Rotatable attachment mechanism for attaching a medical obstruction treatment device sub-assembly to a drive motor unit

• US 6,066,152 A
• Filed: 12/21/1998
• Issued: 05/23/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Micro Therapeutics, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Ricci, Charles J., Strauss, Brian M., Pecor, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Goldberg, Jonathan D.
• Application Number:
  US09/217,784
• Time in Patent Office: 519 Days
• Field of Search: 606/170, 606/171, 606/172, 606/173, 606/180, 15/28, 15/167.2, 15/179
• US Class Current: 606/170
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320758 with a rotating cutting instrument, e.g. motor driven A61B17/320725, A61B17/32075 and A61B17/320783 take precedence; for removing intra-ocular material A61F9/00763; endoscopic rotatable cutting instruments A61B17/32002
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320012 Brushes

Abstract

A miniaturized obstruction treatment device, e.g., a resilient brush, particularly adapted for medical use formed at the distal end of an elongated brush drive shaft having a hollow lumen formed therein for introduction over a guidewire. The brush drive shaft is enclosed in the lumen of a brush delivery catheter, and the brush is adapted to be garaged in a distal end section of the brush delivery catheter lumen. A Y-connector and a brush sub-assembly connector are attached to the proximal end of the brush delivery catheter and form a brush sub-assembly with the brush drive shaft and brush. The Y-connector allows infusion of thrombolytic agents into the brush delivery catheter lumen for emission at the distal end opening thereof adjacent the brush. In use, the brush sub-assembly connector connects the brush sub-assembly with a drive motor unit connector of a drive motor unit. The drive motor unit receives the proximal end of the drive shaft and rotates it to rotate the brush bristles. The brush and brush drive shaft distal section are automatically extended out of the catheter lumen distal end opening when the sub-assembly connector and the drive motor unit connector positively lock together. Simultaneously, a drive hub of the brush drive shaft locks into a drive chuck of a drive motor unit to enable rotation of the drive shaft, and the drive shaft proximal end is seated in a dynamic seal that inhibits infiltration of blood and thrombolytic agent into the drive motor housing.

Claims

1. A motor and brush assembly preferably for use in a medical procedure at a site within a patient'"'"'s body comprising:

a brush sub-assembly comprising;

an elongated, flexible, rotatable brush drive shaft extending between a proximal drive shaft end and a distal drive shaft end;

a brush formed in a distal portion of the brush drive shaft;

a proximal drive member formed in a proximal portion of said brush drive shaft;

an elongated, flexible, brush delivery catheter extending between a proximal catheter end and a distal catheter end and formed with a catheter lumen extending between proximal and distal catheter lumen end openings at the proximal and distal catheter ends;

fitting means for fitting a distal drive shaft section of said brush drive shaft within said catheter lumen and for extending said proximal drive member proximally of said proximal catheter lumen end opening for allowing rotation of said brush drive shaft with respect to said brush delivery catheter; and

a brush sub-assembly connector having a proximal seat extending proximally from said fitting means through which said proximal drive member extends proximally; and

a drive motor unit adapted to be coupled with said brush sub-assembly to effect rotation of said brush drive shaft further comprising;

a drive motor housing containing a drive motor lumen extending between drive motor lumen proximal and distal end openings in said drive motor housing, said drive motor lumen dimensioned to receive said proximal drive member;

drive means located within said drive motor housing for engaging said proximal drive member when it is inserted through said distal drive motor lumen end opening and into said drive motor lumen and for rotating said drive shaft; and

a drive motor unit connector having a drive motor unit receptacle for engaging said brush sub-assembly proximal seat as said proximal drive member is advanced proximally through said distal drive motor lumen end opening and into said drive motor lumen to seat said proximal drive member in said drive motor lumen and retain said proximal drive member in engagement with said drive means located within said drive motor housing, said drive motor unit connector and said brush sub-assembly connector cooperatively allowing slidable rotation of said proximal seat with respect to said drive motor unit receptacle to a selected angular alignment of said brush sub-assembly to said drive motor unit while maintaining said proximal drive member seated in said drive motor lumen and in engagement with said drive means.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein:

said fitting means of said brush sub-assembly further comprises an adaptor having an adaptor body axially aligned with said brush delivery catheter and enclosing an adaptor lumen aligned axially with said catheter lumen and coupled with said proximal catheter lumen end opening having and a side port extending laterally to the adaptor body and the axial direction of said brush drive shaft having a side port lumen for coupling with a source of diagnostic or therapeutic agent for introduction of such diagnostic or therapeutic agent into said brush delivery catheter lumen for transmission through said catheter lumen alongside said distal drive shaft section within said catheter lumen and emission from said catheter lumen distal end opening; and

said drive motor unit connector and said brush sub-assembly allow rotation of said brush sub-assembly with respect to said drive motor unit to any selected angular alignment to accommodate the direction that the side port extends when coupled with the source of diagnostic or therapeutic agent.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein:

said drive means further comprises a drive motor and power supply coupled to said drive motor through a switch that is manually engageable while said drive motor housing is manipulated to rotate said brush drive shaft; and

said drive motor unit connector and said brush sub-assembly allow rotation of said brush sub-assembly with respect to said drive motor unit to any selected angular alignment to accommodate the direction that the side port extends when coupled with the source of diagnostic or therapeutic agent and to enable the manipulation of the motor drive housing and operation of the switch.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein:

said drive motor unit connector is formed in said drive motor unit housing in relation to said drive motor lumen distal end opening with a camming surface extending away from said drive motor unit receptacle to an annular retention groove in said drive motor unit housing located a predetermined distance proximally from said drive motor lumen distal end opening; and

said brush sub-assembly connector comprises a clip connector further comprising;

a clip connector barrel enclosing a clip connector lumen that is axially aligned to the adaptor lumen, the clip connector lumen receiving an intermediate drive shaft section of said drive shaft intermediate said proximal drive member and said distal drive shaft section, said clip connector lumen extending to a proximal end opening thereof within said proximal seat and adapted to be aligned to said drive motor lumen distal end opening upon attachment of said brush sub-assembly connector with said drive motor unit connector; and

a moment arm joined by a resilient hinge to the clip connector barrel extending outward of the clip connector barrel, the moment arm extending proximally from said resilient hinge alongside said proximal drive member to a free clip end that is turned radially inward toward said proximal drive member and located substantially at said predetermined distance proximal to said proximal annular seat,

whereby insertion of said proximal drive shaft end through said drive motor lumen distal end opening and proximal advancement of said proximal drive member through said drive motor lumen brings said free clip end into contact with said camming surface to bias said free clip end radially away from said proximal drive member against said resilient hinge until said free clip end engages said annular retention groove and said proximal seat is seated within said drive motor lumen distal end opening, whereupon said brush sub-assembly and said drive motor unit can be rotated with respect to one another as said free clip end traverses and is retained in said annular retention groove.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein said clip connector further comprises:

a finger grip formed in a distal extension of said moment arm extending distally from said resilient hinge alongside said barrel, whereby said free clip end can be retracted away and released from said retention groove by depression of said finger grip toward said barrel in order to retract said proximal drive member from said drive motor lumen.

6. The assembly of claim 3, wherein:

said drive motor unit connector is formed in said drive motor unit housing in relation to said drive motor lumen distal end opening with a camming surface extending away from said drive motor lumen distal end opening to an annular retention groove in said drive motor unit housing located a predetermined distance proximally from said drive motor lumen distal end opening; and

said brush sub-assembly connector comprises a clip connector further comprising;

a clip connector barrel enclosing a clip connector lumen that is axially aligned to the Adaptor lumen, the clip connector lumen receiving an intermediate drive shaft section of said drive shaft intermediate said proximal drive member and said distal drive shaft section, said clip connector lumen extending to a proximal end opening thereof within said proximal seat and adapted to be aligned to said drive motor lumen distal end opening upon attachment of said brush sub-assembly connector with said drive motor unit connector; and

a first moment arm joined by a first resilient hinge to the clip connector barrel at a first hinge location extending outward of the clip connector barrel, the first moment arm extending proximally from said first resilient hinge alongside said proximal drive member to a first free clip end that is turned radially inward toward said proximal drive member and located substantially at said predetermined distance proximal to said proximal annular seat; and

a second moment arm joined by a second resilient hinge to the clip connector barrel at a second hinge location extending outward of the clip connector barrel disposed at 180°

to said first hinge location, the second moment arm extending proximally from said second resilient hinge alongside said proximal drive member to a second free clip end that is turned radially inward toward said proximal drive member and located substantially at said predetermined distance proximal to said proximal annular seat,

whereby insertion of said proximal drive shaft end through said drive motor lumen distal end opening and proximal advancement of said proximal drive member through said drive motor lumen brings said first and second free clip ends into contact with said camming surface to bias said first and second free clip ends radially away from said proximal drive member against said first resilient hinge until said first and second free clip ends engage said annular retention groove and said proximal seat is seated within said drive motor receptacle surrounding said drive motor lumen distal end opening, whereupon said brush sub-assembly and said drive motor unit can be rotated with respect to one another through as said first and second free clip ends traverse and are retained in said annular retention groove.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein said clip connector further comprises:

a first finger grip formed in a distal extension of said first moment arm extending distally from said first resilient hinge along one side of said barrel; and

a second finger grip formed in a distal extension of said second moment arm extending distally from said second resilient hinge along an opposite side of said barrel,

whereby said first and second free clip ends can be retracted away and released from said retention groove by depression of said first and second finger grips toward said barrel in order to retract said proximal drive member from said drive motor lumen.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein:

said drive motor unit connector is formed in said drive motor unit housing in relation to said drive motor lumen distal end opening with a camming surface extending away from said drive motor lumen distal end opening to an annular retention groove in said drive motor unit housing located a predetermined distance proximally from said drive motor lumen distal end opening; and

said brush sub-assembly connector comprises a clip connector further comprising;

a clip connector barrel enclosing a clip connector lumen that is axially aligned to the adaptor lumen, the clip connector lumen receiving an intermediate drive shaft section of said drive shaft intermediate said proximal drive member and said distal drive shaft section, said clip connector lumen extending to a proximal end opening thereof within said proximal seat and adapted to be aligned to said drive motor lumen distal end opening upon attachment of said brush sub-assembly connector with said drive motor unit connector; and

a moment arm joined by a resilient hinge to the clip connector barrel extending outward of the clip connector barrel, the moment arm extending proximally from said resilient hinge alongside said proximal drive member to a free clip end that is turned radially inward toward said proximal drive member and located substantially at said predetermined distance proximal to said proximal annular seat,

whereby insertion of said proximal drive shaft end through said drive motor lumen distal end opening and proximal advancement of said proximal drive member through said drive motor lumen brings said free clip end into contact with said camming surface to bias said free clip end radially away from said proximal drive member against said resilient hinge until said free clip end engages said annular retention groove and said proximal seat is seated against said drive motor unit receptacle surrounding said drive motor lumen distal end opening, whereupon said brush sub-assembly and said drive motor unit can be rotated with respect to one another as said free clip end traverses and is retained in said annular retention groove.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein said clip connector further comprises:

a finger grip formed in a distal extension of said moment arm extending distally from said resilient hinge alongside said barrel, whereby said free clip end can be retracted away and released from said retention groove by depression of said finger grip toward said barrel in order to retract said proximal drive member from said drive motor lumen.

10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein:

said drive motor unit connector is formed in said drive motor unit housing in relation to said drive motor lumen distal end opening with a camming surface extending away from said drive motor lumen distal end opening to an annular retention groove in said drive motor unit housing located a predetermined distance proximally from said drive motor lumen distal end opening; and

said brush sub-assembly connector comprises a clip connector further comprising;

a clip connector barrel enclosing a clip connector lumen that is axially aligned to the adaptor lumen, the clip connector lumen receiving an intermediate drive shaft section of said drive shaft intermediate said proximal drive member and said distal drive shaft section, said clip connector lumen extending to a proximal end opening thereof within said proximal seat and adapted to be aligned to said drive motor lumen distal end opening upon attachment of said brush sub-assembly connector with said drive motor unit connector; and

a first moment arm joined by a first resilient hinge to the clip connector barrel at a first hinge location extending outward of the clip connector barrel, the first moment arm extending proximally from said first resilient hinge alongside said proximal drive member to a first free clip end that is turned radially inward toward said proximal drive member and located substantially at said predetermined distance proximal to said proximal annular seat; and

a second moment arm joined by a second resilient hinge to the clip connector barrel at a second hinge location extending outward of the clip connector barrel disposed at 180°

to said first hinge location, the second moment arm extending proximally from said second resilient hinge alongside said proximal drive member to a second free clip end that is turned radially inward toward said proximal drive member and located substantially at said predetermined distance proximal to said proximal annular seat,

whereby insertion of said proximal drive shaft end through said drive motor lumen distal end opening and proximal advancement of said proximal drive member through said drive motor lumen brings said first and second free clip ends into contact with said camming surface to bias said first and second free clip ends radially away from said proximal drive member against said first resilient hinge until said first and second free clip ends engage said annular retention groove and said proximal seat is seated within said drive motor unit receptacle surrounding said drive motor lumen distal end opening, whereupon said brush sub-assembly and said drive motor unit can be rotated with respect to one another as said first and second free clip ends traverse and are retained in said annular retention groove.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein said clip connector further comprises:

a first finger grip formed in a distal extension of said first moment arm extending distally from said first resilient hinge along one side of said barrel; and

a second finger grip formed in a distal extension of said second moment arm extending distally from said second resilient hinge along an opposite side of said barrel,

whereby said first and second free clip ends can be retracted away and released from said retention groove by depression of said first and second finger grips toward said barrel in order to retract said proximal drive member from said drive motor lumen.

12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein:

said drive motor unit connector comprises first and second moment arms that are hinged with respect to said drive motor unit receptacle, said first and second moment arms extending proximally from first and second hinges to first and second finger grips, respectively, and extending to first and second arcuate clips that extend inward into the annular drive motor unit receptacle in the unstressed position of the moment arms;

said brush sub-assembly connector comprises a barrel surrounding a barrel lumen terminating in an enlarged annular proximal seat formed with a distal rim adapted to be engaged by said first and second arcuate clips when said proximal seat is received within said annular receptacle,

whereby said first and second finger grips are adapted to be depressed inward toward the drive motor unit housing to move the arcuate clips outward so that the annular proximal seat can be inserted into the annular proximally extending receptacle and said first and second arcuate clips engage the distal rim on release of the tension applied to said first and second finger grips.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein said drive motor unit connector further comprises a resilient O-ring inserted within the annular proximally extending receptacle to provide a resilient seating engagement with the annular proximal seat of the barrel so that the arcuate clips force the annular proximal seat against the O-ring to compress it slightly, and the compressed O-ring tensions the attachment between the arcuate clips and the distal rim.

14. A motor and obstruction treatment device assembly preferably for use in a medical procedure at a site within a patient'"'"'s body comprising:

an obstruction treatment device sub-assembly comprising;

an elongated, flexible, rotatable obstruction treatment device drive shaft extending between a proximal drive shaft end and a distal drive shaft end;

an obstruction treatment device formed in a distal portion of the obstruction treatment device drive shaft;

a proximal drive member formed in a proximal portion of said obstruction treatment device drive shaft;

an elongated, flexible, obstruction treatment device delivery catheter extending between a proximal catheter end and a distal catheter end and formed with a catheter lumen extending between proximal and distal catheter lumen end openings at the proximal and distal catheter ends;

fitting means for fitting a distal drive shaft section of said obstruction treatment device drive shaft within said catheter lumen and for extending said proximal drive member proximally of said proximal catheter lumen end opening for allowing rotation of said obstruction treatment device drive shaft with respect to said obstruction treatment device delivery catheter; and

an obstruction treatment device sub-assembly connector having a proximal seat extending proximally from said fitting means through which said proximal drive member extends proximally; and

a drive motor unit adapted to be coupled with said obstruction treatment device sub-assembly to effect rotation of said obstruction treatment device drive shaft further comprising;

a drive motor housing containing a drive motor lumen extending between drive motor lumen proximal and distal end openings in said drive motor housing, said drive motor lumen dimensioned to receive said proximal drive member;

drive means located within said drive motor housing for engaging said proximal drive member when it is inserted through said distal drive motor lumen end opening and into said drive motor lumen and for rotating said drive shaft; and

a drive motor unit connector having a drive motor unit receptacle for engaging said obstruction treatment device sub-assembly proximal seat as said proximal drive member is advanced proximally through said distal drive motor lumen end opening and into said drive motor lumen to seat said proximal drive member in said drive motor lumen and retain said proximal drive member in engagement with said drive means located within said drive motor housing, said drive motor unit connector and said obstruction treatment device sub-assembly connector cooperatively allowing slidable rotation of said proximal seat with respect to said drive motor unit receptacle to a selected angular alignment of said obstruction treatment device sub-assembly to said drive motor unit while maintaining said proximal drive member seated in said drive motor lumen and in engagement with said drive means.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein:

said fitting means of said obstruction treatment device sub-assembly further comprises an adaptor having an adaptor body axially aligned with said obstruction treatment device delivery catheter and enclosing an adaptor lumen aligned axially with said catheter lumen and coupled with said proximal catheter lumen end opening having and a side port extending laterally to the adaptor body and the axial direction of said obstruction treatment device drive shaft having a side port lumen for coupling with a source of diagnostic or therapeutic agent for introduction of such diagnostic or therapeutic agent into said obstruction treatment device delivery catheter lumen for transmission through said catheter lumen alongside said distal drive shaft section within said catheter lumen and emission from said catheter lumen distal end opening; and

said drive motor unit connector and said obstruction treatment device sub-assembly allow rotation of said obstruction treatment device sub-assembly with respect to said drive motor unit to any selected angular alignment to accommodate the direction that the side port extends when coupled with the source of diagnostic or therapeutic agent.

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein:

said drive means further comprises a drive motor and power supply coupled to said drive motor through a switch that is manually engageable while said drive motor housing is manipulated to rotate said obstruction treatment device drive shaft; and

said drive motor unit connector and said obstruction treatment device sub-assembly allow rotation of said obstruction treatment device sub-assembly with respect to said drive motor unit to any selected angular alignment to accommodate the direction that the side port extends when coupled with the source of diagnostic or therapeutic agent and to enable the manipulation of the motor drive housing and operation of the switch.

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein:

said drive motor unit connector is formed in said drive motor unit housing in relation to said drive motor lumen distal end opening with a camming surface extending away from said drive motor unit receptacle to an annular retention groove in said drive motor unit housing located a predetermined distance proximally from said drive motor lumen distal end opening; and

said obstruction treatment device sub-assembly connector comprises a clip connector further comprising;

a clip connector barrel enclosing a clip connector lumen that is axially aligned to the adaptor lumen, the clip connector lumen receiving an intermediate drive shaft section of said drive shaft intermediate said proximal drive member and said distal drive shaft section, said clip connector lumen extending to a proximal end opening thereof within said proximal seat and adapted to be aligned to said drive motor lumen distal end opening upon attachment of said obstruction treatment device sub-assembly connector with said drive motor unit connector; and

a moment arm joined by a resilient hinge to the clip connector barrel extending outward of the clip connector barrel, the moment arm extending proximally from said resilient hinge alongside said proximal drive member to a free clip end that is turned radially inward toward said proximal drive member and located substantially at said predetermined distance proximal to said proximal annular seat,

whereby insertion of said proximal drive shaft end through said drive motor lumen distal end opening and proximal advancement of said proximal drive member through said drive motor lumen brings said free clip end into contact with said camming surface to bias said free clip end radially away from said proximal drive member against said resilient hinge until said free clip end engages said annular retention groove and said proximal seat is seated within said drive motor lumen distal end opening, whereupon said obstruction treatment device sub-assembly and said drive motor unit can be rotated with respect to one another as said free clip end traverses and is retained in said annular retention groove.

18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein said clip connector further comprises:

a finger grip formed in a distal extension of said moment arm extending distally from said resilient hinge alongside said barrel, whereby said free clip end can be retracted away and released from said retention groove by depression of said finger grip toward said barrel in order to retract said proximal drive member from said drive motor lumen.

19. The assembly of claim 16, wherein:

said drive motor unit connector is formed in said drive motor unit housing in relation to said drive motor lumen distal end opening with a camming surface extending away from said drive motor lumen distal end opening to an annular retention groove in said drive motor unit housing located a predetermined distance proximally from said drive motor lumen distal end opening; and

said obstruction treatment device sub-assembly connector comprises a clip connector further comprising;

a clip connector barrel enclosing a clip connector lumen that is axially aligned to the Adaptor lumen, the clip connector lumen receiving an intermediate drive shaft section of said drive shaft intermediate said proximal drive member and said distal drive shaft section, said clip connector lumen extending to a proximal end opening thereof within said proximal seat and adapted to be aligned to said drive motor lumen distal end opening upon attachment of said obstruction treatment device sub-assembly connector with said drive motor unit connector; and

a first moment arm joined by a first resilient hinge to the clip connector barrel at a first hinge location extending outward of the clip connector barrel, the first moment arm extending proximally from said first resilient hinge alongside said proximal drive member to a first free clip end that is turned radially inward toward said proximal drive member and located substantially at said predetermined distance proximal to said proximal annular seat; and

a second moment arm joined by a second resilient hinge to the clip connector barrel at a second hinge location extending outward of the clip connector barrel disposed at 180°

to said first hinge location, the second moment arm extending proximally from said second resilient hinge alongside said proximal drive member to a second free clip end that is turned radially inward toward said proximal drive member and located substantially at said predetermined distance proximal to said proximal annular seat,

whereby insertion of said proximal drive shaft end through said drive motor lumen distal end opening and proximal advancement of said proximal drive member through said drive motor lumen brings said first and second free clip ends into contact with said camming surface to bias said first and second free clip ends radially away from said proximal drive member against said first resilient hinge until said first and second free clip ends engage said annular retention groove and said proximal seat is seated within said drive motor receptacle surrounding said drive motor lumen distal end opening, whereupon said obstruction treatment device sub-assembly and said drive motor unit can be rotated with respect to one another through as said first and second free clip ends traverse and are retained in said annular retention groove.

20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein said clip connector further comprises:

a first finger grip formed in a distal extension of said first moment arm extending distally from said first resilient hinge along one side of said barrel; and

a second finger grip formed in a distal extension of said second moment arm extending distally from said second resilient hinge along an opposite side of said barrel,

whereby said first and second free clip ends can be retracted away and released from said retention groove by depression of said first and second finger grips toward said barrel in order to retract said proximal drive member from said drive motor lumen.

21. The assembly of claim 14, wherein:

said drive motor unit connector is formed in said drive motor unit housing in relation to said drive motor lumen distal end opening with a camming surface extending away from said drive motor lumen distal end opening to an annular retention groove in said drive motor unit housing located a predetermined distance proximally from said drive motor lumen distal end opening; and

said obstruction treatment device sub-assembly connector comprises a clip connector further comprising;

a clip connector barrel enclosing a clip connector lumen that is axially aligned to the adaptor lumen, the clip connector lumen receiving an intermediate drive shaft section of said drive shaft intermediate said proximal drive member and said distal drive shaft section, said clip connector lumen extending to a proximal end opening thereof within said proximal seat and adapted to be aligned to said drive motor lumen distal end opening upon attachment of said obstruction treatment device sub-assembly connector with said drive motor unit connector; and

a moment arm joined by a resilient hinge to the clip connector barrel extending outward of the clip connector barrel, the moment arm extending proximally from said resilient hinge alongside said proximal drive member to a free clip end that is turned radially inward toward said proximal drive member and located substantially at said predetermined distance proximal to said proximal annular seat,

whereby insertion of said proximal drive shaft end through said drive motor lumen distal end opening and proximal advancement of said proximal drive member through said drive motor lumen brings said free clip end into contact with said camming surface to bias said free clip end radially away from said proximal drive member against said resilient hinge until said free clip end engages said annular retention groove and said proximal seat is seated against said drive motor unit receptacle surrounding said drive motor lumen distal end opening, whereupon said obstruction treatment device sub-assembly and said drive motor unit can be rotated with respect to one another as said free clip end traverses and is retained in said annular retention groove.

22. The assembly of claim 21, wherein said clip connector further comprises:

a finger grip formed in a distal extension of said moment arm extending distally from said resilient hinge alongside said barrel, whereby said free clip end can be retracted away and released from said retention groove by depression of said finger grip toward said barrel in order to retract said proximal drive member from said drive motor lumen.

23. The assembly of claim 14, wherein:

said drive motor unit connector is formed in said drive motor unit housing in relation to said drive motor lumen distal end opening with a camming surface extending away from said drive motor lumen distal end opening to an annular retention groove in said drive motor unit housing located a predetermined distance proximally from said drive motor lumen distal end opening; and

said obstruction treatment device sub-assembly connector comprises a clip connector further comprising;

a clip connector barrel enclosing a clip connector lumen that is axially aligned to the adaptor lumen, the clip connector lumen receiving an intermediate drive shaft section of said drive shaft intermediate said proximal drive member and said distal drive shaft section, said clip connector lumen extending to a proximal end opening thereof within said proximal seat and adapted to be aligned to said drive motor lumen distal end opening upon attachment of said obstruction treatment device sub-assembly connector with said drive motor unit connector; and

a first moment arm joined by a first resilient hinge to the clip connector barrel at a first hinge location extending outward of the clip connector barrel, the first moment arm extending proximally from said first resilient hinge alongside said proximal drive member to a first free clip end that is turned radially inward toward said proximal drive member and located substantially at said predetermined distance proximal to said proximal annular seat; and

a second moment arm joined by a second resilient hinge to the clip connector barrel at a second hinge location extending outward of the clip connector barrel disposed at 180°

to said first hinge location, the second moment arm extending proximally from said second resilient hinge alongside said proximal drive member to a second free clip end that is turned radially inward toward said proximal drive member and located substantially at said predetermined distance proximal to said proximal annular seat,

whereby insertion of said proximal drive shaft end through said drive motor lumen distal end opening and proximal advancement of said proximal drive member through said drive motor lumen brings said first and second free clip ends into contact with said camming surface to bias said first and second free clip ends radially away from said proximal drive member against said first resilient hinge until said first and second free clip ends engage said annular retention groove and said proximal seat is seated within said drive motor unit receptacle surrounding said drive motor lumen distal end opening, whereupon said obstruction treatment device sub-assembly and said drive motor unit can be rotated with respect to one another as said first and second free clip ends traverse and are retained in said annular retention groove.

24. The assembly of claim 23, wherein said clip connector further comprises:

a first finger grip formed in a distal extension of said first moment arm extending distally from said first resilient hinge along one side of said barrel; and

a second finger grip formed in a distal extension of said second moment arm extending distally from said second resilient hinge along an opposite side of said barrel,

whereby said first and second free clip ends can be retracted away and released from said retention groove by depression of said first and second finger grips toward said barrel in order to retract said proximal drive member from said drive motor lumen.

25. The assembly of claim 14, wherein:

said drive motor unit connector comprises first and second moment arms that are hinged with respect to said drive motor unit receptacle, said first and second moment arms extending proximally from first and second hinges to first and second finger grips, respectively, and extending to first and second arcuate clips that extend inward into the annular drive motor unit receptacle in the unstressed position of the moment arms;

said obstruction treatment device sub-assembly connector comprises a barrel surrounding a barrel lumen terminating in an enlarged annular proximal seat formed with a distal rim adapted to be engaged by said first and second arcuate clips when said proximal seat is received within said annular receptacle,

whereby said first and second finger grips are adapted to be depressed inward toward the drive motor unit housing to move the arcuate clips outward so that the annular proximal seat can be inserted into the annular proximally extending receptacle and said first and second arcuate clips engage the distal rim on release of the tension applied to said first and second finger grips.

26. The assembly of claim 25, wherein said drive motor unit connector further comprises a resilient O-ring inserted within the annular proximally extending receptacle to provide a resilient seating engagement with the annular proximal seat of the barrel so that the arcuate clips force the annular proximal seat against the O-ring to compress it slightly, and the compressed O-ring tensions the attachment between the arcuate clips and the distal rim.