Torque limiting ratcheting handle for medical instrument

Inventors

DENHAM, Gregory • Whitley, Joseph • Schlotterback, Ryan

Assignees

Medartis AG

Abstract

A torque limiting ratcheting handle for a medical instrument is provided that includes a ratchet shifter, a tool connector, a torque coupler, and a rear power housing. The handle provides clockwise and counterclockwise ratcheting and limits the amount of torque in one direction while allowing for maximal torque in the opposite direction. In one aspect, the ratcheting handle may include a drive shaft removeably connected to a power tool or, alternatively, to a handle grip for manual manipulation.

Core Innovation

The disclosed invention provides a torque-limiting ratcheting quick-disconnect handle for surgical instruments that releasably holds a surgical tool. The apparatus includes a ratchet shifter and a tool connector that telescopically receive one another and slidably move between a first position and a second position. The tool connector has a tool engagement body with a tool engagement opening that communicates with a longitudinal bore configured to releasably couple the surgical tool, and a mounting post extending longitudinally along the longitudinal axis from the tool engagement body to a distal end.

Torque control is provided by a torque coupler that is slidably and rotatably coupled to the mounting post. The torque coupler has a cylindrical body with an outer surface and an inner surface defining a through-hole, where the outer surface includes a plurality of fingers extending radially outward and the inner surface includes a forward portion and a rear portion each having a plurality of teeth. In the first position, the forward ratchet hinge engages the plurality of teeth of the forward portion to allow ratcheting in a first direction and maximum torque in a second direction, while the rear power housing configuration limits applied torque during rotation in a first direction and allows maximal applied torque during rotation in a second direction.

In the second position, engagement is reversed such that the rear ratchet hinge engages the plurality of teeth of the rear portion to allow ratcheting in the second direction and maximum torque in the first direction. The rear power housing is rotatably coupled to the mounting post and includes a cavity with an inner surface having teeth projecting radially inward, where rotation in the first and second directions produces, respectively, torque limiting through finger-to-teeth sliding engagement and maximal torque by preventing finger movement. The arrangement further supports a quick-disconnect style coupling that can removably attach a drive shaft to a power tool or a manual handle grip, with handle grip embodiments including T-handle, pistol grip, palm handle, and ball structures.

Claims Coverage

Independent claim clm-00001 defines the overall torque-limiting ratcheting, quick-disconnect apparatus with a telescoping tool connector, a torque coupler with forward/rear tooth engagement switched by a ratchet shifter position, and a rear power housing that cooperates to limit or maximize applied torque depending on rotation direction and ratchet shifter position.

The claims cover an apparatus that releasably holds a surgical tool using a ratcheting, telescoping tool connector and a torque coupler in which forward vs rear hinge/tooth engagement is switched by ratchet shifter position, while a rotatable rear power housing cooperates with finger/tooth interaction to limit or maximize applied torque depending on rotation direction. Dependent claims further specify removable coupling to a drive shaft and handle grip arrangements, including living hinge coupling and handle grip shapes such as T-handle and pistol grip.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications