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Medical instrument and coupling apparatus for same

  • US 5,464,300 A
  • Filed: 10/15/1993
  • Issued: 11/07/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/29/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A medical instrument, comprising:

  • handle means for manipulating the instrument;

    a tool head;

    a tube element for joining the handle means and the tool head, the tube element having a first end and a second end;

    first coupling means for releasably coupling the first end of the tube element and the handle means in a coupled position wherein the tube element is rotatable relative to the handle means after could, and wherein the first coupling means comprises;

    an insertion member;

    a receiving member sized to receive the insertion member, each of the tube element and handle means being connected to one of the insertion member and the receiving member;

    engaging means disposed on the insertion member and the receiving member for rotatably coupling the insertion member with the receiving member, the engaging means being rotatable between an engaged position wherein the insertion member and the receiving member engaged against longitudinal separation, and a disengaged position wherein the receiving member and the insertion member can be longitudinally separated;

    locking means for rotatably locking the engaging means, the locking means being positionable between a locked position wherein the engaging means is engaged throughout an entire rotation of the insertion member relative to the receiving member, and an unlocked position wherein the insertion member can be rotated relative to the receiving member to the disengaged position; and

    second coupling means for releasably coupling the second end of the tube element and the tool head in a coupled position wherein the tool head is not rotatable relative to the tube element after coupling, whereby the tool head, tube element and handle means are all readily separable from each other.

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