Cannulated flexible drive shaft

The present invention relates to tools used to perform operations such as arthroscopic or orthopedic surgery, more specifically relates to a cannulated (hollow) flexible drive shaft having a plurality of sections interconnecting, preferably joined together by dovetails with multiple angles, along a shaft , which provides elasticity of the distal end, while maintaining the torque as a result of rotation in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction, thus preventing the separation and deterioration of the dovetail tails. Patent application US 2005/177168 discloses a surgical cutting instrument with an internal connecting assembly having the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] The restrictions on the maneuverability imposed by arthroscopic surgery mean that conventional, simple drive shafts are not well suited for such operations. Therefore, various arthroscopic surgical procedures use flexible driveshafts for bone drilling, reaming bones, puncturing holes in the bone, pressing anchors or screws in the bone, driving anchors or screws in the bone, screwing anchors or screws in the bone and fixing the seams to bones, tendons and so on. Conventional flexible drive shafts have a helical coil disposed along the entire drive shaft or along a portion of the distal end of the drive shaft. The helical coil allows the user to move the drive shaft through the bent guide. However, depending on the location of the screw construction, the spirals are tightening, when they are rotated in the clockwise direction and they divide or stretch when rotated counter-clockwise, or vice versa, for drive shafts having a helical construction with opposite orientation. Therefore, today the surgeon needs two flexible drive shafts. One shaft that transmits torque in the clockwise direction and one that transmits the torque in a counter-clockwise direction. Therefore, today the surgeon needs two flexible drive shafts. One shaft that transmits torque in the clockwise direction and one that transmits the torque in a counter-clockwise direction. Therefore, today the surgeon needs two flexible drive shafts. One shaft that transmits torque in the clockwise direction and one that transmits the torque in a counter-clockwise direction.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need for a cannulated, flexible drive shaft that transmits torque in the clockwise direction as well as counterclockwise without tearing the drive shaft.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] The main object of the present invention is to provide a flexible drive shaft that transmits torque in a clockwise direction as well as in a counter-clockwise direction.

[0005] A further object of the present invention is to provide a flexible drive shaft that is strong enough to withstand the torque applied to it during use.

[0006] The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a flexible cannulated drive shaft as claimed in claim 1. The drive shaft has a plurality of connecting sections having an angular dovetail construction cut out in a drive shaft. Each connecting section has a distal end, a distal end and a dovetail structure comprising pins, of substantially triangular shape, and seats of substantially triangular shape that are arranged alternately around the periphery of the proximal end and / or the distal end of each joining section. The pins of one connecting section are movably engaged with the sockets of the second connecting section and vice versa. The bolts, in a substantially triangular shape, and the seats, in a substantially triangular shape, fasten the connecting sections together, at the same time providing flexibility to the drive shaft. An additional benefit of using the joining sections is that the distance between each section can be cut larger or smaller to achieve a more or less flexible drive shaft. In addition, bolts of substantially triangular shape and sockets with a substantially triangular shape remain locked together irrespective of whether the drive shaft is rotated in the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. The drive shaft may be used as a hand tool, such as a screwdriver, or attached to a rotating tool such as a drill. The guide allows the user to adjust the position and depth of the distal end of the drive shaft during the treatments. An additional benefit of using the joining sections is that the distance between each section can be cut larger or smaller to achieve a more or less flexible drive shaft. In addition, bolts of substantially triangular shape and sockets with a substantially triangular shape remain locked together irrespective of whether the drive shaft is rotated in the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. The drive shaft may be used as a hand tool, such as a screwdriver, or attached to a rotating tool such as a drill. The guide allows the user to adjust the position and depth of the distal end of the drive shaft during the treatments. An additional benefit of using the joining sections is that the distance between each section can be cut larger or smaller to achieve a more or less flexible drive shaft. In addition, bolts of substantially triangular shape and sockets with a substantially triangular shape remain locked together irrespective of whether the drive shaft is rotated in the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. The drive shaft may be used as a hand tool, such as a screwdriver, or attached to a rotating tool such as a drill. The guide allows the user to adjust the position and depth of the distal end of the drive shaft during the treatments. to achieve a more or less flexible drive shaft. In addition, bolts of substantially triangular shape and sockets with a substantially triangular shape remain locked together irrespective of whether the drive shaft is rotated in the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. The drive shaft may be used as a hand tool, such as a screwdriver, or attached to a rotating tool such as a drill. The guide allows the user to adjust the position and depth of the distal end of the drive shaft during the treatments. to achieve a more or less flexible drive shaft. In addition, bolts of substantially triangular shape and sockets with a substantially triangular shape remain locked together irrespective of whether the drive shaft is rotated in the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. The drive shaft may be used as a hand tool, such as a screwdriver, or attached to a rotating tool such as a drill. The guide allows the user to adjust the position and depth of the distal end of the drive shaft during the treatments. they remain locked together regardless of whether the drive shaft is rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise. The drive shaft may be used as a hand tool, such as a screwdriver, or attached to a rotating tool such as a drill. The guide allows the user to adjust the position and depth of the distal end of the drive shaft during the treatments. they remain locked together regardless of whether the drive shaft is rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise. The drive shaft may be used as a hand tool, such as a screwdriver, or attached to a rotating tool such as a drill. The guide allows the user to adjust the position and depth of the distal end of the drive shaft during the treatments.

[0007] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become even more apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the following detailed description in connection with the drawings in which the illustrative embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an isometric perspective view of a flexible, cannulated drive shaft according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the dovetail section of the flexible, cannulated drive shaft according to the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a top view, unfolded, flat lay-down of the joining structure of the dovetail construction and a plan view of a flange of a dovetailed tail joint arrangement arranged in accordance with the present invention;

<td>Fig. 4, section 4 of Fig. 3;</td><td>transverse</td><td>sections</td><td>linking</td><td>along</td><td>line</td><td>4</td>

<td>Fig. 5, section 5 of Fig. 3;</td><td>transverse</td><td>sections</td><td>linking</td><td>along</td><td>line</td><td>5</td>

<td>Fig. 6, section 6 of Fig. 3;</td><td>transverse</td><td>sections</td><td>linking</td><td>along</td><td>line</td><td>6</td>

<td>Fig. 7, section 7 of Fig. 3;</td><td>transverse</td><td>sections</td><td>linking</td><td>along</td><td>line</td><td>7</td>

<td>Fig. 8, section 8 of Fig. 3;</td><td>transverse</td><td>sections</td><td>linking</td><td>along</td><td>line</td><td>8</td>

Fig. 9 a cross-sectional view of the joining section along line 9 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 10 is a side view of a screw driver having a flexible cannulated drive shaft according to the present invention;

Fig. 11 is a side view of an outer guide according to the present invention;

Fig. 12 is a side view of an inner guide according to the present invention;

Fig. 13 is a view of a flexible, cannulated view of the present invention, seen from the side of the drive shaft, according to which has a dovetail construction having bolts of substantially round shape and seats of substantially round shape;

Fig. 14 is a protective cover according to the present invention

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION [0009] For the purpose of describing a preferred embodiment of the invention, the terminology used with reference to the numbered components shown in the drawings is as follows:

drive shaft outer surface inner surface end machined end distal section connecting pin seat template (dovetail construction) tubular shaft notch edge screwdriver seam anchor handle hollow part external guide bumper seam head surface angled inward 22 surface directed at an angle outside 23 part inner seat side part of the bolt outer part of the bolt inner guide holder protective cover [0010] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a side perspective view of a flexible, cannulated drive shaft 1 according to the present invention and a side view of the connection sections 6 according to the present invention are shown respectively. of the present invention. The drive shaft 1 is preferably tubular and comprises an outer surface 2, an interior surface 3,

[0011] The pins 7 of one connecting section 6 are connected movably to the socket 8 of the second joining section 8 and vice versa. The pins 7, in a substantially triangular shape, and the seats 8, in a substantially triangular shape, connect the connecting sections together, allowing the drive shaft 1 to retain elasticity 1. Bolts 7, substantially triangular in shape, substantially opposite angles, and corresponding seats 8, triangular, they are cut out as shown further on

Figures 4 - 10) to provide increased flexibility and additionally lock the sections 6 together and prevent separation of the connecting sections. In addition, the pins 7, o and the seats 8, o remain blocked in a substantially triangular shape, substantially triangular in shape, together when the drive shaft 1 is rotated in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction.

[0012] Now with reference to Fig. 3, a top view, unfolded, flatly arranged joining section 6 of the dovetail structure 9 is shown, and top view of a lay flat opposite joining section 6 of the dovetail 9 structure according to the present invention. The flexible part of the drive shaft 1 is made by cutting out the connection sections 6 in the tubular shaft 10. Each cutout 11 is made around the entire circumference of the tubular shaft 10 to form a dovetail structure 9 comprising alternating bolts 7 of substantially triangular shape and a socket 8 , with a substantially triangular shape. Pins 7, of substantially triangular shape, and corresponding seats 8, of substantially triangular shape, are cut at opposite angles, to provide increased flexibility and additionally lock the sections 6 together and prevent separation of the connecting sections. Each pin 7, of triangular shape, has surfaces 21, directed at an angle inwards, and surfaces 22, directed at an angle to the outside, which correspond to surfaces 21, directed at an angle inwards and surfaces 22, directed at an angle to the outside, opposite seat 8 with a triangular shape. The surfaces 21 directed in an angled inward direction or the surfaces 22 directed at an angle outside can be arranged on the inner parts 23 of the seats 8, triangular in shape, side parts 24 of the pins 7, triangular in shape, or external parts 25 of the pins 7, triangular in shape . it has surfaces 21, directed at an angle inwards, and surfaces 22, directed at an angle to the outside, which correspond to surfaces 21, directed at an angle inwards and surfaces 22, directed at an angle outside, opposite seat 8 of triangular shape. The surfaces 21 directed in an angled inward direction or the surfaces 22 directed at an angle outside can be arranged on the inner parts 23 of the seats 8, triangular in shape, side parts 24 of the pins 7, triangular in shape, or external parts 25 of the pins 7, triangular in shape . it has surfaces 21, directed at an angle inwards, and surfaces 22, directed at an angle to the outside, which correspond to surfaces 21, directed at an angle inwards and surfaces 22, directed at an angle outside, opposite seat 8 of triangular shape. The surfaces 21 directed in an angled inward direction or the surfaces 22 directed at an angle outside can be arranged on the inner parts 23 of the seats 8, triangular in shape, side parts 24 of the pins 7, triangular in shape, or external parts 25 of the pins 7, triangular in shape . the opposite socket 8 with a triangular shape. The surfaces 21 directed in an angled inward direction or the surfaces 22 directed at an angle outside can be arranged on the inner parts 23 of the seats 8, triangular in shape, side parts 24 of the pins 7, triangular in shape, or external parts 25 of the pins 7, triangular in shape . the opposite socket 8 with a triangular shape. The surfaces 21 directed in an angled inward direction or the surfaces 22 directed at an angle outside can be arranged on the inner parts 23 of the seats 8, triangular in shape, side parts 24 of the pins 7, triangular in shape, or external parts 25 of the pins 7, triangular in shape .

[0013] Now with respect to the transverse connecting section in the surface 21 showing the interior, arranged on a triangular-shaped part.

[0014] Now with respect to the transversal joining section in the surface 22 showing the exterior, arranged on a triangular-shaped part.

[0015] Now with respect to the transverse connecting section in the surface 21 showing the interior, arranged on a triangular-shaped part.

[0016] Now with respect to the transversal joining section w to Fig. 4, a cross-sectional view of the lines 4 - 4 of Fig. 3, directed at an angle to the inner axes 23 of the seats 8 to Fig. 5, is shown in cross section of the lines 5 - 5 of Fig. 3, directed at an angle on sideways 24 of bolts 7 o to Fig. 6, cross-sectional view of the lines 6 - 6 of Fig. 3, directed at an angle to the outside of the bolts 7 to Fig. 7, showing a cross section of the line 7 - 7 of Fig. 3, showing the angled outwardly facing surfaces 22 disposed on the inner parts 23 of the slots 8 in a triangular shape.

[0017] Now with reference to Fig. 8, a cross-sectional view of the joining section along lines 8 - 8 of Fig. 3 showing the angled inwardly facing surfaces 21 located on the side portions 24 of the triangular shaped pins 7 is shown.

[0018] Now with reference to Fig. 9, a cross-sectional view of the joining section along line 9-9 of Fig. 3 showing the angled outwardly facing surfaces 22 located on the outer parts 25 of the triangular-shaped pins 7 is shown.

[0019] Referring now to Fig. 10, a side view of a screw driver 13 having a flexible cannulated drive shaft 1 according to the present invention is shown. The screwdriver 13 may be used to insert the bone anchor 14 into the bone. The screwdriver 13 includes a distal end 4 and a distal end 5. The handle 15 is arranged at the distal end 4 of the screwdriver 13. The flexible, cannulated drive shaft 1 extends outwardly from the distal end 5 of the handle 15. The hollow portion 16 of the handle 15 assumes the end of the outer guide 4 17 (as shown in Fig. 11) and works in conjunction with a stop 18 located on the guide 17 to control the distance the drive shaft 1 can extend from the distal end 5 of the guide 17. The head 19 is located at the distal end 5 of the drive shaft 1 it is used to connect to and to rotate the seam anchor.

[0020] Now with reference to Fig. 11, a side view of the outer guide 17 according to the present invention is shown. The outer guide 17 is preferably a tubular shaft having a distal end 4 and a distal end 5. The outer guide 17 can be bent and curved to control the position of the drive shaft 1 during the operations. The distal end 8 of the outer guide 17 is preferably sharp such that the sharp distal end can be inserted into the bone, thereby blocking the outer guide 17 at a predetermined location on the bone. The stopper 18 is located near the proximal end 4 of the outer guide 17. The hollow portion 16 of the handle 15 (as shown in Fig. 5) receives the distal end 4 of the outer guide 17 and works together with a stop 18 located on the guide 17,

[0021] Referring now to Fig. 12, a side view of an inner guide 26 according to the present invention is shown. The inner guide 17 is preferably a tubular shaft having a distal end 4 and a distal end 5. The holder 27 is preferably located at the distal end 4 of the inner guide 26. The inner guide 26 is preferably made of a shape memory alloy or any other shape memory material, which has an elastic effect, enabling the user to forge a constant curvature in a material that can be temporarily clamped when pressure is applied to the curvature. Inner guide 26 is used to adjust the position of the drive shaft 1 during operations. The curved section of the inner guide 26 can be temporarily tapered,

1.

[0022] Now with reference to Fig. 13, a side perspective view of a flexible drive shaft 1 according to the present invention is shown including a dovetail construction 9 having bolts 7 having a substantially round shape and a seat 8 of substantially round shape.

[0023] Finally, with reference to Fig. 14, a protective cover 28 according to the present invention is shown. The protective cover 28 is preferably made of plastic or rubber and is arranged around the cannulated drive shaft 1 to cover the connection sections 6. The protective cover 28 prevents stuffing gaps between the joining sections 6 with foreign substances.

[0024] It is understood that although a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing, it is not limited to the particular form or arrangement of the parts described and shown in the present description. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention should not be considered as limited to what has been described and shown in the description and drawings.

Lenkbar, LLC

Proxy:

77P38526PL00

EP 2 585 158 B1