Torque limiting device

a technology of torque limiter and torque limiter, which is applied in the direction of wrenches, medical science, surgery, etc., can solve the problems of tool breaking or fracture, tool bending or bending, and serious injuries

US20070006692A1Inactive Publication Date: 2007-01-11KYPHON
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2007-01-11
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

Torque limiting devices, tools comprising torque limiting devices and methods for using torque limiting devices are disclosed. In an embodiment, a torque limiting device comprises a first and a second surface disposed in substantially adjacent parallel planar relationship such that within a predetermined torque range the first and second surface rotate together such than a torque applied to the first surface is translated to the second surface. When the torque applied exceeds a certain critical torque, the first and second surfaces slip and therefore the excessive torque is not transferred.
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Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to mechanical devices. Embodiments of the present invention include torque limiting devices, tools comprising torque limiting devices, methods for using torque limiting devices and medical kits comprising torque limiting devices. BACKGROUND

[0002] Tools, such as medical tools, may undergo relatively high torque forces. If the torque force is greater than the tool can withstand, the tool may break or fracture. Tool breakage can lead to serious injuries. For example, if a medical tool breaks while still inserted in a patient, the patient may suffer serious injuries. Therefore, it is desirable to design tools such that injury inducing breakage is minimized or eliminated.

[0003] In order to avoid injury inducing breakage past tools have been designed to break in a predetermined position when torque forces are greater than the tool can withstand. For example, a groove can be cut such that a predetermined torque causes the tool t...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0027] For the purposes of this specification, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, conditions, and so forth used in the specification are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

[0028] Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, h...