Torque limiting device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A surgical device comprising:
- a rod having a first end and a second end;
a surgical implement attached to the first end of the rod;
a handle positioned near the second end of the rod;
a first surface attached to the rod; and
a second surface attached to the handle, the second surface in frictional contact with the first surface such that a rotation of the handle causes a rotation of the rod, wherein when the rotation of the handle exceeds a maximum torque, the second surface disengages from the first surface, so that the rotation of the handle does not cause rotation of the rod.
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Abstract
Torque limiting devices, tools comprising torque limiting devices and methods for using torque limiting devices are disclosed. In an embodiment, a torque limiting device comprises a first and a second surface disposed in substantially adjacent parallel planar relationship such that within a predetermined torque range the first and second surface rotate together such than a torque applied to the first surface is translated to the second surface. When the torque applied exceeds a certain critical torque, the first and second surfaces slip and therefore the excessive torque is not transferred.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A surgical device comprising:
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a rod having a first end and a second end;
a surgical implement attached to the first end of the rod;
a handle positioned near the second end of the rod;
a first surface attached to the rod; and
a second surface attached to the handle, the second surface in frictional contact with the first surface such that a rotation of the handle causes a rotation of the rod, wherein when the rotation of the handle exceeds a maximum torque, the second surface disengages from the first surface, so that the rotation of the handle does not cause rotation of the rod. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A surgical device comprising:
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a rod comprising a first section and a second section, the first section rotatably connected to the second section;
an implement attached to the first section of the rod;
a handle attached to the second section of the rod;
a first plate attached to the first section of the rod, the first plate having a depression;
a second plate attached to the second section of the rod, the second plate raised portion of substantially the same size and shape as the depression of the first plate;
a housing that defines a cavity, the first plate and second plate fitting inside the cavity and the first plate restrained within the housing by a ledge; and
a compression spring disposed between a cap of the housing and a surface of the second plate such that the spring pushes the second plate longitudinally away from the cap of the housing, wherein the raised portion of the second plate engages with the depression of the first plate when the raised portion and the depression are aligned, so that a rotation of the second section of the rod causes a rotation of the first section of the rod, and wherein when the rotation of the second section of the rod exceeds a maximum torque, the spring compresses and the raised portion of the second plate disengages from the depression of the first plate, so that the rotation of the second section does not cause rotation of the first section. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A surgical device comprising:
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a rod;
a surgical implement attached to a first end of the rod;
a handle positioned near a second end of the rod;
a ball plunger attached to the handle, the ball plunger comprising a ball housed in a cylinder and pushed longitudinally by a spring contained within the cylinder; and
a disk attached to the rod, the disk having a depression of substantially the same size and shape as the ball of the ball plunger, wherein the ball of the ball plunger may fit into the depression of the disk so that a rotation of the handle causes rotation of the rod, and wherein when the rotation of the handle exceeds a maximum torque, the spring of the ball plunger compresses and the ball of the ball plunger rises out of the depression of the disk, so that the rotation of the handle does not cause rotation of the rod. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for using a surgical tool having a torque limiting device comprising the steps of:
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inserting a surgical tool having a rod, a surgical implement, and a handle into a body;
positioning the surgical implement at a desired location within the body;
applying a torque to the handle;
reengaging the tool after an excessive torque is applied to the handle. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification