Rotary shaver with improved connection between flexible and rigid rotatable tubes

• US 20080071303A1
• Filed: 07/11/2006
• Published: 03/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arthrex Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Arthrex Incorporated
• Inventors: Van Wyk, Robert A., Hacker, Randall Lee, Heisler, Gary R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,993,360 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/180
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32002 with continuously rotating, oscillating or reciprocating cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2904 curved, but rigid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320032 Details of the rotating or oscillating shaft, e.g. using a flexible shaft

Abstract

An rotary shaver having an attachment device for coupling a flexible transmission shaft to rigid ends. In at least one embodiment, the rotary shaver may be a curved rotary shaver. The inner shaft may be formed from rigid ends connected together with the flexible transmission shaft via an attachment device. The attachment device may include a collar protruding from an outer surface to penetrate an inner surface of the flexible transmission shaft. The attachment device may also include one or more grooves or protrusions for the transmission of torque.

Claims

1. A rotary shaver, comprising:

a rigid distal tip having a plurality of teeth positioned proximate to a distal opening for cutting tissue, an opening at a proximate end of the rigid distal tip, and a flexible shaft connection device at the proximate end;

a rigid drive member having a drive attachment device at one end and a flexible shaft connection device at another end;

a flexible transmission shaft coupled to the rigid distal tip at the flexible shaft connection device of the rigid distal head and extending from the rigid distal head to the rigid drive member, wherein the flexible transmission shaft is attached to the flexible shaft connection device of the rigid drive member;

wherein at least one of the flexible shaft connection device of the rigid distal tip and of the rigid drive member comprises at least one collar protruding from an outer surface and positioned between a stop and an end of the flexible shaft connection device to attach the flexible transmission shaft.

2. The rotary shaver of claim 1, wherein the at least one collar is positioned generally orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of one of the flexible shaft connection device of the rigid distal tip and of the rigid drive member.

3. The rotary shaver of claim 1, further comprising at least one groove positioned in the outer surface and positioned generally along a longitudinal axis of one of the flexible shaft connection device of the rigid distal tip and of the rigid drive member from which the at least one collar extends.

4. The rotary shaver of claim 3, wherein the at least one groove comprises a plurality of grooves extending generally along a longitudinal axis of one of the flexible shaft connection device of the rigid distal tip and of the rigid drive member from which the at least one collar extends.

5. The rotary shaver of claim 4, wherein the at least one groove comprises first and second sides extending from the outer surface and intersecting one another.

6. The rotary shaver of claim 4, wherein at least one groove extends from an end of the flexible shaft connection device toward the stop and terminates between the at least one collar and the stop.

7. The rotary shaver of claim 6, further comprising a second collar protruding from the outer surface and positioned between the at least one collar and the end of the flexible shaft connection device.

8. The rotary shaver of claim 3, wherein a depth of the at least one groove on a first side is greater than a depth of the at least one groove on a second side.

9. The rotary shaver of claim 3, wherein a depth of the at least one groove along a center line of the groove is less than a depth of the at least one groove at first and second sides of the at least one groove thereby forming torque transmitting connection device capable of transmitting torque when the flexible shaft is rotated in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions.

10. The rotary shaver of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of projections extending from the outer surface between the at least one collar and the end of the flexible shaft connection device.

11. The rotary shaver of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of axial ribs between the at least one collar and the end of the flexible shaft connection device.

12. The rotary shaver of claim 1, wherein the end is tapered to facilitate attachment of the flexible transmission shaft.

13. A curved rotary shaver, comprising:

an elongated, tubular outer housing having an opening at one end and a cutting window at another opposite end, wherein a longitudinal axis of a portion of the outer housing proximate to the cutting window is positioned at an acute angle relative to remaining portions of the outer housing;

a support housing attached to the elongated, tubular outer housing proximate to the opening;

a rotatable inner cutting member, comprising;

a rigid distal tip having a plurality of teeth positioned proximate to a distal opening for cutting tissue, an opening at a proximate end of the rigid distal tip, and a flexible shaft connection device at the proximate end;

a rigid drive member having a drive attachment device at one end and a flexible shaft connection device at another end;

a flexible transmission shaft coupled to the rigid distal tip at the flexible shaft connection device of the rigid distal head and extending from the rigid distal head to the rigid drive member, wherein the flexible transmission shaft is attached to the flexible shaft connection device of the rigid drive member;

wherein at least one of the flexible shaft connection device of the rigid distal tip and of the rigid drive member comprises at least one collar protruding from an outer surface and positioned between a stop and an end of the flexible shaft connection device to attach the flexible transmission shaft.

14. The rotary shaver of claim 13, wherein the at least one collar is positioned generally orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of one of the flexible shaft connection device of the rigid distal tip and of the rigid drive member.

15. The rotary shaver of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of grooves positioned in the outer surface and positioned generally along a longitudinal axis of one of the flexible shaft connection device of the rigid distal tip and of the rigid drive member from which the at least one collar extends.

16. The rotary shaver of claim 15, wherein the plurality of grooves extend from an end of the flexible shaft connection device toward the stop and terminate between the at least one collar and the stop.

17. The rotary shaver of claim 16, further comprising a second collar protruding from the outer surface and positioned between the at least one collar and the end of the flexible shaft connection device.

18. The rotary shaver of claim 15, wherein a depth of at least one groove on a first side of the at least one groove is greater than a depth of the at least one groove on a second side.

19. The rotary shaver of claim 15, wherein a depth of at least one groove along a center line of the at least one groove is less than a depth of the groove at first and second sides of the at least one groove thereby forming torque transmitting connection device capable of transmitting torque when the flexible shaft is rotated in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions.

20. The rotary shaver of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of projections extending from the outer surface between the at least one collar and the end of the flexible shaft connection device.

21. The rotary shaver of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of axial ribs between the at least one collar and the end of the flexible shaft connection device.

22. The rotary shaver of claim 13, wherein the end is tapered to facilitate attachment of the flexible transmission shaft.