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US 11,076,871 B2Granted
Multiple connection drive shaft
AssigneeMedtronic PS Medical, Inc.
InventorMilton F. Barnes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is a system to engage a plurality of tools. In the system a drive shaft and collet may be assembled to engage and disengage, selectively, a plurality of tools. User selection may allow use of a plurality of tools during a procedure or during a plurality of procedures.
Claims16
A drive shaft assembly for driving at least one of a plurality of tools at different times, comprising:
- a drive shaft extending from a first end to a second end, the drive shaft including,
- a first drive shaft member forming a through bore extending through the first drive shaft member;
- and
- a second drive shaft member axially and rotationally fixed to the first drive shaft member within the through bore of the first drive shaft member;
- a first tool driving region formed within and by the drive shaft and configured to axially fix the plurality of tools;
- and
- a second tool driving region formed within and by the drive shaft and configured to engage at least a first tool of the plurality of tools;
- and
- wherein the second drive shaft member forms the first tool driving region and includes a first finger extending from a body of the second drive shaft member having a first flex region and a first tool engaging region and a second finger extending from the body of the second drive shaft member having a second flex region and a second tool engaging region;
- wherein the first and second flex regions are configured to flex to allow the first and second tool engaging regions to flex radially outward to engage each of the plurality of tools.
7 more elements
A drive shaft assembly for driving at least one of a plurality of tools at different times, comprising:
- a first drive shaft portion having a through bore extending through the first drive shaft portion;
- a second drive shaft portion axially and rotationally fixed to the first drive shaft portion within the through bore of the first drive shaft portion;
- a first tool driving region formed by the second drive shaft portion;
- a second tool driving region formed by the first drive shaft portion;
- wherein the first tool driving region is configured to axially fix a first tool;
- wherein the second tool driving region is configured to rotationally engage a second tool;
- and
- wherein the second drive shaft portion forms the first tool driving region and includes a first finger extending from a body of the second drive shaft portion having a first flex region and a first tool engaging region and a second finger extending from the body of the second drive shaft portion having a second flex region and a second tool engaging region;
- wherein the first and second flex regions are configured to flex to allow the first and second tool engaging regions to flex outward to engage each of the plurality of tools.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.