to claim 12 , wherein an outer surface of the elongate track and an inner surface of the cover are configured to engage each other to inhibit rotation or axial movement of the elongate track relative to the cover.

14 . The torque transfer unit according to claim 1 , wherein the elongate track comprises a first track portion and a second track portion, the first and second track portions being mutually connectable to form the elongate track.

15 . The torque transfer unit according to claim 14 , wherein the first track portion comprises an enlarged section for receiving and connecting with the second track portion.

16 . A torque transfer unit for rotating a flexible shaft, the torque transfer unit comprising:
an elongate track defining a track passage; a key attachable to the flexible shaft and movable along the track passage, the key and the elongate track being configured to engage each other to inhibit relative rotation of the key and the track passage; and an axial engagement structure along the track passage, the axial engagement structure being configured to engage against the key to inhibit relative axial movement of the key past the engagement structure; wherein the torque transfer unit is actuatable to selectively adjust an axial position of the key relative to the track passage by sliding the elongate track relative to the key to overcome a resistive frictional force between the axial engagement structure and the key.

17 . The torque transfer unit according to claim 16 , wherein the elongate track is resiliently deformable between a non-deformed state in which the axial engagement structure inhibits relative movement of the elongate track past the key, and a deformed state in which the elongate track is slidable past the key.

Assignees

• Creo Medical Ltd

Inventors

• Ullrich George Christian
• Thomas Steven
• Hancock Christopher Paul
• Webb David Edward

Classifications

• A61M2209/04

  Tools for specific apparatus · CPC title

• A61M2205/586

  Ergonomic details therefor, e.g. specific ergonomics for left or right-handed users · CPC title

• A61B2218/002

  Irrigation · CPC title

• A61B2018/1861

  with an instrument inserted into a body lumen or cavity, e.g. a catheter · CPC title

• A61B2018/1807

  using light other than laser radiation · CPC title