Chuck Assemblies for Medical Devices

Abstract

A chuck assembly for a medical device is provided. The chuck assembly includes a mounting base configured to be connected to a tool, a housing connected to the mounting base, and a cam sleeve located in the housing and movable relative to the housing between a locked position and an unlocked position, the cam sleeve having an annular base, an arm extending from the annular base, and a cam extending laterally from the arm.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to chuck assemblies for medical devices, and more particularly, to chuck assemblies for receiving and locking accessories for various medical devices. Background Art

[0002] Chuck assemblies for use with various medical devices are known. Such assemblies are operable to receive and lock various accessories (e.g., tool heads) used in medical procedures. Typical chuck assemblies are bulky and difficult to operate, sometimes requiring numerous cumbersome steps to insert, lock, and remove accessories. Therefore, there is a need for chuck assemblies and accessories that overcome these and other shortcomings of the prior art. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, a chuck assembly and associated accessories are provided. The chuck assembly provides a quick and simple locking capability, whereby the accessory can be inserted and locked into the chuck in a single "push-and-lock" motion. Various exemplary embodiments also provide a low profile chuck assembly that can withstand significant compressive and tensile loads.

[0004] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a chuck assembly for a medical device is provided. The chuck assembly comprises: a mounting base configured to be connected to a tool; a housing connected to the mounting base; and a cam sleeve disposed in the housing, which can move between a locked position and an unlocked position relative to the housing, the cam sleeve having an annular base, an arm extending from the annular base, and a cam extending laterally from the arm.

[0005] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the cam includes a distally facing helical cam surface.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the helical cam surface extends circumferentially approximately 5 to 20 degrees.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the cam includes a proximally facing locking surface.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the proximally facing locking surface extends circumferentially approximately 5 to 20 degrees.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the housing includes an inner guide rail, and the annular base includes a distally facing locking surface, wherein the proximally facing locking surface, the distally facing locking surface and the guide rail form a cavity for receiving and fixing a guide piece of an accessory.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the chuck assembly further includes a biasing member biasing the cam sleeve to the locked position.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the cam sleeve is rotatably movable within the housing.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the cam sleeve includes another arm extending from the annular base.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the chuck assembly further includes a dial engaged with the cam sleeve for moving the cam sleeve between the locked position and the unlocked position.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the dial surrounds the housing.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the overall diameter of the housing is about 0.635 to 1.905 cm.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the housing is integrally formed with the mounting base.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the chuck assembly further includes an actuator operably connected to the cam sleeve for moving the cam sleeve between the locked position and the unlocked position.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the mounting base includes an annular ring sized to accommodate a user's thumb.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the chuck assembly further includes a release housing connected to the actuator and engaged with the cam sleeve and the housing.

[0020] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the release housing is keyed to the housing for linear movement relative to the housing.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the chuck assembly further includes a biasing member biasing the release housing to a standby position.

[0022] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the actuator is capable of moving between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein the extended position corresponds to the release housing in the standby position and the cam sleeve in the locked position, and the retracted position corresponds to the release housing in the active position and the cam sleeve in the unlocked position.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the release housing includes a cam surface operable to move the cam sleeve from the locked position to the unlocked position when the release housing moves from the standby position to the active position.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the cam surface is inclined relative to a longitudinal axis of the release housing.

[0025] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a medical device is provided. The medical device includes a chuck assembly and an accessory, wherein the chuck assembly includes a mounting base configured to be connected to a tool, a housing connected to the mounting base, and a cam sleeve disposed in the housing, which can move between a locked position and an unlocked position relative to the housing, wherein the cam sleeve has an annular base, an arm extending from the annular base, and a cam extending laterally from the arm, and the accessory includes a mounting shaft configured to be accommodated in the housing, and a mounting tab extending from the mounting shaft, which is configured to engage with the cam sleeve and be retained in the housing by the cam sleeve.

[0026] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the mounting tab is a linear tab extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the mounting shaft.

[0027] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the mounting shaft includes a working end configured to engage a fixture.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the mounting tab directly engages the arm when the accessory is inserted into the housing and the cam sleeve is in the locked position.

[0029] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, when the accessory is inserted into the housing and the cam sleeve is in the locked position, the mounting tab is defined by an inner rail of the housing, a proximally facing locking surface of the cam, and a distally facing locking surface of the annular base.

[0030] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a medical device is provided. The medical device includes a chuck assembly and an accessory releasably engaged in the chuck assembly, the chuck assembly including a mounting base configured to be connected to a tool, a housing connected to the mounting base, and a cam sleeve disposed in the housing, which can move between a locked position and an unlocked position relative to the housing, the cam sleeve having an annular base, a first arm extending from the annular base, and a second arm extending from the annular base, the first arm including a first cam extending transversely from the first arm, the first cam including a first cam surface facing distally and a first locking surface facing proximally, the second arm including a second cam extending transversely from the second arm, the second cam including a second cam surface facing distally and a second locking surface facing proximally, the accessory including a mounting shaft configured to be received in the housing, and a mounting tab extending from the mounting shaft, which is configured to engage with the cam sleeve and be retained in the housing by the cam sleeve. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be better understood by reading in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, an exemplary embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the precise arrangements and implementations shown.

[0032] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a chuck assembly and accessories according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 2 With accessories already inserted Figure 1 a perspective view of the chuck assembly shown;

[0034] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the chuck assembly and accessories shown;

[0035] Figure 4 With accessories already inserted Figure 1 a side cross-sectional view of the chuck assembly shown;

[0036] Figure 5A yes Figure 1 a perspective view of the housing of the chuck assembly shown;

[0037] Figure 5B yes Figure 5A a rear view of the housing shown;

[0038] Fig. 6A yes Figure 5AA perspective view of the housing is shown with the cam sleeve mounted inside and the detent pin rotated to a locked position;

[0039] Figure 6B yes Figure 5A A perspective view of the housing is shown with the cam sleeve mounted inside and the detent pin rotated to the unlocked position;

[0040] Figure 6C yes Fig. 6A and 6B An exploded perspective view of the housing, cam sleeve and retaining pin shown;

[0041] Fig. 7A yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the mounting base, torsion spring, cam sleeve and retaining pin of the chuck assembly is shown;

[0042] Figure 7B yes Fig. 7A An exploded perspective view of the mounting base, torsion spring, cam sleeve and retaining pin shown;

[0043] Fig. 8A Rotate to lock position Figure 1 A perspective cross-sectional view of the housing and cam sleeve of the chuck assembly is shown;

[0044] Figure 8B Rotate to unlock position Fig. 8A a perspective cross-sectional view of the housing and cam sleeve shown;

[0045] Fig. 9 Is the connected accessory Figure 1 a perspective cross-sectional view of the chuck assembly shown;

[0046] Fig.10 is a perspective view of a chuck assembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0047] Fig.11 yes Fig.10 a perspective view of a portion of a chuck assembly shown with certain elements omitted for clarity;

[0048] Fig.12 yes Fig.10 another perspective view of a portion of the chuck assembly shown with certain elements omitted for clarity;

[0049] Fig.13 yes Fig.10 another perspective view of a portion of the chuck assembly shown with certain elements omitted for clarity;

[0050] Fig.14 yes Fig.10another perspective view of a portion of the chuck assembly shown with certain elements omitted for clarity;

[0051] Fig.15A yes Fig.10 a side elevational view of the front face of the housing of the chuck assembly shown;

[0052] Fig. 15B yes Fig.15A a side view of the side of the housing shown;

[0053] Fig. 15C yes Fig.15A a distal end view of the housing shown;

[0054] Fig.15D yes Fig.15A A longitudinal sectional view of a shell;

[0055] Fig.16 yes Fig.10 another perspective view of a portion of the chuck assembly shown with certain elements omitted for clarity;

[0056] Fig.17A is a side view of the front of the release housing of the chuck assembly of FIG. 17;

[0057] Fig. 17B yes Fig.17A A side view of the side of the release housing;

[0058] Fig.18 yes Fig.10 a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the actuator of the chuck assembly shown; and

[0059] Fig.19 yes Fig.10 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of a portion of a chuck assembly is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] Reference will now be made in detail to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure shown in the accompanying drawings. Where applicable, the same or similar reference numerals will be used throughout the accompanying drawings to refer to the same or similar features. It should be noted that these drawings are in simplified form and are not drawn to exact scale. In the following description, directional terms such as upper, lower, top, bottom, above, below and diagonally are used with reference to the accompanying drawings for the purpose of convenience and clarity only. These directional terms used in conjunction with the following description of the drawings should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present application in any way that is not explicitly stated. In addition, the term "one" used in the specification means "at least one". The term includes the words specifically mentioned above, their derivatives and words of similar meanings.

[0061] As used herein, "about" when referring to a measurable value such as an amount, duration, etc., is intended to include variations of ±20%, ±10%, ±5%, ±1%, or ±0.1% relative to the stated value, provided such variations are appropriate.

[0062] As used herein, "substantially" means a substantial degree, mainly but not entirely as specified, or a suitable variation acceptable in the art.

[0063] As used herein, "exemplary" means serving as an example.

[0064] Throughout this application, various aspects may be presented in the form of ranges. It should be understood that the description of the range is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as a hard limit to the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all possible subranges within the range and each numerical value within the range. For example, a description of a range such as 1 to 6 should be considered to specifically disclose all subranges, such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6, etc., as well as single numbers within the range, such as 1, 2, 2.7, 3, 4, 5, 5.3 and 6. This applies regardless of the size of the range.

[0065] In addition, the features, advantages and characteristics of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Based on the description herein, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the present disclosure may be implemented without one or more specific features or advantages of a particular exemplary embodiment. In other cases, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments, which may not be present in all exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0066] Reference now Figures 1 to 9 , shows an exemplary chuck assembly 100 according to the present disclosure. The chuck assembly 100 includes a mounting base 105, a housing 110 rigidly connected to a distal end 180 of the base 105, a cam sleeve 120 rotatably positioned within the housing 110, a biasing member 145 (e.g., a torsion spring) having connecting ends 150, 150' operably engaged with the mounting base 105 and the cam sleeve 120, stop pins 125, 125' connected to the cam sleeve 120 and extending through opposite sides of the housing 110, respectively, and a dial 135 surrounding the housing 110 and connected to the stop pins 125, 125'.

[0067] As described more fully below, the chuck assembly 100 is operable to receive and lock therein various accessories / fixtures, such as extractor blades, tool heads, drill bits, saw blades, punches, intermediate connectors, etc. For example, in Figures 1 to 42 shows an accessory 200 as an intermediate connector. The accessory 200 includes a mounting shaft 225 having a locking tab (preferably two locking tabs 190, 190') and a working end 230, for example, provided with threads 235 for connection to an interchangeable or disposable fixture (not shown). In alternative exemplary embodiments, the working end is provided with additional or alternative structures for connection to the fixture. In other exemplary embodiments, the accessory is integrally formed with a particular fixture.

[0068] Reference now Figure 3 , 4 , 5A, 5B, 8A, 8B and 9, the housing 110 is cylindrical and includes a distally facing guide groove 215, a plurality of inner guide rails 220, and stop grooves 130, 130', wherein the first ends 165, 165' and the second ends 170, 170' of the stop grooves 130, 130' respectively extend through opposite sides of the housing 110.

[0069] like Figures 1 to 4 As best shown, the mounting base 105 is connected to the proximal end of the housing 110 and includes a distal end 180 provided with a biasing groove 175' and a proximal end (mounting end) 155 having a fastener, such as threads 160, for connecting the chuck assembly 100 to a tool (not shown), such as an extractor, a drill, a jigsaw, etc. It should be understood that the mounting base 105 and the housing 110 can be formed integrally (e.g., as a single piece, or by laser welding the base 105 and the housing 110 together), and the mounting end 155 of the mounting base 105 can include additional or alternative structures for connecting the chuck assembly 100 to the tool, and the various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to any particular mounting structure. It should also be understood that the mounting base 105 (and other components of the chuck assembly 100) can be made of any material suitable for the intended application, such as metal, wood, composite materials, polymers, disposable materials, etc., however, the various exemplary embodiments are not limited to any particular material or combination of materials.

[0070] like Figure 3 , 4 , 6C and Figures 7A to 9As best shown in FIG. 1 , the cam sleeve 120 is configured to freely rotate within the housing 110 adjacent the distal end 180 of the mounting base 105. The cam sleeve 120 includes an annular base 245 having distally facing locking surfaces 197, 197' and at least one biasing groove 175, a central passage 210, and two arms 240, 240' extending distally from the annular base 245, although one arm, or more than two arms, may also be used. The arms 240, 240' include transversely extending cams 250, 250', each having a proximally facing locking surface 195, 195', which together with the distally facing locking surfaces 197, 197' and the guide rail 220 of the housing 110 form a corresponding locking cavity 205, 205' (see FIG. 1 ). Fig. 8A and 8B ), which tightly secure the locking tabs 190, 190' of the fitting 200 to prevent longitudinal and rotational displacement of the fitting when the mounting shaft 225 is fully inserted into the central passage 210 of the cam sleeve 120. The cams 250, 250' also include spiral cam surfaces 185, 185', which are positioned to engage the locking tabs 190, 190', respectively, when the mounting shaft 225 is initially inserted into the central passage 210. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the cam surfaces 185, 185' are spiral and extend annularly around the central passage 210 to ensure that the locking tabs 190, 190' smoothly engage the cam surfaces 185, 185' and maintain continuous line contact with the cam surfaces 185, 185' when the mounting shaft 225 is inserted into the central passage 210. That is, the helical shape of each cam surface 185, 185' ensures that approximately the entire width "w" of the cam surface remains in contact with the corresponding locking tab 190, 190' when the mounting shaft 225 is axially inserted into the chuck assembly 100. In one exemplary embodiment, the cam surface 185, 185' extends annularly for approximately 5 to 20 degrees (e.g., 5 degrees, 10 degrees, 15 degrees, or 20 degrees), however, the cam surfaces 185, 185' of other exemplary embodiments are not limited to extending any particular annular distance. Smooth contact between the locking tab 190, 190' and the cam surface 185, 185' can be further promoted by providing the locking tab 190, 190' with a rounded corner for engaging the cam surface 185, 185'.

[0071] As in Figures 6A to 6CAs best shown in FIG. 1 , the stop pins 125, 125' are connected to the arms 240, 240' of the cam sleeve 120 and are operable to limit the range of rotation of the cam sleeve 120 between a locked position, in which the stop pins 125, 125' engage the first ends 165, 165' of the stop slots 130, 130', respectively, and an unlocked position, in which the stop pins 125, 125' engage the second ends 170, 170' of the stop slots 130, 130', respectively. Figure 3 , 7A 7B, the connecting ends 150, 150' of the biasing member 145 are engaged with the biasing groove 175 of the cam sleeve 120 and the biasing groove 175' of the mounting base 105, respectively, to bias the cam sleeve 120 to the locked position. Although the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures includes stop pins 125, 125' and stop grooves 130, 130' for limiting the rotation range of the cam sleeve 120, it should be understood that additional or alternative structures can be provided to limit the rotation range, and the various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to any particular structure. It should also be understood that the biasing member 145 (shown as a torsion spring) can be replaced or supplemented by other biasing structures / members (such as leaf springs, etc.) to bias the cam sleeve 120 to the locked position.

[0072] In order to insert and lock the accessory 200 into the chuck assembly 100, the mounting shaft 225 of the accessory 200 is first properly oriented and inserted into the central passage 210 of the cam sleeve 120 through the guide slot 215 of the housing 110. When the mounting shaft 225 is inserted, the locking tabs 190, 190' engage the cam surfaces 185, 185' of the cams 250, 250', respectively, thereby locking the cam sleeve from the locked position (see FIG. 2 ) in the housing 110. Fig. 8A ) is rotated toward the unlocked position. As the mounting shaft 225 continues to be inserted and the cam sleeve 120 reaches the unlocked position (see Figure 8B ), the locking tabs 190, 190' pass over the cam surface and enter the corresponding locking cavity 205, 205' between the guide rails 220 of the housing. Once the mounting shaft 225 of the accessory 200 is fully inserted to the position where the locking tabs 190, 190' abut against the distally facing locking surfaces 197, 197' of the cam sleeve 120, the biasing force generated by the biasing member 145 will return the cam sleeve to the locked position, thereby causing the proximally facing locking surfaces 195, 195' of the cams 250, 250' to close the locking cavity 205, 205' and firmly fix the locking tabs 190, 190' therein. In this way, the mounting shaft 225 of the accessory is tightly fixed in the central passage 210 of the cam sleeve and cannot rotate or longitudinally withdraw the chuck assembly.

[0073] To remove the accessory 200 from the chuck assembly 100, the dial 135 is manually operated to overcome the biasing force of the biasing member 145 and rotate the cam sleeve 120 to the unlocked position (see Figure 8B ), thereby retracting the proximally facing locking surfaces 195, 195' from the locking cavities 205, 205' and releasing the locking tabs 190, 190'. The accessory 200 can then be longitudinally removed from the chuck assembly. After removing the accessory 200, the dial 135 is released to allow the biasing force of the biasing member 145 to return the cam sleeve 120 to the locked position (see Fig. 8A ). The same or other accessories can then be inserted and locked into the chuck assembly in a similar manner as described above.

[0074] Due to the structure, size and dimensions of the cams 250, 250' and the guide rails 220, the chuck assembly 100 can withstand high linear loads, such as compressive and tensile loads, even higher impact loads (e.g., 2000 lbs of impact load tension) and high torsional loads. For example, widening the circumferential width of the locking tabs 190, 190' and providing the cams 250, 250' with extended proximal locking surfaces 195, 195' can allow the longitudinal forces applied to the fitting 200 to be spread over a larger surface area at the interface between the locking tabs 190, 190' and the distally facing locking surfaces 197, 197' (for compressive loads) and between the locking tabs 190, 190' and the proximally facing locking surfaces 195, 195' (for tensile loads). In a similar manner, the longitudinal length of the guide rail 220 and the locking tabs 190, 190' can be lengthened to ensure that the torque is applied over a larger surface area at the interface between the locking tabs 190, 190' and the guide rail 220, thereby increasing the torsional load rating of the chuck assembly 100. This may be desirable, for example, in situations where both a linear load and a torsional load are applied to the chuck assembly 100 in one operation, e.g., the chuck assembly 100 is used to screw a thread extractor into an implant (torsional load) and subsequently remove the implant (tensile load) via an extraction device connected to the mounting base 105 of the chuck assembly 100.

[0075] The various components of the chuck assembly 100 and other chuck assemblies contemplated by the present disclosure may also be manufactured to provide a low profile. For example, the chuck assembly 100 may include, for example, a mounting base having a cylindrical mounting end having a diameter equal to approximately 0.254, 0.381, 0.508, 0.635, 0.762, 0.889, 1.016, 1.143, or 1.27 cm, a cylindrical housing having a diameter approximately in the range of 0.635, 0.762, 0.889, 1.016, 1.143, 1.27, 1.397, 1.524, 1.651, 1.778, 1.905, or 2.032 cm (smaller diameters facilitate impact connection and allow compatibility with smaller tools such as pins, wires, etc.), and / or a central passage of a cam sleeve sized to receive an accessory mounting shaft having a diameter approximately equal to 0.3175, 0.635, 0.9525, 1.27, or 1.5875 cm. It should be understood, however, that the various other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to any particular component dimensions.

[0076] refer to Fig.10 , which shows an exemplary chuck assembly 300 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The chuck assembly 300 can be operated in a manner as described below to releasably lock an accessory such as the accessory 200. The chuck assembly 300 includes a mounting base 305, a housing 310 rigidly connected to a distal end of the mounting base, and a cam sleeve 320 ( Fig.11 and 12 ) to move the cam sleeve between the locked position and the unlocked position. The mounting base 305 includes an annular ring 306 having an opening 308, the size of which is sufficient to accommodate a user's finger or thumb, for example.

[0077] Fig.11 and 12 The interconnection between the mounting base 305 and the cam sleeve 320 is shown. The construction and function of the cam sleeve 320 are substantially the same as the cam sleeve 120 described above. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, only those details of the cam sleeve 320 that are necessary for a complete and proper understanding of the present disclosure will be described in detail below. Fig.11 As shown, the annular base 345 of the cam sleeve 320 is provided with a biasing groove 375 for receiving a first connecting end 350 of a biasing member 346 (e.g., a torsion spring). The biasing member 346 is similarly engaged with the mounting base 305. Fig.12 As shown, the mounting base 305 is provided with a biasing groove 375 ′ for receiving the second connecting end 350 ′ of the biasing member 346 .

[0078] Fig.13 and 14The interconnection of the cam sleeve 320, and in particular the retaining pins 325, 325' connected to the cam sleeve, and the housing 310 is shown. The housing surrounds the cam sleeve, and the retaining pins 325, 325' protrude through retaining slots 330, 330' provided in the housing. Fig.14 The position of the stop pin 325 in the stop groove 330 when the cam sleeve 320 is in the locked position is shown in solid lines. Fig.14 The position of the stop pin 325 in the stop groove 330 when the cam sleeve 320 is in the unlocked position is shown in dotted lines. Fig.13 and 14 Also shown is a biasing member 347 surrounding the housing 310. The biasing member 347 can be a spring as shown, or other compressible member.

[0079] Figures 15A to 15D The configuration of the housing 310 is shown. The housing 310 is cylindrical and has an inner diameter sufficient to accommodate the cam sleeve 320 therein. The retaining grooves 330, 330' are offset by approximately 90 degrees relative to a pair of key grooves 331, 331' and are offset by approximately 180 degrees relative to each other. The retaining grooves (e.g., the longitudinal axis of the retaining grooves) extend substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the housing, and the key grooves (e.g., the longitudinal axis of the key grooves) extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. The key grooves 331, 331' are adapted or sized to receive a pair of keys 332, 332' ( Fig.13 , 14 and 19), which are carried by the release housing 333, as described below. In addition, the interior of the housing 310 includes two pairs of guide rails 321 (at Fig.15D The guide rails 310 are provided with guide slots 315 (only one pair is shown) for receiving locking tabs 190, 190' of accessory 200 in the manner described above. Each guide rail extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing and has a height extending inwardly from the interior of the housing. Each guide rail extends a fixed length around the lower or distal portion of the housing and is spaced from the farthest end of the housing and from the retaining groove. The housing 310 also includes a distally facing guide slot 315 ( Fig. 15C ), which is sized and shaped or keyed to receive the proximal end of the accessory 200. In addition, the housing 310 includes a radially outward flange 311, which defines a distally facing surface 312, which is constructed and arranged to contact the first end of the biasing member 347.

[0080] Fig.16 and 19The release housing 333 is shown in structural relationship with the housing 310 and the stop pins 325, 325' connected to the cam sleeve 320. The release housing 333 surrounds the housing 310. The proximal end 334 of the release housing is constructed and arranged to contact the second end of the biasing member 347, whereby the biasing member biases the release housing distally or downwardly to a position such as Fig.16 and 19 The release housing is connected to the actuator 400 and engages the cam sleeve 320 and the housing 310 as described below.

[0081] Fig.17A and 17B The structure of the release housing 333 is shown. The release housing is cylindrical and includes a pair of opposing keyways 341, 341' extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing and configured to carry the keys 332, 332' as the keys move in the keyways 331, 331'. The keys are generally rectangular pieces sized and shaped to be received in the keyways. Fig.19 As shown, the key extends radially inward from the release housing to the housing. Therefore, the release housing is keyed to the housing to perform linear movement relative to the housing. The distal end of the release housing is provided with an external thread 336. In addition, the release housing includes cam openings or windows 342, 342' around its central portion, each of which includes cam surfaces 343 and 343'. The cam openings 342, 342' are offset by approximately 90 degrees relative to a pair of keyways 341, 341' and are offset by approximately 180 degrees relative to each other. Each cam opening includes a cam surface 343 and 343', respectively. Each cam surface is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the release housing and engages with one of the stop pins 325, 325' connected to the cam sleeve 320. In summary, the release housing includes a release housing that can be operated to release the housing in the direction of arrow "A" ( Fig.16 ) moves the cam sleeve from the locked position to the unlocked position when moving from the standby position to the active position ( Fig.14 In doing so, the cam sleeve is rotated to an unlocked position where it disengages the locking tabs 190 , 190 ′ of the accessory 200 , whereby the accessory can be removed from the housing 310 of the chuck assembly 300 .

[0082] The structure of the actuator 400 is Fig.10 , 18 19. The actuator is cylindrical and surrounds the release housing 333. An internal thread 338 disposed at the distal end of the actuator is threadedly engaged with an external thread 336 of the release housing. The actuator also includes a flange 402 protruding radially outward. The flange 402 has a distally facing surface 404 configured to engage with a user's finger when the user's thumb is inserted into the opening 308 of the annular ring 306 of the mounting base 305.

[0083] With the annular ring 306 and the radially outwardly projecting flange 402 thus constructed and arranged, the user can press his or her finger against his or her thumb to unlock the locking tabs 190, 190' of the accessory 200 from the locking cavity defined by the cam sleeve 320 and the guide track 321. In other words, the actuator 400 can be in the extended position ( Fig.19 The solid line in the middle corresponds to the release housing in the standby position and the cam sleeve in the locked position) and the retracted position ( Fig.19 As shown by the dotted line in FIG, it corresponds to movement between the release housing in the active position and the cam sleeve in the unlocked position).

[0084] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that changes may be made to the exemplary embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. Therefore, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims defined herein.

Claims

1. A chuck assembly (100, 300) for a medical device, comprising a mounting base (105, 305) configured to be connected to a tool and a housing (110, 310) connected to the mounting base, characterized in that: A cam sleeve (120, 320) disposed in the housing is movable between a locking position and an unlocking position relative to the housing, and the cam sleeve has: annular base (245), arms (240) extending from the annular base, and A cam (250) extends transversely from the arm.

2. The chuck assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cam includes a distally facing helical cam surface (185).

3. The chuck assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cam surface of the spiral extends circumferentially from 5 to 20 degrees.

4. The chuck assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cam includes a proximally facing locking surface (195).

5. The chuck assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The proximally facing locking surface extends circumferentially from 5 to 20 degrees.

6. The chuck assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The housing includes an inner guide rail (220), and the annular base includes a distally facing locking surface (197), wherein the proximally facing locking surface, the distally facing locking surface and the guide rail form a cavity (205) for receiving and securing a guide tab of an accessory.

7. The chuck assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also included is a biasing member (145) that biases the cam sleeve to the locked position.

8. The chuck assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cam sleeve is rotatably movable within the housing.

9. The chuck assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cam sleeve includes a further arm (240') extending from the annular base.

10. The chuck assembly according to claim 1, wherein: Also included is a dial (135) engaged with the cam sleeve for moving the cam sleeve between the locked position and the unlocked position.

11. The chuck assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that The dial surrounds the housing.

12. The chuck assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The overall diameter of the housing is 0.635 to 1.905 cm.

13. The chuck assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The housing and the cam sleeve are configured to withstand torsional loads and linear loads.

14. The chuck assembly according to claim 13, wherein: The linear load includes a tensile load.

15. A chuck assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that The housing is integrally formed with the mounting base.

16. The chuck assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The mounting base (305) includes an annular ring (306) large enough to accommodate a user's thumb.

17. The chuck assembly according to claim 1, wherein: Also included is an actuator (400) operatively connected to the cam sleeve (320) for moving the cam sleeve between the locked position and the unlocked position.

18. The chuck assembly according to claim 17, wherein: Also included is a release housing (333) connected to the actuator and engaged with the cam sleeve and the housing (310).

19. The chuck assembly according to claim 18, wherein: The release housing is keyed to the housing for linear movement relative to the housing.

20. The chuck assembly of claim 18, wherein: Also included is a biasing member (347) that biases the release housing to a standby position.

21. A chuck assembly according to any one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that The actuator is movable between an extended position corresponding to the release housing in the standby position and the cam sleeve in the locked position and a retracted position corresponding to the release housing in the active position and the cam sleeve in the unlocked position.

22. The chuck assembly of claim 18, wherein: The release housing includes a cam surface (343) operable to move the cam sleeve from the locked position to the unlocked position.

23. The chuck assembly of claim 22, wherein: The cam surface is inclined relative to a longitudinal axis of the release housing.

24. A medical device comprising the chuck assembly according to claim 1, and an accessory (200), wherein: The accessories include: a mounting shaft (225) configured to be received within the housing, and A mounting tab (190) extends from the mounting shaft and is configured to engage with and be retained within the housing by the cam sleeve.

25. The medical device according to claim 24, characterized in that The mounting tab is a linear tab extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mounting shaft.

26. The medical device according to claim 24, characterized in that The mounting shaft includes a working end (230) configured to engage a fixture.

27. The medical device according to claim 24, characterized in that When the accessory is inserted into the housing and the cam sleeve is in the locked position, the mounting tab directly engages the arm.

28. The medical device according to any one of claims 24 to 27, characterized in that When the accessory is inserted into the housing and the cam sleeve is in the locked position, the mounting tab is defined by the inner rail (220) of the housing, the proximally facing locking surface (195) of the cam and the distally facing locking surface (197) of the annular base.

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