Medical devices and related systems and methods

Abstract

A connector assembly (350) for a medical device (300) may include a sleeve (403) configured to fixedly couple to a shaft (351) of the medical device and to rotatably couple to a handle (320) of the medical device; a collar (409) positioned about the sleeve and configured to be coupled to the sleeve such that the collar is (i) movable in a proximal direction and a distal direction relative to the sleeve and (ii) rotatable about the central longitudinal axis when the collar is rotated about the central longitudinal axis; and a biasing member (411). The connector assembly may be configured to transition between a neutral position and an engaged position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to handles, connectors, and shafts of medical devices. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to rotatable connector assemblies and the like for use with handles of endoscopes or other medical devices. Background Art

[0002] During an endoscopic procedure, a medical professional operating an endoscope typically wraps the entire palm of their hand around the handle or grip portion of the device. Various actuators on the handle of an endoscope require the medical professional to twist their hands and move the handle for long periods of time and frequently during the procedure, which can cause strain or even injury. In some cases, actuating different endoscope controls (such as knobs or lifters) can cause the shaft of the endoscope to become twisted, which can then apply excessive force to the handle of the endoscope, which can cause hand strain to the medical professional. Endoscope operators may experience wrist and hand discomfort from gripping and manipulating the handle of the endoscope, in some cases due to the forces applied by the twisted proximal portion of the endoscope shaft when moving the handle in the operating room. In some cases, for example, the medical professional may experience symptoms similar to carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis. When the medical professional experiences finger, hand, or wrist fatigue or other pain, the medical professional may switch from a primary grip position to a secondary grip position that may not provide as much grip strength as the primary grip position, such as switching from a four-finger grip to a three-finger grip. Repeated flexion and manipulation of the wrist to adjust the positioning of the endoscope may increase fatigue or other pain.

[0003] When the medical professional repeatedly adjusts his / her hand grip between surgical tasks, the surgical procedure may be prolonged and the surgical task may be made more difficult. Depending on the hand and arm strength of the medical professional, the force exerted on the handle by the twisted proximal portion of the endoscope may increase the number of hand adjustments required by the medical professional during the procedure. Summary of the invention

[0004] Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems, devices, and methods for alleviating the forces applied to the handle of a medical device by a twisted distal portion of the device. The systems, devices, and methods of the present disclosure can facilitate the user's hand gripping of an endoscope or other medical device. Endoscopes and other medical devices with a handle that can rotate relative to a proximal shaft portion can help address user hand fatigue or strain, can help reduce the need for hand re-gripping and adjustment, and can help address other issues. Each aspect disclosed herein may include one or more features related to any other disclosed aspect.

[0005] According to one aspect, a connector assembly for a medical device may include: a sleeve configured to be fixedly coupled to a shaft of the medical device and rotatably coupled to a handle of the medical device; a collar positioned around the sleeve and configured to be coupled to the sleeve so that the collar (i) is movable in a proximal and distal direction relative to the sleeve and (ii) causes the sleeve to rotate about a central longitudinal axis when the collar is rotated about a central longitudinal axis; and a biasing member. The connector assembly may be configured to transition between a neutral position and an engaged position.

[0006] In other aspects, the connector assembly may include one or more of the following features. The knob portion and the collar cannot rotate relative to the handle in a neutral position; the knob portion and the collar can rotate relative to the handle in an engaged position. The connector assembly may also include a knob portion positioned around the collar; the knob portion may include a rib. The sleeve may include at least one protrusion located on a proximal portion of the sleeve, and the at least one protrusion is configured to be received in a recess of the handle. The biasing member may be a spring. The connector assembly may also include a tube extending through the collar. The sleeve may include a series of longitudinal ribs, and the collar may include a series of longitudinal recesses configured to receive the longitudinal ribs. The longitudinal ribs may be configured to move proximally and distally through the longitudinal grooves. The collar may include a protrusion extending circumferentially around a central longitudinal axis of the collar. The knob portion may include a recess extending circumferentially around a radially inward surface of the knob portion, and the recess may be configured to receive the protrusion. Each of the collar, the knob portion, and the sleeve may be generally cylindrical and include a respective central longitudinal cavity. The collar may include a series of teeth extending proximally from a proximal end portion of the collar. The series of teeth may be configured to be received by a series of complementary teeth of the handle. The series of teeth of the collar may be received by the series of complementary teeth of the handle in a neutral position; and the series of teeth of the collar may be spaced apart from the series of complementary teeth of the handle in an engaged position. The collar may be fixedly coupled to the knob portion.

[0007] In other aspects, a medical device may include a handle body; a shaft extending longitudinally to a distal tip; and a connector assembly. The connector assembly may include: a sleeve fixedly coupled to the shaft and rotatably coupled to the handle body; a collar positioned around the sleeve and coupled to the sleeve so that the collar (i) is movable in a proximal and distal direction relative to the sleeve and (ii) rotates the sleeve about a central longitudinal axis of the medical device during rotation of the sleeve about the central longitudinal axis; a knob portion positioned about the collar; and a biasing member. The connector assembly may be configured to transition between a neutral position and an engaged position.

[0008] In other aspects, the connector assembly may include one or more of the following features. The collar may include a series of teeth extending proximally from a proximal portion of the collar; and the series of teeth may be configured to be received by a series of complementary teeth of the handle body. The sleeve may include a protrusion located on a proximal portion of the sleeve, and the protrusion is configured to be received in a recess of the handle body.

[0009] In other aspects, a method of operating a medical device including a handle and a shaft extending longitudinally from the handle may include: moving a knob portion of a connector assembly distally and compressing a biasing member of the connector assembly; rotating the knob portion relative to the handle about a central longitudinal axis of the knob portion; and releasing the knob portion to fixedly couple the shaft to the handle. In some examples, moving the knob portion of the connector assembly distally may include moving teeth of a collar of the connector assembly away from teeth at a proximal portion of the handle.

[0010] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not intended to restrict the invention, as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary aspects of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

[0012] Figure 1A and 1B is a perspective view of an exemplary endoscope according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 2A and 2B is to hold the endoscope handle (e.g. Figure 1A and 1B A stereoscopic view of a user's hand in an endoscope handle.

[0014] Figure 3 is a side view of a portion of an endoscope including a rotatable connector assembly according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 4 According to various aspects of this disclosure, Figure 3 A side cross-sectional view of a rotatable connector assembly.

[0016] Figure 5 According to various aspects of this disclosure, Figure 3 and Figure 4 A perspective view of a rotatable connector assembly with a portion removed to reveal internal components.

[0017] Figure 6 According to various aspects of this disclosure, Figure 3 Side partial cross-sectional view of the proximal portion of the endoscope.

[0018] Figure 7 According to various aspects of this disclosure, Figure 3 A side partial cross-sectional view of a rotatable connector assembly.

[0019] FIG. 8A to FIG. 8D According to various aspects of this disclosure, Figure 3 A partial cross-sectional view of a rotatable connector assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Reference will now be made in detail to various aspects of the present disclosure, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same or similar reference numbers will be used in all drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. The term "distal" refers to the part farthest from the user when the device is introduced into the patient's body. In contrast, the term "proximal" refers to the part closest to the user when the device is placed in the patient's body. In all figures contained in this application, arrows marked with "P" and "D" are used to show the proximal and distal directions in the figures. As used herein, the terms "include", "comprise" or any other variant thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive contents, so that the process, method, article or device containing a list of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements that are not explicitly listed or inherent in such processes, methods, articles or devices. The term "exemplary" is used as an "example" rather than an "ideal" meaning. In addition, relative terms such as "approximately", "substantially", "approximately", etc. are used to indicate possible changes within ±10% of the stated value or range.

[0021] Embodiments of the present disclosure may improve a user's ability to grasp, manipulate, and otherwise apply force to a handle and handle actuator of a medical device (e.g., an endoscope) during a medical procedure, helping to reduce the need to reposition the user's hand during the procedure and reduce strain to the user's hand due to excessive motion, etc. Embodiments of the present disclosure may also facilitate rotation of a medical device shaft relative to a medical device handle.

[0022] Figure 1A and 1BA stereoscopic view of an exemplary endoscope system 100 is shown. The endoscope system 100 may include an endoscope 101. Although the term "endoscope" may be used herein, it should be understood that other devices, including but not limited to duodenoscopes, colonoscopes, ureteroscopes, bronchoscopes, laparoscopes, sheaths, catheters, or any other suitable delivery devices or medical devices, may be used in conjunction with the devices of the present disclosure, and the connector assembly discussed below may be incorporated into any of these or other medical devices. The endoscope 101 may include a handle assembly 106 and a flexible tubular shaft 108. The handle assembly 106 may include a biopsy port 102, a biopsy cover 103, an image capture button 104, a lift actuator 107, a first locking lever 109, a second locking lever 110, a first control knob 112, a second control knob 114, a suction button 116, an air / water button 118, a handle body 120, and an umbilicus 105. All actuators, lifters, knobs, buttons, levers, ports, or covers of the endoscope system 100 (such as those listed above) can be used for any purpose and are not limited to any specific use implied by the respective names of each component used herein. The umbilicus 105 can extend from the handle body 120 to auxiliary devices, such as a control unit, a water / fluid supply, and / or a vacuum source. Therefore, the umbilicus 105 can transmit signals between the endoscope 101 and the control unit to control the illumination and imaging components of the endoscope 101 and / or receive image data from the endoscope 101. The umbilicus 105 can also provide fluid from the water / fluid supply and / or suction to the distal tip 119 of the shaft 108 for flushing. Buttons 116 and 118 control valves for suction and fluid supply (e.g., air and water), respectively. The shaft 108 can terminate at the distal tip 119. The shaft 108 can include a hinged portion 122 to deflect the distal tip 119 in an upward, downward, leftward, and / or rightward direction. Knobs 112 and 114 can be used to control this deflection, and locking rods 109 and 110 can lock knobs 112 and 114 in desired positions, respectively. The handle body 120 can be tapered and can narrow as the handle extends distally, such that the handle body 120 has a smaller profile at its distal end than at its proximal end.

[0023] The distal tip 119 may include an imaging device (e.g., a camera) and an illumination source (e.g., an LED or fiber optic). The distal tip 119 may face sideways. That is, the imaging device and illumination source may face radially outward, perpendicular, approximately perpendicular, or otherwise transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 108 and the distal tip 119. In an alternative, the distal tip 119 may face forward. That is, the imaging device and illumination device may face generally along the longitudinal axis of the distal tip 119 and the shaft 108.

[0024] When operating the endoscope system 100, the user can hold the handle assembly 106 (eg, Figure 2A106, such as the first and second control knobs 112, 114 and the first and second locking levers 109, 110. The user can grasp the handle assembly 106 by wrapping his hand around the handle body 120. While grasping the handle body 120, the user can operate the first and second control knobs 112, 114 and the lift actuator 107 with the thumb of the left hand (by rotating about their respective axes), and can operate the image capture button 104, the suction button 116 and / or the air / water button 118 (all by pressing) with the fingers of the left hand. The user can rotate the handle assembly 106 to rotate the shaft 108 about its longitudinal axis and position the distal tip 119 at a target area in the patient's body.

[0025] Figure 2A and 2B An exemplary user's left hand 201 is shown grasping the handle assembly 106, which may have a central longitudinal axis 199 extending longitudinally through the handle assembly 106. The index finger 230 and the middle finger 231 of the user's left hand may be used to operate the suction button 116 and the air / water button 118. The user may position the thumb 202 of the left hand 201 (gripping hand) on the lift actuator 107 and move the lift actuator 107 from a first position (e.g., 1 to 2) along a circular path by moving the thumb 202. Figure 2A as shown) moves to a second position (as shown) Figure 2B As shown in Figure 2B As shown, when the thumb 202 moves from the first position to the second position, the palm 240 can move away from the handle body 120. For some conventional endoscopes, when the user's hand is twisted and / or the user's wrist is bent, actuating the actuators 107, 112, 114, 116, 118 on the handle assembly 106 may be more difficult and may increase the strain on the user's hand, wrist, and fingers. The connector assembly discussed below in this article can reduce the strain caused by improper positioning of the user's hand, facilitate actuation of the actuators 107, 112, 114, 116, 118, and alleviate wrist pain caused by excessive bending of the wrist during some conventional endoscope operations.

[0026] Additionally, with some conventional endoscopes, a user may have to strain their wrists and / or awkwardly twist their hands to position the shaft 108 and distal tip 119 at the appropriate location within the patient's body, such as when a camera at the distal tip 119 is facing a target area. For example, with some conventional endoscopes, a user may rotate the handle assembly 106, thereby creating angles that are difficult to grasp and operate the elements of the handle assembly 106. The connector assemblies discussed herein may also facilitate the rotation of the shaft 108 and the positioning of the distal tip 119 during certain conventional endoscopic operations, thereby reducing and / or alleviating strain on the user's wrists, fingers, and / or hands.

[0027] Figure 3 300 includes a connector assembly 350 that couples a shaft portion 351 of the endoscope 300 to the handle portion 320. The endoscope 300 may have any of the features discussed above with respect to the endoscope 101. The connector assembly 350 may allow a user to rotate the shaft 351 relative to the handle 320 about the central longitudinal axis 399, such as Figure 3 Specifically, when in the neutral position, the connector assembly 350 can be fixedly connected to the handle 320 to the shaft 351, such as Figure 3 To rotate the shaft 351 relative to the handle 320, the user can push the knob portion 407 of the connector assembly 350 distally (eg, Figure 3 399 relative to the handle 320. The user may push the knob portion 407 distally (as shown by arrow A in FIG. 4 ) to convert the connector assembly from the neutral position to the engaged position, in which the user can rotate the shaft 351 relative to the handle 320 about the axis 399. While pushing the knob portion 407 distally (the connector assembly 350 is in the engaged position), the user can freely rotate the shaft 351 relative to the handle 320 about the axis 399. When the connector assembly 350 is in the engaged position, the handle 320 and the shaft 351 remain rotatably coupled together via the connector assembly 350. When the user releases the knob portion 407, the connector assembly 350 may be converted to a neutral position, in which the handle 320 is fixedly coupled to the shaft 351. In other words, the shaft 351 cannot rotate relative to the handle 320 in the neutral position. In some examples, the connector assembly 350 may be biased toward the neutral position. In other alternative examples, the connector assembly 350 may be biased toward the engaged position. In such an alternative example, the user would push the knob portion 407 proximally to shift the connector assembly 350 to the neutral position, and release the knob portion 407 to shift the connector assembly to the engaged position. Figures 8A-8D The operation and structure of the connector assembly will be discussed in more detail.

[0028] Figure 4 A side cross-sectional view of the connector assembly 350 is shown. Figure 4As shown, the connector assembly 350 includes a knob portion 407 located at the radially outermost portion of the connector assembly 350 relative to the central longitudinal axis 399. The knob portion 407 may be generally cylindrical and may include a central longitudinal cavity 477 extending longitudinally through the knob portion 407. The knob portion 407 may include a tapered proximal end and a distal end. The knob portion 407 may be configured to receive a distal portion of the handle 320 and a proximal portion of the shaft 351. A series of protrusions 389 and recesses 388 may extend longitudinally on the radial outer surface of the knob portion 407 relative to the axis 399. A series of protrusions 389 and recesses 388 may surround the knob portion 407 and be circumferentially spaced around the axis 399. A series of protrusions 389 and recesses 388 may be configured to facilitate rotation of the knob portion 407, provide gripping, and facilitate actuation of the connector assembly 350 by a user's hand, finger, and / or thumb.

[0029] The collar 409 is located between the handle 320 and the shaft 351. The radially outer surface of the collar 409 relative to the axis 399 abuts against the radially inner surface of the knob portion 407 relative to the axis 399. The collar 409 includes a protrusion 511 extending circumferentially around the collar 409, and the protrusion 511 is received in the recess 457 of the knob portion 407. The protrusion 511 can be configured to limit radial and linear movement between the knob portion 407 and the collar 409, so that the knob portion 407 and the collar 409 move integrally with each other (i.e., move as a single component). The collar 409 includes teeth 505-509 (e.g., teeth 505-509) that are arranged to move relative to each other. Figure 5 ), the teeth 505-509 extend circumferentially about the axis 399 at the proximal end of the collar 409, and the teeth 505-509 mesh with complementary teeth 565 located at the distal end portion of the handle 320. Figure 5 399, the teeth 505-509 may extend circumferentially around the axis 399, may be evenly spaced from adjacent teeth 505-509, and may extend completely around the axis 399. The spring 411 is located within the central cavity 477 between the collar 409 and the shaft 351, and may extend circumferentially around the axis 399 and the sleeve 403. The proximal end of the spring 411 may abut the distal-facing surface of the collar 409, and the distal-most end of the spring 411 may abut the proximal-facing surface 432 of the shaft 351. The spring 411 may apply a proximal force to the collar 409, pushing it toward the handle 320. The spring 411 may be replaced with any other biasing member known in the art, such as a body of shape memory material or other elastic biasing component.

[0030] The sleeve 403 can be fixedly coupled to the proximal portion of the shaft 351 and can be rotatably coupled to the handle 320. The sleeve 403 can be generally cylindrical and can include a central lumen 405 extending longitudinally through the sleeve 403. The sleeve 403 can extend through the central lumen of the collar 409, and the radially outer surface of the sleeve 403 relative to the axis 399 can abut the radially inner surface of the collar 409. In some examples, the sleeve 403 can include one or more protrusions 479 extending radially outward relative to the axis 399, and the one or more protrusions 479 can be received in the recess 481 of the handle 320. The one or more protrusions 479 can allow the sleeve to rotate about the axis 399 relative to the handle 320, but cannot move proximally or distally relative to the handle 320. Sleeve 403 is coupled to collar 409 in such a manner that collar 409 can freely move in proximal and distal directions relative to sleeve 403, and rotation of collar 409 about axis 399 can also rotate sleeve 403 about axis 399. Sleeve 403 can be fixedly coupled to shaft 351 such that rotation of sleeve 403 can also rotate shaft 351. Sleeve 403 can be metal, plastic, and / or any other suitable material known in the art.

[0031] Figure 5 A perspective view of the connector assembly 350 is shown with a portion of the knob portion 407 removed to expose the internal components of the connector assembly 350. Note that the spring 411 is removed from the Figure 5 457. The sleeve 403 may include ribs 501, 502 extending longitudinally along the radial outer surface of the sleeve 403. The ribs 501, 502 may be received by recesses 521, 522 in the collar 409. Each rib 501, 502 is received by a corresponding recess 521, 522, and any number of ribs and recesses may be included in the sleeve 403 and the collar 409. The ribs 501, 502 and recesses 521, 522 may facilitate linear movement of the collar 409 in the proximal and distal directions relative to the sleeve 403, and may prevent the collar 409 from rotating relative to the sleeve 403 about the axis 399.

[0032] Figure 6 A side cross-sectional view of an endoscope 300 is shown, which includes a handle 320, a connector assembly 350, and a shaft. Figure 6, a portion of the shaft is removed. The internal cables 601, 602 are shown extending from the interior of the handle 320, passing through the connector assembly 350, and passing through the shaft. The internal cables 601, 602 can be positioned in the central longitudinal cavity 651 of the connector assembly 350. In some examples, the central longitudinal cavity 651 may include the central cavity 405 of the sleeve 403. The internal cables 601, 602 can move freely within and through the connector assembly 350, and the connector assembly 350 can rotate without moving the internal cables 601, 602. The internal cables 601, 602 may include wires, hinge wires and / or cables, elevator actuation cables, actuation cables for any device located proximal to the handle 320, and / or any other type of cables, wires or other bodies known in the art, which may include elements for controlling various aspects of the distal tip 119.

[0033] Figure 7 A side cross-sectional view of the connector assembly 350, handle 320, and shaft 351 is shown. Figure 7 In the illustrated connector assembly 350, a tube 705 extends from a proximal portion of the handle 320, passes through the connector assembly 350, and forms a portion of the shaft 351. The cross-section of the tube 705 is not shown. Figure 7 409. The tube 705 may be generally cylindrical and may include a central longitudinal lumen extending the length of the tube 705. The tube 705 may be fixedly coupled to the sleeve 403 at a proximal portion of the tube 705. The tube 705 may rotate as the sleeve 403, the collar 409, and the knob portion 407 rotate about the axis 399. The tube 705 may be configured to receive the inner cables 601, 602 and may extend to the distal portion of the endoscope 300. In other examples, the connector assembly 350 may not include the tube 705. The tube 705 may be flexible and may be made of any suitable flexible, biocompatible material known in the art.

[0034] During operation of endoscope 300, connector assembly 350 may allow a user to rotate shaft 351 relative to handle 320 without adjusting the user's grip on handle 320, such as without twisting the user's wrist. Figures 8A-8D The connector assembly 350 is shown in various positions when a user operates the connector assembly 350 to rotate the shaft 351 relative to the handle 320. Note that Figures 8A-8D 8A , the connector assembly 350 is shown in a neutral position, wherein the shaft 351 is coupled to the handle 320 such that rotation of the handle 320 causes rotation of the shaft 351. In the neutral position, the teeth 505-509 of the collar 409 engage the teeth 565 of the handle 320, thereby preventing the collar 409 from rotating relative to the handle 320. When the connector assembly 350 is in the neutral position, the user cannot push the knob portion 407 proximally.

[0035] In order for the user to rotate the shaft 351 relative to the handle 320 about the axis 399, the user first grasps the knob portion 407 and pushes the knob portion 407 distally. Figure 8B As shown, when the user pushes the knob portion 407 distally, the collar 409 moves distally relative to the handle 320. When the user moves the knob portion 407 distally, the user can compress the spring 411, so that the teeth 505-509 of the collar 409 can be longitudinally spaced from the teeth 565 of the handle 320 (such as Figure 8B 409 relative to the handle 320. The rotation of the knob portion 407 is performed by rotating the collar 409 distally relative to the shaft 403. Once the teeth 505-509 of the collar 409 are longitudinally spaced from the teeth 565 of the handle 320, the user can rotate the knob portion 407 relative to the handle 320 to rotate the collar 409, the sleeve 403, and the shaft 351 relative to the handle 320 about the axis 399. Figure 8C 899. While rotating knob portion 407 about axis 399, the user also maintains a distal push on knob portion 407 to prevent spring 411 from moving knob portion 407 and collar 409 proximally. Figure 8B and 8C The position of the connector assembly 350 shown in FIG. 3 is an engaged position, wherein a user may rotate the shaft 351 relative to the handle 320. The radially inward surface of the collar 409 may slide over the ribs 501, 502 of the sleeve 403 as the collar 409 moves proximally or distally.

[0036] Once the user has completed rotating shaft 351 , the user may release knob portion 407 , whereupon spring 411 may push knob portion 407 and collar 409 proximally to re-engage teeth 505 - 509 of collar 409 with teeth 565 of handle 320 . Fig.8D The connector assembly 350 is shown returning to the neutral position after the user releases the knob portion 407, and once in the neutral position, the shaft 351 cannot rotate relative to the handle 320 about the axis 399. Fig. 8A Compared with the configuration of Fig.8D In the embodiment of the present invention, the shaft 351 can rotate relative to the handle 320.

[0037] When a user operates the endoscope 101 or other medical device, the medical device, such as the endoscope, connector assembly and handle of the present disclosure, can help position the user's hands and wrists in an ergonomic manner, can reduce hand strain caused by excessive wrist movement and / or bending when the user operates the endoscope 101, 300, and can reduce the chance of the user losing grip. In addition, the medical device, connector assembly and handle can help prevent the user's hand from being repeatedly repositioned on the handle of the medical device due to fatigue, strain or other difficulties. In addition, the medical device, connector assembly and handle can help position the distal portion of the medical device without causing excessive hand strain due to rotation of the handle. Whether used in conjunction with an endoscopic system or any other medical device, each of the above-mentioned connector assemblies can be used to enhance and / or facilitate the user's grip on the handle. Any portion of the connector assembly discussed herein can be incorporated into the handle of an endoscope or other medical device to improve the user's operation of the device.

[0038] It will be clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made to the disclosed apparatus and methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Other aspects of the present disclosure will be clear to those skilled in the art from the practice of the description and features disclosed herein. The description and examples are to be considered exemplary only.

Claims

1. A connector assembly for a medical device, the connector assembly comprising: a sleeve configured to be fixedly coupled to a shaft of the medical device and rotatably coupled to a handle of the medical device; a collar positioned about the sleeve, the collar being configured to be coupled to the sleeve such that the collar (i) is movable in a proximal and distal direction relative to the sleeve and (ii) causes the sleeve to rotate about the central longitudinal axis when the sleeve is rotated about the central longitudinal axis; and offset member; Wherein, the connector assembly is configured to switch between a neutral position and an engaged position.

2. The connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein in the neutral position, the knob portion and the collar cannot rotate relative to the handle; and Wherein in the engaged position, the knob portion and the collar are rotatable relative to the handle.

3. The connector assembly of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a knob portion positioned around the collar; wherein the knob portion comprises ribs.

4. The connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve comprises at least one protrusion on a proximal portion of the sleeve, and the at least one protrusion is configured to be received in a recess of the handle.

5. The connector assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the biasing member is a spring.

6. A connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a tube extending through the collar.

7. The connector assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve comprises a series of longitudinal ribs and the collar comprises a series of longitudinal recesses configured to receive the longitudinal ribs.

8. The connector assembly of claim 7, wherein the longitudinal rib is configured to move proximally and distally through the longitudinal recess.

9. The connector assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the collar includes a protrusion extending circumferentially about a central longitudinal axis of the collar.

10. The connector assembly of claim 9, wherein the knob portion includes a recess extending circumferentially around a radially inward surface of the knob portion, and wherein the recess is configured to receive the protrusion.

11. A connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the collar, the knob portion and the sleeve is generally cylindrical and includes a respective central longitudinal cavity.

12. The connector assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the collar includes a series of teeth extending proximally from a proximal end portion of the collar.

13. The connector assembly of claim 12, wherein the series of teeth is configured to be received by a complementary series of teeth of the handle.

14. The connector assembly of claim 13, wherein in the neutral position, the series of teeth of the collar are received by the series of complementary teeth of the handle; and in the engaged position, the series of teeth of the collar are spaced apart from the series of complementary teeth of the handle.

15. The connector assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the collar is fixedly coupled to the knob portion.

Images