Bendable handheld medical effector

Abstract

The present disclosure discloses a handheld medical device (10) having a distal tool (12). The handheld rotary medical device (10) can include an inner drive shaft (14), an elongated tubular housing (16) that encases the inner drive shaft (14) such that the inner drive shaft (14) is disposed within the housing (16). The inner drive shaft (14) can include one or more inner drive shaft bendable portions (18), and the housing (16) can include one or more housing bendable portions (20). The inner drive shaft bendable portions (18) can be heated to anneal the material forming the inner drive shaft bendable portions (18) such that, during use, the inner drive shaft bendable portions (18) can be bent to a desired position and, once bent, the inner drive shaft bendable portions (18) remain in the desired position and do not bind with the elongated tubular housing (16).

Description

Invention Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to handheld medical devices, and more specifically to handheld medical devices that can be bent by a surgeon to obtain a desired position for use in a medical procedure. Background Technology

[0002] Handheld medical devices typically include a drive shaft extending distally within a cylindrical housing. This distally extending drive shaft can be configured for rotational motion, axial motion, or both, depending on the type of attachment at the distal end of the device. The distal attachment can be a shaver, burr, jaws, etc., configured to remove or grip soft tissue. Typically, the inner shaft and housing can be flexible, allowing the surgeon to bend them into a configuration desired for a specific surgical procedure. Often, bending the shaft and housing results in a bond between them, reducing the ease of use of the device. Sometimes, this bond can be so bad that it almost prevents and significantly limits the use of the device. Therefore, there is a need for better solutions for flexible handheld medical devices. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This disclosure discloses a handheld medical device with a distal tool. The handheld rotary medical device may include an inner drive shaft and an elongated tubular housing enclosing the inner drive shaft such that the inner drive shaft is housed within the housing. The inner drive shaft may include one or more flexible portions, and the housing may include one or more flexible portions. The flexible portions of the inner drive shaft may be heated to anneal the material forming the flexible portions, such that during use, the flexible portions of the inner drive shaft can be bent to a desired position, and once bent, the flexible portions of the inner drive shaft remain in that desired position and do not engage with the elongated tubular housing.

[0004] The handheld medical device may include an inner drive shaft and an elongated tubular housing enclosed within the inner drive shaft, such that the inner drive shaft is housed within the housing. The handheld medical device may include a tool located at the distal end of the housing. The inner drive shaft may include one or more flexible portions of the inner drive shaft located between its distal and proximal ends. The housing may include one or more flexible portions of the housing located between its distal and proximal ends.

[0005] In at least one embodiment, the flexible inner drive shaft portion may be more flexible than the flexible outer shell portion. The flexible inner drive shaft portion may be formed of an annealed material. The flexible inner drive shaft portion may be heated before or after being placed within the flexible outer shell portion. The flexible inner drive shaft portion has a lower flexural modulus than the flexible outer shell portion. The flexible inner drive shaft portion may be more flexible than the at least one flexible outer shell portion. The flexible inner drive shaft portion may have a lower modulus or elastic modulus than the flexible outer shell portion.

[0006] The flexible portion of the inner drive shaft may be formed within the distal third of the flexible portion of the inner drive shaft. The flexible portion of the inner drive shaft may be formed of the same material as the material forming the flexible portion of the outer casing.

[0007] The handheld medical device may include a tool located at the distal end of the housing, which may include, but is not limited to, having a first chuck and a second chuck. The handheld medical device may include a bender configured to bend the bendable portion of the inner drive shaft and the bendable portion of the housing. The bender may include a first arm and a second arm pivotally connected together, whereby the first arm includes a first bending shaft receiver and the second arm includes a second bending shaft receiver aligned with the first bending shaft receiver.

[0008] A method of forming a handheld medical device may include the steps of: providing an inner drive shaft and an elongated tubular housing enclosing the inner drive shaft such that the inner drive shaft is configured as a tool located within the housing at a distal end of the housing, wherein the inner drive shaft includes one or more flexible portions of the inner drive shaft located between a distal and a proximal end, and wherein the housing includes one or more flexible portions of the housing located between a distal and a proximal end. The method may further include the step of heating the inner drive shaft. The method may include the step of inserting the flexible portion of the inner drive shaft into the flexible portion of the housing. The method may include the steps of: bending the flexible portion of the inner drive shaft and the housing with a bender configured to bend the flexible portion of the inner drive shaft and the flexible portion of the housing. The bending step may include bending with a bender including a first arm and a second arm pivotally connected together, whereby the first arm includes a first bending shaft receiver and the second arm includes a second bending shaft receiver aligned with the first bending shaft receiver. The heating step may include heating the flexible portion of the inner drive shaft to anneal the material forming the flexible portion of the inner drive shaft. In this method, the inner flexible shaft portion may have a lower flexural modulus than the outer flexible shell portion. In this method, the inner flexible shaft portion may be more flexible than the outer flexible shell portion. In this method, the inner flexible shaft portion may have a lower modulus or elastic modulus than the outer flexible shell portion.

[0009] One advantage of this handheld medical device is that, once bent, the flexible portion of the inner drive shaft restricts its bending structure, preventing the flexible portion of the inner drive shaft from engaging with the flexible portion of the outer casing during use.

[0010] Another advantage of this handheld medical device is that the heated internal drive shaft can be bent, allowing it to be easily bent.

[0011] Another advantage of this handheld medical device is that the internal drive shaft or the housing, or both, can be bent into the desired configuration using a bender.

[0012] These and other embodiments will be described in more detail below. Brief description of the attached figures

[0013] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of a handheld medical device having tools including first and second grippers.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a side view of the internal drive shaft.

[0015] Figure 3This is a side view of the inner drive shaft housed within a housing, with the distal portion of the housing cut off to reveal the flexible portion of the inner drive shaft housed within the housing.

[0016] Figure 4 Is placed Figure 3 A side view of the inner drive shaft within the housing, wherein the flexible portion of the inner drive shaft bends when placed within the housing.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the handheld medical device and a bender for bending the bendable portion of the internal drive shaft.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of the method for forming the handheld medical device.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of another embodiment of a bender used to bend the bendable portion of the inner drive shaft.

[0020] Detailed description of the attached figures

[0021] like Figure 1-7 As shown, a handheld medical device 10 with a distal tool 12 is disclosed. The handheld rotary medical device 10 may include an inner drive shaft 14 and an elongated tubular housing 16, the housing 16 enclosing the inner drive shaft 14 such that the inner drive shaft 14 is housed within the housing 16. The inner drive shaft 14 may include one or more flexible inner drive shaft portions 18, and the housing 16 may include one or more flexible housing portions 20. The flexible inner drive shaft portions 18 may be heated to anneal the material forming the flexible inner drive shaft portions 18, such that during use, the flexible inner drive shaft portions 18 can be bent to a desired position, and once bent, the flexible inner drive shaft portions 18 remain in that desired position and do not engage with the elongated tubular housing 16.

[0022] like Figure 1-3 As shown, the handheld medical device 10 may include an inner drive shaft 14 and an elongated tubular housing 16 enclosing the inner drive shaft 14 such that the inner drive shaft 14 is housed within the housing 16. A tool 12 may be positioned at the distal end 24 of the housing 16. The tool 12 may include first and second jaws 26, 28, which may be configured to open and close to grip tissue and other objects. The first and second jaws 26, 28 may have any suitable size, shape, and configuration. The tool 12 may also be a drill, planer, or other desired tool.

[0023] The handheld medical device 10 may include an inner drive shaft 14 having one or more flexible portions 18 located between its distal and proximal ends 30, 32. The handheld medical device 10 may include a housing 16 having one or more flexible housing portions 20 located between its distal and proximal ends 24, 34. The flexible inner drive shaft portions 18 are configured such that during use, they can bend to a desired position, and once bent, they remain in that desired position and do not engage with the elongated tubular housing 16. Instead, the flexible inner drive shaft portions 18 are disposed within the flexible housing portions 20 but do not engage with the inner surface of the flexible housing portions 20. This configuration ensures that the tool 12 is easily actuated by a user, such as a surgeon.

[0024] like Figure 2-4 As shown, the flexible inner drive shaft portion 18 can be configured into a device that is easy for surgeons to use. In at least one embodiment, the flexible inner drive shaft portion 18 can be formed of a material such as, but not limited to, stainless steel, for example, stainless steel 17-7 and 17-4. The flexible inner drive shaft portion 18 can be formed of the same material as the material forming the flexible outer housing portion 20. Alternatively, the flexible inner drive shaft portion 18 can be formed of a different material than the material forming the flexible outer housing portion 20.

[0025] In at least one embodiment, the flexible inner drive shaft portion 18 may be formed of an annealed material, allowing it to bend as needed during use. The flexible inner drive shaft portion 18 may be heated before being placed within the flexible housing portion 20. Heating the flexible inner drive shaft portion 18 anneals the material forming it, making it more flexible. The flexible inner drive shaft portion 18 may be heated to a temperature range between 1,900 and 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit for a period between 2 and 5 seconds using a heating device, such as, but not limited to, a heating / induction coil.

[0026] In at least one embodiment, the inner drive shaft flexible portion 18 may be more flexible than at least one outer housing flexible portion 20, allowing the inner drive shaft flexible portion 18 to bend as needed during use. The inner drive shaft flexible portion 18 has a lower flexural modulus than the outer housing flexible portion 20, allowing the inner drive shaft flexible portion 18 to bend as needed during use. The inner drive shaft flexible portion 18 may be more flexible than the outer housing flexible portion 20. The inner drive shaft flexible portion 18 may have a lower modulus or elastic modulus than the outer housing flexible portion 20, allowing the inner drive shaft flexible portion 18 to bend as needed during use.

[0027] The flexible portion 18 of the inner drive shaft can be formed at any desired point along the length of the inner drive shaft 14. In at least one embodiment, the flexible portion 18 of the inner drive shaft 14 is located within the distal third of the inner drive shaft 14. In other embodiments, the flexible portion 18 of the inner drive shaft 14 can be located at other locations. The flexible portion 18 of the inner drive shaft 14 can have any suitable and desired length. The housing 16 supports the inner shaft 14 within the housing 16. The housing 16 also supports the flexible portion 18 of the inner drive shaft within the housing 16, such that the inner drive shaft 14 can receive sufficient support within the tube to allow the tool 12 to operate normally.

[0028] The handheld medical device 10 can be any device configured to support the inner drive shaft 14 and the housing 16. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the handheld medical device 10 may include a head 50 configured to support the inner drive shaft 14 and the housing 16. The inner drive shaft 14 and the housing 16 may be permanently or releasably attached to the head 50. The inner drive shaft 14 may include an attachment system 52 for attaching the proximal end of the inner drive shaft 14 to a handle arm. The attachment system 52 may include a groove 56 in the inner drive shaft 14 extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the inner drive shaft 14 and configured to receive a protrusion. This protrusion may be attached to a portion of a second arm 62 disposed within the head 50 to drive the inner drive shaft 14. The housing 16 may include an attachment system 54 that enables the housing 16 to be releasably attached to the head 50.

[0029] The handheld medical device 10 may include a first arm 58 extending proximally from a head 50. The first arm 58 may be disposed at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the inner drive shaft 14. The first arm 58 may be rigidly attached to the head 50, and in at least one embodiment, may be integrally formed with the head 50. The first arm 58 may include a finger receiver 60 through which one or more fingers of a human hand can extend to grasp the first arm 58.

[0030] The handheld medical device 10 may include a second arm 62 extending away from the head 50 and positioned between the first arm 58 and the inner drive shaft 14 and the housing 16. The second arm 62 may be pivotally coupled to the head 50 such that the second arm 62 can move toward the first arm 58 and drive a protrusion on the second arm 62 within the head 50 toward the tool 12 at the distal end 24 of the housing 16. The second arm 62 may include a finger receiver 60 through which one or more fingers of a hand can extend to grasp the second arm 62. Thus, when a user can squeeze the second arm 62 toward the first arm 58, the protrusion on a portion of the second arm within the head 50 and on the opposite side of the pivot point propels the inner drive shaft 14 distally along its longitudinal axis.

[0031] like Figure 5 and Figure 7As shown, the handheld medical device 10 may also include a bender 36 configured to bend the inner drive shaft bendable portion 18 and the housing bendable portion 20. The bender 36 may include first and second arms 38, 40 connected together by a pivot pin 42. The first arm 38 may include a first bend shaft receiver 44. The second arm 40 includes a second bend shaft receiver 46 aligned with the first bend shaft receiver 44. The first and second bend shaft receivers 44, 46 may each have a groove that generally reflects the shape of the drive shaft bendable portion 18 and the housing bendable portion 20. The bender may be configured to bend the inner drive shaft bendable portion 18 and the housing bendable portion 20 upward, to the left, or to the right by 15°, or even a combination of bends, such as, but not limited to, 7.5° upward + 7.5° to the left / right. Figure 7 In the illustrated embodiment, portions of the first and second arms 38, 40 extend beyond the pivot pin 42, wherein the positions of the first and second arms 38, 40 are reversed relative to each other. Additionally, the positions of the first and second bending shaft receivers 44, 46 are located on opposite sides of the pivot pin 42 relative to the handle portion 41. In contrast, Figure 5 The illustrated embodiment shows that the first and second bending shaft receivers 44, 46 are located on the same side of the pivot pin 42 relative to the handle portion 41 of the first and second arms 38, 40.

[0032] During use, the flexible inner drive shaft portion 18 or the flexible outer casing portion, or the flexible inner drive shaft portion 18 located within the flexible outer casing portion 20, can be inserted into the first and second bending shaft receivers 44, 46. The user can press the first and second arms 38, 40 toward each other to bend the flexible inner drive shaft portion 18 or the flexible outer casing portion, or both, as needed to suit the patient.

[0033] Method 70 for forming handheld medical device 10 Figure 6 As shown in the diagram. Method 70 may include providing a handheld medical device 10 at 72. The handheld medical device 10 may include features as described above, such as, but not limited to, an inner drive shaft 14, an elongated tubular housing 16 enclosing the inner drive shaft 14 such that the inner drive shaft 14 is placed within the housing 16, and a tool 12 located at the distal end 24 of the housing 16, whereby the inner drive shaft 14 may include one or more flexible portions 18 of the inner drive shaft 14 located between the distal and proximal ends 30, 32 of the inner drive shaft 14, and the housing 16 includes one or more flexible housing portions 20 located between the distal and proximal ends 24, 34 of the housing 16. Method 70 may include heating the inner drive shaft 14 at 74. Heating the flexible portions 18 of the inner drive shaft at 74 anneals the material forming the flexible portions 18 of the inner drive shaft. Method 70 may also include inserting the flexible portions 18 of the inner drive shaft 18 into the flexible housing portions 20 at 76.

[0034] Method 70 may include bending the inner drive shaft bendable portion 18 and the housing 16 at 78 using a bender 36, the bender 36 being configured to bend the inner drive shaft bendable portion 18 and the housing bendable portion 20. The bender 36 may be formed by first and second arms 38, 40 connected together via a pivot pin 42. The first arm 38 of the bender 36 may include a first bending shaft receiver 44, and the second arm 40 may include a second bending shaft receiver 46 aligned with the first bending shaft receiver 44. During the bending at 78, the inner drive shaft bendable portion 18 may include an inner drive shaft bendable portion 18 having a lower bending modulus than the housing bendable portion 20. During the bending at 78, the inner drive shaft bendable portion 18 may include an inner drive shaft bendable portion 18 that is more flexible than the housing bendable portion 20. During the bending at 78, the inner drive shaft bendable portion 18 may include an inner drive shaft bendable portion 18 having a lower modulus or elastic modulus than the housing bendable portion 20.

[0035] During use, the handheld medical device 10 can be used by a surgeon in a straight configuration, a curved configuration, or both. The surgeon can bend one or more inner drive shaft flexible portions 18 and one or more housing flexible portions 20. The surgeon can use his hand on the object with a bender 36 or in another manner that allows the surgeon to obtain a desired shape to bend portions 18, 20. When in a bent state, the handheld medical device 10 is designed such that the inner drive shaft flexible portion 18 remains bent and is not engaged with the inner surface of the housing 16 or the inner surface of the housing flexible portion 20.

[0036] The foregoing content is provided to illustrate, explain and describe embodiments of the disclosed apparatus.

Claims

1. A handheld medical device (10), characterized in that: An inner drive shaft (14) includes at least one flexible portion (18) of the inner drive shaft located between the distal end and the proximal end (30, 32) of the inner drive shaft (14); An elongated tubular housing (16) encloses the inner drive shaft (14) such that the inner drive shaft (14) is placed inside the housing (16), the housing (16) including at least one flexible portion (20) of the housing located between the distal and proximal ends (24, 34) of the housing (16); Tool (12), which is located at the distal end (24) of the housing (16); A bender (36) configured to bend the at least one bendable portion (18) of the inner drive shaft and the at least one bendable portion (20) of the outer casing; The at least one flexible portion (18) of the inner drive shaft is more flexible than the at least one flexible portion (20) of the outer casing; The bending device (36) includes a first arm and a second arm (38, 40) connected together by a pivot pin (42), wherein the first arm (38) includes a first bending shaft receiver (44) and the second arm (40) includes a second bending shaft receiver (46) aligned with the first bending shaft receiver (44); and The at least one flexible portion (18) of the inner drive shaft is formed of annealed material.

2. The hand-held medical device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The at least one flexible portion (18) of the inner drive shaft has been heated before being placed inside the at least one flexible portion (20) of the outer casing.

3. The hand-held medical device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The at least one flexible inner drive shaft portion (18) has a lower bending modulus than the at least one flexible outer shell portion (20).

4. The handheld medical device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The at least one flexible inner drive shaft portion (18) is more flexible than the at least one flexible outer casing portion (20).

5. The handheld medical device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The at least one flexible inner drive shaft portion (18) has a lower elastic modulus than the at least one flexible outer shell portion (20).

6. The handheld medical device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The tool (12) located at the distal end (24) of the housing (16) includes a first chuck and a second chuck (26, 28).

7. The handheld medical device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The at least one flexible portion (18) of the inner drive shaft is formed within the distal third of the at least one flexible portion (18).

8. The handheld medical device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The at least one flexible portion (18) of the inner drive shaft is formed of the same material as the material forming the at least one flexible portion (20) of the outer casing.

9. A method for forming a handheld medical device (10), characterized in that: An inner drive shaft (14) and an elongated tubular housing (16) are provided, the housing (16) enclosing the inner drive shaft (14) such that the inner drive shaft (14) is placed within the housing (16), and a tool (12) is located at the distal end (24) of the housing (16), wherein the inner drive shaft (14) includes at least one flexible portion (18) of the inner drive shaft located between the distal end and the proximal end (30, 32) of the inner drive shaft (14), and wherein the housing (16) includes at least one flexible portion (20) of the housing located between the distal end and the proximal end (24, 34) of the housing (16); Heating the inner drive shaft (14); The at least one flexible portion (18) of the inner drive shaft is placed in the at least one flexible portion (20) of the outer shell, wherein the at least one flexible portion (18) of the inner drive shaft is more flexible than the at least one flexible portion (20) of the outer shell; The at least one inner drive shaft bendable portion (18) and the at least one housing (16) are bent using a bender (36), the bender (36) being configured to bend the at least one inner drive shaft bendable portion (18) and the at least one housing bendable portion (20); as well as Heating the at least one flexible portion (18) of the inner drive shaft anneals the material forming the at least one flexible portion (18) of the inner drive shaft. The bending device (36) includes a first arm and a second arm (38, 40) connected together by a pivot pin (42), and the first arm (38) includes a first bending shaft receiver (44) and the second arm (40) includes a second bending shaft receiver (46) aligned with the first bending shaft receiver (44).

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, The at least one flexible inner drive shaft portion (18) has a lower bending modulus than the at least one flexible outer shell portion (20).

11. The method of claim 9, wherein, The at least one flexible inner drive shaft portion (18) is more flexible than the at least one flexible outer casing portion (20).

12. The method of claim 9, wherein, The at least one flexible inner drive shaft portion (18) has a lower modulus of elasticity than the at least one flexible outer shell portion (20).

13. A handheld medical device (10), characterized in that: An inner drive shaft (14) includes at least one flexible portion (18) of the inner drive shaft located between the distal end and the proximal end (30, 32) of the inner drive shaft (14); An elongated tubular housing (16) encloses the inner drive shaft (14) such that the inner drive shaft (14) is placed inside the housing (16), the housing (16) including at least one flexible portion (20) of the housing located between the distal and proximal ends (24, 34) of the housing (16); Tool (12), which is located at the distal end (24) of the housing (16); A bender (36) configured to bend the at least one bendable portion (18) of the inner drive shaft and the at least one bendable portion (20) of the outer casing; The at least one flexible portion (18) of the inner drive shaft is more flexible than the at least one flexible portion (20) of the outer casing; The at least one flexible portion (18) of the inner drive shaft is heated to form an annealed at least one flexible portion (18) of the inner drive shaft; The bending device (36) includes a first arm and a second arm (38, 40) connected together by a pivot pin (42), and the first arm (38) includes a first bending shaft receiver (44) and the second arm (40) includes a second bending shaft receiver (46) aligned with the first bending shaft receiver (44).

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