Instrument tip assembly having self-threading back hub
Inventors
RYLL, Paul David • Aliski, Peter
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9370343-B2
Publication Date
2016-06-21
Expiration Date
Abstract
A actuating instrument including an instrument tip assembly having a yoke attachment thread. The actuating instrument also includes an actuator having an actuating shaft. The actuating shaft is provided with a first thread within the actuating shaft and a second thread provided on the actuating shaft. Further, the first thread is connected to the yoke attachment thread. Additionally, a back hub is provided at a proximal end of the instrument tip assembly and includes a rib or ribs provided on one of an inner surface and an outer surface of the back hub. The rib or ribs projecting from the one of the inner surface and the outer surface of the back hub and engages the second thread of the shaft to from an attachment thread.
Core Innovation
The described invention relates to an actuating instrument having an instrument tip assembly with a yoke attachment thread and a back hub at a proximal end. The back hub has a rib provided on one of an inner surface and an outer surface of the back hub, and the rib projects from the one of the inner surface and the outer surface. The rib is configured to engage a second thread of an actuating shaft and to form an attachment thread when engaged.
An actuator is described with an actuating shaft that includes a first thread provided within the actuating shaft and a second thread provided on the actuating shaft. The first thread is connected to the yoke attachment thread so that the back hub is drawn toward a proximal end of the actuating shaft. The second thread is provided in a shape so as not to mate with the rib, so engagement occurs by rib-to-thread forming rather than initial mating.
The invention further describes that the rib deforms upon engagement with the second thread to form the attachment thread. The deformation is described as progressive deformation of the rib upon engagement, including plastically deforming the rib and/or elastically deforming the rib. The progressive deformation is stated to prevent secure reconnection after removal, thereby indicating or ensuring single usage and reducing or eliminating reprocessing.
Different rib and thread geometries are disclosed, including longitudinally extending projections and circumferentially extending projections, with the rib having a semicircular cross-section and spacing. The disclosure also allows for varying rib and thread orientations, and it optionally describes hardness or material relationships, including that a back hub can be harder than the rib. Optional distal surgical tools are described as being provided at the distal end of the instrument tip assembly.
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claims are clm-00001, clm-00005, and clm-00012. They center on a thread-and-rib engagement in which a non-mating second thread causes the rib to progressively deform to form an attachment thread, with an instrument or tip assembly defined by a yoke attachment thread, an actuating shaft having first and second threads, and a rib projecting from a proximal back hub.
Yoke attachment and first-thread connection to an actuating shaft
The actuator includes an actuating shaft having a first thread provided within the actuating shaft, and the first thread is connected to the yoke attachment thread.
Non-mating second thread and rib-defined attachment-thread formation
The second thread is provided in a shape so as not to mate with the rib, and the rib engages the second thread of the shaft to form an attachment thread, wherein the rib deforms upon engagement with the second thread to form the attachment thread.
Proximal back hub rib projecting from inner or outer surface
A back hub at a proximal end of the instrument tip assembly has a rib provided on one of an inner surface and an outer surface of the back hub, wherein the rib projects from the one of the inner surface and the outer surface of the back hub.
Instrument tip assembly configured for deforming rib engagement
An instrument tip assembly comprises a yoke attachment thread at a proximal end, and a back hub at a proximal end with a rib provided on one of an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the rib projects and is configured to engage with a second thread on the actuating shaft to form an attachment thread, wherein the second thread is provided in a shape so as not to mate with the rib, and wherein the rib deforms upon engagement with the second thread to form the attachment thread.
Progressive rib engagement during assembly to form an attachment thread
Providing an instrument tip assembly having a yoke attachment thread; providing an actuator having an actuating shaft with a first thread provided within the actuating shaft and a second thread provided on the actuating shaft; providing a back hub at a proximal end of the instrument tip assembly having a rib; screwing the first thread onto the yoke attachment thread such that the back hub is drawn towards a proximal end of the actuating shaft and the rib progressively engages the second thread of the shaft, thereby deforming the rib to form an attachment thread.
Across clm-00001, clm-00005, and clm-00012, the claim coverage focuses on a proximal yoke attachment thread and an actuating shaft with first and second threads, where the second thread is shaped so as not to mate with a projecting back hub rib, and the rib deforms during engagement to progressively form an attachment thread.
Stated Advantages
Indicating/ensuring single usage.
Preventing secure reconnection after removal.
Reducing or eliminating reprocessing.
Documented Applications
A distal surgical tool provided at the distal end of the instrument tip assembly, including examples such as electrified scalpels, shears, grasping tools, cauterization tools, and laparoscopic tools.
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