Ratcheting handle for medical instrument
Inventors
DENHAM, Gregory • Whitley, Joseph • Schlotterback, Ryan
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12023014-B2
Publication Date
2024-07-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
A ratcheting handle for a medical instrument is provided that includes a ratchet shifter, a tool connector, a ratchet coupler, and a rear power housing. The handle provides clockwise and counterclockwise ratcheting. 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 invention relates to a ratcheting quick-disconnect handle for surgical instruments that provides two-way ratcheting. A ratchet shifter telescopically receives a tool connector and is slidably moveable between a first position and a second position. The tool connector includes a tool engagement body with a tool engagement opening that communicates with a longitudinal bore configured to releasably couple a surgical tool.
The apparatus further includes a ratchet coupler that is coupled to the distal end of the ratchet shifter. The ratchet coupler includes forward and rear portions with a plurality of fingers that radially extend from the outer surface. The direction-dependent torque behavior is produced by engaging different teeth and a neutral circumferential surface in the rear power housing depending on whether the ratchet shifter is in the first position or the second position.
A rear power housing is rotatably coupled to the mounting post at the distal end of the tool connector and includes a drive shaft extending along a longitudinal axis. The rear power housing includes a cavity with a forward circumferential surface, a neutral circumferential surface, and a rear circumferential surface, each having teeth projecting radially inward. In the first position, one set of fingers engages teeth on the forward circumferential surface while the other set engages the neutral circumferential surface, and in the second position the engagement is reversed to enable ratcheting in the opposite direction with maximum torque switched.
The disclosed structure also includes optional coupling of the rear power housing drive shaft to a removable manual handle grip. The handle grip is described as transitioning between power and manual torque using a coupling mechanism that includes a living hinge and a bore and groove engagement. The document outlines additional component structures supporting mode-of-operation switching, including guides, clips, and a pedestal rotation interface.
Claims Coverage
Independent claim clm-00001 defines the core apparatus for releasably holding a surgical tool using a telescoping ratchet shifter and a ratchet coupler that switches ratcheting direction and which direction provides maximum torque based on a first position versus a second position. The partial content provided does not explicitly include the full text of any other independent claims.
Telescoping ratchet shifter with longitudinal bore tool connector
A ratchet shifter telescopically receiving a tool connector, where the tool connector includes a tool engagement body with a tool engagement opening communicating with a longitudinal bore configured to releasably couple the surgical tool, and the ratchet shifter is slidably moveable between a first position and a second position.
Ratchet coupler with forward and rear fingers engaging forward, neutral, and rear circumferential surfaces
A ratchet coupler coupled to the distal end of the ratchet shifter, having an outer surface including a first forward portion with fingers and a second rear portion with fingers, wherein in the first position the first forward fingers engage teeth on the forward circumferential surface while the second rear fingers engage the neutral circumferential surface, and in the second position the second rear fingers engage teeth on the rear circumferential surface while the first forward fingers engage the neutral circumferential surface.
Rear power housing with teeth for direction-dependent maximum torque
A rear power housing rotatably coupled to the mounting post of the tool connector, including a drive shaft and a cavity whose inner surface comprises a forward circumferential surface, a neutral circumferential surface, and a rear circumferential surface with teeth projecting radially inward, configured so that direction of ratcheting and maximum torque switch between the first and second positions.
The provided claim coverage centers on clm-00001, which combines a telescoping ratchet shifter and tool connector with a ratchet coupler and a rear power housing cavity featuring forward, neutral, and rear teeth so that ratcheting direction and maximum torque depend on whether the apparatus is in the first position or the second position.
Stated Advantages
Allows ratcheting in a first direction and maximum torque in a second direction in the first position, and allows ratcheting in the second direction and maximum torque in the first direction in the second position.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
Interested in licensing this patent?