Medical devices with connection recognition and medical devices with separation recognition

Abstract

The present invention relates to a medical instrument (1) in the form of a rotationally drivable instrument, in particular a cutting instrument, preferably a drilling instrument, comprising a drive part (3) connectable to a medical device (2) in particular for transmitting torque thereto, and a cutting part (4) connectable to the drive part (3) in such a way that it transmits torque. The invention is characterized in that the instrument (1) comprises an electronic assembly (7) designed to be activated by connecting the instrument (1) to the medical device (2), preferably by the act of plugging the instrument (1) into the medical device (2), and / or to be deactivated by disconnecting the cutting part (4) from the drive part (3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotatably drivable instrument, in particular a cutting instrument, preferably a drilling instrument, in the form of a medical instrument, comprising a drive part connectable to a medical device, preferably a surgical handpiece, for transmitting torque in particular in an interlocking manner, and a cutting part connectable to the drive part for transmitting torque.

Background Art

[0002] Drilling instruments are used to introduce a surgical opening into the skull. In order to eliminate damage to the dura mater located under the skull, the drilling instrument has a functional structure such that the cutting part is separated from the actual drive, i.e., from the drive part, as soon as the skull is penetrated and before the dura mater located under the skull can be damaged. This is usually achieved, for example, in US4,456,010A1 and in common instruments, in an axially restricted manner, between a first axial position in which the cutting part and the drive part are torque-coupled and a second axial position in which the cutting part is torque-separated from the drive part, such that the cutting part is displaceable relative to the drive part. In cutting engagement, the cutting part is held in the first (torque-coupled) axial position by a cutting force acting, for example, against the spring force of a spring, in particular against a spring-biased push button. When no cutting force acts on the cutting part, the cutting part is displaced to the second (torque-separated) axial position by the spring force of a spring, in particular by a push button (pushed forward) by spring biasing. As soon as the skull is penetrated, i.e., as soon as the drilling operation is performed, the cutting force no longer acts on the cutting part, so that the compression spring immediately releases the torque engagement between the drive part and the cutting part. Thus, the cutting part is spring-biased to the torque-separated axial position.

[0003] The instrument, in particular the drilling instrument, may be in the form of a reusable instrument, i.e., an instrument suitable for multiple uses by recycling. Alternatively, the (drilling) instrument may be in the form of a disposable instrument (also known as a single-use instrument), i.e., an instrument suitable for single use.

[0004] For users, it is often difficult to easily recognize which instruments are involved, for example, which types of instruments, which sizes of instruments, and / or which types of use, i.e., reusable instruments or single-use instruments. Also, it has been impossible until now to automatically recognize medical instruments such as hand instruments or instruments for insertion into surgical (hand) instruments. For example, to identify an instrument, it is necessary to manually inspect the label or exterior. Therefore, it is not possible to eliminate the incorrect use of the instruments being used, such as the use of incorrect instrument parameters and / or the use of instruments not suitable for their respective medical applications. Also, due to the lack of automatic documentation, it is not possible to track the combination of instruments used, for example, incorrect use due to abuse of the instruments and the accompanying damage to the products. Furthermore, the inventory of instruments cannot be recorded without time-consuming inventory checks. Additionally, it is necessary to inspect the function and proper condition of the instruments before use. For this purpose, the safe connection of all products being used, especially the safe fit of the instrument to the handpiece, needs to be inspected in terms of manually pulling the instrument to check the connection, but this is accompanied by the risk of potential injury. Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a medical instrument, particularly a piercing instrument, that avoids or reduces the drawbacks of the prior art and enables automatic instrument recognition and / or automatic instrument documentation, and thus reduces the risk of the possibility of incorrect use of the instrument. Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The object of the present invention is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0007] More precisely, the object of the present invention is solved by a rotatably drivable instrument, in particular a cutting instrument, preferably a drilling instrument, in the form of a medical instrument, comprising a drive part (torque introduction unit) connectable to a medical device, in particular for transmitting torque in conjunction, and a cutting part connectable to the drive part for transmitting torque. The instrument is designed to be actuated, preferably by inserting the instrument into the medical device, by connecting the instrument to the medical device (first) electronic assembly. Thus, the instrument itself is equipped with an electronic assembly for acquiring information. By inserting the instrument into the medical device, the electronic assembly can be automatically actuated.

[0008] In other words, the instrument (drilling instrument) is equipped with an integrated electronic assembly that operates when the instrument is connected / linked to the device (surgical handpiece), in particular when inserted into the device, and stops operating when the instrument and the device are not connected / separated from each other, in particular when the instrument is not inserted into the device. This means that the operation of the electronic assembly depends on the connection of the instrument and the device, which has the advantage that the connection of the instrument can be automatically recognized. This also has the advantage that feedback on the success of the connection can be provided by the operation of the electronic assembly, eliminating the need to manually check the safe fit between the instrument and the device, for example by pulling on the instrument.

[0009] According to a further advantageous development, the electronic assembly may have a storage device in which device-specific data such as, for example, device operation parameters, device status data, application parameters, serial number, product number, minimum durability date (MDD), lot number (LOT), etc. are stored and / or further information that is preferably transmitted and / or output to an external processing unit and / or the user of the device during operation of the electronic assembly is stored. This means that in particular device-specific data for recognizing the device is provided so that it can be obtained externally during operation of the electronic assembly. In other words, the operation of the electronic assembly enables the stored data to be transmitted and further processed, and as a result, automatic device recognition can be provided. The processing unit may be, for example, a terminal such as a tablet or smartphone, or an Internet-based platform such as a control device or cloud. Automatic device recognition can simultaneously achieve automatic documentation. Also, based on the transmitted device-specific data, individual device parameters such as rotational speed and energization can be automatically set to prevent misuse. Furthermore, for example, multiple uses of the device can be detected. Thus, for example, if the device is only suitable for one use but has already been inserted, the user can be notified. This information is saved. The user may be notified during the operation.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the first electronic assembly may be arranged on a fixed component of the device. This has the advantage that it is not necessary to co-rotate the electronic assembly during the cutting operation.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, the electronic assembly may have a switch that can be mechanically actuated by connecting an instrument. In other words, in the drive part of the instrument connected to the device, in the non-operating state, the switch projects (axially or radially) from the drive part, and by connecting the drive part to the medical device, it is displaced relative to the drive part. In particular, it is designed to be pushed into the drive part to actuate the switch. Preferably, the drive part has a standardized interface such as a Hudson connection. Since a switch that mechanically operates is arranged in the drive part, the instrument needs to be received precisely by the device to ensure safe attachment. Therefore, when the instrument is inserted into the medical device, the switch is automatically actuated. Thus, if the drive part is on the device in the area of the switch and is used with any (conventional) device, the switch will operate mechanically. Since the interface between the instrument and the device is usually standardized, the operation of the electronic assembly is performed independently of the rest of the structure of the device.

[0012] According to a further advantageous development of the preferred embodiment, the switch may be mechanically operable such that by connecting the appliance, the switch closes the electrical circuit of the electronic assembly in the operating switching position and opens the electrical circuit of the electronic assembly in the non-operating switching position. Preferably, the electronic assembly comprises a communication device for generating a wireless connection for transmitting a wireless signal containing appliance-specific data during operation of the electronic assembly, i.e., during the closing of the electrical circuit. For example, the communication device can transmit the wireless signal actively, i.e., by WLAN or Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE), or by a low-power wireless network protocol such as LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network), or passively, for example, by RFID or NFC. The wireless signal may be transmitted by another wireless standard suitable for (contactless) data transfer and is not limited to any of the aforementioned wireless standards or specific frequency ranges. When the electrical circuit is interrupted when the appliance is separated from the device, the communication device stops transmitting the wireless signal or becomes unreachable in the case of passive technologies. In other words, the electronic assembly may comprise, for example, an RFID chip, an NFC chip, a WLAN module, and / or a Bluetooth Low Energy chip, all of which are designed to transmit a wireless signal to a related receiver in the vicinity of the appliance when the electronic assembly is activated. The receiver can transfer the data transmitted by the wireless signal to another terminal. According to a further preferred further development of the preferred embodiment, the communication device may be arranged in the plastic housing of the appliance, thereby providing wireless transparency in an advantageous manner.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the switch may be axially displaceable between an actuated switching position and a non-actuated switching position by connecting the appliance. Since the insertion direction of the appliance usually corresponds to the axial direction, the axial actuation of the switch can be easily performed. The switch may preferably project from the axial abutment surface of the appliance on which the device is placed in the connected state. Thus, the switch ensures that it operates only at the end position of the appliance within the device, in such a way that the appliance and the device are axially fixed, so as to avoid the electronic assembly from operating when the insertion operation is not yet complete and the appliance is not safely engaged.

[0014] According to an alternative preferred embodiment, the switch may be radially displaceable between an actuated switching position and a non-actuated switching position by connecting the appliance. The switch preferably projects from the radially outer periphery of the drive part on which the device is placed in the connected state. Since the drive part is often inserted into the device so as to remain radially outside at the radially inner diameter of the device, a switch that operates radially by connecting the appliance to the device can ensure automatic operation.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the electronic assembly may comprise a feedback device and / or may be connectable to external feedback means. The feedback device and / or the feedback means may be designed in particular such that acoustic feedback and / or visual feedback is output when the electronic assembly is operating or in operation. Thus, the user does not need to check by touching whether it conforms to safety in order to obtain an automatic confirmation regarding the success of the connection. The feedback device may be designed, for example, as a lamp such as an LED preferably visible from the outside of the drive unit and / or as an acoustic signal device that gives feedback as to whether the instrument is (correctly) connected to the device, i.e., confirms that the connection has been successful, by its glow and / or sound. The external feedback means may be designed, for example, as a control device or a terminal that is connected via a wireless connection in particular, such as a smartphone or a tablet that informs whether the instrument is (correctly) connected to the device.

[0016] According to a further aspect of the invention, which can be provided in combination with or independently of the above aspects, the object of the invention is solved by a rotatably drivable instrument, in particular a cutting instrument, preferably a drilling instrument, designed as a medical instrument, having a drive unit (torque introduction unit) connectable to a medical device in particular for transmitting torque in conjunction, and a cutting part connectable to the drive unit so as to transmit torque. This instrument comprises a (second) electronic assembly designed to operate by separating the cutting part from the drive unit. In particular, the cutting part is axially displaceable relative to the drive unit in a limited way, for example against a spring-biased pressure button, between a first axial position in which the cutting part and the drive unit are torque-coupled and a second axial position in which the cutting part is torque-separated from the drive unit. The second electronic assembly is designed and arranged to stop operating in the first axial position and to operate in the second axial position. In other words, the switching path defined by the limited axial relative displacement between the drive unit and the cutting part is used to operate the electronic assembly.

[0017] This has the advantage that the connection operation and / or separation operation of the (perforating) instrument can be (automatically) acquired and / or documented. Advantageously, the number of separations per operation can be recorded. This also has the advantage that even an instrument that is not energized and whose attachment is separated from actual drive can be identified by closing or interrupting the electrical circuit by separation and can be advantageously used for digitization of (medical) instruments and devices.

[0018] The second electronic assembly may also be mechanically switchable, for example, by separating the cutting part from the (drive part) such that the electrical circuit of the electronic assembly is closed (or opened) at the operating switching position and opened (or closed) at the non-operating switching position.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the second electronic assembly may preferably be in the form of a push button and have a second switch that can be mechanically actuated by an actuating part rotatably connectable to the cutting part, in particular after separating the cutting part from the drive part, so as to obtain the rotational speed of the cutting part. For example, depending on the rotational speed of the cutting part, for example, for each rotation, it can be designed to be mechanically actuated by an actuating part rotatably connectable to the cutting part of the instrument, for example, in the form of an outer sleeve, and preferably arranged on a non-rotating component of the instrument, for example, in the form of a dome or a lamp. According to a further advantageous development of the preferred embodiment, the actuating part may be designed to be rotatably separated from the cutting part in a first axial position and rotatably connected to the cutting part in a second axial position. Thereby, when the cutting part is separated from the drive part, it is ensured that only the actuating part co-rotates (together with the cutting part). Thus, only the rotation after separation is obtained. Experience has shown that the rotational speed after separation (at rest) is particularly important with respect to the wear and life of the instrument. Preferably, the number of separations and / or the rotational speed at rest is stored in the storage device of the electronic assembly and / or preferably transmitted to an external processing unit in combination with instrument-specific data such as a serial number or a product number. The transfer of information can be carried out, for example, in real time or on demand (just-in-time). In other words, the actuating part is arranged and designed such that the second switch / push button is actuated corresponding to the rotational speed of the cutting part. For example, the actuating part may be formed by a plurality of catch elements, in particular catch elements distributed in the circumferential direction, such that the switch / push button is actuated several times per rotation. Thereby, an incomplete rotation of the cutting part can also be obtained. The plurality of catch elements simultaneously ensure a mechanical catch mechanism. In other words, the rotational speed corresponds, for example, to the quotient of the number of actuations of the second switch and the number of catch elements.

[0020] Preferably, the second electronic assembly may comprise a (second) communication device arranged in a plastic part of the instrument for generating a wireless connection, and more preferably may be connected to the communication device of the first electronic assembly, which is designed to transmit a wireless signal having data regarding the separation operation during operation of the second electronic assembly. Preferably, the second electronic assembly comprises a (second) storage device or is connected to the storage device of the first electronic assembly so as to obtain the number of operations of the second electronic assembly (and thus the number of separations of the cutting part) and / or the (stationary) rotation speed.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the second electronic assembly may be arranged in a fixed component of the instrument. This has the advantage that it is not necessary to co - rotate the electronic assembly during the cutting operation.

[0022] According to a further aspect of the invention, the drive part is preferably formed of plastic and may particularly have a socket directly connectable to a medical device, and preferably has a driven part formed of metal, axially fixed and connected to the socket in a non - rotatable interlocking manner. Specifically, the (first) electronic assembly may be arranged within the socket. Alternatively, the socket and the driven part may be formed of plastic. Further alternatively, the socket may be formed of metal and the driven part may be formed of plastic.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the socket may comprise an axial fixing portion in the form of a latch recess, for example, in which a corresponding fixing portion, for example in the form of a latch hook, formed in the driven member engages for axial fixing. According to a preferred embodiment, the socket may comprise a torque transmission section in the form of a power transmission recess, for example, in which an opposing portion formed in the driven member engages to interlock torque transmission, for example in the form of a web. In other words, the functions of axial fixing and torque transmission are designed in another part of the driven member. Preferably, the latch recess and / or the power transmission recess are symmetrically arranged. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the axial fixing portion may be arranged distally with respect to the torque transmission portion so as to allow an appropriate power flow. Thus, the torque transmission portion is arranged closer to the cutting portion than the axial fixing portion.

[0024] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the cutting portion preferably comprises a base portion directly connected to the driving portion, and an engaging portion formed separately from the driving portion, preferably carrying a blade, and axially fixed and / or non-rotatably connected to the base portion at a (first) interface, for example in the form of a thread. Preferably, the interface is designed such that in the cutting engagement with the base portion, the engaging portion rotates in a direction opposite to its rotational direction so as to avoid unintentional loosening due to cutting force. It is particularly preferred that the interface is designed to be connectable to engaging portions of different structures and / or sizes. More preferably, the cutting portion comprises a sleeve portion attached to a (second) interface of the outer diameter of the engaging portion, the engaging portion being formed separately from the engaging portion. Specifically, the engaging portions of different structures and / or sizes may have the same outer diameter. By using the same parts in a modular structure and with different types of tools and / or tools of different sizes, the manufacturing cost of the tools can be reduced.

[0025] According to a further aspect of the invention, the cutting part may comprise a plastic dome in which an insert, in particular made of metal, which forms the blade is firmly attached, for example by hot punching. Thus, apart from the blade formed of a metal sheet, the entire (perforating) instrument can be manufactured cost-effectively from plastic.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026]

Figure 1a

Figure 1b

Figure 2a

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Figure 5

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Figure 10a

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Figure 11a

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Figure 12

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Figure 15a

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Figure 15c

Figure 16a

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Figure 18

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described based on the related drawings. The drawings are merely schematic and are useful for understanding the present invention. The same elements are assigned the same reference numerals.

[0028] Figure 1 shows a medical instrument 1 that can be connected to a medical device 2 such as a surgical handpiece. In Figure 1a, the instrument 1 is not connected to the medical device 2, that is, it is separated from the device 2. In Figure 1b, the instrument 1 is connected to the medical device 2, that is, it is coupled to the device 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the instrument 1 is in the form of a rotatable drive instrument. For this purpose, the instrument 1 is connected to the device 2 for transmitting the torque for driving the instrument 1. The instrument 1 may be designed, in particular, as a cutting instrument.

[0029] The instrument 1 includes a drive unit 3 that is partially inserted into the device 2 and engages with the device 2 in a non-rotatable interlocking manner. Further, the instrument 1 includes a cutting unit 4 that extends axially from the drive unit 3. A blade for cutting operation is disposed on the cutting unit 4. The drive unit 3 includes a connecting portion 5 that forms a part of the drive unit 3 that is fully inserted into the device 2 when connected. In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting portion 5 is formed as a Hudson connection 6 that is widely used as an interface of the handpiece.

[0030] The instrument 1 includes an electronic assembly 7 (see Figures 3 and 4). The electronic assembly 7 is designed to be actuated, preferably, by the operation of inserting the instrument 1 into the medical device 2 when the instrument 1 is connected to the medical device 2. Preferably, the electronic assembly 7 has a switch 8, and the switch 8 is mechanically operable such that when the instrument 1 is connected, the switch 8 closes the electrical circuit of the electronic assembly 7 in a first switching position and opens in a second switching position.

[0031] In FIG. 2a, the switch 8 is formed as an axial switch 9 that is axially displaceable for actuation. The axial switch 9 is arranged on the axial abutment surface of the connecting part 5 and projects axially in the direction of the device 2. On the abutment surface, the device 2 remains in a state connected to the appliance 1 and actuates the axial switch 9. When the appliance 1 is connected to the device 2, the axial switch 9 is actuated. When the appliance 1 is not connected to the device 2, the axial switch 9 does not actuate. In FIG. 2b, the switch 8 is formed as a radial switch 10 that is radially displaceable for actuation. The radial switch 10 has a hemispherical dome shape. The radial switch 10 is arranged on the radial outer circumference of the connecting part 5 and projects radially outwards. In a state connected to the appliance 1, the device 2 is pressed against the radial outer circumference and thus actuates the radial switch 10. When the appliance 1 is connected to the device 2, the radial switch 10 is actuated. When the appliance 1 is not connected to the device 2, the radial switch 10 does not actuate. Thus, the switch 8 is arranged on the connecting part 5 such that it is mechanically automatically actuated when connected by the device 2 and automatically deactivated when not connected.

[0032] The electronic assembly 7 may have a storage device in which appliance-specific data such as appliance operation parameters, appliance status data, application parameters, serial number, product number, minimum durability date (MDD), lot number (LOT), and / or further information is stored. The electronic assembly 7 may have a communication device 11 for generating a wireless connection. The communication device 11 is configured to transmit a wireless signal having the appliance-specific data stored in the storage device during operation of the electronic assembly 7, i.e., during the closing of the electrical circuit.

[0033] Figure 3 shows a possible structure of the communication device 11 designed as the Bluetooth low energy unit 12. Alternatively, the communication device 11 may be designed as another wireless module, for example, as a W-LAN module or a Lo-RA-WAN module (Long Range Wide Area Network module). In the communication device 11, when the switch 8 is activated, the electrical circuit is closed and the Bluetooth low energy chip 13 is connected to the battery 14. The Bluetooth low energy unit 12 can actively transmit a wireless signal to a related receiver near the appliance 1 when the electrical circuit is closed. When the electrical circuit is interrupted by separating the appliance 1 from the device 2, the communication device 11 stops transmitting the wireless signal. Figure 4 shows an alternative possible structure of the communication device 11 designed as the RFID or NFC unit 15. When the switch 8 is activated, the electrical circuit inside the communication device 11 is closed and the coil 16 is connected to the storage device 17, for example, an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory). In contrast to the structure shown in Figure 3, a battery is not required, so the lifespan of the electronic assembly 7 does not depend on the lifespan of the battery. The RFID or NFC unit 15 can passively transmit a wireless signal. The storage device 17 can be read via the coil 16. The wireless signal can be transmitted by the NFC unit 15 to, for example, a receiver arranged in the device 2 and transferred therefrom. By connecting the appliance 1 to the device, it is possible to transfer the appliance-specific data stored in the storage device to the peripheral device, as schematically shown in Figures 3 and 4. The data is then further processed and output to the user, stored in the cloud, and / or placed online.

[0034] Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the structure of the appliance 1 will be described. The appliance 1 can be functionally divided into a drive unit 3, a cutting unit 4, and a sleeve unit 18.

[0035] The drive unit 3 (see also FIGS. 7 to 10) includes a socket 19 in which the connecting portion 5 is formed. The socket 19 is formed as a plastic component. The electronic assembly 7 is received in the socket 19. A connection portion 20 is formed at the proximal end of the socket 19. The drive unit 3 includes a driven member 21 that is axially fixed to the connection portion 20 and connected in a non-rotatable manner. A spring 22 is received in the connection portion 20, and against the spring force, the cutting portion 4 is axially displaceable between a first axial position and a second axial position. The pressure button 23 is axially disposed between the driven member 21 and the connection portion 20. The pressure button 23 axially reaches through a central recess of the driven member 21.

[0036] The cutting portion 4 includes a base portion 24. The base portion 24 is for power transmission / torque transmission and includes a driven member 25. The driven member 25 of the cutting portion 4 is non-rotatably interlocked and engaged with the driven member 21 of the drive unit 3, and torque can be transmitted from the drive unit 3 to the cutting portion 4. In the first axial position, the driven member 25 engages with the driven member 21. The base portion 24 includes a first interface 26. Through the first interface 26, a first engaging portion 27 of the cutting portion 4, which is in the form of an internal cutter here, can be connected to the base portion 24 to transmit torque. The first interface 26 is preferably formed as a thread that can thread the first engaging portion 27 in the cutting direction / driving direction of the instrument 1. The first engaging portion 27 is fixed particularly by a tightening torque. The base portion 24 includes a second interface 28. Through the second interface 28, a second engaging portion 29 of the cutting portion 4, which is in the form of an external cutter here, can be connected to the base portion 24 to transmit torque. The second interface 28 is formed as a lateral pin that can push the second engaging portion 29. A groove 30 is formed in the second engaging portion 29, and this groove 30 connects the second engaging portion 29 in a non-rotatable manner in conjunction with the lateral pin. The second engaging portion 29 includes a flange 31 that protrudes radially outward. The flange 31 is formed circumferentially in the radial direction.

[0037] The sleeve portion 18 is preferably formed of plastic. The sleeve portion 18 forms the outer diameter of the instrument 1. The proximal end of the sleeve portion 18 is placed on the flange 31 of the cutting portion 4. The distal end of the sleeve portion 18 is placed on the axial abutting surface provided by the socket 19. The sleeve portion 18 projects radially inward and has a journal 32 that engages with the circumferential groove 33 of the connecting portion 20, thus axially fixing the sleeve portion 18.

[0038] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the electronic assembly 7 includes a feedback device 34. Here, the feedback device 34 in the form of an LED 35 is disposed within the socket 19 and lights up when the electronic assembly 7 is activated. The LED 35 can emit, for example, green light when correctly connected and red light when incompletely connected. The LED 35 can also emit blinking light or continuously glowing light. The LED 35 can emit light in other colors. The feedback device 34 may, for example, include a plurality of LEDs, one of which provides feedback on the success of the connection and another provides feedback on the failure of the connection. Alternatively or additionally, the feedback device 34 can output acoustic feedback when the electronic assembly 7 is activated or operating. For example, the frequency / pitch of the acoustic feedback, or the interval between several acoustic signals / acoustic feedback, may vary depending on the success and failure of the connection.

[0039] The structure of the drive unit 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10. The drive unit 3 is formed particularly by a driven member 21 designed as a metal part and a socket 19 designed as a plastic part. Alternatively, the socket 19 and the driven member 21 may be designed as metal parts. Further alternatively, the socket 19 and the driven member 21 may be designed as plastic parts. Still further alternatively, the socket can be designed as a metal part and the driven member 21 as a plastic part. The spring 22 and the push button 23 are irrelevant to the transmission of force and torque.

[0040] The socket 19 and the follower 21 are connected to each other in an axially fixed manner. For this purpose, the socket 19 comprises one and / or more latching recesses 36 with which one and / or more latching hooks 37 of the follower 21 engage. Thus, the follower 21 engages axially behind the socket 19. The latching recesses 36 are arranged symmetrically in the circumferential direction, i.e., opposite to each other. The latching hooks 37 are arranged symmetrically in the circumferential direction, i.e., opposite to each other. The socket 19 and the follower 21 are connected to each other to transmit torque. For this purpose, the socket 19 comprises one and / or more power transmission recesses 38 with which one and / or more webs 39 of the follower 21 engage. The power transmission recesses 38 are arranged symmetrically in the circumferential direction, i.e., opposite to each other. The webs 39 are arranged symmetrically in the circumferential direction, i.e., opposite to each other. The webs 39 are circumferentially positioned between the latching hooks 38. The follower 21 comprises a central recess 40 through which the push button 23 can reach for separation, i.e., to release the engagement of the cutting part 4.

[0041] In the illustrated embodiment, the instrument 1 is designed as a drilling instrument. The function of the drilling instrument will be described with reference to FIGS. 11a and 11b. In the instrument 1, the cutting part 4 is displaceable in an axially restricted manner with respect to the drive part 3 between a first axial position (see FIG. 11a) where the cutting part 4 and the drive part 3 are torque-coupled and a second axial position (see FIG. 11b) where the cutting part 4 is torque-separated from the drive part 3. Thus, the cutting part 4 can be separated from the actual drive. In the cutting engagement, the cutting part 4 is pushed into the first axial position against the spring force of the spring 22 by the cutting force acting thereon. The pressure knob 23 attached to the drive part 3 is displaced axially and the spring 22 is energized. When no cutting force acts on the cutting part 4, the cutting part 4 is pushed into the second axial position by the spring force of the spring 22. By spring biasing, the pressure button 23 is displaced in the direction towards the cutting part 4, thereby pushing out the follower 25 of the cutting part 4 (output side - torque receiving side) and releasing the engagement with the follower 21 of the drive part 3 (input side - torque transmitting side).

[0042] In FIG. 11b, the axial relative movement of the switching path between the first axial position and the second axial position is indicated by a dashed circle. This axial relative movement can be used to activate the second electronic assembly 41. According to a further aspect of the invention, the instrument 1 comprises a second electronic assembly 41 designed to operate by separating the cutting part 4 from the drive part 3. This means that the second electronic assembly 41 is designed to stop operating when the cutting part 4 is in the (connected) axial position with respect to the drive part 3 and to operate when the cutting part 4 is in the second (separated) axial position with respect to the drive part 3. In particular, the second electronic assembly 41 comprises a switch (not shown) that is mechanically actuated by the axial displacement of the cutting part 4, in particular the pressure button 23.

[0043] Figures 12 and 13 show further embodiments of the instrument 1. The second electronic assembly 41 has a second switch 42. The second switch 42 is designed as a push button. The second switch 42 can be mechanically actuated by the cutting part 4, in particular after separating the cutting part 4 from the drive part 3, so as to obtain the rotational speed of the cutting part 4. The second switch 42 has a hemispherical dome shape. The second switch 42 may be designed in the form of a lamp. The second switch 42 is arranged in the radially outer periphery of the drive part 3, here in the region of the connecting part 20, and projects radially outwards. The second switch 42 is arranged in the groove 33. The journal 32 of the sleeve part 18 serves as the actuating part, and the second switch 42 is actuated by the journal 32 according to the rotational speed of the sleeve part 18. In other words, the rotational speed corresponds, for example, to the quotient of the number of actuations of the second switch 42 and the number of journals 32 (latching elements). The sleeve part 18 may, for example, have a symmetrical design, i.e., two journals 32 that face each other in the circumferential direction. Then, the second switch 42 is actuated twice per rotation of the sleeve part 18. Therefore, a half rotation of the sleeve part 18 can also be obtained. The plurality of journals 32 simultaneously ensures a mechanical catch mechanism. Thereby, the rotational speed of the sleeve part 18 can be obtained. The sleeve part 18 is designed in particular to be rotatably separated from the cutting part 4 in a first axial position and rotatably connected to the cutting part 4 in a second axial position.

[0044] Figures 14 to 16 show the structure of the cutting part 4 according to a further aspect of the present invention. As described above, the cutting part 4 includes a base part 24 connected to the first engaging part 27 via the first interface 26 and connected to the second engaging part 29 via the second interface 28. Preferably, the base part 24, the first engaging part 27, and the second engaging part 29 are designed as metal parts. The base part 24 functions as a power transmission single part and has the same design for cutting parts 4 of different sizes. Through the first interface 26, it is possible to screw different-sized first engaging parts 27, that is, internal cutters, onto the thread. Through the second interface 28, it is possible to push up different-sized second engaging parts 29, that is, external cutters (see FIGS. 15a to 15c). The outer diameter of the flange 31 of the second engaging part 29 has the same design for different-sized second engaging parts 29. Therefore, it is possible to use the same sleeve part 18 for cutting parts 4 of different sizes (see FIGS. 16a to 16c).

[0045] Figures 17 and 18 show a further embodiment according to a further aspect of the present invention. The instrument 1, except for the blade, is designed as an instrument 43 made entirely of plastic parts. The first engaging part 27 is designed as a plastic part 44 such as a plastic dome. The second engaging part 29 is designed as a plastic part 49 such as a plastic dome. The metal insert part 46 is connected to the first engaging part 27 and / or the second engaging part 29 by hot stamping.

Claims

1. A medical instrument in the form of a rotatably drivable instrument, comprising: a drive unit connectable to a medical device for transmitting torque; and a cutting unit connectable to the drive unit for transmitting torque, wherein the instrument comprises an electronic assembly designed to operate when the cutting unit is separated from the drive unit.

2. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein the electronic assembly comprises a switch that mechanically operates to obtain the number of rotations of the cutting unit relative to the drive unit in a state where the operating part and the cutting unit rotate integrally after the cutting unit is separated from the drive unit by an operating part rotatably connectable integrally with the cutting unit.

3. The instrument according to claim 2, wherein the operating part is arranged and designed to be rotatably connected integrally with the cutting unit when the cutting unit is separated from the drive unit.

4. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein the electronic assembly is arranged on a fixed component of the instrument.

5. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein the instrument is a perforating instrument.

6. The instrument according to claim 2, wherein the switch is in the form of a push button.

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