Surgical tool adapter, surgical driver to apply it, and how to attach the tool to the driver.

Abstract

A surgical tool adapter, a surgical driver to which the tool is applied, and a method for attaching a tool to the driver are disclosed. The tool adapter comprises a rotational body having a socket portion to which a surgical tool having a shaft is detachably coupled; a stationary body having a bore cavity to which the rotational body is rotatably provided; and a shaft aligner configured to control the radial runout of the shaft by coaxially aligning the shaft with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rotational body, while allowing the rotation of the rotational body and the shaft coupled thereto in the bore cavity of the stationary body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a surgical tool driver, and more particularly, to a tool adapter compatible with surgical tools having shafts of different sizes, a tool driver to which the same is applied, and a method for mounting a tool to the driver.

Background Art

[0002] Various rotary tools such as screwdrivers, tapping tools, and reamers can be used in surgical operations. Manual surgical drivers used in surgical operations such as spinal fusion use a rotary tool in which a screw tip, a drill tip, a tap bit, or the like for a specific work or machining purpose is provided at the distal end of a shaft, and are used for applications such as fixing a screw at a surgical site, performing female thread machining, that is, tapping, or simply forming a hole.

[0003] Some of these manual surgical drivers may be fitted with navigation markers for surgical navigation, which are useful for providing a surgeon with the position and orientation information of the surgical tool in real time.

[0004] The shank of the tool used in such a surgical driver, that is, the tool shaft or tool shank, has different standards for each manufacturer, and accordingly, a surgical driver must be provided for each shank standard. Such tool shafts with different standards ultimately require separate surgical drivers for each of them, which brings about economic disadvantages and spatial drawbacks that increase the number of surgical tools in the operating room.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] This disclosure provides a surgical tool adapter compatible with surgical tools of different standards, a surgical tool driver for which it is applied, and a method for attaching a surgical tool to the tool driver.

[0006] This disclosure provides a surgical tool adapter that stably fixes the shaft of a surgical tool of varying diameter while allowing the shaft to rotate without wobble, a surgical driver to which the adapter is applied, and a method for attaching the tool to the tool driver. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The surgical tool adapter according to this disclosure is an adapter for interchangeably mounting a surgical tool, comprising: a rotational body having a socket portion to which a coupling head provided on the shaft of the tool is detachably coupled; a stationary body having a bore cavity on which the rotational body is rotatably mounted; and a shaft aligner configured to control the radial runout of the tool shaft by coaxially aligning the tool shaft with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rotational body while allowing the rotation of the rotational body and the shaft coupled thereto within the bore cavity of the stationary body.

[0008] According to one or more embodiments, the shaft aligner may comprise a plurality of movable actuators positioned to contact and be separable from a rotational support surface provided on a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the tool shaft, thereby supporting the rotation of the tool shaft, and a positioner for aligning the plurality of actuators with respect to the rotational support surface of the shaft.

[0009] According to one or more embodiments, the plurality of actuators may be arranged around the shaft such that they approach or move radially toward or away from the longitudinal central axis of the shaft with respect to the rotational support surface of the shaft.

[0010] According to one or more embodiments, the plurality of actuators may be rotating bodies that slide or roll relative to the rotational support surface of the shaft.

[0011] According to one or more embodiments, the plurality of actuators may have any one shape of a ball, cylindrical, conical, or truncated cone having a surface that partially contacts the rotation support surface.

[0012] According to one or more embodiments, a plurality of working holes are formed around the opening of the socket portion into which the shaft is inserted, at arbitrary angular intervals, wherein the plurality of working bodies are arranged to be radially movable, and the positioning portion includes a cam member that pressurizes or releases the plurality of working bodies located in the plurality of working holes, so that each of the plurality of working bodies contacts or separates from the rotational support surface of the shaft within the socket portion, the cam member may have an inclined cam surface configured to push the plurality of working bodies toward the center of the shaft or away from it.

[0013] According to one or more embodiments, the cam member is provided so as to be movable by any distance in the longitudinal direction of the rotating body and may be configured to push or move away from the plurality of actuators toward the center of the shaft, depending on the position of the cam member toward the center of the shaft.

[0014] According to one or more embodiments, the system further comprises a locking tube integrally coupled with the stationary body, forming part of a bore cavity housing a rotating body, wherein the cam member is coupled to the end of the locking tube so as to be able to move the position of the cam in the longitudinal axis direction, and is configured to move the plurality of actuators closer to or further away from the rotational support surface depending on the longitudinal axis position of the cam member relative to the locking tube or the stationary body.

[0015] According to one or more embodiments, the rotating body has an operating hole in which a locking actuator that restrains a coupling head inserted into a socket is located, and a cam surface is formed on one side of the inner surface of the locking tube corresponding to the operating hole for restraining or releasing the locking actuator, and the locking actuator is restrained or released from the locking cam surface depending on the position of the rotating body in the longitudinal axis relative to the rotating body, thereby fixing or releasing one side of the coupling head of the shaft coupled to the socket.

[0016] According to one or more embodiments, the stationary body, cam member, and locking tube between them are arranged substantially concentrically on a single axis, the bore cavity houses the rotating body so as to be reciprocable along its longitudinal axis, the lock at the socket portion on the shaft is released as the plurality of actuators interfering with the rotating body move away from the cam as the rotating body moves in the longitudinal axis, a compression spring is interposed inside the locking tube to elastically bias the rotating body and restore the position of the rotating body by providing a reaction force against the longitudinal axis movement of the cam member of the rotating body, the cam member may be screwed onto one end of the stationary body or locking tube in the longitudinal axis direction, and the position of the cam relative to the plurality of actuators may move in the longitudinal axis direction depending on the degree of rotation of the cam member.

[0017] According to one or more embodiments, the positioning unit comprises a cam member having a cam with an inclined cam surface surrounding the arrangement of the plurality of actuators, and a cam fixing unit for fixing the position of the cam member determined by the positioning unit, wherein the cam surface may be inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft to push the plurality of actuators against or away from the rotational support surface of the shaft.

[0018] According to one or more embodiments, the positioning unit may include a linear transfer unit that is reciprocable along the vertical axis relative to the rotating body, and a cam fixing unit including a set screw for fixing the cam member.

[0019] According to one or more embodiments, the socket portion is located on the vertical axis of the rotating body, and a plunger is provided at the bottom of the socket portion corresponding to the top surface of the coupling head for pressing against the top surface of the coupling head.

[0020] According to one or more embodiments, the plunger may be configured to be elastically biased by a spring to elastically press against the top surface of the coupling head.

[0021] A hollow hole, a centering dimple, a centering pocket, or a centering recess may be formed on the top surface of the coupling head into which a part of the plunger enters.

[0022] A surgical tool driver according to one or more embodiments comprises a surgical tool having a shaft with a tool-tip at its tip and a coupling head at its rear end; a surgical tool adapter having a rotating body to which the surgical tool is detachably coupled; and a handle coaxially connected to a rotating rod provided on the rotating body.

[0023] In a surgical tool driver according to one or more embodiments, a shank may be coaxially coupled to the rotating body, and a handle provided with a ratchet controllable in the rotation direction may be separably coupled to the shank.

[0024] In the surgical tool driver according to one or more embodiments, a navigation marker for surgical navigation may be attached to the fixed body.

[0025] In the surgical tool driver according to one or more embodiments, the navigation marker may include a plurality of optically detectable markers, a marker plate to which the plurality of markers are fixed, and a strut that connects the marker plate to the fixed body.

[0026] A method for interchangeably mounting a surgical tool to the surgical tool driver according to the present disclosure includes the steps of: preparing a surgical tool including a shaft having a tool tip provided at a distal end portion and a coupling head provided at a proximal end portion; rotatably installing a rotating body in a bore cavity formed in a fixed body; coupling the coupling head of the shaft to a socket portion provided in the rotating body; and controlling the radial runout of the tool shaft while allowing rotation of the rotating body and the shaft coupled thereto in the bore cavity of the fixed body, although the shaft coupled to the rotating body is rotatably supported relative to the fixed body, so as to align the shaft with respect to the rotating body using a driver shaft aligner.

[0027] In the method according to one or more embodiments, a cam member having a cam surface surrounding the array of the plurality of actuators is actuated, so that the plurality of actuators can rotatably support the rotation support surface of the shaft via the cam surface.

[0028] In a method according to one or more embodiments, the cam member can be moved in one direction or the other along the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and the actuating body can be pressed against or released from the rotation support surface of the shaft by the cam surface formed to be inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tool shaft. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0029] The accompanying drawings and photographs show the surgical driver according to the present disclosure in whole or in part, with some elements individually illustrated, and the embodiments illustrated in these drawings do not limit the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0030] [Figure 1] The surgical tool driver according to the present disclosure is exemplarily shown. [Figure 2] Various types of surgical tools are illustrated. [Figure 3] Screws used for spinal fusion and the like during a surgical operation are illustrated. [Figure 4] The adapter with the navigation marker unit mounted thereon according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. [Figure 5] (A) is an extracted front view of the head portion of the tool shaft, and (B) is a cross-sectional view thereof. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of an adapter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state where the adapter shown in FIG. 6 is assembled. [Figure 8A] FIG. 6 is an extracted view showing a state where a tool shaft is rotatably supported by the adapter shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 8B] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view showing a state where an alignment ball supports the support surface of the tool shaft so as to be capable of rolling motion or sliding motion on the support surface. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an adapter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, showing an inserted state or a separated state of a tool shaft. [Modes for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0031] Preferred embodiments of the concept of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, embodiments of the concept of the present invention can be modified into various different types, and the scope of the concept of the present invention should not be construed as being limited by the embodiments detailed below. It is preferable that embodiments of the concept of the present invention be construed as being provided to more fully explain the concept of the present invention to a person of average skill in the art. The same reference numerals mean the same element throughout. Furthermore, various elements and areas in the drawings are shown schematically. Therefore, the concept of the present invention is not limited by the relative sizes and spacing shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0032] Terms such as "first," "second," etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by such terms. The terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the concept of the present invention, the first component may be referred to as the second component, and conversely, the second component may be referred to as the first component.

[0033] The terms used in this application are used solely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the concepts of the invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, expressions such as “includes” or “has” specify the existence of features, numbers, stages, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described herein, and should not be understood to preemptively exclude the possibility of the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0034] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the concepts of the present invention pertain. Furthermore, terms commonly used, such as those defined in dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted in an overly formal sense unless expressly defined herein.

[0035] Where a particular embodiment can be otherwise embodied, the order of certain steps may be performed differently from the order described. For example, two steps described consecutively may be performed substantially simultaneously, or in the reverse order of the order described.

[0036] The following describes a surgical tool adapter according to one or more embodiments, a tool driver for applying it, and a method for attaching a tool to the adapter.

[0037] Figure 1 illustrates a surgical tool driver related to this disclosure.

[0038] Referring to Figure 1, the surgical tool driver 100 is equipped with an adapter 110 that is compatible with multiple types of tools, and a navigation marker unit 120 is mounted on its stationary body 111. Surgical tools 130 and a rotary handle 140 are coaxially connected to both sides of the adapter 110. Specifically, a bore cavity is formed in the stationary body 111 of the adapter 110, and a rotational body (Figure 5) 114, which will be described later, is provided therein so that it can rotate about a vertical axis and reciprocate over a predetermined distance along the vertical axis, which will be described later.

[0039] The fixed body 111 is the part of the surgical tool driver 100 that the surgeon holds with one hand, and the rotating handle 140 is the grip part that is held with the other hand in order to rotate the surgical tool 130.

[0040] The navigation marker unit 120 is a selective element and comprises the plurality of marker balls 123 and a marker fixing plate 124 to which they are fixed, as an element of a surgical optical navigation device for tracking and monitoring the position of a tool during surgical procedures.

[0041] The rotary handle 140 may include a grip 141 that the surgeon grasps and turns by hand, a rotation direction control ratchet 142 for transmitting the rotational force of the grip in only one direction, and a coupler 143 that is detachably coupled to a shank 114sh which is coupled to the rotary body 114 of the adapter 110.

[0042] A surgical tool driver 100 having the exemplary structure described above includes an adapter 110 according to this disclosure that provides compatibility with tools of different standards, particularly those with different shaft diameters or sizes of coupling heads at the rear end of the shaft.

[0043] In other words, the adapter relating to this disclosure is A rotating body 114 having a socket portion to which a coupling head provided on the tool shaft is detachably coupled, A fixed body 111 having a bore cavity 111bc on which a rotating body is rotatably provided, The system includes a shaft aligner 118 configured to control the radial runout of the tool shaft by coaxially aligning the tool shaft 133 with respect to the vertical axis of the rotating body 114, while allowing the rotation of the rotating body 114 and the tool shaft 133 coupled thereto within the bore cavity 111bc of the fixed body 111.

[0044] In the configuration described above, the shaft aligner, in order to enable interchangeable mounting of tool shafts of different specifications to the rotating body, concentricates the rotational axes of shafts of different specifications within a certain range with respect to the rotational axis of the rotating body that rotates relative to the stationary body, and the above components can be embodied in various embodiments.

[0045] Figure 2 illustrates various types of surgical tools, and Figure 3 illustrates screws used in surgical procedures such as spinal fusion.

[0046] The adapter 110 is compatible with various types of tools, as shown in Figure 2. The tools shown in Figure 2 commonly comprise an intermediate tool shaft 133, a tip or bit 131 at one end (left end in the figure), and a coupling head 132 at the other end (right end in the figure). In Figure 2, reference numeral 133rg indicates a rotational support surface that is supported by an alignment ball acting as a movable actuator within the socket portion of the adapter 110 when the surgical tool rotates.

[0047] There are several types of connecting heads formed or provided at the posterior end of surgical tools, including forms such as 1 / 4-inch square chucks or heads, Hudson heads, and Jacobs chucks.

[0048] While embodiments of this disclosure are described with reference to a square head, for example, a 1 / 4-inch square head, it is clear that the technical scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular type. Such an adapter 110 according to this disclosure can be supported by the adapter 110 equipped with a shaft aligner so as to be able to rotate stably without radial axis shake of the tool shaft 133 relative to the longitudinal axis of the rotating body 114, i.e., the rotational axis of the rotating body 114, even if there is a diameter difference or error of, for example, about 1 mm in the shaft diameter.

[0049] Figure 4 shows an adapter 110 to which a navigation marker unit 120 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is attached.

[0050] The adapter 110 shown in Figure 4 has a structure to which the navigation marker unit 120 described above is attached. However, as an optional element, the navigation marker unit 120 may be detachably coupled to the main body of the adapter 110, i.e., the fixed body 111, in a manner that allows for firm fixation and detachment.

[0051] First, looking at the adapter 110, one side (the lower part in the figure) of the fixed body 111 is protected by the cover 113. This cover 113 is for protecting the shaft aligner 118, which includes the cam nut 118cn, alignment ball 118ab, and surrounding accessory elements, as will be described later, and this can be understood more clearly from the explanations in Figures 6 and 7.

[0052] As mentioned above, the shaft aligner 118 supports the tool shaft 133 so that it can rotate stably with respect to the vertical axis (YY), which is the rotational axis of the rotating body 114, without radial axis shake. This will be explained later.

[0053] The upper part of the tool shaft 133 is provided with a coupling head 132 on which a selective element, a centering dimple 134, is formed on its top surface. Below the coupling head, an annular locking groove 133g is formed where a locking ball 118lb (Figure 6), described later, is located, and below that, a rotation support surface 133rg is defined. A hollow hole 135 is formed at the bottom of the centering dimple 134, penetrating the tool shaft 133 in the longitudinal direction, so that the centering dimple 134 surrounds the opening of the hollow hole 135.

[0054] While the hollow hole 135 is commonly applied to surgical tools, it is an optional element in this invention, along with the centering dimple 134.

[0055] The navigation marker unit 120 comprises a plurality of marker fixing plates 124 having four branch sections in this embodiment, and marker balls 123 are provided at the ends of each branch section of the marker fixing plate 124. The marker unit 120 can be fixedly or detachably connected to the fixing body 111 of the adapter 110 by a columnar marker unit fixing section 122.

[0056] Figure 5 is a magnified excerpt of the head portion of the tool shaft 133, where (A) is a front view of the head portion of the tool shaft and (B) is a cross-sectional view thereof.

[0057] As shown in Figures 5(A) and (B), a coupling head 132 is provided on the head portion of the tool shaft 133, and a recess or pocket-type centering dimple 134 is formed on its top surface. A locking groove 133g is formed below the coupling head 132, encircling the outer surface of the tool shaft 133, and below the locking groove 133g, the rotation support surface 133rg defines an area in which the alignment ball 118ab (Figure 6), described later, slides or rolls. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 5(B), a hollow hole 135 is formed at the bottom of the centering dimple 134, penetrating the tool shaft 133 in the longitudinal direction, and the centering dimples 134 are arranged to surround the opening of the hollow hole 135.

[0058] The centering dimple 134 and the hollow hole 135 are optional elements. According to embodiments of this disclosure, the hollow hole 135 may be formed to penetrate the tool shaft 133 in the longitudinal direction, and a centering dimple 134 may be formed surrounding the opening of the hollow hole 135. In yet another embodiment, only the centering dimple 134 may be formed without the hollow hole 135.

[0059] Figure 6 is a schematic exploded perspective view of an adapter 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0060] Referring to Figure 6, most of the components of the adapter 110 according to this disclosure, in particular the rotating body 114, the stationary body 111 that receives it, and the elements related to the operation of the rotating body 114 are arranged on the vertical axis (YY) that extends in the vertical direction.

[0061] In describing the embodiments of this disclosure, the vertical axis refers to the axis (YY) extending vertically in Figures 4 to 6, "upper" and "upper part" refer to the area above the vertical axis, and "lower" and "lower part" refer to the area below the vertical axis. Most of the components belonging to the adapter 110 are concentric with respect to the vertical axis, and it is assumed that the individual vertical axes of each of these elements are parallel to or coincide with the vertical axis (YY).

[0062] A navigation marker unit 120 is provided on one side of a fixed body 111 having a bore cavity 111bc located on the vertical axis YY.

[0063] The navigation marker unit 120 comprises a marker ball 123, a plate 124 that supports it, a columnar marker unit fixing part 122 that connects the plate 124 to the fixing body 111, and a fastening part 121 that fixes the plate 124 to the marker unit fixing part 122.

[0064] A retaining button 112 is provided on the upper part of the fixed body 111, which is slidably positioned to penetrate the bore cavity 111bc in a direction perpendicular to it, and a locking tube 115 is connected to the lower part thereof.

[0065] The upper end 115te of the locking tube 115 is fixed to the cylindrical lower end 111be of the fixed body 111 by screwing or welding, and the rotating body 114 is located within the bore cavity 111bc. This locking tube 115 can become part of the fixed body and be integrally coupled with it.

[0066] The retaining button 112 allows or prevents movement in the vertical axis direction while allowing rotation of the rotating body 114. Correspondingly, an annular locking groove 114g is formed directly below the upper end of the rotating body 114, into which the inner periphery of the locking hole 112h of the retaining button 112 catches.

[0067] If the locking hole 112h of the retaining button 112 is larger than the diameter of the rotating body 114 and is concentric with respect to the rotating body 114, then axial movement of the rotating body 114 is permitted. If it is eccentric, then the inner circumferential edge of the locking hole 112h is locked into the locking groove 114g of the rotating body 114, thereby preventing the axial movement.

[0068] The retaining button 112 is normally eccentric with respect to the rotating body 114 by a bias spring 112sp. When an external force is applied to the retaining button 112 for insertion or release of a surgical tool, it becomes concentric with respect to the rotating body 114, thereby enabling axial movement of the rotating body 114, and at this time, the tool shaft can be coupled and uncoupled.

[0069] In such a retaining button 112, the sliding distance is limited by a bolt-shaped slide guide 112lb provided in a guide slot 112s of a predetermined length formed in the retaining button 112.

[0070] A rotating body 114 is provided within the bore cavity 111bc formed by the fixed body 111 and the locking tube 115 which is part of the fixed body 111. A centering plunger 116 and a compression spring 116sp which elastically biases the centering plunger 116 are provided within the rotating body 114.

[0071] The compression spring 116sp elastically biases the centering plunger 116, whose head is exposed at the bottom (or top) of the socket portion 114sk, by penetrating the central axis of the rotating body 114. Its purpose is to enter a hollow hole 135, centering dimple 134, or recess formed or provided on the top surface of the coupling head of the tool shaft, thereby centering the coupling head 132 within the socket portion 114sk.

[0072] As described above, the rotating body 114, which houses the centering plunger 116, is elastically biased upward on its vertical axis by a compression spring 115sp that surrounds it.

[0073] For the purpose of the elastic biasing, the rotating body 114 has a flange 114f that abuts against the upper end of the spring 115sp, and the locking tube 115 has a stepped portion 115st (Figures 6 and 7) in its approximate middle section that abuts against the lower end of the spring 115sp.

[0074] An annular locking cam 115cm (see Figures 6 to 8) is formed on the lower inner side of the locking tube 115, acting as a cam member to actuate the locking ball 118lb, which acts as an actuator. Opposite to this, the rotating body 114 has a locking ball operating hole 114hl where the locking ball 118lb is located. The locking ball operating hole 114hl is a region in which the locking ball 118lb moves radially with respect to the vertical axis by the locking cam 115cm.

[0075] The locking ball 118lb is used to press one side of the coupling head 132 of the surgical tool 130 with a constant force, or to be positioned in the annular locking groove 133g formed on the underside of the coupling head 132, thereby fixing the coupling head 132 to the socket portion 114sk provided at the lower end of the rotating body 114.

[0076] A cam nut 118cn, which is a type of cam member that is an element of a shaft aligner, is coupled to the lower end of the locking tube 115. For this coupling, a threaded portion 115th is formed on the lower end of the locking tube 115, and a corresponding threaded portion 118th is also formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cam nut 118cn. Meanwhile, an end cap 118ec is inserted into and coupled to the open end of the rotating body 114 at the lower part of the cam nut 118cn.

[0077] Therefore, when the cam nut 118cn rotates relative to the locking tube 115, the cam nut 118cn rises towards the locking tube 115 or falls in the opposite direction, depending on the direction of rotation, and at the same time its position relative to the rotating body also changes.

[0078] An annular alignment cam 118cm is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cam nut 118cn so as to be inclined with respect to the vertical axis of the rotating body 114, and an alignment ball operating hole 114ha for the operation of the alignment ball is formed near the end of the rotating body 114 corresponding to it, that is, near the opening of the socket portion 114sk.

[0079] The alignment ball operating holes 114ha can be formed in pairs, threes, or more at arbitrary or constant angular intervals to support the tool shaft 133 coupled to the socket portion 114sk in a coaxial manner with respect to the rotating body 114.

[0080] The position of the cam nut 118cn is adjusted to the size of the shaft of a surgical tool of a specific standard, and the diameter or radius of the sliding or rolling support circle of the rotational support surface 133rg formed by the alignment ball 118ab is temporarily fixed, which is determined by a positioner such as a set screw 118ss.

[0081] On the other hand, a cover 113 is provided at the lower part of the fixed body 111 to protect the fixed body 111, the locking tube 115 connected to its lower end, and the cam nut 118cn. This cover 113 is detachably fixed to the fixed body 111 by a plunger-type stopper 117 which is elastically biased by a spring 117sp.

[0082] Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the adapter 110 shown in Figure 6 in its assembled state.

[0083] Referring to Figure 7, the adapter 110 includes, on one side, a fixed body 111 to which the aforementioned navigation marker unit 120 is fixed by a columnar marker unit fixing part 122, and a locking tube 115 fixed to the lower end of the fixed body 111 to form a bore cavity, and this locking tube 115 can become part of the fixed body.

[0084] The cylindrical lower end 111be of the fixed body 111 and the upper end 115te of the locking tube 115 are fixed to each other by screwing or welding, and the rotating body 114 is located within the bore cavity 111bc.

[0085] A rotating body 114 is provided in the bore cavity 111bc formed by the fixed body 111 and the locking tube 115 so as to be rotatable and reciprocating a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction, and at this time the rotating body 114 is elastically biased upward by a compression spring 115sp provided so as to surround it.

[0086] For the purpose of the elastic biasing, the rotating body 114 has a flange 114f that abuts against the upper end of the spring 115sp, and the locking tube 115 has a stepped portion 115st that abuts against the lower end of the spring 115sp in approximately the middle portion.

[0087] On the inner surface of the locking tube 115, near the stepped portion 115st, and below it in the drawing, an annular locking cam 115cm is formed as a cam member that acts as an actuator for the locking ball 118lb. Opposite the locking cam 115cm, the rotating body 114 has a locking ball operating hole 114hl where the locking ball 118lb is located. The locking ball operating hole 114hl is the region in which the locking ball 118lb moves, which is interfered with by the locking cam 115cm.

[0088] The locking ball 118lb presses against one side of the coupling head 132 of the surgical tool 130, or is positioned in an annular locking groove 133g located at the bottom of the coupling head 132, thereby securing the coupling head 132 to the socket portion 114sk. The surface of the locking cam 115cm that interferes with the locking ball 118lb is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rotating body 114, and depending on its position, pushes the locking ball 118lb toward the center of the rotating body 114 or releases this movement.

[0089] If the rotating body 114, which is elastically biased in the direction of the fixed body 111 by a compression spring 115sp relative to the locking tube 115 within the bore cavity 111bc, is pushed downward by the shank 114sh in one direction (downward in the figure), it overcomes the elastic force of the compression spring 115sp and moves downward to the bore cavity 111bc.

[0090] In this operation, the rotating body 114 moves relative to the locking tube 115 or the fixed body 111, and the locking cam 115cm, which is formed to be inclined inward of the locking tube 115, causes the locking ball 118lb, located in the locking groove 133g at the bottom of the coupling head 132, to disengage from the locking groove 133g. This allows the coupling head 132 of the surgical tool 130 to be inserted into and released from the socket portion 114sk provided on one side (the lower end in the figure) of the rotating body 114. During this process, the alignment ball 118ab, which will be described later, slides or rolls against the rotation support surface 133rg of the coupling head 132, and also separates from the rotation support surface.

[0091] A cam nut 118cn, which is a type of cam member that is an element of a shaft aligner 118, is connected to the lower end of the locking tube 115. For this connection, a threaded portion 115th is formed on the lower end of the locking tube 115, and a threaded portion 118th is also formed on the inner circumferential surface of the corresponding cam nut 118cn.

[0092] Therefore, when the cam nut 118cn rotates relative to the locking tube 115, the cam nut 118cn rises towards the locking tube 115 or falls in the opposite direction, depending on the direction of rotation, and at the same time its position relative to the rotating body also changes.

[0093] The end cap 118ec is fitted and connected to the opening of the socket portion 114sk at the lower end of the rotating body 114.

[0094] The cam nut 118cn is formed on its inner circumferential surface so as to be inclined with respect to the vertical axis of the rotating body 114, and has an annular alignment cam 118cm that aligns the alignment ball 118ab so that it can slide or roll with respect to the rotation support surface 133rg of the tool shaft 133, and an alignment ball operating hole 114ha for the operation of the alignment ball is formed near the lower end of the rotating body 114, i.e., near the opening of the socket portion 114sk.

[0095] As described above, the rotation of the cam nut 118cn, which acts as a cam member, relative to the locking tube 115 causes the contact point of the alignment cam 118cm with respect to the alignment ball 118ab located within the alignment ball operating hole 114ha of the locking tube 115 to change along the inclined surface of the locking cam 115cm, thereby decreasing or increasing the diameter of the circle that the alignment ball 118ab circumscribes.

[0096] The operating holes 114ha can be formed in pairs, threes, or more at arbitrary or constant angular intervals to support the rotating body 114 of the tool shaft 133 coupled to the socket portion 114sk in a coaxial manner.

[0097] The position of the cam nut 118cn is adjusted to the size of the shaft of a surgical tool of a specific standard, and the diameter or radius of the sliding or rolling support circle of the rotational support surface 133rg formed by the alignment ball 118ab is temporarily fixed, which is determined by a positioner such as a set screw 118ss.

[0098] In other words, the position in which the cam nut 118cn is attached to the locking tube 115 is adjusted so that the annular cam surface of the cam nut 118cn determines the distance between the alignment balls 118ab, specifically the sliding or rolling support circle formed by the alignment balls 118ab, i.e., the diameter or radius of the circle to which the alignment balls 118ab circumscribe each other. In this state, the attachment or fastening position of the cam nut 118cn to the locking tube 115 is fixed using the set screw 118ss.

[0099] According to other embodiments, the cam nut 118cn can be modified to other types that function as cam members. For example, instead of a linear transfer structure by screwing, the position of the alignment cam 118cm relative to the alignment ball operating hole 114ha of the rotating body 114 can be determined by a simple fitting of a simple surface contact type without threads, and then that position can be fixed with a set screw 118ss.

[0100] A centering plunger 116, elastically biased by a compression spring 116sp, is provided at the bottom (upper ceiling in the figure) of the socket portion 114sk. This centering plunger 116 penetrates the vertical axis of the rotating body 114, and its head is exposed at the bottom (or ceiling) of the socket portion.

[0101] This is to allow the coupling head 132 to enter a hollow hole 135 or a concave centering dimple 134 formed or provided on the top surface of the coupling head of the tool shaft, thereby centering the coupling head within the socket portion 114sk. With such a centering structure, even if the coupling head is slightly smaller than the socket portion, the coupling head can be aligned in the middle within the socket portion.

[0102] On the other hand, a slider-type retaining button 112 is provided on the upper part of the fixed body 111 so as to be slidable in a direction perpendicular to the vertical axis of the rotating body 114, allowing rotation of the rotating body 114 while allowing or preventing axial movement. An annular locking groove 114g is formed near the upper part of the rotating body 114, into which the inner periphery of the locking hole 112h of the retaining button 112 catches.

[0103] If the locking hole 112h of the retaining button 112 is larger than the diameter of the rotating body 114 and is concentric with respect to the rotating body 114, then axial movement of the rotating body 114 is permitted. If it is eccentric, then the inner circumferential edge of the locking hole 112h catches in the locking groove 114g of the rotating body 114, thereby preventing the axial movement.

[0104] The retaining button 112 is normally eccentric with respect to the rotating body 114 by a bias spring 112sp. When an external force is applied to the retaining button 112 for insertion or release of a surgical tool, it becomes concentric with respect to the rotating body 114, thereby enabling axial movement of the rotating body 114, and at this time, the tool shaft can be coupled and uncoupled.

[0105] In such a retaining button 112, the sliding distance is limited by a bolt-shaped slide guide 112lb provided in a guide slot 112s of a predetermined length formed in the retaining button 112.

[0106] On the other hand, the fixed body 111 and the locking tube 115 and cam nut 118cn connected to its lower end are protected by a cover 113, which is detachably connected to the fixed body 111 by a push-button type or plunger type stopper 117 elastically biased by a spring 117sp.

[0107] Figure 7 shows the socket portion 114sk in an unconnected state to aid in understanding the socket portion 114sk, but it can be understood that the locking ball 118lb is located in the locking groove 133g at the bottom of the connecting head 132 of the tool shaft 133, and the alignment ball 118ab is in contact with the rotational support surface of the tool shaft 133 to the extent that it can slide or roll.

[0108] Furthermore, according to other embodiments, the locking means, including a locking ball 118lb and a locking cam 115cm that act as means for temporarily holding the coupling head 132 on the rotating body 114, may be omitted, and only a shaft aligner may be applied to the rotational support surface of the tool shaft.

[0109] Figure 8A is an excerpt showing the tool shaft being rotatably supported by the adapter shown in Figure 5, and Figure 8B is a partially enlarged view showing the alignment ball supporting the support surface of the tool shaft in a manner that allows it to roll or slide.

[0110] As shown in Figures 8A and 8B, the alignment ball 118ab is adjacent to the rotational support surface 133rg of the tool shaft 133 with a rolling or sliding gap 119sg. In this state, the alignment ball 118ab supports the tool shaft 133 so that it can rotate coaxially with respect to the rotating body 114 within the socket portion 114sk of the rotating body 114. As illustrated in Figure 7A, the diameter of the shaft 133 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the socket portion 114sk, resulting in a gap between them. In this state, the centering plunger 116 strongly presses the centering dimple 134 of the coupling head 132 of the tool shaft 133, centering the coupling head 132 within the socket portion 114sk, and the alignment ball 118ab, which faces or contacts the rotation support surface 133rg of the tool shaft 133 via the slide gap 119sg, supports the rotation support surface 133rg of the tool shaft 133 in a slidable or rolling manner, thereby suppressing the tilt of the tool shaft 133.

[0111] The position of such alignment balls 118ab is adjusted by a shaft aligner 118 having a cam member coupled to the locking tube 115 so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction, and in a specific embodiment, by a cam nut 118cn having an alignment cam 118cm in contact with the alignment balls 118ab, thereby adjusting the spacing or contact pressure of the alignment balls 118ab with respect to the rotation support surface 133rg.

[0112] In this embodiment, the position of the alignment ball 118ab, specifically the alignment radius of the alignment ball 118ab, is adjusted by applying a cam nut 118cn that is screwed onto the locking tube 115.

[0113] Figure 9 shows the adapter 110 according to this disclosure in a state in which surgical tools can be replaced, i.e., in a released state in which the locking ball and alignment ball are separated from the shaft coupling head 132 and the rotation support surface 133rg.

[0114] Referring to Figure 9, in order to separate the surgical tool 130 coupled to the socket portion 114sk, first, the retaining button 112 is pressed to release the axial lock to the rotating body 114, and then the shank 114sh of the rotating body 114 is pressed to separate the locking ball 118lb and alignment ball 118ab, which are located on the lower side of the rotating body 114, from the cam surfaces of the cams 115cm and 118cm. As a result, the locking ball 118lb and alignment ball 118ab move away from the narrow diameter annular cam surface to a wider diameter area (downward in the figure), thereby easily separating the coupling head 132 and the rotating support surface 133rg of the surgical tool 130 from the socket portion 114sk. Furthermore, in this state, the locking ball 118lb and alignment ball 118ab move away from the narrow-diameter annular cam surface portion and into the wider-diameter portion, so that after inserting the tool or other tool, the coupling head 132 can be locked by the locking ball 118lb by releasing the force applied to the shank.

[0115] Furthermore, when attaching a new surgical tool to the adapter 110, if it is necessary to adjust the spacing of the alignment balls 118ab provided around the socket portion 114sk, the aforementioned cam nut 118cn can be moved to adjust the spacing so that the new tool can be inserted.

[0116] Furthermore, if unstable radial runout, such as radial wobble, still exists after a new surgical tool has been attached to the socket portion 114sk, the spacing of the alignment balls 118ab can be adjusted with the tool attached. If this adjustment reduces the runout to a certain level or below while still allowing rotation of the shaft, the spacing of the alignment balls 118ab can be fixed at the positioning portion. One method for achieving this is to tighten the cam nut 118cn so that the alignment balls 118ab are in complete contact with the rotation support surface 133rg of the tool shaft 133, and then slightly loosen it in the opposite direction of tightening. This retracts the alignment balls 118ab that are pressing against the rotation support surface 133rg, reducing the degree of pressure, while maintaining contact to the extent that sliding or rolling motion is possible.

[0117] As defined above, and with various types shown in Figures 4 to 6, the driver according to this disclosure allows for the attachment of a navigation marker unit without modification of the driver shaft size. Although differences in the outer diameter of screwdrivers occur between manufacturers and production lots due to minute process errors, the driver according to this disclosure overcomes such differences and is compatible with most different types of driver shafts.

[0118] In the case of a driver equipped with a navigation marker unit, the greater the play between the shafts, the lower the positional accuracy of the navigation, and the smaller the play, the higher the positional accuracy. However, according to this disclosure, by eliminating such play, the shafts are supported so that they can rotate firmly and stably.

[0119] The end of the shaft is provided with a coupling head (shaft mounting portion) that is attached to the handle or marker body. These are mainly divided into 1 / 4' Square, Hudson, Jacobs chuck, etc., and this embodiment focuses on the specifications of the 1 / 4' Square chuck mounting portion.

[0120] The navigation marker in the surgical driver according to this disclosure may be attached to the site where the screwdriver handle is attached, i.e., the 1 / 4 Square chuck. The handle may be attached to the 1 / 4 Square chuck provided on the upper part of the adapter-type fixing body to which the navigation marker is attached.

[0121] The mechanism for holding the navigation marker and shaft with appropriate clearance is realized by a shaft aligner that allows sliding or rolling motion, along with stable support for the shaft located between them, by a cam nut having an inclined cam surface, which changes the radius of alignment of these ball-shaped actuators.

[0122] The shaft aligner may have a structure similar to that of a collet type, but unlike existing collet structures, the shaft is not tightly fixed, and sliding or rolling motion occurs between the multiple actuators of the collet, such as a ball-type collet, and the shaft.

[0123] In other words, the shaft aligner employs the basic structure of a well-known collet, but it holds the shaft in such a way that it does not swing laterally on its axis, and this allows it to rotate relative to the fixed body by the rotational force transmitted by the handle.

[0124] The cam nut, or the longitudinal axial transfer member of a cam that functions as a cam nut, is coupled to the rotating body so as to allow screwing or relative linear transfer, and can reciprocate along the longitudinal axis of the shaft for any distance depending on the degree of rotation or progression and direction. In this case, the cam inclined surface of the cam nut presses or releases the ball actuator inside it, such as the alignment ball described above, so that it is in slidable contact with or away from the rotational support surface of the saft.

[0125] As mentioned above, the ball-shaped actuator that moves radially perpendicular to the vertical axis of the tool shaft by the cam surface may be replaced with a rotatable rod-shaped actuator having a cylindrical, conical, truncated conical, or other shape instead of a ball type.

[0126] However, in this embodiment, the aforementioned alignment ball or other types of actuators can be applied as ball-type actuators that facilitate sliding and / or rolling motion. That is, in this embodiment, there may be a rotational support structure of a chucking structure that supports the shaft so that it can rotate by various types of actuators.

[0127] While it is preferable to have three of these types of actuators arranged at equal angles, two may be used with the help of any support structure, and preferably three or more may be used.

[0128] As described above, an actuator, such as three ball actuators, is located inside the cam nut, and the internal actuator is interfered with by the inclined cam surface formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cam nut in accordance with the rotation of the cam nut, thereby allowing it to move closer to or further away from the surface of the shaft.

[0129] The cam nut is equipped with a set screw, and when the shaft is pressurized to the appropriate pressure by the actuator as the cam nut rotates and becomes rotatable, this state can be fixed with the set screw.

[0130] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 6, the inner surface of the cam nut has numerous tapped holes, for example, 12 tapped holes spaced at 30-degree angles, which can be used to fix the inner diameter. When one tapped hole moves due to the rotation of the cam nut, the inner diameter formed by the three balls can be adjusted by 0.03 mm increments. Therefore, after attaching the 1 / 4 square chuck of the screwdriver shaft to the fixed body mounted on the navigation marker, the inclined part is rotated to adjust for appropriate clearance. Once the clearance is determined, the tapped hole is fastened to the inner fixed body or a locking tube elastically dependent on the fixed body at a specific rotational position using a set screw, and its inner diameter is fixed by an actuator that provides rotatable support. In this way, by fixing the position of the tapped hole with a set screw, an appropriately formed inner diameter is achieved, allowing the shaft to rotate stably without wobbling in the rotational direction.

[0131] As a factor for navigation accuracy, it is important not only to ensure clearance between parts, but also to ensure concentricity between the driver shaft and the fixed body to which the navigation marker is mounted.

[0132] In this disclosure, in order to ensure concentricity inside the rotor, a centering plunger corresponding to a hollow hole or centering dimple provided in the head of the shaft is applied to reliably maintain the coaxiality of the shaft with respect to the rotating body.

[0133] Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, any person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can modify and implement the present invention in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Therefore, any future modifications of the present invention will not deviate from the art of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0134] 100 Surgical Drivers 110 adapter 111 Fixed main unit 111bc bore cavity 112 Hold button 112sp Bias Spring 113 Cover 114 Rotating Body 114sh shank 115 Locking Tubes 115th Locking tube thread 116 Centering plunger 116sp Bias Spring 117sp Bias Spring 118 Shaft Aligner 118cn Cam member or cam nut 118th threaded section 118ec End Cap 118ab Actuator or alignment ball 120 Navigation Marker Unit 123 Navigation Marker 124 Navigation Marker Fixing Plate 125 Navigation marker fixing post 126 Navigation marker fixing bolts 130 Surgical Tools 131 chips or bits 132 coupling head 133 Tool Shaft 133rg Rotation guide surface

Claims

1. A surgical tool adapter that allows for the interchangeable attachment of surgical tools of multiple standards with different shaft diameters, A rotating body having a socket portion to which a coupling head provided on the shaft of the tool is detachably coupled, A stationary body having a bore cavity in which the rotating body is rotatably mounted, A surgical tool adapter comprising a shaft aligner, the movable actuator having a position adjusted according to the diameter of the shaft and contacting the outer surface of the shaft while rotatably supporting the shaft, wherein the movable actuator is configured to control the radial runout of the tool shaft within a predetermined range by coaxially aligning the tool shaft with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rotating body, while allowing rotation of the rotating body and the shaft coupled thereto in the bore cavity of the fixed body at a position determined according to the diameter of the shaft.

2. The aforementioned shaft aligner is A plurality of movable actuators are arranged to contact and separate from a rotating support surface provided on a part of the outer circumferential surface of the shaft, and support the rotation of the shaft. The surgical tool adapter according to claim 1, further comprising a positioning unit (positioner) for aligning the plurality of actuators with respect to the rotational support surface of the shaft.

3. The surgical tool adapter according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of actuators are arranged around the shaft so as to be able to move radially closer to or further away from the central axis of the shaft in the longitudinal direction with respect to the rotational support surface of the shaft.

4. The surgical tool adapter according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of actuators are rotating bodies that slide or roll relative to the rotational support surface of the shaft.

5. The surgical tool adapter according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of actuators have one of the following shapes: ball-shaped, cylindrical, conical, or truncated cone, with a surface that partially contacts the rotation support surface.

6. A plurality of operating holes are formed around the opening of the socket portion into which the shaft is inserted, at arbitrary angular intervals, in which the plurality of operating bodies are arranged to be radially movable. The positioning unit includes a cam member that presses or releases a plurality of actuators located within the plurality of operating holes, so that each of the plurality of actuators contacts or separates from the rotational support surface of the shaft within the socket. The surgical tool adapter according to claim 4, wherein the cam member has an inclined cam surface configured to push the plurality of actuators toward the center of the shaft or away from them.

7. The surgical tool adapter according to claim 6, wherein the cam member is provided so as to be movable by any distance in the vertical axis direction of the rotating body, and is configured to push the plurality of actuators toward the center of the shaft or away from it, depending on the position of the cam member toward the center of the shaft.

8. It is integrally coupled with the fixed body and further comprises a locking tube that forms a part of the bore cavity that houses the rotating body, The surgical tool adapter according to claim 6, wherein the cam member is coupled to the end of the locking tube so that the position of the cam can move in the vertical axis direction, and is configured to move the plurality of actuators closer to or further away from the rotation support surface depending on the position of the cam member on the vertical axis relative to the locking tube or the fixed body.

9. The aforementioned fixed body, cam member, and locking tube between them are arranged substantially concentrically on one axis. The bore cavity houses the rotating body so that it can reciprocate along its vertical axis, and as the rotating body moves in the vertical axis direction, the plurality of actuators interfering with the rotating body move away from the cam, thereby releasing the lock of the shaft in the socket. A compression spring is interposed inside the locking tube to elastically bias the rotating body, thereby restoring the position of the rotating body by providing a reaction force against the vertical axial movement of the cam member of the rotating body. The surgical tool adapter according to claim 8, wherein the cam member is screwed onto one end of the fixed body or locking tube in the longitudinal direction, and the position of the cam relative to the plurality of actuators moves in the longitudinal direction according to the degree of rotation of the cam member.

10. The positioning part is, A cam member having a cam with an inclined cam surface that surrounds the arrangement of the plurality of actuators, It includes a cam fixing part that fixes the position of the cam member determined by the positioning part, The surgical tool adapter according to claim 2, wherein the cam surface is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft so as to press the plurality of actuators against or away from the rotational support surface of the shaft.

11. The positioning part is, The surgical tool adapter according to claim 2, comprising: a linear transfer unit that can reciprocate along the vertical axis relative to the rotating body; and a cam fixing unit including a set screw for fixing a cam member having an inclined cam surface.

12. The socket portion is located on the central axis of the rotating body, The surgical tool adapter according to claim 1, wherein a plunger is provided at the bottom of the socket portion corresponding to the top surface of the coupling head for pressing against the top surface of the coupling head.

13. The surgical tool adapter according to claim 12, wherein the plunger is elastically biased by a spring to elastically press against the top surface of the coupling head.

14. A plunger is provided at the bottom of the socket portion corresponding to the top surface of the coupling head, which presses against the top surface of the coupling head. The surgical tool adapter according to claim 9, wherein a hollow hole, a centering dimple, a centering pocket, or a centering recess is formed on the top surface of the coupling head into which a part of the plunger enters.

15. A surgical tool comprising a shaft with a tool-tip at the front and a connecting head at the rear end, The surgical tool adapter comprises a rotating body to which the aforementioned surgical tool is detachably coupled, and which allows for the interchangeable attachment of surgical tools of multiple standards with different shaft diameters. The rotating body is provided with a rotating rod, and a handle is coaxially connected to it. The aforementioned surgical tool adapter is A rotating body having a socket portion to which a coupling head provided on the shaft of the tool is detachably coupled, A stationary body having a bore cavity in which the rotating body is rotatably mounted, A surgical tool driver comprising a shaft aligner, the movable actuator having a position adjusted according to the diameter of the shaft and contacting the outer surface of the shaft while rotatably supporting the shaft, wherein the movable actuator is configured to control the radial runout of the tool shaft within a predetermined range by coaxially aligning the tool shaft with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rotating body, while allowing rotation of the rotating body and the shaft coupled thereto in the bore cavity of the fixed body at a position determined according to the diameter of the shaft.

16. A surgical tool driver according to claim 15, wherein a shank is coaxially coupled to the rotating body, and a handle equipped with a ratchet controllable in the direction of rotation is detachably coupled to the shank.

17. The surgical tool driver according to claim 15, wherein a navigation marker for surgical navigation is attached to the fixed body.

18. The aforementioned navigation marker is, Multiple optically detectable markers, A marker plate on which the aforementioned multiple markers are fixed, The surgical tool driver according to claim 17, further comprising a support portion for connecting the marker plate to the fixing body.

19. The aforementioned shaft aligner is A plurality of movable actuators are arranged to contact and separate from a rotating support surface provided on a part of the outer circumferential surface of the shaft, and support the rotation of the shaft. A surgical tool driver according to claim 15, further comprising a positioning unit (positioner) for aligning the plurality of actuators with respect to the rotational support surface of the shaft.

20. The surgical tool driver according to claim 19, wherein the plurality of actuators are arranged around the shaft so as to be able to move radially closer to or further away from the central axis of the shaft in the longitudinal direction with respect to the rotational support surface of the shaft.

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