Rotation preserving quick connect device

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a tool holder for use with a surgical robot. The tool holder includes, a rotor fixed to the tool shaft, and a stator fixed to the robot. The stator includes a magnet, and a bearing surface. The rotor includes a magnetic material that attaches securely to the tool shaft, such that the tool is in the center of the rotor. The rotor rotates against the bearing surface on the stator, allowing the tool to rotate about its axis. To exchange tools, the user exerts force on the tool until the holding force of the magnet is exceeded and the tool detaches from the stator. A new tool is introduced into the vicinity of the stator such that the magnet attracts the magnetic material on the rotor. The present invention eliminates the need to slide the tool through a shaft of the tool holder.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.