Blade assembly receptacle and method
First Claim
1. A receptacle for holding an end portion of a tool, said receptacle being adapted to facilitate handling of said tool for installation of said tool into a reusable device or for removal of said tool from a reusable device, said receptacle comprising:
- a receptacle body shaped to accommodate said end portion of said tool, said receptacle body having at one end a surface defining a passageway with a passageway axis positioned to receive said end portion of said tool; and
a receiving member for receiving at least a portion of said end portion of said tool, said receiving member being engaged said receptacle body and positioned adjacent to an end of said receptacle body substantially opposite from said passageway, said receiving member being longitudinally movable with respect to said receptacle body along a member axis that substantially corresponds to said passageway axis, said receiving member having an external portion positioned for access from outside said receptacle body for manipulation of said receiving member, and said receiving member having an internal portion positioned within said receptacle body and means for releasably engaging said end portion of said tool to prevent longitudinal movement of said tool with respect to said receiving member.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A receptacle is provided for a removable and replaceable tool of a reusable device. The receptacle has a receptacle body shaped to accommodate a portion of the tool. A passageway is provided at one end of the receptacle body and a receiving member is provided at the other end of the receptacle body. The receiving member is mounted for reciprocal movement with respect to the receptacle body. An exterior end portion of the receiving member is positioned outside the receptacle body for manipulation of the receiving member. An internal end portion is positioned within the receptacle body and is shaped to engage a portion of the tool. Also provided is a method for removing a removable and replaceable tool from a reusable device.
218 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A receptacle for holding an end portion of a tool, said receptacle being adapted to facilitate handling of said tool for installation of said tool into a reusable device or for removal of said tool from a reusable device, said receptacle comprising:
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a receptacle body shaped to accommodate said end portion of said tool, said receptacle body having at one end a surface defining a passageway with a passageway axis positioned to receive said end portion of said tool; and a receiving member for receiving at least a portion of said end portion of said tool, said receiving member being engaged said receptacle body and positioned adjacent to an end of said receptacle body substantially opposite from said passageway, said receiving member being longitudinally movable with respect to said receptacle body along a member axis that substantially corresponds to said passageway axis, said receiving member having an external portion positioned for access from outside said receptacle body for manipulation of said receiving member, and said receiving member having an internal portion positioned within said receptacle body and means for releasably engaging said end portion of said tool to prevent longitudinal movement of said tool with respect to said receiving member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A receptacle for holding an end portion of a tool, said receptacle being adapted to facilitate handling of said tool for installation or removal of said tool with respect to a reusable device having a manipulator with an operative end portion positioned adjacent to said tool after installation of said tool, said receptacle comprising:
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a receptacle body shaped to accommodate said end portion of said tool and an operative end portion of a manipulator, said receptacle body having at one end a surface defining a passageway with a passageway axis positioned to receive said end portion of said tool and an operative end portion of a manipulator; and a receiving member for receiving at least a portion of said end portion of said tool, said receiving member being engaged by said receptacle body and position adjacent to an end of said receptacle body substantially opposite from said passageway, said receiving member being longitudinally movable with respect to said receptacle body along a member axis that substantially corresponds to said passageway axis, said receiving member having an external portion positioned for access from outside said receptacle body for manipulation of said receiving member, and said receiving member having an internal portion positioned within said receptacle body and means for releasably engaging said end portion of said tool to prevent longitudinal movement of said tool with respect to said receiving member. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A method for removing a tool from a reusable device while preventing contact between an operator of a reusable device and an end portion of said tool, said method comprising the steps of;
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(a) providing a receptacle having a surface defining a passageway shaped to receive said end portion of said tool, said receptacle also having a receiving member engaged by said receptacle for reciprocal longitudinal movement with respect to said receptacle, said receiving member having an end portion positioned within said receptacle that is shaped to releasably engage said end portion of said tool to present longitudinal movement of said tool with respect to said receiving member, and said receiving member having an end portion that is accessible from outside said receptacle for manipulating said receiving member; (b) inserting said end portion of said tool into said passageway defined by said receptacle; (c) moving said receiving member longitudinally with respect to said receptacle to releasably engage said end portion of said tool by manipulating said end portion of said receiving member that is accessible from outside said receptacle; (d) releasing said tool from a reusable device; and (e) removing said tool, together with said receptacle, from a reusable device by moving said receptacle longitudinally with respect to a reusable device while retaining said end portion of said tool within said receptacle.
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13. An article for containing an operative portion of a surgical blade, said operative portion of said surgical blade being substantially flat and having a cutting edge, said article comprising:
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mating cover components having a closed position with said cover components contacting one another, wherein said cover components in said closed position define a cavity shaped to accommodate said operative portion of said surgical blade, said cover components also having an open position with at least a portion of one of said cover components separated from another one of said cover components, wherein said cover components in said open position provide access to said cavity; and a detent connected to at least one of said cover components and positioned to engage said surgical blade, said detent including a surface oriented to contact said surgical blade and prevent lengthwise movement of said surgical blade with respect to said article; wherein said cover components in said closed position surround said cutting edge on said operative portion of said surgical blade and prevent contact between said cutting edge and an operator of said article. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification