Bearing system to support a rotatable operating head in an intracorporeal device
First Claim
1. An intracorporeal device comprising:
- a catheter;
a drive shaft that is rotatable within the catheter;
an operating head that is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the catheter; and
a bearing system providing limited tilting of the operating head about the longitudinal axis relative to the catheter, the bearing system comprising;
an internal shaft mounted to the drive shaft at a proximal end of the internal shaft and mounted to the operating head at a distal end of the internal shaft, the internal shaft including a seat;
a static member mounted to a distal end of the catheter and in fixed relationship with the catheter; and
a first and a second connecting rod, wherein a contact portion of each of the first and second connecting rods rests through a first opening and a second opening, respectively, of the static member and is received by the seat of the internal shaft,whereby, as the internal shaft tilts, the two connecting rods contact the seat of the internal shaft at various points and permit tilting of the operating head.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A bearing system useful in an intracorporeal device connects an operating head, a rotatable drive shaft and a catheter. The bearing system includes a static member in fixed communication with the distal end of the catheter, an interior shaft that is in rotatable communication with the drive shaft and the operating head, and at least one connecting structure. The static member has at least one opening through which the connecting structure moveably rests against a seat of the interior shaft. The position of the connecting structure within the seat enables the bearing to accept a rotational load of the rotating drive shaft and/or thrust load in the direction of the longitudinal length of the catheter. The connecting structure further retains the internal shaft and static member of the bearing system. A clearance space between the internal shaft and the catheter may permit the interior shaft to tilt relative to the catheter and flexibly orient the operating head at different angles about longitudinal axis of the catheter.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An intracorporeal device comprising:
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a catheter; a drive shaft that is rotatable within the catheter; an operating head that is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the catheter; and a bearing system providing limited tilting of the operating head about the longitudinal axis relative to the catheter, the bearing system comprising; an internal shaft mounted to the drive shaft at a proximal end of the internal shaft and mounted to the operating head at a distal end of the internal shaft, the internal shaft including a seat; a static member mounted to a distal end of the catheter and in fixed relationship with the catheter; and a first and a second connecting rod, wherein a contact portion of each of the first and second connecting rods rests through a first opening and a second opening, respectively, of the static member and is received by the seat of the internal shaft, whereby, as the internal shaft tilts, the two connecting rods contact the seat of the internal shaft at various points and permit tilting of the operating head. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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6. An intracorporeal device comprising:
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a catheter; a drive shaft that is rotatable within the catheter; an operating head that is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the catheter; and a bearing system providing limited tilting of the operating head about the longitudinal axis relative to the catheter, the bearing system comprising; an internal shaft coupled to the drive shaft and coupled to the cutting head for rotation as a unit, the internal shaft including a seat; a static member mounted to a distal end of and in fixed relationship with the catheter and forming a unit that is in a stationary position during rotation of the drive shaft and the operating head, the static member having a first opening and a second opening; and a first connecting rod and a second connecting rod, the first and second connecting rods each having a contact portion resting through the first and second openings, respectively, of the static member and being received by the seat of the internal shaft, wherein the internal shaft is capable of orienting the cutting head about a longitudinal axis relative to the catheter and communicating rotational torque from the drive shaft to the cutting head, and whereby as the internal shaft tilts, the two connecting rods contact the seat of the internal shaft at various points and permit tilting of the operating head.
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7. An intracorporeal device comprising:
- a catheter;
a drive shaft that is rotatable with respect to the catheter;
an operating head mounted for rotation with the drive shaft and that is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the catheter; and
a bearing system providing limited tilting of the operating head about the longitudinal axis relative to the catheter, the bearing system comprising a static member mounted to a distal end of the catheter and in fixed relationship with the catheter, an internal shaft mounted for rotation with the drive shaft and the operating head and at least partially extending through the static member, and a first connecting rod and a second connecting rod, the first and second connecting rods being received in a first slot and a second slot, respectively, provided in the static member and engaging a portion of the internal shaft, whereby as the internal shaft tilts, the first and second connecting rods contact a seat of the internal shaft at various points and permit tilting of the operating head.
- a catheter;
Specification