Powered microsurgical tool
First Claim
1. A powered miniature tool comprising:
- work wheel means having an axis of rotation;
a casing member having a proximal end and a distal end;
means supporting said work wheel means for rotation about said axis adjacent said distal end of said casing member;
a flexible filament drive line within said casing member for imparting rotational movement to said work wheel means; and
drive means coupled to said flexible filament drive line adjacent said proximal end of said casing member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A miniature rotatable work wheel includes a cutting blade that is integrally formed with a drive hub and axle and mounted for rotatable movement at the end of a casing member. The casing member is a multi lumen tube. A single monofilament drive line is looped around the drive hub and extends through separate lumens of the multi lumened tube to a source of drive power. The drive hub has sharp corners and creates a positive drive connection with the monofilament drive line at the cutting blade. The hub also has a cupped cross section for inhibiting the monofilament drive line from riding off the hub. A drag load is applied to the payout end of the monofilament drive line close to the drive hub. The miniature powered surgical tool may be used with a catheter to incise occlusions in blood vessels for performing enhanced balloon angioplasties. It may also be used by a surgeon as a power scalpel. A milling type abrasive work wheel is disclosed as is an axially rotatable work wheel and a low friction drive system.
138 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A powered miniature tool comprising:
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work wheel means having an axis of rotation; a casing member having a proximal end and a distal end; means supporting said work wheel means for rotation about said axis adjacent said distal end of said casing member; a flexible filament drive line within said casing member for imparting rotational movement to said work wheel means; and drive means coupled to said flexible filament drive line adjacent said proximal end of said casing member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A powered miniature tool comprising:
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a circular work wheel including a drive hub and an axle; a casing member having a proximal end and a distal end; bearing means supporting said axle in said distal end of said casing member; a flexible monofilament drive line including pay out and take up strands in said casing member, and being coupled to said drive hub for imparting rotational movement to said circular work wheel; motor drive means coupled to said flexible monofilament drive line adjacent said proximal end of said casing member; and means for minimizing frictional loading on said flexible monofilament drive line in said casing member. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A powered miniature surgical cutter comprising:
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a multi lumened tube having a proximal and a distal end; a circular blade, a drive hub and an axle mounted at said distal end of said tube; said circular blade having a diameter such that at least a portion thereof extends beyond the wall of said tube; a monofilament drive line coupled to said drive hub via one lumen of said tube and extending back through said tube via another lumen; means near said distal end of said tube for tensioning said monofilament drive line; and means at said proximal end of said tube for pulling said monofilament drive line to rotate said circular blade.
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Specification