Torque shaft and torque shaft drive

• US 8,376,865 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2007
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AorTx, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: AorTx, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Forster, David C., Beckey, Brian, Walsh, Brandon, Heneveld, Scott, Roth, Alex T.
• Primary Examiner(s): BINDA, GREGORY JOHN
• Application Number:
  US12/305,620
• Publication Number:
  US 20090182416A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,072 Days
• Field of Search: 464/51, 464 78- 80, 464/149, 464/157
• US Class Current: 464/78
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2427 Devices for manipulating or deploying heart valves during implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0043 characterised by structural features
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0113 Mechanical advancing means, e.g. catheter dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0138 having flexible regions as a result of weakened outer material, e.g. slots, slits, cuts, joints or coils
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0147 with movable mechanical means, e.g. pull wires
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 1/04 Articulated shafts
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2226/78 of jigsaw-puzzle type
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2316/10 in medical appliances, e.g. in diagnosis, dentistry, instruments, prostheses, medical imaging appliances
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/70 Interfitted members
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7045 Interdigitated ends

Abstract

Torque shafts and other related systems and methods are described herein. The torque shafts are both flexible and capable of transmitting torque. The torque shafts are useful for procedures that require torque and pushability to drive or deploy a device. The flexibility and pushability of the torque shafts enable them to curve along a tortuous path, and the torque transferring capability of the shafts enable them to transmit torque along the shaft.

Claims

1. An elongate tubular shaft for the transmission of torque, the shaft having a first end and a second end and comprising:

a plurality of segments coupled along a length of the shaft, wherein a living hinge couples a first segment of the plurality to a second, adjacent segment of the plurality, the living hinge configured to flex to allow the first section to pivot into a space between the first and second sections; and

an elongate strut extending from the first section and configured to slide within a slot in the second section when the first section pivots, wherein, when the strut is within the slot, a rotation of the shaft causes the strut to transmit torque from the first section to the second section,

wherein the living hinge is a first living hinge, and wherein the second segment of the plurality is coupled to a third, adjacent segment of the plurality with a second living hinge, the second living hinge configured to flex to allow the second section to pivot into a space between the second and third sections, the first living hinge being at a position on the tubular shaft 90 degrees from the second living hinge.

2. The elongate tubular shaft of claim 1, wherein the elongate strut is a first elongate strut and the slot is a first slot, the shaft further comprising a second elongate strut extending from the second section and configured to slide within a second slot in the third section when the first section pivots, wherein the second elongate strut, when within the second slot, is configured to allow torque transmission from the first section to the second section, and wherein the second elongate strut is at a position on the tubular shaft 90 degrees from the first elongate strut.