Bendable handheld medical actuator

Abstract

To provide a handheld medical device with a distal implement.SOLUTION: A handheld medical device 10 with a distal implement 12 is disclosed. The handheld rotary medical device includes an inner drive shaft, and an elongated, tubular, outer housing 16. The inner drive shaft may include one or more inner drive shaft bendable sections, and the outer housing includes one or more outer housing bendable sections. The inner drive shaft bendable section may be heated to anneal a material forming the inner drive shaft bendable section such that during use the inner drive shaft bendable section may be bent into a desired position and, once bent, the inner drive shaft bendable section remains in the desired position and does not bind to the elongated, tubular, outer housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates generally to handheld medical devices, and more particularly 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 often include a distally extending drive shaft disposed within a cylindrical outer housing. The distally extending drive shaft may 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 may be a shaver, burr, jaw, etc., configured to remove or grasp soft tissue. Often, the inner shaft and outer housing may be bendable to allow a surgeon to bend the shaft and housing into a desired shape for a particular surgical procedure. Often, bending the shaft and housing reduces the ease with which the device can be used by causing sticking between the shaft and housing. Sometimes, the sticking may be so severe that it almost prevents or significantly limits the use of the device. Thus, there is a need for a more suitable solution for bendable handheld medical devices. Summary of the Invention

[0003] A handheld medical device with a distal instrument is disclosed. The rotary handheld medical device can include an inner drive shaft and an elongated tubular outer housing that encases the inner drive shaft such that the inner drive shaft is disposed therein. The inner drive shaft can include one or more inner drive shaft bendable sections and the outer housing can include one or more outer housing bendable sections. The inner drive shaft bendable sections can be heated to anneal the material forming the inner drive shaft bendable sections such that in use the inner drive shaft bendable sections can be bent into a desired position and once bent, the inner drive shaft bendable sections maintain the desired position and do not stick to the elongated tubular outer housing.

[0004] The handheld medical device can include an inner drive shaft and an elongated tubular outer housing that encases the inner drive shaft such that the inner drive shaft is disposed therein. The handheld medical device can include an instrument at a distal end of the outer housing. The inner drive shaft can include one or more inner drive shaft bendable sections disposed between a distal end and a proximal end of the inner drive shaft. The outer housing can include one or more outer housing bendable sections disposed between a distal end and a proximal end of the outer housing.

[0005] In at least one embodiment, the inner drive shaft bendable section can be more bendable than the outer housing bendable section. The inner drive shaft bendable section can be formed from an annealed material. The inner drive shaft bendable section can be heated before or after being placed inside the outer housing bendable section. The inner drive shaft bendable section can have a lower flexural modulus than the outer housing bendable section. The inner drive shaft bendable section can be softer than at least one outer housing bendable section. The inner drive shaft bendable section can have a lower flexural modulus than the outer housing bendable section.

[0006] The inner drive shaft bendable section can be formed within the distal third of the inner drive shaft bendable section. The inner drive shaft bendable section may be formed from the same material as the material forming the outer housing bendable section.

[0007] The handheld medical device can include an instrument at a distal end of the outer housing and can include, but is not limited to, a first jaw and a second jaw. The handheld medical device can include a bender configured to bend the inner drive shaft bendable section and the outer housing bendable section. The bender can include a first arm and a second arm coupled to one another via a pivot pin, where the first arm includes a first curved shaft receiver and the second arm includes a second curved shaft receiver aligned with the first curved shaft receiver.

[0008] A method of forming a handheld medical device can include providing an inner drive shaft, an elongated tubular outer housing encasing the inner drive shaft such that the inner drive shaft is configured to be disposed therein, and an instrument at a distal end of the outer housing, where the inner drive shaft includes one or more inner drive shaft bendable sections disposed between a distal end and a proximal end of the inner drive shaft, and the outer housing includes one or more outer housing bendable sections disposed between a distal end and a proximal end of the outer housing. The method can also include heating the inner drive shaft. The method can include inserting the inner drive shaft bendable sections into the outer housing bendable sections. The method can include bending the inner drive shaft bendable sections and the outer housing with a bender configured to bend the inner drive shaft bendable sections and the outer housing. The bending step may include bending with a bender including a first arm and a second arm coupled to each other via a pivot pin, where the first arm includes a first curved shaft receiver and the second arm includes a second curved shaft receiver aligned with the first curved shaft receiver. The heating step may include heating the inner drive shaft bendable section to anneal the material forming the inner drive shaft bendable section. In the method, the inner shaft bendable section used may have a lower flexural modulus than the outer housing bendable section. In the method, the inner shaft bendable section used may be softer than the outer housing bendable section. In the method, the inner shaft bendable section used may have a lower flexural modulus than the outer housing bendable section.

[0009] An advantage of this handheld medical device is that the inner drive shaft bendable section maintains its bent shape once bent, thereby preventing the inner drive shaft bendable section from sticking to the outer housing bendable section during use.

[0010] Another advantage of the handheld medical device is that the inner drive shaft bendable section can be heated so that it can be easily bent.

[0011] Yet another advantage of the present handheld medical device is that a bender can be used to bend the inner drive shaft or the outer housing, or both, into a desired shape.

[0012] These and other embodiments are described in further detail below. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a handheld medical device with an instrument including a first jaw and a second jaw. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the inner drive shaft. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a side view of an inner drive shaft disposed within an outer housing with a distal portion of the outer housing cut away to show the inner drive shaft bendable section disposed within the outer housing. [Figure 4] 4 is a side view of the inner drive shaft disposed within the outer housing of FIG. 3, with the inner drive shaft bendable section disposed within the outer housing and bent. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a handheld medical device and a bender used to bend the inner drive shaft bendable section. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method for forming a handheld medical device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a bender used to bend the inner drive shaft bendable section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] As shown in Figures 1-7, a handheld medical device 10 is disclosed having a distal instrument 12. The rotary handheld medical device 10 can include an inner drive shaft 14 and an elongated tubular outer housing 16 that encases the inner drive shaft 14 such that the inner drive shaft 14 is disposed therein. The inner drive shaft 14 can include one or more inner drive shaft bendable sections 18 and the outer housing 16 can include one or more outer housing bendable sections 20. The inner drive shaft bendable sections 18 can be heated to anneal the material forming the inner drive shaft bendable sections 18 such that the inner drive shaft bendable sections 18 can be bent into a desired position during use and, once bent, the inner drive shaft bendable sections 18 maintain the desired position and do not stick to the elongated tubular outer housing 16.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1-3, the handheld medical device 10 can include an inner drive shaft 14 and an elongated tubular outer housing 16 that encases the inner drive shaft 14 such that the inner drive shaft 14 is disposed therein. The instrument 12 can be disposed at a distal end 24 of the outer housing 16. The instrument 12 can include a first jaw 26 and a second jaw 28 that can be configured to open and close to grasp tissue and other objects. The first jaw 26 and the second jaw 28 can have any suitable size, shape, and configuration. The instrument 12 can be a burr, shaver, or other desired tool.

[0016] The handheld medical device 10 can include an inner drive shaft 14 having one or more inner drive shaft bendable sections 18 disposed between a distal end 30 and a proximal end 32 of the inner drive shaft 14. The handheld medical device 10 can include an outer housing 16 having one or more outer housing bendable sections 20 disposed between a distal end 24 and a proximal end 34 of the outer housing 16. The inner drive shaft bendable sections 18 can be configured such that, during use, the inner drive shaft bendable section 18 can be bent to a desired position, and once bent, the inner drive shaft bendable section 18 maintains the desired position and does not adhere to the elongated tubular outer housing 16. Alternatively, the inner drive shaft bendable section 18 is disposed within the outer housing bendable section 20, but does not adhere to an inner surface of the outer housing bendable section 20. Such a configuration ensures that the instrument 12 can be easily actuated by a user, such as a surgeon.

[0017] As shown in Figures 2-4, the inner drive shaft bendable section 18 can be configured to create a device that is easy for the surgeon to use. In at least one embodiment, the inner drive shaft bendable section 18 can be formed from a material such as stainless steel, including but not limited to stainless steels 17-7 and 17-4. The inner drive shaft bendable section 18 can be formed from the same material that forms the outer housing bendable section 20. Alternatively, the inner drive shaft bendable section 18 can be formed from a different material than the material that forms the outer housing bendable section 20.

[0018] In at least one embodiment, the inner drive shaft bendable section 18 can be formed from an annealed material so that the inner drive shaft bendable section 18 can be bent as desired in use. The inner drive shaft bendable section 18 can be heated prior to being placed within the outer housing bendable section 20. The inner drive shaft bendable section 18 can be heated to anneal the material forming the inner drive shaft bendable section 18, thereby making the inner drive shaft bendable section 18 more bendable. The inner drive shaft bendable section 18 can be heated to a temperature range of 1900° F. to 2000° F. using a heating device such as, but not limited to, a heating / induction coil for a period of time of 2 seconds to 5 seconds.

[0019] In at least one embodiment, the inner drive shaft bendable section 18 can be more bendable than the at least one outer housing bendable section 20 such that the inner drive shaft bendable section 18 can be bent as desired in use. The inner drive shaft bendable section 18 has a lower flexural modulus than the outer housing bendable section 20 such that the inner drive shaft bendable section 18 can be bent as desired in use. The inner drive shaft bendable section 18 can be more flexible than the outer housing bendable section 20. The inner drive shaft bendable section 18 can have a lower flexural modulus than the outer housing bendable section 20 such that the inner drive shaft bendable section 18 can be bent as desired in use.

[0020] The inner drive shaft bendable section 18 may be formed at any desired point along the length of the inner drive shaft 14. In at least one embodiment, the inner drive shaft bendable section 18 is within the distal third of the inner drive shaft 14. In other embodiments, the inner drive shaft bendable section 18 may be located at other locations. The inner drive shaft bendable section 18 may have any suitable and desired length. The outer housing 16 supports the inner shaft 14 within the outer housing 16. The outer housing 16 also supports the inner drive shaft bendable section 18 within the outer housing 16 such that the inner drive shaft 14 can be securely supported inside the tube so that the instrument 12 can operate properly.

[0021] The handheld medical device 10 can be any device configured to support the inner drive shaft 14 and the outer housing 16. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the handheld medical device 10 can include a head 50 configured to support the inner drive shaft 14 and the outer housing 16. The inner drive shaft 14 and the outer housing 16 can be permanently or removably attached to the head 50. The inner drive shaft 14 can include a mounting system 52 to allow a proximal end of the inner drive shaft 14 to be attached to a handle arm. The mounting system 52 can include a slot 56 in the inner drive shaft 14 extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the inner drive shaft 14 and configured to receive a protrusion. The protrusion can be attached to a portion of a second arm 62 disposed within the head 50 to drive the inner drive shaft 14. The outer housing 16 can include a mounting system 54 to allow the outer housing 16 to be removably attached to the head 50.

[0022] The handheld medical device 10 may include a first arm 58 extending proximally from the head 50. The first arm 58 may be disposed at an acute angle relative to a 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 formed integrally therewith. The first arm 58 may include a finger receiving portion 60 through which one or more human fingers may extend to grasp the first arm 58.

[0023] 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 outer housing 16. The second arm 62 may be pivotally coupled to the head 50 such that the second arm 62 may be moved toward the first arm 58 to allow a protrusion on the second arm 62 within the head 50 to drive the instrument 12 at the distal end 24 of the outer housing 16. The second arm 62 may include a finger receiving portion 60 through which one or more human fingers may extend to grasp the second arm 62. In this manner, a user may push the second arm 62 toward the first arm 58 such that a protrusion on a portion of the second arm within the head 50 and opposite the pivot point advances the inner drive shaft 14 distally along the long axis of the inner drive shaft 14.

[0024] 5 and 7, the handheld medical device 10 can also include a bender 36 configured to bend the inner drive shaft bendable section 18 and the outer housing bendable section 20. The bender 36 can include a first arm 38 and a second arm 40 coupled to one another via a pivot pin 42. The first arm 38 can include a first curved shaft receiver 44. The second arm 40 can include a second curved shaft receiver 46 aligned with the first curved shaft receiver 44. The first curved shaft receiver 44 and the second curved shaft receiver 46 can have grooves that generally mirror the shapes of the inner drive shaft bendable section 18 and the outer housing bendable section 20, respectively. The bender can be configured to bend the inner drive shaft bendable section 18 and the outer housing bendable section 20 15° up, left, or right, or even combinations such as, but not limited to, 7.5° up, 7.5° left, or right. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, a portion of the first arm 38 and the second arm 40 extend beyond the pivot pin 42, at which the positions of the first arm 38 and the second arm 40 relative to each other are reversed. Additionally, the positions of the first curved shaft receiver 44 and the second curved shaft receiver 46 are on the opposite side of the pivot pin 42 relative to the handle portion 41. In contrast, the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 shows the first curved shaft receiver 44 and the second curved shaft receiver 46 on the same side of the first arm 38 and the second arm 40 as the pivot pin 42 relative to the handle portion 41.

[0025] In use, the inner drive shaft bendable section 18 or the outer housing bendable section, or the inner drive shaft bendable section 18 disposed within the outer housing bendable section 20, can be inserted into the first curved shaft receiver 44 and the second curved shaft receiver 46. The user can press the first arm 38 and the second arm 40 toward each other to bend the inner drive shaft bendable section 18 or the outer housing bendable section, or both, as desired to fit the patient.

[0026] A method 70 of forming a handheld medical device 10 is shown in FIG. 6. The method 70 may include, at 72, providing a handheld medical device 10. The handheld medical device 10 may include, but is not limited to, the following features as described above: an inner drive shaft 14, an elongated tubular outer housing 16 encasing the inner drive shaft 14 such that the inner drive shaft 14 is disposed therein, and an instrument 12 at a distal end 24 of the outer housing 16, where the inner drive shaft 14 may include one or more inner drive shaft bendable sections 18 disposed between a distal end 30 and a proximal end 32 of the inner drive shaft 14, and the outer housing 16 includes one or more outer housing bendable sections 20 disposed between a distal end 24 and a proximal end 34 of the outer housing 16. The method 70 may include, at 74, heating the inner drive shaft 14. At 74, heating the inner drive shaft bendable section 18 anneals the material forming the inner drive shaft bendable section 18. The method 70 may also include, at 76, inserting the inner drive shaft bendable section 18 into the outer housing bendable section 20.

[0027] The method 70 may include, at 78, bending the inner drive shaft bendable section 18 and the outer housing 16 with a bender 36 configured to bend the inner drive shaft bendable section 18 and the outer housing 16. The bender 36 may be formed from a first arm 38 and a second arm 40 coupled to one another via a pivot pin 42. The first arm 38 of the bender 36 may include a first bent shaft receiver 44 and the second arm 40 may include a second bent shaft receiver 46 aligned with the first bent shaft receiver 44. Bending the inner drive shaft bendable section 18 at 78 may include the inner drive shaft bendable section 18 having a lower bend modulus than the outer housing bendable section 20. Bending the inner drive shaft bendable section 18 at 78 may include the inner drive shaft bendable section 18 being softer than the outer housing bendable section 20. At 78 , bending the inner drive shaft bendable section 18 can include the inner drive shaft bendable section 18 having a lower modulus of elasticity than the modulus of elasticity of the outer housing bendable section 20 .

[0028] In use, the handheld medical device 10 may be used by a surgeon in a straight configuration, or in a curved configuration, or both. The surgeon may curve the one or more inner drive shaft bendable sections 18 and the one or more outer housing bendable sections 20. The surgeon may curve the sections 18, 20 by hand, on an object, with the use of a bender 36, or in another manner that allows the surgeon to achieve the desired shape. When in a curved state, the handheld medical device 10 is designed such that the inner drive shaft bendable section 18 remains curved and does not stick to the inner surface of the outer housing 16 or the inner surface of the outer housing bendable section 20.

[0029] The foregoing is provided for the purposes of illustrating, explaining and describing embodiments of the disclosed apparatus.

[0030] The present disclosure can be configured as follows. 1. A handheld medical device (10), comprising: An inner drive shaft (14); an elongated tubular outer housing (16) that encases the inner drive shaft (14) so ​​that the inner drive shaft (14) is disposed therein; an instrument (12) at a distal end (24) of the outer housing (16); Including, the inner drive shaft (14) includes at least one inner drive shaft bendable section (18) disposed between a distal end (30) and a proximal end (32) of the inner drive shaft (14); The outer housing (16) includes at least one outer housing bendable section (20) disposed between a distal end (24) and a proximal end (34) of the outer housing (16); A handheld medical device, wherein the at least one inner drive shaft bendable section (18) is more bendable than the at least one outer housing bendable section (20). 2. A handheld medical device (10) as described in claim 1, characterized in that it includes a bender (36) configured to bend the at least one inner drive shaft bendable section (18) and the at least one outer housing bendable section (20). 3. A handheld medical device (10) as described in 2 above, characterized in that the bender (36) includes a first arm (38) and a second arm (40) connected to each other via a pivot pin (42), the first arm (38) includes a first curved shaft receiving portion (44), and the second arm (40) includes a second curved shaft receiving portion (46) aligned with the first curved shaft receiving portion (44). 4. The handheld medical device (10) of claim 1, wherein the at least one inner drive shaft bendable section (18) is formed from an annealed material. 5. A handheld medical device (10) as described in claim 1, characterized in that the at least one inner drive shaft bendable section (18) is heated before being placed inside the at least one outer housing bendable section (20). 6. A handheld medical device (10) as described in claim 1, characterized in that the at least one inner drive shaft bendable section (18) has a bending modulus lower than the bending modulus of the at least one outer housing bendable section (20). 7. A handheld medical device (10) as described in claim 1, characterized in that the at least one inner drive shaft bendable section (18) is more flexible than the at least one outer housing bendable section (20). 8. A handheld medical device (10) as described in claim 1, characterized in that the at least one inner drive shaft bendable section (18) has a lower modulus of elasticity than the at least one outer housing bendable section (20). 9. A handheld medical device (10) as described in item 1 above, characterized in that the instrument (12) at the distal end (24) of the outer housing (16) includes a first jaw (26) and a second jaw (28). 10. A handheld medical device (10) as described in 1 above, characterized in that the at least one inner drive shaft bendable section (18) is formed within a range of the distal third of the at least one inner drive shaft bendable section (18). 11. A handheld medical device (10) as described in 1 above, characterized in that the at least one inner drive shaft bendable section (18) is formed from the same material as the material forming the at least one outer housing bendable section (20). 12. A method of forming a handheld medical device (10), comprising: providing an inner drive shaft (14), the inner drive shaft (14) including at least one inner drive shaft bendable section (18) disposed between a distal end (30) and a proximal end (32) of the inner drive shaft (14), an elongated tubular outer housing (16) encasing the inner drive shaft (14) such that the inner drive shaft (14) is disposed therein, the outer housing (16) including at least one outer housing bendable section (20) disposed between a distal end (24) and a proximal end (34) of the outer housing (16), and a distal end (24) of the outer housing (16) of the instrument (12); heating the inner drive shaft (14); disposing said at least one inner drive shaft bendable section (18) within said at least one outer housing bendable section (20); A method comprising: 13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising bending the at least one inner drive shaft bendable section (18) and the at least one outer housing (16) using a bender (36) configured to bend the at least one inner drive shaft bendable section (18) and the at least one outer housing bendable section (20). 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the bender (36) includes a first arm (38) and a second arm (40) connected to each other via a pivot pin (42), the first arm (38) including a first curved shaft receiving portion (44), and the second arm (40) including a second curved shaft receiving portion (46) aligned with the first curved shaft receiving portion (44). 15. The method of claim 12, wherein heating the at least one inner drive shaft bendable section (18) is characterized by annealing the material forming the at least one inner drive shaft bendable section (18). 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one inner drive shaft bendable section (18) has a flexural modulus lower than the flexural modulus of the at least one outer housing bendable section (20). 17. The method according to claim 12, wherein said at least one inner drive shaft bendable section (18) is more flexible than said at least one outer housing bendable section (20). 18. The method according to claim 12, wherein the at least one inner drive shaft bendable section (18) has a lower modulus of elasticity than the at least one outer housing bendable section (20). 19. A handheld medical device (10), comprising: An inner drive shaft (14); an elongated tubular outer housing (16) that encases the inner drive shaft (14) so ​​that the inner drive shaft (14) is disposed therein; an instrument (12) at a distal end (24) of the outer housing (16); Including, the inner drive shaft (14) includes at least one inner drive shaft bendable section (18) disposed between a distal end (30) and a proximal end (32) of the inner drive shaft (14); The outer housing (16) includes at least one outer housing bendable section (20) disposed between a distal end (24) and a proximal end (34) of the outer housing (16); 13. A handheld medical device, comprising: at least one inner drive shaft bendable section (18) that is heated to form an annealed at least one inner drive shaft bendable section (18). 20. The handheld device (10) of claim 19, further comprising a bender (36) configured to bend the at least one inner drive shaft bendable section (18) and the at least one outer housing bendable section (20).

Claims

1. A handheld medical device (10), comprising: An inner drive shaft (14); an elongated tubular outer housing (16) that encases the inner drive shaft (14) so ​​that the inner drive shaft (14) is disposed therein; an instrument (12) at a distal end (24) of said outer housing (16); Including, the inner drive shaft (14) includes at least one inner drive shaft bendable section (18) disposed between a distal end (30) and a proximal end (32) of the inner drive shaft (14); the outer housing (16) includes at least one outer housing bendable section (20) disposed between a distal end (24) and a proximal end (34) of the outer housing (16); the at least one inner drive shaft bendable section (18) being easier to bend than the at least one outer housing bendable section (20); 13. A handheld medical device, comprising: at least one inner drive shaft bendable section (18) formed from an annealed material. A handheld medical device comprising:

2. A handheld medical device (10), comprising: An inner drive shaft (14); an elongated tubular outer housing (16) that encases the inner drive shaft (14) so ​​that the inner drive shaft (14) is disposed therein; an instrument (12) at a distal end (24) of said outer housing (16); Including, the inner drive shaft (14) includes at least one inner drive shaft bendable section (18) disposed between a distal end (30) and a proximal end (32) of the inner drive shaft (14); the outer housing (16) includes at least one outer housing bendable section (20) disposed between a distal end (24) and a proximal end (34) of the outer housing (16); the at least one inner drive shaft bendable section (18) being easier to bend than the at least one outer housing bendable section (20); 1. A handheld medical device comprising: a housing for supporting a drive shaft and a housing for supporting said drive shaft;

Images