U.S. patent application number 11/603550 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-06 for surgical coupling device.
This patent application is currently assigned to EFS-Eberle-Feinwerktechnische Systeme GmbH & Co. KG. Invention is credited to Frank Eberle.
Application Number | 20070205567 11/603550 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35945282 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070205567 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Eberle; Frank |
September 6, 2007 |
Surgical coupling device
Abstract
The present invention relates to a surgical coupling device for
detachably connecting a handpiece to a surgical instrument, the
handpiece being provided with a recess into which a coupling
portion of the instrument can be detachably slid, an interior wall
of the recess having formed thereon a locking recess with which a
snap type element can be brought into detachable engagement that is
supported on the instrument, characterized in that the snap type
element is formed on a double-sided rocker which extends
substantially in axial direction and has one end on which the snap
type element is arranged and has its other end in engagement with a
pivot element.
Inventors: |
Eberle; Frank; (Wurmberg,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TIMOTHY F. BLISS
P.O. BOX 793968
DALLAS
TX
75379
US
|
Assignee: |
EFS-Eberle-Feinwerktechnische
Systeme GmbH & Co. KG
Wurmberg
DE
|
Family ID: |
35945282 |
Appl. No.: |
11/603550 |
Filed: |
November 22, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
279/77 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25B 23/0042 20130101;
A61C 1/18 20130101; B25G 3/18 20130101; A61B 17/162 20130101; Y10S
285/921 20130101; B23B 31/103 20130101; A61B 17/00 20130101; Y10T
279/17769 20150115; A61B 2017/0046 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
279/077 |
International
Class: |
B23B 31/12 20060101
B23B031/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 24, 2005 |
EP |
05025706.2 |
Claims
1. A surgical coupling device comprising: first and second ends
coupled by a body having a longitudinal axis, wherein an opening is
formed along a portion of the body to provide access to a body
recess within the body, and wherein the first end is sized to enter
a coupling recess formed in a handpiece; an actuator positioned at
least partially within the body recess and externally accessible
via the opening, wherein the actuator includes a pivot element
responsive to pressure applied to an outer surface thereof to pivot
the actuator between a locked position and a released position; and
a double-sided rocker having an elevated support located so as to
abut an inner surface of the body recess, wherein the elevated
support is disposed between a coupling element of the double-sided
rocker that is configured to engage a locking recess formed on an
interior surface of the coupling recess when the actuator is in the
locked position and an actuating element of the double-sided rocker
that is configured to engage the actuator, wherein the double-sided
rocker is aligned axially with respect to the actuator.
2. The surgical coupling device of claim 1 wherein a bevelled
surface extends from the elevated support to each of the coupling
element and the actuating element.
3. The surgical coupling device of claim 1 further comprising an
elastic element abutting the actuator to bias the actuator into the
locked position.
4. The surgical coupling device wherein the elastic element is a
spring captured in a retention recess formed in the actuator,
wherein an end of the retention recess is open to allow the spring
to abut the inner surface of the body recess.
5. The surgical coupling device of claim 1 wherein the actuating
element includes a protrusion and the actuator includes a recess
designed to receive the protrusion.
6. The surgical coupling device of claim 1 further comprising a
securing element moveable between a first position preventing the
actuator from moving from the locked position to the released
position and a second position allowing the actuator to move from
the locked position to the released position.
7. A surgical instrument comprising: first and second ends coupled
by a body having a longitudinal axis, wherein an opening is formed
along a portion of the body proximate the first end to provide
access to a body recess within the body, and wherein the first end
is sized to enter a coupling recess formed in a handpiece; an
actuator positioned at least partially within the body recess and
externally accessible via the opening, wherein the actuator
includes a pivot element responsive to pressure applied to an outer
surface thereof to pivot the actuator between a locked position and
a released position; and a double-sided rocker positioned at least
partially within the recess and having a coupling element
configured to engage a locking recess formed on an interior surface
of the coupling recess when the actuator is in the locked position
and an actuating element configured to engage the actuator.
8. The surgical instrument of claim 7 wherein the double-sided
rocker further comprises an elevated support positioned between the
coupling element and the actuating element, wherein the elevated
support is positioned to abut an inner surface of the body
recess.
9. A surgical coupling device for detachably connecting a handpiece
to a surgical instrument, the handpiece having a recess into which
a coupling portion of the surgical instrument can be detachably
slid, wherein an interior wall of the recess includes a locking
recess formed thereon, the surgical coupling device including a
snap type element configured to be brought into detachable
engagement with the locking recess, wherein the snap type element
is formed on a double-sided rocker that extends substantially in an
axial direction and includes a first end on which the snap type
element is formed and a second end on which an engagement element
is formed for engagement with a pivot element.
10. The surgical coupling device of claim 9 wherein the pivot
element is pivotable from an inoperative position into a release
position.
11. The surgical coupling device of claim 10 wherein the pivot
element is biased into the inoperative position.
12. The surgical coupling device of claim 11 wherein the pivot
element is biased by means of an elastic element.
13. The surgical coupling device of claim 12 wherein the elastic
element is configured in the form of a spring positioned in a
recess of the pivot element.
14. The surgical coupling device of claim 9 wherein the rocker
includes, on a side of the rocker facing a central axis of the
coupling device, a support portion that rests on a support surface
of the surgical instrument.
15. The surgical coupling device of claim 14 wherein a surface of
the rocker adjoining the support portion is bevelled at both sides
of the support position.
16. The surgical coupling device of claim 9 wherein the second end
of the rocker includes a protruding form positioned in a recess of
the pivot element.
17. The surgical coupling device of claim 9 wherein the pivot
element includes, on a side of the pivot element facing a central
axis of the coupling device, a support portion that rests on a
support surface of the surgical instrument.
18. The surgical coupling device of claim 17 wherein the pivot
element adjoining the support portion is bevelled on at least one
side.
19. The surgical coupling device of claim 9 wherein the pivot
element includes an actuating portion.
20. The surgical coupling device of claim 9 wherein the snap type
element includes a frontal bevel.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority from European Patent
Application 05025706.2, filed on Nov. 24, 2005, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a surgical coupling device for
detachably connecting a handpiece to a surgical instrument.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Current surgical coupling devices have design
characteristics that negatively impact their operation.
Accordingly, what is needed is an improved surgical coupling
device.
SUMMARY
[0004] In one embodiment, a surgical coupling device comprises
first and second ends coupled by a body having a longitudinal axis,
wherein an opening is formed along a portion of the body to provide
access to a body recess within the body, and wherein the first end
is sized to enter a coupling recess formed in a handpiece. An
actuator is positioned at least partially within the body recess
and externally accessible via the opening, wherein the actuator
includes a pivot element responsive to pressure applied to an outer
surface thereof to pivot the actuator between a locked position and
a released position. A double-sided rocker has an elevated support
located so as to abut an inner surface of the body recess, wherein
the elevated support is disposed between a coupling element of the
double-sided rocker that is configured to engage a locking recess
formed on an interior surface of the coupling recess when the
actuator is in the locked position and an actuating element of the
double-sided rocker that is configured to engage the actuator,
wherein the double-sided rocker is aligned axially with respect to
the actuator.
[0005] In another embodiment, a surgical instrument comprises first
and second ends coupled by a body having a longitudinal axis,
wherein an opening is formed along a portion of the body proximate
the first end to provide access to a body recess within the body,
and wherein the first end is sized to enter a coupling recess
formed in a handpiece. An actuator is positioned at least partially
within the body recess and externally accessible via the opening,
wherein the actuator includes a pivot element responsive to
pressure applied to an outer surface thereof to pivot the actuator
between a locked position and a released position. A double-sided
rocker is positioned at least partially within the recess and
having a coupling element configured to engage a locking recess
formed on an interior surface of the coupling recess when the
actuator is in the locked position and an actuating element
configured to engage the actuator.
[0006] In yet another embodiment, a surgical coupling device is
provided for detachably connecting a handpiece to a surgical
instrument. The handpiece has a recess into which a coupling
portion of the surgical instrument can be detachably slid, wherein
an interior wall of the recess includes a locking recess formed
thereon. The surgical coupling device includes a snap type element
configured to be brought into detachable engagement with the
locking recess, wherein the snap type element is formed on a
double-sided rocker that extends substantially in an axial
direction and includes a first end on which the snap type element
is formed and a second end on which an engagement element is formed
for engagement with a pivot element.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates an axial partial sectional view of one
embodiment of the surgical coupling device.
WRITTEN DESCRIPTION
[0008] Surgical instruments that are inserted into a handpiece are
known in the most different variants. The handpieces are normally
connected to a drive, whereby tools or portions of the surgical
instruments are drivable, e.g. rotatable. Such surgical instruments
may for instance be dental drills or cutters; they may also be
designed as shaver instruments for arthroscopy.
[0009] It is known from the prior art (see e.g. EP 1 006 898 B1)
that the handpiece is provided with a central bore or recess into
which a coupling portion or attachment portion of the surgical
instrument is inserted. In this process corresponding drive
couplings of the handpiece get into engagement with coupling
members of the surgical instrument, so that a rotary drive is
realized. The surgical instrument is inserted into and locked in
the handpiece in that the handpiece is provided with a locking
recess with which a snap type element of the surgical instrument
can be brought into detachable engagement. The locking recess may
for instance be configured in the form of an annular groove; it is
also possible to provide said groove only as a singular piece. The
snap type element of the surgical instrument may e.g. be configured
in the form of a snap type hook, a latch, or the like. Hence, upon
insertion of the surgical instrument into the handpiece, a locking
or coupling operation can be carried out that prevents an
unintended detachment of the surgical instrument from the
handpiece. To remove the surgical instrument from the handpiece, an
actuating device must e.g. be operated.
[0010] The devices that are known from the prior art are often of a
complicated construction and thus cost-intensive and intricate in
their manufacture, and they are often difficult to handle when used
in surgery.
[0011] It is the object of the present invention to provide a
surgical coupling device of the above-mentioned kind which while
being of a simple construction and easily producible at low costs
can be operated in a safe and easy manner.
[0012] According to the invention this object is achieved by the
feature combination of the main claim; the subclaims show further
advantageous developments of the invention.
[0013] Hence, according to the invention the snap type element is
formed on a double-sided rocker which extends in axial direction
and is thus pivotable about a rocker axis which is arranged to be
substantially tangential or perpendicular to a central axis of the
surgical coupling device. Thus the rocking movement of the rocker
can bring the snap type element into engagement with the locking
recess or release it from said recess.
[0014] At the other end, opposite to the end bearing the snap type
element, the rocker is in engagement with a pivot element. Thus the
pivot element defines the respective position of the rocker. The
pivot element thereby brings the rocker into a locking position or
a release position. In the locking position, the snap type element
is located in the locking recess, thereby locking the surgical
instrument with the handpiece. In the release position, the snap
type element is not in the locking recess, so that the surgical
instrument can be removed from the handpiece or slid into the
handpiece.
[0015] Hence, either a locking or releasing operation is carried
out through a selective movement of the rocker.
[0016] According to the invention it is intended that the rocker is
actuable by means of a pivot element. To this end, as has been
mentioned, the pivot element is in engagement with an end of the
rocker. In a preferred variant of the invention, the pivot element
is biased into an inoperative position in which the rocker is
located in the locked position. The pivot element can be pivoted
into a release position by being actuated. This will also cause the
rocker to pivot because the rocker is in engagement with the pivot
element. Hence, the rocker will also move into a release
position.
[0017] In an advantageous variant of the invention, it is intended
that the pivot element is biased by means of an elastic element
into the inoperative position. The elastic element may be
configured in the form of a spring which is positioned in a recess
of the pivot element. Hence, a detachment of the snap type element
from the locking recess just requires a corresponding pivoting of
the pivot element. This can be carried out manually in an easy way.
Hence, no complicated or sensible handling measures are needed, so
that the surgical coupling device of the invention can also be
handled in an easy and simple way in surgery.
[0018] In a particularly advantageous variant of the invention, it
is intended that the rocker is provided at its side facing a
central axis of the coupling device with a support portion which
rests on a support surface of the surgical instrument. Next to the
support portion, the rocker is preferably beveled at both sides.
Thus the support portion forms a convex portion which is preferably
line-shaped. This ensures a low-friction movement of the rocker
between the locked position and the released position.
[0019] The engagement portion between the pivot element and the
rocker is preferably designed such that the rocker is given a
protruding form at its end facing the pivot element, resulting in a
projecting edge or a projecting pin-like portion. This portion is
arranged in a recess of the pivot element, resulting in an
engagement in the manner of a joint. A pivot movement of the pivot
element is thereby transmitted to the rocker. For this purpose the
end of the rocker is moved in radial direction, based on the
central axis of the coupling device.
[0020] For actuating or handling the pivot element, said element is
preferably provided at its side facing the central axis also with a
support portion resting on a support surface of the surgical
instrument. The pivot element can thereby be pivoted or tilted.
This leads to the described movement of the rocker for releasing or
locking the snap type element.
[0021] It is particularly advantageous when the pivot element is
provided with an actuating portion configured in the form of a knob
or a grip. The latter can protrude to an appropriate degree beyond
the circumferential surface of the surgical instrument, so that the
pivot element can each time be actuated in a reliable manner.
[0022] Hence, the invention creates a surgical coupling device
which enables the surgical instrument to reliably lock with the
handpiece. The inserting operation may here be carried out either
through a selective actuation of the rocker for releasing the snap
type element or only by way of insertion. In the last-mentioned
case, the snap type element, due to its being beveled, is
automatically introduced into the locking recess. The detaching
operation just requires an actuation of the actuating portion of
the pivot element. Since the two elements (rocker and pivot
element) form separate elements, a reliable function is ensured on
the one hand, and an easy and inexpensive producibility on the
other hand as only two components have to be arranged relative to
one another.
[0023] The invention shall now be described with reference to an
embodiment in combination with the drawing, which shows in
[0024] FIG. 1 shows a cylindrical portion of a handpiece 1 which is
provided with a substantially cylindrical central recess 3. A
central axis of the handpiece 1 is illustrated by way of reference
numeral 9.
[0025] The handpiece 1 may e.g. comprise a drive means, or the
like, which may serve to couple and drive a surgical instrument
2.
[0026] The surgical instrument 2 is shown in FIG. 1 only
schematically and in part. It comprises an end portion which is
made substantially cylindrical and comprises a recess, which is
e.g. axially slitted, including a support surface 11. The axially
slit-like recess, which is not shown in detail, has arranged
therein a rocker 6 which in being oriented radially inwards
comprises an elevated support portion 10. The support portion 10
may establish line contact with the support surface 11. It is also
possible to provide the support portion 10 with a radius as is
shown in a simplified view in FIG. 1. Next to the support portion
10, the rocker 6 is each time beveled to perform a rocking movement
in this way.
[0027] At its left end (based on FIG. 1), the rocker 6 has formed
thereon a hook-like snap type element 5 which can be introduced
into a locking recess 4 of the handpiece 1. In the illustrated
embodiment, the locking recess 4 is shaped in the form of an
annular groove. However, it is also possible to provide just a
singular recess.
[0028] The end 12 of the rocker 6, which is the right one according
to FIG. 1, is loosely inserted into a slit-like or fittingly shaped
recess 13 of a pivot element 7. However, a hinge-like axial
fixation might also be provided.
[0029] The pivot element 7 is provided at its radially inwardly
oriented side with a support portion 14 which also shows point
contact or line contact or surface contact with the support surface
11. At least one side of the interior portion of the pivot element
7 is beveled, as shown in FIG. 1, so as to be able to pivot the
pivot element 7 accordingly. For manual operation the pivot element
7 comprises an actuating portion 15. Furthermore, the pivot element
7 is provided with a recess 16 accommodating an elastic element
(spring) 8. The pivot element 7 is thereby biased into a position
in which the rocker 6 is located in the locked position shown in
FIG. 1. In pivoting or tilting the pivot element 7 by exerting
pressure on the actuating portion 15, a pivotal or tilting movement
is carried out, as a result of which the recess 13 will be radially
moved outwards. This movement will also entrain the end 12 of the
rocker 6 in a radially outwardly oriented direction, whereby the
rocker 6 is pivoted around the support portion 10. This, in turn,
has the effect that the snap type element 5 is detached from the
locking recess 4.
[0030] To keep the rocker 6 and the pivot element 7 in place, a
securing element 17, which may e.g. be configured as an annular or
partly cylindrical member, is arranged on the surgical instrument
2.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0031] 1 handpiece [0032] 2 surgical instrument [0033] 3 recess
[0034] 4 locking recess [0035] 5 snap type element [0036] 6 rocker
[0037] 7 pivot element [0038] 8 elastic element/spring [0039] 9
central axis [0040] 10 support portion [0041] 11 support surface
[0042] 12 end [0043] 13 recess [0044] 14 support portion [0045] 15
actuating portion [0046] 16 recess [0047] 17 securing element
* * * * *