Disposable sterile cover system, component, and method for power tool

Abstract

To provide a highly cost-efficient method for providing an improved access to a tool for use in a surgery requiring sterilization and other environments.SOLUTION: A power tool system includes a disposable sterile cover 14. A power tool 12 may be disposed inside an internal cavity of the disposable sterile cover 14. The cover 14 provides a barrier between a sterile field and the power tool 12. A pass-through 16 may be coupled to the power tool 12 inside the cover 14 and extends from the inner cavity defined by the cover 14 to an outside of the cover. The pass-through 16 transmits power or movements created by the power tool 12 to the outside of the cover 14 from the inner cavity of the cover 14. The power or movements can operate a drill bit, a saw and other cutters or other devices such as a traction pin.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1B

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 909,441, filed on October 2, 2019, entitled "DISPOSABLE STERILE COVER SYSTEM FOR POWER TOOLS", the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Field The technology described herein generally relates to covers for power tools. Power tools have exemplary applications in surgery. Embodiments of the technology include novel disposable sterile covers, cover systems, components, and methods related to providing a barrier between a non - sterile power tool and a sterile field.

Background Art

[0003] Background Power tools such as drills and saws are used in various surgical procedures, such as for repairing fractures, in joint replacement surgeries, in joint reconstruction surgeries, and for bone removal (osteotomy) for bone stabilization. Also, drills are used by orthopedic surgeons, for example, to create holes in bone to receive screws or wires. Since surgeries must be performed with sterilized instruments, surgical instruments such as surgical drills are designed to withstand sterilization processes. Such surgical instruments can be very expensive. Because special surgical instruments are very costly, they may not be affordable, and the availability of surgical treatment may be reduced. In regions of the world where surgeries are easily accessible, expensive surgical instruments can contribute to the rising cost of medical care.

[0004] Battery-powered portable tools for use by industrial and commercial operators and in the general household are generally available and are much less expensive than dedicated surgical instruments. Research has shown that these commonly available tools can meet the performance requirements necessary for surgery and can meet requirements such as speed, torque, weight, ergonomics, and electrical safety. However, conventional power tools cannot be effectively sterilized and are therefore not suitable for use in sterile surgery on their own.

[0005] Some regions rely on surgeries performed by teams of medical specialists who visit with those devices. Also, for example, military surgeons seek portability when deploying surgical teams near or in conflict zones. In these two exemplary situations, it can be advantageous to use portable power tools rather than dedicated surgical instruments.

[0006] U.S. Patent No. 10,405,937 describes a power tool cover that can withstand multiple sterilization cycles. Such covers have been found to be reusable and very useful. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Summary Power tool covers that are sterilizable multiple times and reusable may be useful, but alternatively, it may be beneficial to provide a cover system optimized for single use.

[0008] In some cases, for example, the sterilization procedure, the speed of the sterilization equipment, or the lack of convenient availability of the sterilization equipment can delay access to care, such as access to surgical procedures that require sterilization and other treatments. Quicker access to sterilized tools for procedures that require sterility can work to an advantage. For example, quicker access to sterilized surgical instruments can be particularly advantageous during large-scale causal events or high-causal events such as natural disasters and mass motor vehicle accidents.

[0009] There is a general need for a more cost-effective way to provide improved access to tools for use in surgical and other environments where sterilization is required.

[0010] This disclosure encompasses a plurality of aspects or embodiments. These include, but are not limited to: · Embodiments for providing a sterilized barrier between a sterilized field and an unsterilized power tool; · Embodiments for sealing a power tool within a cover while transmitting movement from the power tool to a drill bit, blade, or other instrument outside the cover; · Embodiments for sealing the cover; · Embodiments for packaging the cover; · Embodiments for inserting an unsterilized power tool inside a sterilized cover.

[0011] Such embodiments disclosed herein include covers, cover systems, components, and methods.

[0012] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a disposable cover system for a power tool. The cover system includes a cover having a sterilized outer surface and defining an internal cavity, an opening aperture through which the power tool can be inserted into the internal cavity, and an aperture aperture through which a pass-through for transmitting movement generated by the power tool from inside the internal cavity to outside the cover can extend. The cover system also includes a closure mechanism for closing the opening aperture and a compressible gasket surrounding the aperture aperture.

[0013] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a transmission component that transmits movement from a power tool through a sterilization barrier. The transmission component includes a first portion disposed on a first side of the sterilization barrier, a second portion disposed on a second side of the sterilization barrier opposite the first side, and a movable component. The second portion is connectable to the first portion so as to capture a portion of the sterilization barrier between the first portion and the second portion and form a seal around an aperture opening in the sterilization barrier. The movable component is coupled to the first portion, the second portion, or both the first portion and the second portion, extends through the aperture opening, and is coupled to the power tool to transmit movement generated by the power tool through the sterilization barrier.

[0014] Also, in part, the present disclosure relates to an adapter that conforms a sterilization barrier to a transmission component configured to transmit movement from a power tool through the sterilization barrier. The adapter includes a first portion disposed on a first side of the sterilization barrier and a second portion disposed on a second side of the sterilization barrier opposite the first side. The second portion is connectable to the first portion so as to capture and compress a portion of the sterilization barrier between the first portion and the second portion and form a compression seal around an aperture opening in the sterilization barrier.

[0015] A multi-part device according to a further aspect of the present disclosure includes a first portion disposed on a first side of a sterilization barrier and a second portion disposed on a second side of the sterilization barrier opposite the first side. The second portion is connectable to the first portion so as to create an aperture opening in the sterilization barrier and capture a portion of the sterilization barrier between the first portion and the second portion and form a seal around the aperture opening.

[0016] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is to direct an opening aperture of a disposable cover to receive a power tool within an internal cavity defined by the disposable cover, the disposable cover having a sterilized outer surface and further defining an aperture opening; operating a closure mechanism to close the opening aperture with the power tool within the internal cavity with the drive portion of the power tool adjacent to the aperture opening; and forming a compression seal around the aperture opening to seal the power tool within the internal cavity.

[0017] Further aspects and exemplary embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings and / or described in the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The accompanying drawings illustrate non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the invention.

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Detailed Description Throughout the following description, specific details are set forth by way of example in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the exemplary embodiments of the invention. However, embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known elements have not been shown or described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

[0020] Surgical procedures typically require surgery on a patient within a sterile environment, i.e., a "field". Otherwise, the patient is at an increased risk of experiencing postoperative side effects such as surgical site infections and osteomyelitis.

[0021] In some cases, a team of medical professionals, including, for example, surgeons, operating room nurses, and anesthesiologists, may travel to a location to perform a series of necessary surgical procedures over a period of one day, one week, several weeks, or other period. As described, for example, in International PCT Application No. PCT / CA2015 / 050290, which is the basis for U.S. Patent No. 10,405,937, a non-sterile power tool can be used for surgical procedures by inserting the non-sterile tool within a sterile cover that can withstand multiple sterilization cycles. Such covers can be sterilized between various surgical procedures. Alternatively, the team may carry a separate sterile cover for each procedure. With reusable covers, used covers are typically returned by the team for sterilization and reuse.

[0022] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a disposable sterile cover that can be used to enclose a non-sterile power tool. The cover can be manufactured relatively inexpensively. The cover can also be compactly packaged in a disposable package. The package maintains the sterility of the cover. A non-sterilized tool can be quickly inserted into the cover. After the surgical procedure, the tool may be removed from the cover and the cover may be discarded.

[0023] FIG. 1A shows an exemplary power tool system 10 according to one embodiment. The power tool system 10 may be used in surgery.

[0024] The power tool system 10 includes a non-sterile power tool 12 such as a commercially available power drill, power driver, driver, reciprocating saw, or oscillating saw. The power tool 12 can be selected to have characteristics related to goals and requirements regarding one or more parameters such as performance and safety, and to be a model suitable for use in surgical or other medical procedures.

[0025] Also, the exemplary power tool system 10 includes a disposable sterile cover 14. The power tool 12 can be disposed inside an internal cavity 15 of the disposable sterile cover 14. The cover 14 provides a barrier between the sterile field and the power tool 12.

[0026] The pass-through 16 may be coupled to the power tool 12 inside the cover 14 and extends from the internal cavity 15 defined by the cover 14 to the outside of the cover. The pass-through 16 transmits power or motion generated by the power tool 12 from the internal cavity 15 of the cover 14 to the outside of the cover 14. That power or motion can operate, for example, a drill bit, saw, other cutting instrument, or other device such as a traction pin.

[0027] FIG. 1B is an exploded view of the exemplary power tool system 10. FIG. 1B schematically shows the individual exemplary components that can be assembled together in the manner generally shown by the exploded view of FIG. 1B to form the exemplary power tool system 10 of FIG. 1A. It is noted that the secondary cover 18 shown in FIG. 1A is not shown in FIG. 1B. As disclosed elsewhere herein, the attachment of the secondary cover 18 can involve movement of the cover in multiple directions to cover the multiple components shown in FIG. 1B, and thus the secondary cover 18 is not shown in the exploded view of FIG. 1B.

[0028] The exploded view of FIG. 1B shows the various components of the exemplary power tool system 10 in a state where the components are ready to be assembled, while FIG. 1C represents such components in a packaged or stored state. For example, referring to the individual components as shown in FIG. 1C in a packaged or stored state, prior to or during the assembly of the power tool system, the cover 14 is removed from the package 50, the cover and other components are oriented relative to each other, and are joined together as shown in the exploded view of FIG. 1B to assemble the exemplary power tool system 10 for use.

[0029] The power tool 12 may be a standard off-the-shelf power tool of the type that can be used by tradesmen or homeowners. Such tools are commonly available and sold under brand names such as Dewalt TM , Milwaukee TM , Bosch TM , Makita TM , Rigid TM , Black+ TM Decker, and Panasonic TM . Such standard power tools are very inexpensive compared to specially designed surgical instruments, yet are reliable. Despite the fact that they cannot be effectively sterilized using normal sterilization procedures, many standard power tools can be adapted for use in medical environments such as operating rooms that have requirements for electromagnetic interference using a cover system as disclosed herein. The power tool 12 may be, for example, a battery-powered rotary tool such as a drill or a driver.

[0030] If the power tool 12 is a rotary tool, one or more of the following characteristics may be desirable: · An operating speed of, for example, 300 - 1600 rpm comparable to that of conventional surgical drills for applications such as reaming and drilling; · An operating torque of, for example, 6 - 20 Nm comparable to that of conventional surgical drills; · A weight reduction of, for example, less than 1 kg; · A compact design within one or more target physical dimensions; · Battery-driven; · Robustness, for example, in terms of not tending to require regular complex maintenance, being reliably operable over a long period without special maintenance, being able to withstand travel, or being able to withstand rough handling; · Suitability for use in a medical environment, for example, not generating excessive electromagnetic interference, not operating at temperatures above a predetermined threshold operating temperature, not exposing patients to an excessive risk of electric shock, being made of or not containing one or more specific materials, and meeting one or more predetermined criteria.

[0031] Cover 14 is designed to surround power tool 12 during surgery. Cover 14 can be used to prevent non-sterile substances that may be inside the internal cavity of the cover from entering the sterile field. Cover 14 can be used further or alternatively to prevent substances such as potentially damaging or dangerous liquids, such as biofluids that may be outside cover 14, from entering internal cavity 15.

[0032] Also, cover 14 provides access to internal cavity 15, at least initially, to allow insertion into the internal cavity of power tool 12 and attachment of pass-through 16 to power tool 12. For example, FIG. 2A, which is a schematic view of a disposable cover system according to an exemplary embodiment, shows that cover 14 may include opening 20 through which power tool 12 may be inserted into internal cavity 15. This is perhaps more apparent from the view of FIG. 2B. Pass-through 16 may extend through aperture 21 of cover 14, although this may be more readily apparent from the view shown in FIG. 2C. In FIG. 2A, cover 14 is shown from the side as would be apparent if the cover were folded flat. The views shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C more closely represent how cover 14 becomes apparent when opened for insertion of the power tool into the internal cavity.

[0033] Various other features that may be provided in some embodiments are also shown in FIGS. 1A - 2C and are described in detail elsewhere herein.

[0034] It should be recognized that these drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments. Other embodiments may or may not include all of the features shown. For example, FIGS. 2D - 2F are views of disposable covers according to further exemplary embodiments. The views of FIGS. 2D - 2F are side profile views for explaining various shapes and features that may be used or provided in other embodiments. FIG. 2D shows cover 14A having rounded corners, similar to cover 14 shown in FIG. 2A. Exemplary cover 14B shown in FIG. 2E has a substantially rectangular or elongated shape and may be suitable for, for example, a power driver. In FIG. 2F, the overall shape of exemplary cover 14C is similar to that of exemplary cover system 14 in FIG. 2D but may be more suitable for power tools of different shapes, such as a reciprocating saw.

[0035] Considering some exemplary features associated with an aperture opening as illustrated at 21 in FIG. 2A, in some embodiments, as schematically shown in FIG. 3A, a seal can be formed around such an aperture opening by capturing a portion of the cover surrounding the aperture opening between opposing portions, opposing surfaces, or opposing compression members of the power tool system. For example, a portion of cover 314 can be captured between a first compression member 317A inside an internal cavity defined by the cover and a second compression member 317B outside cover 314. The first compression member 317A and the second compression member 317B, as well as other compression members disclosed herein, are examples of compression members that can be disposed or provided inside and outside the cover.

[0036] The cover is shown in FIG. 3A and some other drawings with reference numerals different from those in FIGS. 1A - 2C, illustrating that the embodiments do not necessarily depend on specific features of the cover. Various embodiments of the cover can include the same, similar, or different features. For example, cover 14 shown in FIGS. 1A - 2F includes an aperture opening 21, and cover 314 in FIG. 3A also includes an aperture opening 321, but these covers 14, 214 can include various subsets of other features. More generally, the features disclosed herein with reference to one embodiment can be provided in other embodiments, but not necessarily so. This applies not only to the cover but also to other parts, components, systems, and methods disclosed herein.

[0037] In some embodiments, compression members 317A and 317B are configured to compress a portion of cover 314 in a seal region that extends completely around aperture opening 321. Capturing cover 314 between compression members 317A, 317B as shown in the example compresses cover 314 between the compression members, thereby forming a desired seal around aperture opening 321.

[0038] In use, the cover 314 is disposed between the compression members 317A and 317B with the aperture opening 321 aligned inside the seal area, and the compression members 317A and 317B are moved toward each other to effect a compression seal, at least between the second compression member 317B and the cover 314.

[0039] A power tool system, such as the power tool 12 of the exemplary power tool system 10 of FIG. 1A, is preferably designed to facilitate quick and easy replacement of the cover during operation or between different operations, in the event of a sterile breach of the cover, such as puncturing or tearing. One or more components, such as the compression members 317A and 317B of FIG. 3A, are advanced toward each other to effect a seal, and various mechanisms may be used to release the cover, such as by separating components, such as the compression members 317A and 317B, after the cover has been used.

[0040] In some designs, the compression member 317B is advanced toward the compression member 317A to effect a seal by an action resulting from coupling the pass-through to the power tool. Such movement may be most apparent from the exploded view of FIG. 1B where the pass-through 16 will likely be moved and coupled toward the power tool 12 during assembly of the exemplary power tool system 10. In such designs, a seal of the cover 14 around the aperture opening 21, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2C, for example, occurs simultaneously and automatically with the coupling of the pass-through 16 to the power tool 12.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 3A, in some designs, one or both of the compression members 317A and 317B are attached to move relative to the pass-through so that a seal of the cover 314 around the aperture opening 321 can occur before, during, or after coupling the pass-through to the power tool.

[0042] In some designs, one or both of the compression members 317A and 317B are designed to be coupled to each other to effect a seal around the aperture opening 321 in the cover 314 before the pass-through is coupled to the power tool. In such designs, the pass-through can be configured to be detachably coupled to one or both of the compression members 317B and 317A after the compression members 317A and 317B are coupled to each other to seal around the aperture opening 321.

[0043] Engagement surfaces, such as the surfaces of the compression members 317A, 317B that engage the cover 314, are preferably smooth. Further, the engagement surfaces of the compression members 317A, 317B may be planar. Having a smooth surface, a planar surface, or a surface having both smoothness and planarity can advantageously enhance the reliability that a continuous seal can be formed around the aperture opening 321 by compressing the cover 314 between the compression members 317A, 317B. In some embodiments, the engagement surface of one or both of the compression members 317A and 317B includes protruding elements, such as protruding rings, configured to indent, penetrate, surround, or otherwise deform, engage, be adjacent to, or cooperate with the cover 314 to improve the seal formed around the aperture opening 321. Elements configured to penetrate the cover may create or form an aperture opening in the cover at any location where it is appropriate or convenient, as further described in other places herein.

[0044] In some embodiments, one or more gaskets surround the aperture opening in the cover, as shown, for example, as gasket 22 surrounding aperture opening 21 in FIGS. 2A and 2C. The gasket may be made of a compressible material. Capturing one or more gaskets, such as gasket 22, can include compressing the one or more gaskets and can increase the likelihood of forming a continuous seal around the aperture opening. For example, FIGS. 3B - 3E are referred to.

[0045] As shown by way of example in FIGS. 3B - 3E, the gasket can surround the aperture opening on both sides of the cover. For example, referring to FIG. 3B, gasket 322A may surround aperture opening 321 inside cover 314, and another gasket 322B may surround aperture opening 321 outside cover 314. In some embodiments, the cover system includes a single gasket either inside or outside the cover. Providing one or more gaskets on a single - use cover ensures that an unused gasket is always available to assist in sealing around the aperture opening in the cover. Additionally or alternatively, a gasket may be provided on one or both of compression members 317A and 317B. More generally, the gasket may be attached to the cover or to one or more other components of the cover system or power tool system, may be integrated with the cover or with one or more other components of the cover system or power tool system, or may be provided separately from the cover and from one or more other components of the cover system or power tool system.

[0046] The gasket, or each gasket if a plurality of gaskets are provided, may in some embodiments have any one or more of the following properties or characteristics: · Made of or including closed - cell polyethylene foam; · Provide sufficient compression resistance to form a seal when compressed, for example, between compression members such as compression members 317A, 317B; · Be biocompatible; · Be hydrophobic; · Be manufactured inexpensively, for example, by punching a plurality of gaskets from a sheet - like material using a punching machine or by using a molding process.

[0047] In some embodiments, the gasket has an inner diameter of less than 35 mm. In some embodiments, the gasket has an inner diameter in the range of 20 mm to 30 mm, such as an inner diameter of 29.5 mm. In some embodiments, the gasket has an outer diameter of less than 60 mm. In some embodiments, the gasket has an outer diameter in the range of 40 mm to 55 mm, such as an outer diameter of 49.5 mm. In some embodiments, the gasket has a thickness of less than 10 mm. In some embodiments, the gasket has a thickness in the range of 5 mm to 10 mm, such as a thickness of 6.4 mm, before it is compressed.

[0048] The gasket may be circular, as illustrated in FIG. 2C, although in some embodiments a non-circular gasket may be used. The shape of the gasket may match the shape of the aperture opening. The gasket size may be related to the aperture opening size, having an inner diameter or dimension of the gasket that matches the diameter or dimension of the aperture opening, further or alternatively. In other embodiments, the inner diameter or dimension of the gasket is larger or smaller than the diameter or dimension of the aperture opening.

[0049] The aperture opening in the cover may be circular, as illustrated in FIG. 2C, although this is not essential. In some embodiments, the aperture opening has a diameter of less than 35 mm. In some embodiments, the aperture opening has a diameter in the range of 15 mm to 30 mm, such as a diameter of 29.5 mm. In some embodiments, the aperture opening is punched out of the cover with a punching machine. In other embodiments, when the cover is used with a power tool, the aperture opening is made or formed in the cover.

[0050] In embodiments including a plurality of gaskets, each gasket 22 may be the same or may be different.

[0051] The gasket may be adhered to the cover or may be attached in another way. For example, the gasket may be adhered to the cover using double-sided tape, a suitable adhesive, heat welding, etc.

[0052] In embodiments including one or more gaskets, the portion, part, or mechanism that supports the compression members 317A or 317B can be designed such that when the compression members are advanced sufficiently toward each other, the compression members are separated from each other by a distance d. The distance d is small enough that a part of the cover that defines the aperture opening is sufficiently compressed and sealed between the compression members, but not overly compressed. In some embodiments, the distance d is 10 mm or less. In some embodiments, the distance d is 5 mm or less. In some embodiments, the distance d is 1 mm or less.

[0053] The compression members 317A, 317B can include one or more surfaces of various parts or components of the power tool system. For example, referring to the exploded view of FIG. 1B, the compression member can be one or more surfaces of the body or the pass-through 16 of the power tool 12 that is to be disposed inside the internal cavity of the cover 14, or can include the one or more surfaces. The compression member can be one or more surfaces of another power tool system component disclosed herein, such as an adapter configured to receive the pass-through, or can include the one or more surfaces.

[0054] FIGS. 3B - 3E show some embodiments including gaskets.

[0055] In FIG. 3B, gaskets 322A, 322B are provided on both sides of the cover 314 and are compressed by the compression members 317A, 317B to form a compression seal around the aperture opening 321. In this example, both the cover 314 and the gaskets 322A, 322B are compressed within the range of the distance d between the compression members 317A, 317B.

[0056] Figure 3C shows an embodiment in which gaskets 322C and 322D are provided on both sides of the cover 314, and the gaskets do not extend very long along the surface of the cover as in the example shown in Figure 3B. The gaskets 322C and 322D are compressed by the compression members 317A and 317B to form a compression seal around the aperture opening 321. As in Figure 3B, both the cover 314 and the gaskets are compressed within the range of the distance d between the compression members 317A and 317B. In Figure 3B, the gaskets 322A and 322B extend beyond the compression members 317A and 317B when at least compressed, while the gaskets 322C and 322D in Figure 3C do not extend beyond the compression members.

[0057] A further example is shown in Figure 3D. The example of Figure 3D is the same as the example of Figure 3C, except that only the gaskets 322E and 322F in Figure 3D are compressed by the compression members 317A and 317B to form a compression seal around the aperture opening 321. In this example, the cover 314 is not compressed.

[0058] The example shown in Figure 3E is an example of an embodiment in which a gasket, or separate gaskets, extends axially at the aperture opening 321. In Figure 3E, such axial extension is shown at 322G and 322H. In the case of a circular aperture opening, the axial extension of the gasket may be in the form of, for example, a tubular or cylindrical structure. The axially extending gasket may be used in combination with a radially extending gasket such as 322A and 322B, or the gasket may include an axially extending portion at 322G and 322H and one or more radially extending portions at 322A and 322B. In other words, the axially extending portions 322G and 322H may be one or more separate gaskets or different portions of a single gasket, or may include one or more separate gaskets or different portions of a single gasket.

[0059] In the example shown in FIG. 3E, the one or more gaskets 322A, 322B, 322G, 322H and the cover 314 are compressed within a range of distance d by the compression members 317A, 317B. In other embodiments, the compression members 317A, 317B compress only the one or more gaskets 322A, 322B, 322G, 322H and do not compress the cover 314.

[0060] The compressible gasket, which is substantially flat when not compressed, may extend axially within the cover's aperture opening when compressed. Referring again to FIG. 3E, in embodiments where the aperture opening 314 is smaller than the opening or aperture of the one or more gaskets, the portions 322G, 322H may be formed when the gasket is compressed or may include portions of multiple compressed gaskets. In such embodiments, the compression of the one or more gaskets can deform the one or more gaskets to such an extent that the one or more gaskets extend at least partially within the aperture opening 314, potentially providing an improved seal.

[0061] Various embodiments of the cover system have been described above with reference to FIGS. 1A - 3E. These embodiments are examples of disposable cover systems for power tools. Such a disposable cover system can include a cover or enclosure such as 14, 314, etc., which can include a sterilized outer or exterior surface, and can define an internal cavity inside the cover, illustratively shown at 15, having dimensions to receive a power tool. The cover also defines an opening aperture such as 20, through which the power tool can be inserted into the internal cavity. The opening aperture has dimensions that permit insertion of the power tool into the internal cavity. The cover also defines an aperture opening or second opening aperture such as 21, 321, etc., through which a pass - through for transmitting movement generated by the power tool from the inside of the internal cavity to the outside of the cover can extend. The aperture opening or second opening aperture has dimensions that permit the pass - through to be inserted into the internal cavity and to be coupled to the power tool. In some embodiments, the pass - through includes an outer end portion outside the cover or enclosure and has a coupling mechanism operable to couple a tool or instrument to the outer end portion. The pass - through 16 is an example of a pass - through, and other examples are provided herein.

[0062] The cover system may also include a closure mechanism or closure body arranged to close the opening aperture and a compressible gasket surrounding the aperture opening. The compressible gasket is generally shown as gasket 22, and additional examples are shown in FIGS. 3A - 3E.

[0063] The compressible gasket may be attached to the cover, or the cover itself may include the compressible gasket. The compressible gasket may be integrated with the cover, for example, by providing a gasket between layers of the cover.

[0064] In some embodiments, the cover system includes a sterilizable compressible gasket disposed on the sterilized outer surface of the cover, as illustrated at 22 in FIG. 2A. Additional compressible gaskets may be disposed on the inner surface of the cover within the internal cavity so as to surround the aperture opening. The examples shown in FIGS. 3B-3E all include a compressible gasket disposed on the opposite side surface of the cover 314. One of these surfaces is the inner surface and the other is the sterilized outer surface. As explained elsewhere herein, compressing such a gasket, for example, between a first compression member and a second compression member, forms a seal around the aperture opening.

[0065] As shown by way of example in FIG. 3E, the compressible gasket may extend axially of the aperture opening. The compressible gasket may further extend radially from the aperture opening along the sterilized outer surface of the cover, and / or alternatively, may further extend radially from the aperture opening along the inner surface of the cover within the internal cavity. In an embodiment consistent with FIG. 3E, a single gasket may extend axially at the aperture opening 321 and radially along the inner and outer surfaces on opposite sides of the cover 314.

[0066] In some embodiments, the pass-through is directly coupled to the power tool. In such embodiments, as shown by way of example in FIGS. 4A and 4B, a portion of the cover 414 and, if included as shown in the example of FIG. 4B, gaskets 422A, 422B, may be captured between the surface 413 of the power tool 412 inside the internal cavity 415 defined by the cover, and the surface 419 of the pass-through 416A or 416B outside the cover 414. In such embodiments, the first compression member may be provided by the surface 413 and the second compression member may be provided by the surface 419. This shows one possible embodiment of the first and second compression members 317A, 317B shown in FIGS. 3B-3E.

[0067] In some embodiments, the pass-through is as illustrated as pass-through 416A in FIGS. 4A and 4C, and the pass-through 416A can be directly coupled to the coupling mechanism of the power tool 412. The illustrated offset of the outer portion 432 with respect to the axis of operation of the power tool 412 is optional. Another example of a pass-through without an offset is shown at 416B in FIG. 4B. Both of these pass-throughs 416A, 416B represent exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of the pass-through 16 shown more generally in FIGS. 1A-1C.

[0068] The exemplary “offset” pass-through 416A includes an inner portion 430A that can be coupled to the coupling mechanism of the power tool 412. The inner portion 430A can be inserted into the internal cavity 415 through the aperture opening of the cover 414 and can be coupled to the coupling mechanism of the power tool 412. The inner portion 430A can include an anchor portion configured to fix and / or orient the pass-through 416A relative to the power tool 412, and a rotating portion configured to transmit the movement generated by the power tool 412 from the internal cavity through the aperture opening to the outside of the cover. In some embodiments, the shaft 430' of the pass-through 416A can be directly coupled to the coupling mechanism of the power tool 412, such as the coupling mechanism 42 shown in FIG. 4D. Once coupled to the power tool 412, the inner portion 430A can transmit the power or movement generated by the power tool 412 within the internal cavity 415 to the outer portion 432A of the pass-through 416A.

[0069] Furthermore, coupling the pass-through 416A to the power tool 412 can automatically position the surface 419 of the pass-through at a sufficient distance from the surface 413 of the power tool 412, such as the distance d shown in FIGS. 3A - 3E, so as to form a seal around the aperture opening of the cover 414. The inner portion 430A may include a gasket or O-ring 430", which can engage with one or more gaskets 422A, 422B and / or, alternatively or additionally, with the cover 414. The gaskets 422A, 422B or O-ring 430" can help ensure that a complete seal is formed around the aperture opening of the cover 414.

[0070] The inner portion 430A may be configured to form a "push and click" coupling mechanism with the power tool 412. For example, the inner portion 430A may be pushed into the receiving end of the coupling mechanism of the power tool 412. Either or both of the receiving end of the power tool 412 and the inner portion 430A may include features such as facets, splines, ridges, or grooves configured to orient the inner portion 430A with respect to the receiving end. Additionally or alternatively, either or both of the receiving end of the power tool 412 and / or the inner portion 430A may include one or more features configured to lock the pass-through 416A with respect to the receiving end once the inner portion 430A has been inserted into the receiving end by a desired amount.

[0071] Inserting the pass-through 416A into the receiving end of the power tool 412 can slide a locking pin, such as pin 464 shown in FIG. 4D of the receiving end, along the inclined surface 431 shown in FIG. 4C. When the inner portion 430A is fully inserted, the locking pin can fall into or be forced into the recess 434 of the inner portion 430A, thereby relatively locking the pass-through 416A with respect to the receiving end of the power tool 412. In some embodiments, the inclined surface 431 is configured such that the inner portion 430A needs to be pushed and twisted into the receiving end before the inner portion 430A is locked with respect to the receiving end of the power tool 412. Such twisting may be clockwise or counterclockwise, or may include both clockwise and counterclockwise twisting.

[0072] In some embodiments, the inner portion 430A may be inserted into a standard coupling mechanism of the power tool 412, such as a recess or chuck shaped like an electric screwdriver, as illustrated as the coupling mechanism 42 shown in FIG. 4D.

[0073] In some embodiments, the coupling mechanism of the power tool 412 may be modified to allow for direct insertion of the pass-through 416A.

[0074] In some embodiments, the coupling mechanism of the power tool 412 is modified to harmonize with the coupling mechanism of a surgical power tool made according to the purpose, enabling a direct coupling to the power tool 412 of a surgical-grade tool. In some embodiments, the coupling mechanism of the power tool 412 or the pass-through 416A enables a direct coupling to a commercially available tool obtainable from companies such as Hudson TM 、Zimmer TM 、Stryker TM 、Hall-Jacobs TM 、AO TM 、or Synthes TM and the like.

[0075] In some embodiments, the coupling mechanism of the power tool 412 includes a "male" type shaft and the inner portion 430A includes a "female" type receiving end. In some embodiments, the coupling mechanism of the power tool 412 may include an n-point coupling configured to receive a corresponding n-point shaft of the pass-through 416A. In some embodiments, the shaft has a hexagonal cross-section. In some embodiments, the shaft has a dodecagonal cross-section. In some embodiments, the coupling mechanism of the power tool 412 includes an n-point shaft and the pass-through 416 includes an n-point recess configured to receive the n-point shaft.

[0076] In some embodiments, coupling an adapter to the power tool 412 changes the coupling mechanism of the power tool 412. The adapter may include one or more features configured to position and / or secure the pass-through 416A relative to the coupling mechanism of the power tool 412.

[0077] FIG. 4D shows an exemplary adapter 460 coupled to power tool 412. In the illustrated embodiment, power tool 412 is a commercially available driver. Exemplary adapter 460 can be positioned over the top of power tool 412. Adapter 460 is preferably fixedly coupled to power tool 412, such as non-movably coupled. For example, adapter 460 may be adhered to power tool 412. As another example, adapter 460 may be made of at least a semi-flexible material. In such an embodiment, the opposite end of adapter 460 can be stretched over a portion of power tool 412, thereby securing adapter 460 to power tool 412. As another example, adapter 460 may not be bendable. In some embodiments, adapter 460 may be fixed to power tool 412. In some embodiments, adapter 460 includes two parts that can be coupled together. Coupling the two parts together can secure adapter 460 to power tool 412, for example, by adhering the two parts together or by fastening the two parts together.

[0078] The adapter 460 may include one or more recesses 462 configured to receive the guide protrusion 461 of the pass-through 416A. In some embodiments, the pass-through 416A includes a single guide protrusion 461. In some embodiments, the pass-through 416A includes a plurality of guide protrusions 461. Insertion of the protrusion 461 into the corresponding recess 462 of the adapter 460 can position the pass-through 416A in a desired direction relative to the power tool 412. The recesses 462 may include filleted corners. The fillets can, for example, facilitate easier insertion of the protrusion 461 into the recess 462. In some embodiments, the recesses 462 are sized to frictionally engage the surface of the protrusion 461. The frictional engagement surface of the protrusion 461 can enhance the strength of the coupling of the pass-through 416A to the power tool 412. In some embodiments, the recesses 462 are formed between the surface of the adapter 460 and the opposing surface of an existing coupling mechanism of the power tool 412, such as the coupling mechanism 42.

[0079] The exemplary adapter 460 includes recesses 462, but this is not essential. In some embodiments, the adapter 460 includes a guide protrusion that can be inserted into a recess of the pass-through 416A. In some embodiments, the adapter 460 includes at least one recess and at least one protrusion.

[0080] Engagement of the pin 464, for example, with the inclined surface 31 of the pass-through 416A when the pass-through is coupled to the power tool 412 presses the pin 464 until the hole 434 is proximate to the pin 464. When the hole 434 is positioned above the pin 464, the pin 464 can extend into the hole 434, thereby fixing the pass-through to the power tool 412. In some embodiments, the pin 464 is radially inwardly spring-loaded or otherwise biased.

[0081] The pass-through 416 can be decoupled from the power tool 412 by releasing its coupling with the hole 434 of the pin 464 and pulling the pass-through 416A outward relative to the power tool 412 and the adapter. The adapter 460 may include, for example, a release mechanism 465 configured to release the coupling with the hole 434 of the pin 464. In some embodiments, pressing the release mechanism 465 causes the pin 464 to retract, thereby enabling the pass-through 416A to be detached from the power tool 412. In some embodiments, the release mechanism 465 is recessed relative to the peripheral portion of the adapter 460 to prevent accidental detachment of the pass-through.

[0082] The surface 413 of the adapter 460 may be recessed relative to the outer edge of the adapter 460. Providing the recessed surface 413 may assist in aligning the gasket 422A, the nose mate described elsewhere herein, or other parts or components with the adapter 460, potentially improving the reliability of forming a complete seal around the aperture opening of the cover 414.

[0083] Tools such as, for example, a drill bit, a saw, a wire, a reamer, or a pull pin may be coupled to the outer portion 432A of the pass-through 416A. An example of a tool is shown at 35 in FIG. 1A. Preferably, various tools can be easily coupled and decoupled to and from the outer portion during a surgical procedure.

[0084] The outer portion 432A of the pass-through 416A may include a chuck or similar mechanism for releasably coupling the pass-through to a tool driven by the power tool 412. For example, referring to FIG. 1A, the chuck is indicated at 33. By tightening the chuck 33, the tool 35 can be coupled to the outer portion 32 of the pass-through 16. By loosening the chuck 33, the tool 35 may be decoupled from the outer portion 32 of the pass-through 16. As another example, the outer portion 32 of the pass-through 16 may have a recess or a guiding function with a specific cross-section. The male mating end of the tool 35 may have a matching cross-section. By inserting the male mating end into the recess, the tool 35 can be coupled to the outer portion 32 of the pass-through 16. In some embodiments, the tool 35 has a female mating end, and the female mating end can be pushed onto the male receiving shaft of the outer portion 32.

[0085] The various tools 35 coupled to the outer portion 32 of the pass-through 16 may be actuated and require various types of movement. For example, a drill bit may need to rotate the outer portion 32. In contrast, a reciprocating saw blade may require a reciprocating linear or reciprocating circular motion of the outer portion 32. The various embodiments of the pass-through 16 may be used based on the type of tool 35 coupled to the outer portion 32 of the pass-through 16 and the type of power tool provided inside the cover 14. Some embodiments of the pass-through 16 transmit a rotational motion to the outer portion 32.

[0086] Some embodiments of the pass-through 16 convert the rotational motion generated by the power tool 12 into a linear motion. To achieve a reciprocating linear motion, any of a variety of mechanisms may be provided. For example, the pass-through 16 may include a slider-crank mechanism, a cam and follower mechanism, a wobble plate mechanism, a reversing screw mechanism, or any other known mechanism for converting rotational motion into reciprocating linear motion.

[0087] Some embodiments of the through-passage 16 transmit linear movement from the inner portion to the outer portion 32. For example, the through-passage 16 can include a shaft that reciprocates freely. The shaft may slide in a linear bearing or bushing of the through-passage 16 or, additionally or alternatively, may be connected to a diaphragm that allows the desired or necessary degree of linear movement.

[0088] In some embodiments, the through-passage 16 transmits, for example, oscillatory linear movement for a reciprocating saw. In some embodiments, the through-passage 16 transmits, for example, for an oscillating / sagittal saw or for a saw for tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO), oscillatory circular movement.

[0089] In some embodiments, the through-passage 16 is a universal power transmission component or motion transmission component. "Universal" means that a single through-passage 16 can be used during surgery to transmit two or more different types of movement to the outer portion of the through-passage 16. In some such embodiments, the through-passage 16 may be switched between a first mode in which rotational movement of the inner portion is transmitted to the outer portion and a second mode in which rotational movement of the inner portion is converted to linear or lateral movement. For example, the mode of such a through-passage 16 can be changed, for example, by turning a dial or operating a switch in the through-passage 16.

[0090] In some cases, the pass-through 16 transmits the movement generated by the power tool 12 to the fitting of the outer portion 32 outside the cover 14. Through surgery, various adapters, such as an adapter that converts rotational motion into linear motion or an adapter that converts rotational motion into oscillating circular motion, can be coupled to the outer portion 32 of the pass-through 16. Advantageously, this can facilitate that various tools 35, such as drill bits, saw blades, or traction pins, can be used with the power tool 12 without breaking the sterilization barrier. For example, enabling a plurality of adapters to be coupled to and decoupled from the outer portion 32 of the pass-through 16 can avoid breaking the seal around the aperture opening of the cover 14, and perform the decoupling and coupling of various embodiments of the pass-through 16 to enable various types of tools to be driven by the power tool 12.

[0091] The pass-through 16 is optionally disposable. In such embodiments, a disposable pass-through may be provided with the cover 14. In some embodiments, the cover 14 may be delivered with a disposable pass-through pre-attached to the cover 14.

[0092] These features and other features related to the pass-through 16 can be implemented in combination with any of various types of pass-throughs. In some embodiments, for example, the axis of operation of the outer portion of the pass-through 16 can be offset relative to the axis of operation of the power tool 12. Referring again to FIG. 4C, the inner portion and the outer portions 430A, 432A of the exemplary pass-through 416A are axially offset from each other. The offset mechanism 442 may be configured to axially offset the outer portion 432A from the inner portion 430A while transmitting movement from the inner portion 430A to the outer portion 432A. However, this is not necessary in all embodiments. In some embodiments, the inner and outer portions of the pass-through are axially aligned with each other, as shown by way of example in FIG. 5A, which is described in more detail below.

[0093] The offset mechanism 442 may provide a geared system, a belt system, etc. to transmit movement from the inner portion 430A to the outer portion 432A. The outer portion 432A may include a collet. By offsetting the outer portion 432A from the operating axis of the power tool 412, the collet can hold a wire (or K-wire) that is longer than could be held by the collet if the outer portion 432A were not offset from the operating axis of the power tool 412. The offset mechanism 442 may remain stationary with respect to one or both of the inner portion 430A and the outer portion 432A.

[0094] The pass-through 416B schematically shown in FIG. 5A is another embodiment of a pass-through. The pass-through 416B may be substantially the same as the pass-through 416A described elsewhere herein, except that the inner and outer portions 530B, 532B of the pass-through 416B may be axially aligned and directly coupled together, rather than being offset from each other and coupled together via an offset mechanism, or may be configured to allow them to be directly coupled and decoupled from each other. The elements 519, 530”, 531, 534, and 561 of FIG. 5A may be substantially the same as the similarly labeled elements of the pass-through 416A. The pass-through 416B may further or alternatively include other pass-through features described herein, for example, with reference to the pass-through 16 of FIG. 1A.

[0095] Figure 5B shows an exploded view of the through-pass 416B, with the inner portion 530A on the right side of the drawing and the outer portion 532A on the left side of the drawing. Figure 5B provides an example of an embodiment in which the through-pass has a plurality of parts or components that can be releasably coupled together. The through-pass 416B includes, in some embodiments, a plurality of parts that can be coupled together and decoupled from each other, although in other embodiments, the through-pass in the form shown by 416B need not necessarily include a plurality of parts that are intended to be separable or decouplable.

[0096] In Figure 5B, 590 and 592 represent the respective surfaces of the inner portion 532A and the outer portion 530A, and the inner portion 532A and the outer portion 530A face each other so as to capture a part of the cover when the through-pass 416B is assembled with the inner portion and the outer portion on opposite sides of the cover. In some embodiments, a compression seal is formed, and accordingly, the surfaces 590, 592 are further examples of compression surfaces or compression members.

[0097] Bearings 572, 574 are shown as an example of components that can isolate the inner portion 530A and the outer portion 532A from the rotation of the shaft 576 by a power tool. The shaft 576 can rotate or reciprocate, for example, to transmit movement from the power tool inside the cover to the outside of the cover without causing movement of the inner portion or the outer portion.

[0098] The inner portion 530A may include an anchor portion having a slope 531 and a hole 534 in the example shown so as to fix and / or orient the through-pass 416B with respect to the power tool. Bearings 572, 574 and shaft 572 exemplify a transmission portion configured to transmit power or movement from the internal cavity to the outside of the cover through an aperture opening. Although not particularly shown in Figure 5B, the shaft 576 may have a non-circular shape such as a hexagonal cross-section, a dodecagonal cross-section, or an n-point cross-section.

[0099] A plurality of partial through-paths, such as through-path 416B, may be useful, for example, in forming a seal around the aperture opening in the cover using the through-path itself. In such an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5C, a portion of cover 514 may be trapped between the inner portion 530A and the outer portion 532A of through-path 416B. For example, by coupling the inner portion 530A of through-path 416B to the outer portion 532A of through-path 16B, a portion of cover 514 may be captured between the inner and outer portions 530A, 532A. The opposing surfaces of the inner and outer portions 530A, 532A, shown as examples at 590, 592 in FIG. 5B, may be separated by a sufficient distance, such as distance d as referenced above, to form a seal around aperture opening 521 in the cover. The inner and outer portions 530A, 532A may be coupled to each other using, for example, one or more of a screw coupling, a magnetic coupling, a bayonet coupling, a clip retention coupling, a spring-loaded ball coupling, a spring-loaded bar coupling, a spring-loaded pin coupling, a spring retention coupling. Referring again to FIG. 5B, components 582, 584 represent threaded posts, shafts, or tubes for coupling the inner and outer portions 530A, 532A together via threaded couplings. The outer surface of post 584 is threaded to connect to the threaded inner surface of post 582 in the example shown. Also, other types of screw couplings and other types of couplings, including non-screw couplings, are possible. Other examples of couplings are provided elsewhere herein.

[0100] FIGS. 5A - 5C show a multi-part linear through-path 416B, but an offset through-path may be implemented using, additionally or alternatively, multiple parts that are connectable and disconnectable relative to each other. Referring to FIG. 4C, for example, inner portion 430A may be releasably connectable to offset mechanism 442, capturing a portion of the cover therebetween. In another embodiment, offset mechanism 442 may be releasably connectable to outer portion 432A, additionally or alternatively.

[0101] The plurality of partial through-paths may include other through-path features disclosed herein.

[0102] The plurality of partial through-paths, whether linear or offset, are examples of transmission components for transmitting movement from a power tool through a sterilization barrier. The plurality of partial transmission components can include an inner portion such as 430A, 530A, or more generally a first portion, disposed on a first side of the sterilization barrier; an outer portion such as 432A, 532A, or more generally a second portion, disposed on a second side of the sterilization barrier opposite the first side; and a movable or drivable component such as shafts 430’, 576.

[0103] The second portion is connectable to the first portion such that a portion of the sterilization barrier is captured between the first and second portions to form a seal around the aperture opening in the sterilization barrier. This is perhaps most clearly shown by the example of FIG. 5C.

[0104] The movable component is coupled to the first portion, the second portion, or both the first and second portions, extends through the aperture opening, and is coupled to a power tool to transmit movement generated by the power tool through the sterilization barrier. Referring to FIGS. 5B and 5C, shaft 576 is an example of such a movable component that would be coupled to inner portion 530A and outer portion 532A by bearings 572, 574 at least when through-path 416B is assembled, and in the assembled state as shown by way of example in FIG. 5C, the shaft would extend through a sterilization barrier including cover 514 and gaskets 522A, 522B.

[0105] In some embodiments, a single bearing or other component may be used to couple the movable component to only a portion of the plurality of partial transmission components. For example, one of bearings 572, 574 may potentially be sufficient to support shaft 576.

[0106] In an unassembled state, movable parts such as shaft 576 may be coupled to any part of a plurality of sub-transfer parts. Referring to FIG. 5B as an example, bearings 572, 574 may each be attached to outer portion 532A and inner portion 530A or may be part of outer portion 532A and inner portion 530A, and shaft 576 may be coupled and held to one of the bearings prior to the assembly of pass-through 416B. And during assembly, the shaft will be inserted into the other bearing.

[0107] The first part of the plurality of sub-transfer parts may include or provide a first compression surface, and the second part may include or provide a second compression surface for engaging and compressing portions of the sterilization barrier on the first side and the second side, respectively. In such embodiments, the seal is or includes a compression seal between the first compression surface and the second compression surface. Surfaces 590, 592 in FIG. 5B represent examples of such compression surfaces.

[0108] In some embodiments, the transfer part includes one or both of a compressible gasket on the first compression surface and a compressible gasket on the second compression surface. One or more compressible gaskets may be provided separately, and for example, portions of the sterilization barrier may include a compressible gasket for compression between the first compression surface and the second compression surface.

[0109] The first part and the second part may be coupled together via any of various types of couplings. For example, the first part and the second part may each include cooperating parts of one or more of a screw coupling, a press-fit coupling, a magnetic coupling, a bayonet coupling, a clip-holding coupling, a spring-loaded ball coupling, a spring-loaded bar coupling, a spring-loaded pin coupling, and a spring-holding coupling for coupling the second part to the first part.

[0110] The movement transmitted by the transmission component may be a rotational movement generated by a power tool or may include the rotational movement. In that case, the movable component may be coupled to the first part, the second part, or both the first part and the second part via one or more bearings or bushings. The bearings are shown as examples at 572 and 574 in FIG. 5B.

[0111] The movement may further or alternatively include a linear movement generated by a power tool. In that case, the movable component may be coupled to the first part, the second part, or both the first part and the second part via one or more bearings, bushings, or diaphragms.

[0112] Other types and forms of movement include, for example, rotational vibration movement and linear vibration movement, and any one or both of these may be generated by a power tool.

[0113] In some embodiments, the movement generated by the power tool is of one type or includes one type of movement, and the transmission component includes a mechanism for converting that one type of movement into another type of movement.

[0114] In some embodiments, through-passes such as 16, 416A, 416B, etc. are supported by an adapter or used in cooperation with the adapter in other ways. The adapter can be considered to support the through-pass in the sense that it can provide more physical support to the through-pass than a cover can when provided alone. The cover may be made of or include one or more flexible materials, and the adapter may be made of or include a less flexible or higher rigidity material so as to support the through-pass. More generally, such an adapter can adapt a sterilization barrier or cover to a transmission component such as a through-pass.

[0115] As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, in one embodiment, the adapter 636 includes a nose 638 and a nose mate 637. The nose 638 and the nose mate 637 are shown coupled together in the figures shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. The cover 614 can be trapped between the nose mate 637 and the nose 638, thereby forming a seal around the aperture opening in the cover. For example, before inserting a power tool into the internal cavity, the nose mate 637 can be positioned inside the internal cavity of the cover 614, and the nose 638 can be outside the cover 614.

[0116] The nose mate 637 may include a threaded hole 637A, as illustrated in FIG. 6C. The nose 638 may include a corresponding threaded tubular shaft 638A, as shown by way of example in FIGS. 6D and 6E. By inserting the shaft 638A into the threaded hole 637A and rotating the nose 638 relative to the nose mate 637, the nose mate 637 can be coupled to the nose 638. The hole 637A and the shaft 638A are mounted such that the opposing faces 637B, 638B of the nose mate 637 and the nose 638 are spaced apart by a sufficient distance, such as the distance d referred to elsewhere herein, so as to form a seal around the aperture opening of the cover 614. Either or both of the nose mate 637 and the nose 638 may include a raised portion around the outer rims 637C, 638C of the nose mate 637 and the nose 638 to assist in coupling the nose mate 637 to the nose 638. The arrangement of the portion of the adapter relative to the cover for the assembly of the adapter is illustrated in the exploded view shown in FIG. 6F.

[0117] The nose mate 637 and the nose 638 are shown as having a threaded connection, but this is not essential. The nose mate 637 and the nose 638 may be coupled together using one or more of press-fit, magnetic coupling, fasteners, bayonet coupling, clip retention coupling, spring-loaded ball coupling, spring-loaded bar coupling, spring-loaded pin coupling, spring retention coupling, etc.

[0118] Pass-throughs such as 16, 416A, 416B, etc. may extend through the nose mate 637 and the nose 638. By joining the pass-throughs, the nose mate 637 and the nose 638 complete the seal of the aperture opening in the cover 614. The nose 638 may include a threaded collar 639. A corresponding threaded portion of the pass-through, such as a threaded bearing assembly configured to support the shaft of the pass-through that is coupled to the power tool inside the cover 614, may be coupled to the threaded collar 639. In this example, by fully engaging the threads of the pass-through with the corresponding threads of the threaded collar 639, the user can be informed that the pass-through has been fully inserted into the adapter 636.

[0119] In some embodiments, a gasket may be adhered or otherwise provided on one or both of the opposing surfaces 637B and 638B of the nose mate 637 and the nose 638, respectively. Advantageously, this may allow the gasket to be reusable, thereby potentially reducing the manufacturing cost of the cover 614. In such embodiments, the cover 614 may not include a gasket. In some embodiments, for applications where sterilization of the nose mate 637 and the nose 638 is required or desired, one or more gaskets adhered or otherwise provided on one or both of the opposing surfaces 637B and 638B may be sterilizable between uses.

[0120] The pass-through 16 is preferably sterilized. In some embodiments, the pass-through may be reused and sterilized multiple times. However, in other embodiments, the pass-through is a single-use component of the power tool system.

[0121] Figures 6A - 6E illustrate an embodiment of an adapter. Adapter 636 is representative of an adapter that adapts a sterilization barrier to transmission components such as passes - through 16, 416A, 416B, etc., configured to transmit movement from a power tool through the sterilization barrier. Nose 638 and nose mate 637 exemplify a first portion of the adapter disposed on a first side of the sterilization barrier and a second portion of the adapter disposed on a second side of the sterilization barrier opposite the first side.

[0122] As perhaps most clearly shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the second portion of the adapter is connectable to the first portion so as to capture and compress a portion of the sterilization barrier between the first and second portions and form a compression seal around the aperture opening of the sterilization barrier.

[0123] One or both of the first and second portions of the adapter may include a tubular shaft that extends through the aperture opening and couples the second portion to the first portion. Such a tubular shaft can be seen, for example, as 637A in FIG. 6C and 638A in FIG. 6E.

[0124] The first portion of the adapter may include or be provided with a first surface and the second portion may similarly include or be provided with a second surface so as to engage and compress portions of the sterilization barrier on each of the first and second sides. Surfaces 637B, 638B in FIGS. 6D, 6E are examples of such surfaces.

[0125] The adapter may include one or both of a compressible gasket on the first surface and a compressible gasket on the second surface. Such one or more gaskets may be provided separately from the adapter. For example, the portion of the sterilization barrier captured between the first and second portions of the adapter may include one or more compressible gaskets or may have one or more compressible gaskets attached thereto.

[0126] The first and second portions of the adapter may be coupled together via any of various types of couplings. For example, the first and second portions of the adapter may each include cooperating parts of one or more types of couplings, examples of which are given elsewhere herein.

[0127] The adapter may include one or more fasteners for coupling the second portion to the first portion. Also, one or more fasteners may be used to couple together portions of other multiple sub-components, additionally or alternatively.

[0128] As illustrated at 637C, 638C in FIGS. 6C and 6D, one or both of the first and second portions of the adapter may include an outer rim having a raised portion that aids in coupling the second portion to the first portion. For a reusable adapter, the raised portion and other structures may also or alternatively serve to decouple the second and first portions from each other.

[0129] The adapter may include a coupling structure for coupling to a transmission component. For example, either or both of the first and second portions of the adapter may include a coupling structure for coupling to a transmission component. The threaded collar 639 of FIG. 6D is an illustration of such a coupling structure.

[0130] Many of the embodiments described herein refer to an aperture opening in a sterilization barrier or cover through which power or movement generated by a power tool can be transmitted. Such an opening may be formed in the cover or sterilization barrier or may be otherwise defined by the cover or sterilization barrier, although in other embodiments, a multi-part device may create the aperture opening in the cover or sterilization barrier. This can provide greater flexibility and applicability of the cover or sterilization barrier in that the aperture opening can be made at any convenient location or position in the cover or sterilization barrier. If an aperture opening can be made, the sterilization barrier need not be intended for use as a cover. This can enable medical staff to use any available sterilized material on hand, such as sterilized gloves or gowns, as a sterilization barrier for a power tool.

[0131] For example, consider FIGS. 7A - 7C. FIG. 7A is a top view of a portion of a multi - part device according to another embodiment, and FIGS. 7B and 7C are a top view and a side - plan view, respectively, of another portion of the multi - part device.

[0132] FIG. 7A shows an example of a first portion 737 of the multi - part device. The first portion 737 is to be disposed on a first side of the sterilization barrier. FIGS. 7B and 7C show a second portion 738 of the multi - part device. The second portion 738 is disposed on a second side of the sterilization barrier opposite the first side. The second portion 738 is connectable to the first portion 737 such that an aperture opening is made in the sterilization barrier and a portion of the sterilization barrier is captured between the first and second portions to form a seal around the aperture opening. As an example, the outer surface of a post 738A extending axially from a surface 738B of the second portion 738 and the inner surface of a post 737A extending axially from a surface 737B of the first portion 737 can be fitted to join the first and second portions together.

[0133] One or both of the first and second portions may include a cutter for creating an aperture opening. As an example, when the first portion 737 and the second portion 738 are joined together, the cutter 752 may be attached to the surface 738B or otherwise provided so as to create an aperture opening. In one embodiment, the cutter 752 creates an aperture opening by cutting a sterilization barrier when the first and second portions are joined together, and a groove 750 is provided on the upper surface of the post 737A of the first portion 773 so as to receive at least a portion of the cutter 75 when the first portion 737 and the second portion 738 are fully assembled. This can be useful, for example, to allow the cutting of the aperture opening to be completed before a sterilized portion is trapped between the first portion 737 and the second portion 738 and to allow the cut portion of the sterilization barrier to be removed.

[0134] In an embodiment where the first and second portions of the multi-part device include respective cooperating parts of a screw-type coupling such as the screw surface described above, the cutter 752 may be configured to create an aperture opening during relative rotation between the first and second portions for joining the first and second portions together. This is just one example, and others are possible.

[0135] For example, the cutter and groove described above may be reversed, with the cutter provided at 750 and the groove provided at 752.

[0136] As another example, the first portion of the multi-part device may include a first surface such as the surface 737B, and the second portion may include a second surface such as the surface 738B, which engage portions of the sterilization barrier on the first and second sides, respectively, and one or both of the first and second surfaces include a protruding element that penetrates the sterilization barrier to create an aperture opening. The protruding element may be, for example, a protruding ring or may include a protruding ring and may be provided at 750 and / or 752.

[0137] In some embodiments, the first portion of the plurality of sub-devices includes or provides a first surface, and the second portion includes or provides a second surface, and engages and compresses against portions of the sterilization barrier on the first side and the second side, respectively. In such embodiments, the seal is a compression seal between the first surface and the second surface. Surfaces 737B, 738B are examples of surfaces that can be compression surfaces in some embodiments.

[0138] One or more compressible gaskets may be provided, for example, on the first face and / or the second face. Such one or more compressible gaskets may alternatively or additionally be provided separately, attached to the sterilization barrier, or be part of the sterilization barrier.

[0139] The screw connection between the first portion 737 and the second portion 738 was described above as an example. More generally, the first portion and the second portion of the plurality of sub-devices may include respective cooperating parts of any of various types of connections such as screw connections, press-fit connections, magnetic connections, bayonet connections, clip-holding connections, spring-loaded ball connections, spring-loaded bar connections, spring-loaded pin connections, or spring-holding connections to couple the first portion to the second portion. One or more fasteners may alternatively or additionally be used to couple the first portion of the plurality of sub-devices to the second portion.

[0140] Some of the components disclosed herein may be implemented as a plurality of sub-devices or as part of a plurality of sub-devices. For example, the first portion and the second portion of the plurality of sub-devices may be part of or include a portion of a transmission component for transmitting movement from a power tool through a sterilization barrier. Examples of the plurality of sub-transmission components are given elsewhere herein, and portions of such components may include features to enable an aperture opening to be formed in the sterile barrier.

[0141] The first and second portions of the multi-part device may be portions of an adapter for adapting a sterilization barrier to a transmission component, or may include such portions of the adapter. Examples of multi-part adapters are provided elsewhere herein, and such portions of the adapter may include features that enable an aperture opening to be made in the sterilization barrier.

[0142] The first portion of the multi-part device may be or may include a tool adapter coupled to a power tool, and the second portion of the multi-part device may be or may include a transmission component coupled to the tool adapter to transmit movement from the power tool through the sterilization barrier. Again, examples of tool adapters and transmission components are provided elsewhere herein, and such portions of the adapter and transmission component may include features that enable an aperture opening to be made in the sterilization barrier. Referring to FIG. 4B as an example, when the pass-through 416B is coupled to the power tool 412, an aperture opening may be formed in the cover 414.

[0143] The multi-part device may include other features disclosed herein. For example, one or both of the first portion 737 and the second portion 738 of the multi-part device may include outer rims 737C, 738C having ridges that assist in coupling the first and second portions together and / or in decoupling the second and first portions from each other.

[0144] In some embodiments, the multi-part device may be partially or fully assembled to create an aperture opening and then temporarily disassembled to remove the cut portion of the sterilization barrier so that the cut portion does not interfere with the operation of the power tool. In other embodiments, removal of the cut portion is not necessary, and the cut portion does not interfere with the operation of the power tool or otherwise impede the operation of the power tool.

[0145] The above description has mainly focused on the structure and components of the power tool system. Other embodiments relate to the use of such a power tool system and are exemplarily described with reference to FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 9A - 9D.

[0146] As shown by way of example in FIG. 8A, a power tool is insertable into an internal cavity 815 defined by a cover through an opening 820, and a portion of the cover 814 surrounding the opening 820 is folded back to form a cuff or collar 823 before inserting the power tool into the cover 814. The cuff 823 may have a height H, and the height H is large enough to securely hold the cover 814 by placing a person's finger and / or hand behind the cuff 823 between the inner surface of the cuff 823 and the opposing outer surface of the cover 814. This is shown by way of example in FIG. 8B. The hand shown in FIG. 8B is only a schematic diagram and does not necessarily show the anatomically correct way of holding the cover 814. In some embodiments, the cuff 823 has a height of at least about 1 inch or about 2.5 cm. In some embodiments, the cuff 823 has a height of at least about 1.5 inches or about 3.8 cm. In some embodiments, the cuff 823 has a height greater than 1.5 inches or 3.8 cm.

[0147] Typically, medical personnel perform a scrub - in before entering a sterile field such as an operating room. "Scrub - in" means performing a germicidal wash of a person's hands and / or arms before entering the sterile field. Once the user has scrubbed in, typically the user wears sterile gloves, and the cover 814 can be held by placing their fingers and / or hand under the cuff 823 between the outer surface of the cover 814 and the inner surface of the cuff 823 as described elsewhere herein. Even so, it does not affect the sterility of the outer surface of the cover 814 or the sterility of the user's fingers and / or hands. Also, the cuff 823 can reduce the possibility of a non - sterile power tool contacting the sterile outer surface of the cover 814.

[0148] When the power tool is inserted inside the cover 814 and into the internal cavity 815, a closing mechanism may be applied to close the opening 820, or it may be operated in other ways. Preferably, the closing mechanism is operable to keep the opening 820 sealed during the normal operation and / or use of the power tool system throughout the surgical procedure. Further, the closing mechanism preferably maintains the opening 820 in a sealed state when the closing mechanism is exposed to liquid, thereby preventing the closing mechanism from malfunctioning even if, for example, it is exposed to liquid.

[0149] Figures 9A - 9D are diagrams further illustrating the use of the cover system according to an embodiment.

[0150] In Figure 9A, the power tool 12 is inserted into the sterile cover 14. The cover 14 is folded at the edge portion to form a cuff 23, and the interaction between the user and the cover 14 using the cuff 23 is perhaps clearer in Figure 9A than in Figure 8B. As shown, the user holds the cover 14 by the cuff 23 while the power tool 12 is being inserted into the cover 14 without including the sterile outer surface of the cover 14. The cuff 23 reduces the possibility that the non-sterile power tool 12 may contact the sterile outer surface of the cover 14 when the power tool 12 is inserted into the cover. The cover 14 can be held, for example, by a sterile hand, in other words, while the person holding the cover 14 "scrubbed in", the power tool 12 can be inserted by a person who does not have a sterile hand.

[0151] Once the power tool 12 is inserted into the cover 14, as illustrated in Figure 9B, the cuff 23 may be deployed or expanded while the power tool is inside the internal cavity 15, and as illustrated in Figure 9C, the opening through which the power tool was inserted when it was inserted may be closed.

[0152] The pass-through 16 is coupled to the power tool 12 in FIG. 9D through the aperture opening 21. In some cases, the pass-through 16 is removed from the sterilization package immediately before the pass-through is coupled to the power tool 12. While the pass-through 16 is held in one hand, the other hand may be used to orient and hold the power tool 12 with respect to the aperture opening 21 so that the pass-through can be coupled to the power tool through the aperture opening by moving the pass-through toward the power tool 12 in the example shown.

[0153] The examples shown in FIGS. 9A-9D are intended solely for purposes of illustration. The method may include additional, fewer, and / or different operations performed in a similar or different order depending on one or more factors such as the type of power tool 12, the type of pass-through 16, or whether the cover 12 is used with an adapter or without an adapter.

[0154] Generally, a method consistent with the present disclosure may include orienting an opening of a disposable cover so as to receive a power tool within an internal cavity defined by the disposable cover having a sterilized outer surface and further defining an aperture opening. An example is shown in FIG. 9A, where the user in a sterilized state holds the cover 14 with the opening open at the top to receive the power tool 12.

[0155] Also, such a method may include operating a closure mechanism to close the opening while the drive portion of the power tool is adjacent to the aperture opening and the power tool is within the internal cavity. This is shown as an example in FIG. 9C.

[0156] In some embodiments, the method includes forming a compression seal around the aperture opening to seal the power tool within the internal cavity. In the example shown in FIG. 9D, a compression seal may be formed when the pass-through 16 is coupled to the power tool through the aperture opening 21. This is an example of forming a compression seal by coupling a transmission component to the drive portion of the power tool to transmit movement from the power tool through a disposable cover. The drive portion of the power tool refers to the portion driven by the power tool, which drives the transmission component to transmit movement through the cover.

[0157] Forming the compression seal can include compressing one or more compressible gaskets surrounding the aperture opening, and various examples of compressible gasket arrangements are provided elsewhere herein. The one or more compressible gaskets may be attached to the cover, may be part of the cover, or may be provided separately and disposed adjacent to the aperture opening.

[0158] Another embodiment of forming the compression seal includes joining together a plurality of portions of a multi-part device so as to capture a portion of the disposable cover between the portions of the multi-part device. Examples of multi-part devices and how such devices can be joined together are provided elsewhere herein.

[0159] Some embodiments can include applying pressure to the disposable cover to force air out of the internal cavity to the outside of the disposable cover through a check valve.

[0160] Through the aperture opening, power and movement are transmitted through the cover, and the aperture opening may already be formed or may not be formed when using the cover or the sterilization barrier, or may or may not be provided in other ways. Thus, some embodiments also include creating an aperture opening. Forming the aperture opening may be specific to other operations, such as joining parts of a multi-part device together after those parts are disposed on the opposite side of the cover or the sterilization barrier. For example, the multi-part device may be installed on the cover so as to create the aperture opening before or after the power tool is inserted into the internal cavity.

[0161] The operations or actions described in the above exemplary methods mainly relate to operations or actions that can be performed by a sterilized user mainly referred to in the descriptions of FIGS. 9A-9D. At least some of these operations and / or other operations, such as disposing the power tool within the internal cavity with the drive portion of the power tool adjacent to the aperture opening, may be performed by another user and potentially a non-sterilized user.

[0162] Features that may be associated with these operations and / or other operations or with other embodiments are further described below.

[0163] Referring here to FIG. 2A as an example, the closure mechanism includes an adhesive band 24 extending across a first portion of the cover 14 and a sealing flap 25 extending across a second portion of the cover 14. In the example shown, the sealing flap 25 is a longitudinally extending sealing flap and the adhesive band 24 is a longitudinally extending adhesive band, but other orientations or arrangements are possible.

[0164] When the sealing flap 25 is engaged with the adhesive band 24, the sealing flap 25 is adhered to the cover 14, thereby sealing and closing the opening 20. The sealing flap 25 may be folded back longitudinally, for example, such that the sealing flap 25 engages the adhesive band 24. Preferably, the adhesive band 24 is covered by a removable non - adhesive layer 24A until the opening 20 is closed. For example, the removable non - adhesive layer 24A may be removed after the power tool is inserted into the cover 14.

[0165] The adhesive band 24 may include, for example, one or more of a suitable adhesive, double - sided tape, etc. In a preferred embodiment, exposing the adhesive band 24 and the sealing flap 25 to a liquid does not detach the sealing flap 25 from the adhesive band 24.

[0166] The strength of the adhesion between the sealing flap 25 and the cover 14 may be enhanced by having a plurality of adhesive portions between the adhesive band 24 and the sealing flap 25. For example, the adhesive band 24 may have a width greater than the width of the sealing flap 25. In such an embodiment, the sealing flap 25 may be folded back longitudinally multiple times such that it engages the adhesive band 24 multiple times, for example, until all of the adhesive band 24 is engaged. In some embodiments, the adhesive band 24 has a width at least twice the width of the sealing flap 25. Also, by folding the sealing flap 25 multiple times, the possibility of liquid entering through the opening 20 after the opening is closed can be reduced.

[0167] FIG. 2A shows the sealing flap 25 and the adhesive band 24 having a uniform width, but this is not essential. In some embodiments, the width of certain portions of the adhesive band 24 and / or the sealing flap 25 may be increased relative to other portions of the adhesive band 24 and / or the sealing flap 25. For example, portions of the adhesive band 24 and / or the sealing flap 25 that may have a higher likelihood of failure, such as by separating from each other, may have an increased width relative to the remaining portions of the adhesive band 24 and / or the sealing flap 25.

[0168] As described elsewhere herein, a cover such as cover 14 may be a disposable sterile cover intended to be used for one surgical procedure and / or one patient. To prevent or preclude reuse of cover 14 for multiple surgical procedures having various patients, the adhesion between the sealing flap 25 and the adhesive band 24 may be designed to have sufficient strength such that removal of the power tool from cover 14 requires at least partial destruction of cover 14. Once at least a portion of cover 14 is destroyed, cover 14 can no longer be used and a new cover 14 must be obtained. In this sense, the closure mechanism may be arranged, designed, or otherwise configured to permanently close the opening aperture 20. For example, the adhesion between the sealing flap 25 and the adhesive band 24 may be sufficiently strong such that removal of the power tool from cover 14 requires, for example, cutting open cover 14 with scissors, tearing open cover 14, or otherwise damaging cover 14 in a manner that renders it non-reusable. However, this is not essential. In some embodiments, the sealing flap 25 may be peeled away from the adhesive band 24, for example, to modify the position of the sealing flap 25 relative to the adhesive band 24.

[0169] Any tab 26 may assist the user in folding back the sealing flap 25 while reducing the likelihood that a user's finger or fingers will be caught between the sealing flap 25 and the adhesive band 24. One or more tabs may be provided and may be disposed along the edge of the sealing flap as shown. Such tabs can be used to facilitate folding the sealing flap 25 toward the adhesive band 24.

[0170] The exemplary cover 14 includes tabs 26 at each longitudinal opposite end of the sealing flap 25. The user may hold each tab 26 with a different hand. Pulling each tab 26 toward the adhesive band 24 folds the sealing flap 25 toward the adhesive band 24. However, the cover 14 may include any number of tabs 26 disposed at any position along the sealing flap 25. In some embodiments, the cover 14 includes a single large tab 26 along the upper edge of the sealing flap 25 in the view shown in FIG. 2A. In such an embodiment, by pulling the tab 26 toward the opposite end of the cover 14, the sealing flap 25 can be folded back.

[0171] In some embodiments, either or both of the sealing flap 25 and the adhesive band 24 are replaced or augmented by alternative closure mechanisms such as, for example: · A tongue and groove closure similar to a ZIP-LOC TM type closure; · A hook and loop closure such as a VELCRO TM type closure; · A pull strap; · One or more snaps; · A magnetic seal; · A belt and buckle design; and · A zipper seal.

[0172] These are examples of a closure mechanism, and any one of these examples may be attached to the cover in some embodiments. One or more closure mechanisms may be integrated with the cover or may be part of the cover, or the cover may include one or more closure mechanisms in other ways.

[0173] Cover 14 may be formed to generally conform to the shape of the power tool. For example, if the power tool is a drill, power driver, impact driver, or other tool having a handle that extends generally perpendicular to the body, cover 14 may have a generally L-shaped configuration as shown in FIG. 2A. In this type of power tool and cover configuration, the body of the power tool fits within one arm of the L-shaped cover, and the handle of the tool fits within the other arm of the L-shaped cover. In some embodiments, the arm of cover 14 that receives the body of the power tool extends generally perpendicular to the opening 20, such that when cover 14 is held open with the opening 20 facing up, the arm of cover 14 that receives the body of the power tool extends generally vertically.

[0174] Cover 14 may be sized to receive the power tool. Covers 14 of various sizes may be provided for use with various power tools. In some embodiments, cover 14 is approximately 30 cm × 25 cm when laid flat, as shown in FIG. 2A.

[0175] Preferably, cover 14 is configured to conform to the shape of the power tool. Excessive space between cover 14 and the power tool can reduce tactile sensitivity, thereby reducing the user's ability to control the power tool. For example, excess material in cover 14 can interfere with the user's ability to accurately control the trigger of the power tool. Cover 14 may include one or more straps configured to allow the user to conform cover 14 to the shape of a particular power tool placed within the interior cavity of cover 14.

[0176] For example, one or more straps 27 may be provided. Such one or more straps may be used to gather excess portions of the cover 14 and / or to shape the cover 14 into a desired shape. As shown in FIG. 2A, for example, the cover 14 may comprise two straps 27. The strap 27A may be proximate a portion of the cover 14 intended to receive a handle of the power tool, and the strap 27B may be proximate a portion of the cover 14 intended to receive a body of the power tool.

[0177] The strap 27 is attached to the cover 14 in the example shown. However, each strap 27 includes a removable end that may be removed from the cover 14. The removable end of each strap 27 may initially be attached to the cover 14. Removing the removable end of the strap 27, positioning the strap generally closely around or tightly wound around and / or repositioning a portion of the power tool, and then reattaching the removed end to the cover 14 may fit a portion of the cover 14 to a portion of the power tool. This is perhaps best shown in FIG. 1A, in which the strap 27 is wound around a portion of the power tool 12 so as to conform each portion of the cover to the shape of the power tool. In this way, the strap 27 can be used to shape at least a portion of the cover to conform to the shape of the power tool.

[0178] The strap 27 may be adhered to the cover 14. For example, referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, an adhesive layer 28 may adhere the strap 27 to the cover 14. The adhesive layer 28 may include one or more of a suitable adhesive, double-sided tape, etc. In some embodiments, the adhesive layer 28 is replaced by heat welding or the like. In FIG. 10A, the straps 27 are adhered to each other, which is for explaining how to arrange the straps when in a package, during shipping, or in other cases where the cover is not in use. The straps 27 may be at least separated from each other, potentially completely separated from the cover, so as to better fit one or more portions of the cover to one or more portions of the tool, and may be rearranged as needed or desired.

[0179] Also, the removable end 27' of the strap 27 may include the adhesive layer 28. In such an embodiment, the removable end 27' may initially be attached to a non-adhesive backing layer 28A, as shown by way of example in FIG. 10B, and then removed and rearranged to better conform one or more portions of the cover to one or more portions of the tool. As shown in FIG. 10A, shipping the cover 14 with the removable ends 27' of each strap 27 attached to the non-adhesive backing layer 28A or to each other can reduce the likelihood that the removable ends 27' of the straps 27 will adhere to the cover 14, and further or alternatively, can reduce the likelihood of perforation or tearing that could result in the removable ends 27' having to be removed directly from the cover 14.

[0180] Strap 27 shows an example of a cover conforming mechanism operable to conform a part of the cover to the shape of the power tool. Such a cover conforming mechanism may be attached to the cover. The cover conforming mechanism may be integrated with the cover, may be a part of the cover, or the cover may include the cover conforming mechanism in other ways. The strap is an example of a cover conforming mechanism and may include a removable end operable to be wound around a part of the cover, removed from the cover, and reattached to the cover in order to conform a part of the cover to the shape of the power tool. The removable end of the strap may include an adhesive layer or may be attached to the cover by a non-adhesive backing layer.

[0181] To avoid tearing and puncturing, cover 14 may be made of a material that is resistant to puncturing and tearing. For example, the material may use one or more standards such as EN 388:2016 or AAMI PB70 as a guide. If there are holes or tears in cover 14, the sterilization barrier intended to be provided by cover 14 will be breached. Either or both of the puncture resistance and tear resistance may be quantified using industry standards such as ASTM F1342 Standard Test Method for Protective Clothing Material Resistance to Puncture. Ideally, cover 14 is classifiable or qualified as having puncture resistance, tear resistance, or both. In some embodiments, cover 14 has puncture resistance and / or tear resistance equal to or greater than that of a sterilized glove worn by a healthcare worker.

[0182] Preferably, cover 14 is sufficiently stretchable to allow for some degree of elongation of cover 14 when it is impacted. Cover 14 does not necessarily need to be elastic. For example, cover 14 does not necessarily need to return to its original state after being impacted or when the power tool is removed from the cover.

[0183] Cover 14 may be made of, for example, any one or more of the following materials, or may include any one or more of the following materials: · (Preferably) polyethylene (PE) film; · Polyurethane (PU) film; · Non-woven fabrics such as spunlaced, spunlaid heat bonded, meltblown, spunbond, airlaid, or combinations thereof such as spunbond·meltblown·spunbond (SMS); · Silicone; and · Rigid plastic.

[0184] In some embodiments, the material forming cover 14, such as a PE film, is thin and has a thickness of less than about 0.3 mm. In some embodiments, the thickness of cover 14 is in the range of 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm, for example 0.15 mm.

[0185] By increasing the strength of cover 14, the puncture resistance and / or tear resistance of cover 14 can be improved. The strength can be increased, for example, by making cover 14 from a thicker material, a rigid material such as a more rigid material, or a stronger material. However, this can increase the cost of cover 14. Furthermore, increasing the strength of cover 14 can reduce or otherwise affect one or more properties of the cover, such as the flexibility and / or tactile feel of cover 14.

[0186] The flexibility and / or tactility of the cover 14 is important. Referring to FIG. 1A, the cover flexibility and / or tactility can be important because a user needs to be able to grip the power tool 12 through the cover 14 and accurately position the power tool 12 through the cover 14 to operate the trigger of the power tool 12. The flexibility and / or tactility of the cover 14 can be increased, for example, by making the cover 14 thinner, by making it more flexible, and / or by making it from a softer material. The increased flexibility and / or tactility of the cover 14 can improve the ability of a user to hold and operate the power tool 12.

[0187] Improving the puncture resistance and / or tear resistance of the cover 14 generally runs counter to the desire to improve the flexibility and / or tactility of the cover 14. In a preferred embodiment, the desired puncture and / or tear resistance is balanced against the desired flexibility and / or tactility of the cover 14.

[0188] In some embodiments, different portions of the cover 14 are made of different materials. For example, the portion of the cover 14 intended to surround the grip and / or trigger of the power tool 12 may be made of a flexible and tactile material. In one embodiment, the trigger portion of the cover 14 that surrounds or is adjacent to the trigger area of the power tool is more tactile than another portion of the cover. The remaining portions may be made of a more rugged material that is less flexible and tactile but has excellent puncture resistance and / or tear resistance.

[0189] Additionally or alternatively, the thickness of the cover 14 may be increased in portions of the cover 14 that are expected to have a higher risk of perforation and / or tearing. In some embodiments, such portions include two or more material layers. The material of each layer may be the same as or different from the other layers. In some embodiments, the increased thickness cushions and / or absorbs the impact of an object contacting the power tool system 10. In some embodiments, the portion with increased thickness functions as a bumper.

[0190] In some embodiments, the cover 14 or a selected portion of the cover 14 may include a multi-layer structure. In some embodiments, the multi-layer structure extends throughout the cover 14 and the cover includes multiple layers. In some embodiments, the inner surface of the cover 14 is made of a first layer and the outer surface of the cover 14 is made of a second layer. The first layer and the second layer may be adhered together. The first and second layers may be the same or different, and accordingly, the inside of the cover 14 may be a different layer than, or include, the different layer from the outside of the cover. In some embodiments, the first and second layers have one or more various properties such as different colors and / or different opacities. In some embodiments, the first layer and the second layer have the same color, opacity, and / or one or more other common properties that are the same. In some embodiments, two or more different portions of the cover may include different numbers of layers.

[0191] Referring back to FIG. 2A, in some embodiments, the multilayer structure of the cover 14 creates a tortuous path to the opening 20 and / or the aperture 21, reducing the likelihood that the sterilization barrier will be breached. For example, the sealing flap 25 may include multiple layers, which may be folded back and engaged with the adhesive band 24. In some embodiments, the multiple layers of the cover 14 may be trapped between compression members such as the compression members 317A, 317B shown in FIGS. 3A-3E. For example, liquid would need to pass through or penetrate each layer before entering or exiting the internal cavity of the cover in such embodiments.

[0192] Additionally or alternatively, a more robust secondary cover may be disposed on portions of the cover that are expected to have a higher risk of perforation and / or tearing, such as those that are more likely to come into contact with scalpels or other tools. For example, the sterilized secondary cover 18 is illustratively shown in FIG. 1A and may be disposed to cover the upper portion of the cover 14.

[0193] The secondary cover 18 includes an aperture opening 18a. The pass-through 16 may extend through the aperture opening 18a. The opposite end 18b of the secondary cover 18 may be extended onto the body of the power tool 12 and engage the opposite end of the power tool 12 as shown in FIG. 1A.

[0194] The secondary cover 18 may be made of or include one or more materials such as silicone, rubber, and vinyl. In some embodiments, the secondary cover 18 includes a hard shell configured to conform to a portion of the power tool system 10. The secondary cover 18 may be disposable or may be sterilizable and reusable.

[0195] Optionally, the cover 14 may include one or more shaped corners, exemplified by 29 in FIG. 2A. Such shaped corners 29 can provide more space within the internal cavity of the cover 14 than corners that include edges converging at a vertex. This can, for example, relieve the tension at the seams of the cover 14 when a power tool is inserted into the cover 14 and / or can provide more space for the trigger of the power tool 12 to move. The shaped corner 29 can be of any shape other than a point or vertex. The shaped corner 29 can be, for example, circular, elliptical, or linear. In some embodiments, the cover 14 includes at least one shaped corner 29 proximate to a trigger area positioned adjacent to the trigger of the power tool.

[0196] The inner surface and / or outer surface of the cover 14 may have any of a variety of specific finishes. The finish of the inner surface and the outer surface may be the same or different.

[0197] The inner surface of the cover 14 may be, for example, one or more of lint-free and non-static. Preferably, the inner surface is finished to allow for easy insertion of the power tool, such that the inner surface does not, for example, impede the insertion of the power tool.

[0198] In addition, the outer surface of the cover 14 may be, for example, one or more of lint-free and non-static electricity generating. Additionally or alternatively, the outer surface may be designed to reduce the adhesion of the outer surface to itself. Additionally or alternatively, the outer surface, or for example the gripping portion of the outer surface, may be designed so as not to become slippery when the cover 14 is covered with a liquid such as blood or physiological saline. In some embodiments, the outer surface, or for example the grip portion of the outer surface, may be designed to absorb a liquid so as to enhance the grip, such as making it difficult to slip when holding the cover 14 in the presence of a liquid. In some embodiments, a moisture wicking coating that allows biocompatible moisture to escape by capillary action is applied to the outer surface.

[0199] The inner surface and / or outer surface of the cover 14 that is antistatic can advantageously reduce the possibility that fine particles such as contaminants are electrostatically attracted to the cover 14.

[0200] In some embodiments, an antibacterial coating is applied to the inner surface and / or outer surface of the cover 14, or one or both of their surfaces contain an antibacterial coating in other ways.

[0201] In some embodiments, the cover 14 is configured using a pattern such as a two-dimensional pattern. The pattern may be cut out from a piece of material using, for example, a punching machine. The pattern can be folded into the desired shape of the cover 14. The edges that contact each other may be joined together by welding, adhesion, sewing, or other methods. In some embodiments, the pattern is folded so that the portion of the cover 14 including the aperture openings 21 and one or more gaskets 22 lies flat in the folded cover 14. Thereby, it is possible to avoid wrinkles from occurring in the cover 14 in the area of the aperture openings 21.

[0202] In some embodiments, the cover 14 is manufactured using a molding process. For example, the cover 14 may be manufactured by dip-molding, injection molding, or the like. The molding process may use an elastomer compound.

[0203] Preferably, the seam of the cover 14 is designed to be narrow. In some embodiments, the seam of the cover 14 has a width of 2 mm or less, for example 1.5 mm. In some embodiments, the seam crosses the trigger area of the power tool. A wide seam can interfere with the tactile sensitivity of the trigger area.

[0204] The power tool is preferably inserted into the cover 12 from the back of the cover through, for example, the opening 20 as shown in FIG. 2A, or enters the cover 12 in another way. However, in some embodiments, the power tool may instead be inserted into the cover from the bottom or top of the cover or may enter the cover in another way.

[0205] The cover 14 may be designed to withstand various temperatures. For example, the cover 14 may be designed to be usable within the ambient temperature range assumed in an operating room. In some embodiments, the cover 14 is designed to be usable at temperatures between 0°C and 40°C.

[0206] In some embodiments, air may be removed from the inside of the cover 14 so that the cover 14 fits better with the power tool. For example, a mechanism such as a vacuum one may remove air before sealing the aperture opening 21 and / or the opening 20 of the cover 14. In some embodiments, the cover 14 includes a check valve 40, and the check valve 40 enables air to be expelled from the inside of the cover 14. In some embodiments, the check valve 40 includes a filter, and the filter prevents substances such as particles, spores, bacteria, or mold from leaking from the internal cavity of the cover 14. The check valve 40 is preferably disposed at a position where it is not expected to interfere with the operation of the power tool inside the cover 14. A check valve may be attached to the cover 14. The check valve may be integrated with the cover 14, or may be a part of the cover 14, or the cover may include such a valve in other ways.

[0207] In some embodiments, the cover 14 includes a mark. For example, the removable non-adhesive layer 24A covering the adhesive band 24 may include a mark indicating how the cover 14 is closed. As another example, the cover 14 may include a brand. As another example, the cover 14 may include a mark that instructs or explains to the user how to operate the power tool. The mark may be printed directly on the cover 14, for example.

[0208] In some embodiments, the cover 14 includes a rigid or hard portion. In such embodiments, the portion of the cover 14 that surrounds or is adjacent to the trigger area of the power tool may be made of a more flexible material to potentially enable more accurate operation of the power tool trigger.

[0209] Preferably, the cover 14 may be packaged compactly and / or flatly. Thereby, for example, the spatial installation area of the cover 14, the space required to store the cover 14, and / or the transportation cost can be reduced.

[0210] As shown in FIG. 11F, the cover 14 can be flattened and folded into a compact package 50. FIGS. 11A-11E show exemplary folding patterns that can be used, for example, to fold the cover 14 into a compact and flat package 50.

[0211] In FIG. 11A, the portion of the cover 14 surrounding the opening 20 is at the top of the figure shown and is optionally folded back to form the cuff 23. In such a case, the cover 14 is packaged with the pre-formed cuff 23. This can advantageously shorten the time required to prepare the power tool system prior to surgery in that no additional time need be spent to form the cuff 23.

[0212] In FIG. 11B, the sidewalls of the portion of the cover 14 proximate the aperture openings and gaskets 22A and 22B are folded, for example at least partially inwardly, to form accordion folds. The accordion folds can allow a portion of the cover 14 to be folded flat relative to the remainder of the cover 14, as shown at 1102, 1104 in FIG. 11A. By folding that portion flat, the likelihood of damaging the gaskets 22A, 22B while the cover 14 is in storage and / or transit can be reduced. The accordion folds are generally shown at 1106 in FIG. 11B.

[0213] Additionally or alternatively, the accordion folds may be maintained. "Maintained" means that inserting a power tool inside the cover 14 does not completely break the accordion folds. A maintained accordion fold can, for example, take up any slack in the cover 14 when a power tool is inserted inside the cover 14.

[0214] Additionally or alternatively, the bellows-like bends can help to conform the cover 14 to the shape of the power tool. The bellows-like bends can, for example, shorten the length of the portion of the cover 14 that receives the body of the power tool. The bellows-like bends can, for example, be extended only as much as is necessary to conform to the body of the power tool. A power tool having a longer body can have more bellows-like bends extended than a tool having a shorter body.

[0215] In some embodiments, the side walls are folded inwardly along one point to form one bellows-like bend on each side. In some embodiments, the side walls are folded inwardly along two or more points to form two or more bellows-like bends on each side.

[0216] Figures 11C and 11D show examples of procedures for reducing the spatial footprint of the folded cover. In Figure 11C, the cover 14 is folded multiple times in the longitudinal direction to reduce the overall width of the folded cover. In Figure 11D, the cover 14 is folded multiple times in the transverse direction, as indicated by arrows 1108, 1110, to reduce the overall length of the folded cover.

[0217] Figure 11E shows the cover 14, which is flat-folded according to the folding pattern indicated by arrows 1108, 1110 in Figure 11D. The folded cover has a reduced spatial footprint compared to the unfolded cover 14.

[0218] The dashed arrow 1111 in Figure 11D shows another example of a folding step that can be performed in some embodiments. According to the exemplary folding step indicated by 1111, the portion of the cover 14 that includes the aperture opening and gaskets 22A, 22B is folded in a direction opposite to the direction indicated by 1110 in Figure 11D, such that when the cover is further folded as indicated by 1108, that portion of the cover is disposed between other portions of the cover.

[0219] The folded cover may be placed in a protective package 50 sealed as shown in FIG. 11F, whether it is folded as shown at 1110 or 1111 in FIG. 11D, for example.

[0220] The outer surfaces of the package 50, such as the upper surface 52 and the bottom surface 54 of the package 50, may be peeled from each other so as to expose the cover 14. This may enable a user to remove the sterile cover 14 from the package 50 without the sterile cover 14 coming into contact with one or more non-sterile outer surfaces of the package 50. Typically, a non-sterile user peels the outer surface of the package 50, while a sterile user, such as a scrubbed-in user, removes the sterile cover 14.

[0221] The cover 14 and / or other disposable components described herein may be sterilized in a manner compatible with one or more materials of the cover 14 or other components. For example, the cover 14 may be sterilized using ETO (ethylene oxide sterilization), radiation, and / or other sterilization processes. In some embodiments, the cover 14 may be sterilized after being wrapped by a protective package such as the package 50. Reusable components described herein, such as the through-holes 16, 416A, 416B, etc. in some embodiments, may be sterilized using steam.

[0222] The cover 14 may have a shelf life of several years. In some embodiments, the cover 14 has a shelf life of 5 years. In some embodiments, the cover 14 has a shelf life of 10 years.

[0223] As described elsewhere herein, a portion of the cover 14 may be thicker than other portions of the cover 14. In some embodiments, one or more gaskets, illustrated at 22 in FIG. 2A, are provided by increasing the thickness of the cover 14 around the aperture opening 21, by having multiple layers around the aperture opening 21, and / or by like means. This may have advantages such as, for example, facilitating the manufacture of the cover 14 and / or reducing costs.

[0224] Embodiments of the power tool system, cover, cover system, part, component, and method have been described above primarily in connection with surgical applications for human patients. However, the embodiments described herein may further or alternatively be applicable to other uses where it is desirable to surround the power tool with a barrier, such as in veterinary applications, tissue harvesting applications, food processing applications, or other uses where the power tool needs to be protected from its external environment.

[0225] Also, other variations are contemplated. For example, FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of another power tool system 1210, showing a further example of a pass-through. The power tool system 1210 includes a cover 1213 that defines an aperture opening 1213A, a power tool 12 that is within the cover 1213, and an assembly 1211 that is removably coupleable to the power tool via the aperture opening.

[0226] FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of exemplary assembly 1211, which includes traction pin 1215, adapter 1216, and optional cap 1218. Adapter 1216 may be coupled to a corresponding receiving end of power tool 1212 so as to axially hold traction pin 1215 relative to power tool 1212. Also, coupling adapter 1216 to the receiving end of power tool 1212 may seal aperture opening 1213A (FIG. 12) through which traction pin 1215 passes when power tool system 1210 is assembled. Optional cap 1218 covers the sharp tip of traction pin 1215 to prevent or at least reduce the likelihood of inadvertent puncture of tissue and other wounds or damage to the tissue before traction pin 1215 is inserted into the patient's tissue.

[0227] The components of traction pin assembly 1211 are typically sterilized. At least some components of traction pin assembly 1211 may be disposable components that are used only once and discarded, such as after use on a single patient, and the traction pin assembly may further or alternatively include one or more multi-use components that can be sterilized between uses on different patients.

[0228] In some embodiments, traction pin assembly 1211 is packaged in a pre-assembled state with adapter 1216 and cap 1218 already coupled to traction pin 1215. In some embodiments, traction pin assembly 1211 is packaged within a sterile package.

[0229] The optional cap 1218 and / or adapter 1216 of traction pin assembly 1211 may be made of, for example, a suitable plastic. In some embodiments, such components of traction pin assembly 1211 are manufactured using techniques and processes such as injection molding, 3D printing, and / or the like.

[0230] Adapter 1216 includes features that engage corresponding features at the receiving end of power tool 1212 to couple the adapter to the power tool. Adapter 1216 can serve to maintain end 1215A of traction pin 1215 within the coupling mechanism of power tool 1212 while the traction pin is inserted into a patient's tissue. When adapter 1216 is coupled to the receiving end of power tool 1212, the adapter may be axially fixed and thus may not move axially relative to the power tool until the adapter is disconnected from the power tool. Further, adapter 1216 may seal aperture opening 1213A of sterile cover 1213 through which traction pin 1215 passes. One or more compressible gaskets 1213B may be provided around aperture opening 1213A to potentially improve such a seal. Additionally or alternatively, a cover adapter as disclosed by way of example above with reference to FIGS. 6A - 6E may be provided at 1213B.

[0231] FIG. 14A is a perspective view of an exemplary adapter 1416 that may be implemented in a power tool system such as exemplary power tool system 1210 of FIG. 12.

[0232] Hole 1430 in adapter 1416 permits the traction pin to pass through the adapter. The inner surface of hole 1430 frictionally engages the traction pin in some embodiments. However, the friction between the inner surface of hole 1430 and the traction pin is low and thus does not prevent or substantially impede rotation of the traction pin within the hole. In some embodiments, the friction between the inner surface of hole 1430 and the traction pin is not uniform along all of hole 1430. In some embodiments, the friction between the inner surface of hole 1430 and the traction pin is highest at end 1430A of the hole.

[0233] The diameter of the hole 1430 is typically less than the diameter or width of the draw pin, and the adapter 1416 is intended to be used with the draw pin. Further, the inner surface of the adapter 1416 typically contacts the end face on the opposite side of the pin end shown as 1215A in FIGS. 12 and 13 when the adapter 1416 is coupled to the power tool. These features advantageously help to axially hold the draw pin relative to the power tool.

[0234] The hole 1430 may be formed, for example, within a structure 1431 designed to support the draw pin by preventing lateral movement of the draw pin relative to the adapter 1416. The structure 1431 preferably extends longitudinally along a portion of the draw pin installed through the hole 1430. The structure 1431 may extend, for example, from 0.1 cm to 1.5 cm. The hole 1430 may extend completely longitudinally through the structure 1431. In some embodiments, the hole 1430 has a non-uniform diameter, such as in the case of the conical structure shown in FIG. 14A, but this is not essential, and the structure 1431 may be, for example, cylindrical, hexagonal, or other shapes.

[0235] Inserting the adapter 1416 into the receiving end of the power tool may, for example, slide the locking pin of the receiving end of the power tool along the inclined surface 1432 illustrated in FIG. 14B. When the adapter 1416 is fully inserted, the locking pin may fall into the recess 1433, thereby locking the adapter 1416 relative to the receiving end of the power tool. In some embodiments, the inclined surface 1432 is configured to require the adapter 1416 to be pushed and twisted into the receiving end before the adapter 1416 is locked relative to the receiving end of the power tool. A similar arrangement is disclosed herein, for example, for the pass-throughs 16, 416A, 416B.

[0236] Furthermore, coupling the adapter 1416 to the power tool can automatically position the surface 1434 of the adapter, as illustrated in FIG. 14C, at a sufficient distance from the power tool or another component of the power tool system to form a seal around the aperture opening of the cover.

[0237] Similar to other embodiments of the pass-through disclosed herein, the adapter 1416 in the draw pin assembly may include one or more guide protrusions 1435. Insertion of the protrusion 1435 into a corresponding recess in the receiving end portion of the power tool can position the adapter 1416 in a desired direction relative to the power tool.

[0238] The draw pin assembly 1211 is another example of a pass-through that, together with the adapters 1216, 1416, transfers motion from a power tool within the cover to outside the cover. Features disclosed herein in the context of other embodiments may be implemented on the draw pin assembly or its components, and similarly, features of the draw pin assembly disclosed herein may be implemented on other embodiments. For example, the adapters 1216, 1416 may be multi-part devices including a first part and a second part that can be joined together to capture a sterilization barrier or part of the cover to form a compression seal around the aperture opening, or to create an aperture opening and form a seal around the aperture opening. The end 1215A of the draw pin 1215 may be shaped or otherwise configured to couple with the power tool coupling mechanism 42 shown in FIG. 4D in the context of another embodiment. A configuration where a movable part of the pass-through itself, such as the draw pin 1215, is a tool driven by the power tool or includes a tool driven by the power tool may be implemented in other embodiments disclosed herein.

[0239] Other features and variations in the cover system and its components are also conceivable. As a further example, any of various seal components or seal elements may be provided, but are not explicitly shown in the drawings to avoid further clutter. O-rings, gaskets, or other types of seal components may be attached or disposed around the outer diameter portion of the pass-through and seal the outer diameter against the conical or cylindrical inner surface of the rigid cover or the sterilization barrier adapter. The seal component may further or alternatively be provided as an internal O-ring, gasket, or other type of seal component in the hole of the cover adapter, which can be compressed or at least seal around the cylindrical or conical pass-through. One or more seal components may further or alternatively be provided inside the pass-through, for example, to seal around one or more bearings 572, 574 and shaft 576 in FIG. 5B.

[0240] Other variations may be apparent or may become apparent to those skilled in the art based on the present disclosure.

[0241] Interpretation of Terms Throughout the specification and claims, unless the context clearly requires otherwise: · "Comprising," "including," etc. shall be construed in an inclusive sense rather than an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is, construed to mean "including but not limited to"; · "Connected," "coupled," or variations thereof mean any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements; the coupling or connection between elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof; · The "here," "above," "below," and words of similar meaning used to describe this specification refer to the specification as a whole and not to any particular part of this specification; · "Or" covers all of the following interpretations of words with respect to a list of two or more items: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list; · Also, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include any appropriate plural meanings.

[0242] As used in this specification and the appended claims, terms indicating directions such as “vertical,” “horizontal,” “lateral,” “upward,” “downward,” “front,” “rear,” “inner,” “outer,” “left,” “right,” “before,” “after,” “above,” “below,” “upper,” and “lower” depend on the specific orientation of the described and illustrated device. The subject matter described herein can assume various alternative orientations. Accordingly, these directional terms are not strictly defined and should not be construed narrowly.

[0243] For example, while processes or blocks such as operations related to a method or steps of a folding procedure are presented in a given order, alternative examples may execute routines having steps in a different order or employ systems having blocks in a different order, and some processes or blocks may be deleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and / or modified to provide alternative or sub - combinations. Each of these processes or blocks can be implemented in various different ways. Also, while processes or blocks are shown to be in time such that they are executed serially, these processes or blocks may instead be executed in parallel or at different times.

[0244] Furthermore, while elements are shown to be in time such that they are executed sequentially, they may instead be executed simultaneously or in a different order. Accordingly, the following claims are intended to be construed to include all such variations as fall within their intended scope.

[0245] When a component such as an assembly, device, or part is referred to above, unless otherwise indicated, a reference to that component including a reference to "means" is to be construed as including, as equivalents of that component, any component that performs the function of the described component and that is a functional equivalent including a component that is not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure that performs the function in the illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention as set forth herein.

[0246] Here, for purposes of explanation, specific examples of systems, methods, and devices are described. These are merely examples. The techniques provided herein are applicable to systems other than the exemplary systems described above. Many changes, modifications, additions, omissions, and permutations are possible in the practice of this invention. This invention includes various variations from the described embodiments that will be apparent to a skilled recipient and that include the variations obtained as follows: replacing features, elements, and / or acts with equivalent features, elements, and / or acts; mixing and coordinating features, elements, and / or acts from various embodiments; combining features, elements, and / or acts from the embodiments described herein with features, elements, and / or acts of other technologies; and / or omitting the act of combining features, elements, and / or acts from the described embodiments.

[0247] Various features are described herein as being present in "some embodiments". Such features are not essential and may not be present in all embodiments. Embodiments of the invention may include zero, any one, or any combination of two or more of such features. This is limited only to the extent that some of such features are incompatible with others of such features, meaning that a person of ordinary skill in the art would not be able to construct a practical embodiment combining such incompatible features. Thus, a description that "some embodiments" have feature A and that "some embodiments" have feature B should be construed as explicitly indicating that the inventor contemplates embodiments combining features A and B as well, unless the specification otherwise states that features A and B are fundamentally incompatible.

[0248] Accordingly, the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are intended to be construed to include all changes, rearrangements, additions, omissions, and subcombinations as may be reasonably inferred. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments described by way of example, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the entire specification.

Claims

1. 1. A disposable cover system for a power tool, comprising: a cover having a sterile outer surface, the cover defining an internal cavity, an opening through which the powered tool can be inserted into the internal cavity, and an aperture opening through which a pass-through can extend for transmitting motion produced by the powered tool from inside the internal cavity to an exterior of the cover; A closing mechanism for closing the opening; a compressible gasket surrounding the aperture opening; A disposable cover system comprising:

2. The disposable cover system of claim 1 , wherein the compressible gasket is attached to the cover.

3. The disposable cover system of claim 1 , wherein said cover includes said compressible gasket.

4. The disposable cover system of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the compressible gasket comprises a sterile compressible gasket disposed on the sterile outer surface of the cover.

5. 5. The disposable cover system of claim 4, further comprising an additional compressible gasket surrounding said aperture opening and disposed on an inner surface of said cover inside said interior cavity.

6. The disposable cover system of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the compressible gasket extends axially at the aperture opening.

7. 7. The disposable cover system of claim 6, wherein the compressible gasket further extends radially from the aperture opening along the sterile outer surface of the cover.

8. 8. The disposable cover system of claim 6 or 7, wherein the compressible gasket further extends radially from the aperture opening along an inner surface of the cover inside the internal cavity.

9. The disposable cover system of claim 1 , wherein the closure mechanism is attached to the cover.

10. The disposable cover system of claim 1 , wherein said cover includes said closure mechanism.

11. The disposable cover system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the closure mechanism is arranged to permanently close the opening.

12. The disposable cover system of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the closure mechanism includes a sealing flap and an adhesive band.

13. The disposable cover system of claim 12, wherein the sealing flap includes a tab for facilitating folding of the sealing flap toward the adhesive band.

14. The disposable cover system of any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising a cover conforming mechanism operable to conform a portion of the cover to the shape of the power tool.

15. The disposable cover system of claim 14, wherein the cover conforming mechanism is attached to the cover.

16. The disposable cover system of claim 14 , wherein the cover includes the cover adapting mechanism.

17. The disposable cover system of any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the cover fitting mechanism includes a strap.

18. 20. The disposable cover system of claim 17, wherein the strap includes a removable end operable to be removed from the cover, wrapped around a portion of the cover, and reattached to the cover to conform the portion of the cover to the shape of the power tool.

19. 20. The disposable cover system of claim 18, wherein the removable ends of the straps include an adhesive layer and are attached to the cover by a non-adhesive backing layer.

20. The disposable cover system of any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the cover includes a seam having a width of 2 mm or less.

21. The disposable cover system of any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein two or more different portions of the cover include different numbers of layers.

22. 22. The disposable cover system of any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein a trigger portion of the cover disposed adjacent a trigger area of ​​the power tool is more tactile than other portions of the cover.

23. 10. The disposable cover system of claim 1, wherein one or both of the sterile exterior surface of the cover and the interior surface of the cover include an antimicrobial coating.

24. The disposable cover system of any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the cover includes one or more markings representative of a method of operating the power tool.

25. 25. The disposable cover system of any one of claims 1 to 24, further comprising a check valve that allows air to pass from the interior cavity to the exterior of the cover.

26. 26. The disposable cover system of claim 25, wherein the check valve includes a filter.

27. 27. The disposable cover system of claim 25 or claim 26, wherein the cover includes the check valve.

28. a transmission component for transmitting motion from a powered tool through a sterile barrier, comprising: a first portion disposed on a first side of the sterility barrier; a second portion disposed on a second side of the sterile barrier opposite the first side, the second portion being matable with the first portion to capture a portion of the sterile barrier between the first and second portions to form a seal around an aperture opening in the sterile barrier; a movable part coupled to the first part, the second part, or both the first part and the second part, the movable part extending through the aperture opening and coupled to the powered tool to transmit motion produced by the powered tool through the sterile barrier; A transmission component comprising:

29. 29. The transfer piece of claim 28, wherein the first portion includes a first compression surface and the second portion includes a second compression surface to engage and compress portions of the sterility barrier on the first and second sides, respectively, and the seal includes a compression seal between the first and second compression surfaces.

30. a compressible gasket at the first compression surface; a compressible gasket at the second compression surface; 30. The transfer piece of claim 29, further comprising one or both of the following:

31. 30. The transfer piece of claim 29, wherein the portion of the sterility barrier comprises a compressible gasket for compression between the first compression surface and the second compression surface.

32. 32. A transfer component according to any one of claims 28 to 31, wherein the first part and the second part include respective cooperating parts of a threaded connection, a press fit connection, a magnetic connection, a bayonet connection, a clip retained connection, a spring loaded ball connection, a spring loaded bar connection, a spring loaded pin connection or a spring retained connection for connecting the second part to the first part.

33. A transmission part as described in any one of claims 28 to 32, wherein the movement includes a rotational movement produced by the power tool, and the movable part is coupled to the first part, the second part, or both the first part and the second part via one or more bearings or bushings.

34. A transmission part as described in any one of claims 28 to 32, wherein the motion comprises linear motion produced by the power tool, and the movable part is coupled to the first part, the second part, or both the first part and the second part via one or more bearings, bushings, or diaphragms.

35. A transmission piece according to any one of claims 28 to 32, wherein the movement comprises one or more of a rotational oscillatory movement and a linear oscillatory movement.

36. the motion includes one type of motion produced by the power tool; A transmission part according to any one of claims 28 to 32, wherein the transmission part includes a mechanism for converting the one type of motion into another type of motion.

37. 1. An adapter for adapting a sterile barrier to a transfer component configured to transfer motion from a powered tool through said sterile barrier, comprising: a first portion disposed on a first side of the sterility barrier; a second portion disposed on a second side of the sterile barrier opposite the first side, the second portion being matable with the first portion to capture and compress a portion of the sterile barrier between the first and second portions to form a compression seal around an aperture opening in the sterile barrier; An adapter comprising:

38. 38. The adapter of claim 37, wherein one or both of the first and second portions include a tubular shaft extending through the aperture opening and coupling the second portion to the first portion.

39. 39. An adapter as described in claim 37 or claim 38, wherein the first portion includes a first surface and the second portion includes a second surface to engage and compress portions of the sterile barrier on the first and second sides, respectively.

40. a compressible gasket at the first surface; a compressible gasket at the second surface; 40. The adapter of claim 39, further comprising one or both of:

41. 40. The adapter of any one of claims 37 to 39, wherein the portion of the sterility barrier comprises a compressible gasket for compression between the first and second portions.

42. 42. The adapter of any one of claims 37 to 41, wherein the first part and the second part include cooperating parts for respectively threaded, press-fit, magnetic, bayonet, clip-retained, spring-loaded ball, spring-loaded bar, spring-loaded pin, or spring-retained couplings for coupling the second part to the first part.

43. 42. The adapter of any one of claims 37 to 41, further comprising one or more fasteners for coupling the second portion to the first portion.

44. 44. An adapter as claimed in any one of claims 37 to 43, wherein one or both of the first and second parts include an outer rim having a ridge to assist in mating the second part with the first part.

45. An adapter according to any one of claims 37 to 44, wherein one or both of the first and second parts include coupling structure for coupling with the transfer component.

46. The adapter of any one of claims 37 to 44, further comprising a coupling structure for coupling with the transfer part.

47. a first portion disposed on a first side of the sterile barrier; a second portion disposed on a second side of the sterile barrier opposite the first side, the second portion being matable with the first portion to create an aperture opening in the sterile barrier and to capture a portion of the sterile barrier between the first and second portions to form a seal around the aperture opening; 16. A multi-part device comprising:

48. 48. The multi-part device of claim 47, wherein one or both of the first and second parts include a cutter for creating the aperture opening.

49. 49. The multi-part device of claim 48, wherein the cutter is configured to create the aperture opening when the first and second parts are joined together.

50. 50. The multi-part device of claim 49, wherein the first and second parts include respective cooperating parts for a threaded coupling, and the cutter is configured to create the aperture opening during relative rotation between the first and second parts to couple the first and second parts together.

51. 48. The multi-part device of claim 47, wherein the first part includes a first surface and the second part includes a second surface to engage portions of the sterile barrier on the first side and the second side, respectively, and one or both of the first surface and the second surface include protruding elements for piercing the sterile barrier and creating the aperture opening.

52. 52. The multi-part device of claim 51, wherein the protruding element comprises a protruding ring.

53. 51. A multi-part device according to any one of claims 47 to 50, wherein the first part includes a first surface and the second part includes a second surface to engage and compress portions of the sterile barrier on the first and second sides, respectively, and the seal includes a compression seal between the first and second surfaces.

54. a compressible gasket at the first surface; a compressible gasket at the second surface; 54. The multi-part device of claim 53, further comprising one or both of:

55. 54. The multi-part device of claim 53, wherein the portion of the sterility barrier comprises a compressible gasket for compression between the first surface and the second surface.

56. 53. The multi-part device of any one of claims 47-49, 51 and 52, wherein the first part and the second part include respective cooperating parts of a threaded coupling, a press-fit coupling, a magnetic coupling, a bayonet coupling, a clip-retained coupling, a spring-loaded ball coupling, a spring-loaded bar coupling, a spring-loaded pin coupling, or a spring-retained coupling for coupling the first part to the second part.

57. 53. The multi-part device of any one of claims 47-49, 51 and 52, further comprising one or more fasteners for connecting the first part to the second part.

58. 58. A multi-part device as claimed in any one of claims 47 to 57, wherein the first and second parts comprise portions of a transmission component for transmitting motion from a powered tool through the sterile barrier.

59. 58. A multi-part device as claimed in any one of claims 47 to 57, wherein the first and second parts include portions of an adapter for adapting the sterile barrier to a transfer part, the transfer part being configured to transfer motion from a powered tool through the sterile barrier.

60. 58. The multi-part device of any one of claims 47 to 57, wherein the first part includes a tool adaptor coupled to a powered tool, and the second part includes a transfer component coupled to the tool adaptor for transferring motion from the powered tool through the sterile barrier.

61. orienting an opening aperture of a disposable cover to receive a powered tool into an interior cavity defined by said disposable cover, said disposable cover including a sterile outer surface and further defining an aperture opening; operating a closing mechanism to close the opening while the powered tool is inside the internal cavity with a drive portion of the powered tool adjacent the aperture opening; forming a compression seal around the aperture opening to seal the power tool inside the internal cavity; The method includes:

62. 62. The method of claim 61, wherein said forming comprises compressing one or more compressible gaskets surrounding the aperture opening.

63. 63. The method of claim 62, further comprising disposing one or more compressible gaskets adjacent the aperture opening.

64. 64. The method of any one of claims 61 to 63, wherein said forming includes coupling a transmission component to the drive portion of the power tool for transmitting motion from the power tool through the disposable cover.

65. 64. The method of any one of claims 61 to 63, wherein said forming comprises bonding together parts of a multi-part device to capture a portion of the disposable cover between the parts of the multi-part device.

66. 66. The method of any one of claims 61 to 65, further comprising applying pressure to the disposable cover to force air from the interior cavity to the outside of the disposable cover through a check valve.

67. 67. The method of any one of claims 61 to 66, further comprising positioning the power tool inside the internal cavity with the drive portion of the power tool adjacent the aperture opening.

68. 68. The method of any one of claims 61 to 67, further comprising creating the aperture opening.

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