巴西专利BR112012028460B1 torque limiter driver and method

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专利摘要:
ULTRA HIGH TORQUE DEVICE. This is a torque limiting device that can include a rod that extends axially through the top and bottom tangs and a spring to connect to a nut. The upper and lower tangs can be subjected to spring force and can be additionally configured to selectively engage a predetermined torque limit and disengage above the predetermined torque limit. Consequently, the rod can be torqued up to the predetermined limit as provided by a user operating a torque limiting device handle. The torque limiting device can be disposable, reusable and economical and can have high torque capacities.
公开号:BR112012028460B1
申请号:R112012028460-6
申请日:2011-04-29
公开日:2021-05-11
发明作者:John Nino；David Ivinson
申请人:Eca Medical Instruments；John Nino；David Ivinson；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

RELATED ORDER
[0001] This application claims the full benefit of the Paris Convention and priority to Provisional Patent Application No. US 61/332,169 filed May 6, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated in its entirety herein by reference, as if presented in full in this document. This application also incorporates by reference U.S. Patent Application No. 12/131,731, filed June 2, 2008, as if set forth in its entirety herein. BACKGROUND 1. Field
[0002] This disclosure relates to a drive tool and, in particular, a medical use torque limiter drive that disengages at a predetermined torque limit. 2. General Background
[0003] Torque is a measure of force acting on an object that causes that object to rotate. In the case of a trigger and a closure, this measurement can be calculated mathematically in terms of the cross product of specific vectors: T= r x F
[0004] Where r is the vector representing the distance and direction from the geometric axis of a closure to a point where the force is applied and F is the force vector acting on the driver.
[0005] Torque has dimensions of force times distance and the SI unit of torque is Newton-meter (Nm). Joule, which is the SI unit for energy or work, is also defined as an Nm, but this unit is not used for torque. Since energy can be thought of as the result of force times distance, energy is always scalar whereas torque is force through distance and so is a quantity of vector value. Other non-SI units of torque include pound-force-feet, foot-pound-force, ounce-force-inch, meter-kilogram-force, inch-ounce, or inch-pound.
[0006] Torque limiting drives are widely used throughout the medical industry. These torque-limiting drives have a factory preset torque to ensure the accuracy and hardness required to meet a demanding surgical environment.
[0007] The medical industry has made use of torque limiting actuators, both reusable and disposable. In a surgical context, there is little room for error and these drives have to provide an accurate amount of torque.
[0008] Reusable drives require constant recalibration to ensure the driver checks out the precise amount of torque. Recalibration is a cumbersome task, but it has to be done routinely. Such reusable devices also require sterilization.
[0009] Disposable triggers are an alternative to reusable triggers. Once the trigger has been used, it is discarded.
[0010] Disposable actuators are traditionally used for low torque applications. Standard torque values in these applications typically range from about 0.03 Nm to about 0.14 Nm (from about 4 to about 20 inch-ounces). However, it has been a challenge to develop a reliable disposable device capable of imparting high torques for larger applications.
[0011] Disperse transmission systems were developed to dynamize or otherwise provide greater torque with disposable devices. Such dispersed systems provide part interchangeability for a device, within which torque is transferred from part to part of a dispersed system. SUMMARY
[0012] Briefly, torque devices according to implementations of the present disclosure prevent dispersed system deficits by reducing the number of torque transitions from part to part.
[0013] According to aspects of one or more exemplary implementations, there is disclosed a torque limiting actuator comprising: a body having a handle; an upper cylindrical tang; a lower cylindrical shank that has a drive socket; a nut; a spring between the upper cylindrical tang and the nut, wherein the spring is configured to apply a force across the upper cylindrical tang and lower cylindrical tang; a rod having a tip engageable with the workpiece and a drive connection engaged within the lower cylindrical tang drive socket, the shank extending axially through the lower cylindrical tang, the upper cylindrical tang and the spring and connected to the nut; wherein the upper cylindrical tang and the lower cylindrical tang engage for relative rotation and wherein the upper cylindrical tang and the lower cylindrical tang disengage when a predetermined torque limit is exceeded.
[0014] The drive socket can be a square drive socket and the drive connection can be a square drive connection. The stem may include a thread that is threaded into the nut. A force provided by the spring can securely keep the rod drive connection engaged within the lower cylindrical shank drive socket. The nut may include a lower portion which has an outer diameter substantially equal to an inner diameter of the spring and which extends axially through at least a portion of the spring. The torque limiting driver may additionally comprise at least two washers between the spring and the upper cylindrical tang. The torque limiting driver may additionally comprise a washer between the upper cylindrical shank and the body. The torque limiting driver may additionally comprise a washer between the spring and the nut.
[0015] The upper cylindrical tang and the lower cylindrical tang may each have a plurality of teeth and an axial hole, the teeth having a vertical face, an inclined face and a substantially flat peak, wherein the inclined face is defined by a first radius of curvature that transitions to a substantially flat peak and in which the teeth spiral around the axial bore. The vertical face can end in a second radius of curvature that transitions to the substantially flat peak and where the second radius of curvature is smaller than the first radius of curvature. The substantially flat surface may be wider on the outer radius than on the inner radius and wherein the substantially flat surface is perpendicular to the geometric axis of the upper and lower tangs. The transition from the first radius of curvature and the second radius of curvature to the substantially flat peak can be smooth.
[0016] The predetermined torque limit can be at least 0.11 Nm (1 inch-pound). The predetermined torque limit can be between about 7.91 Nm and about 16.94 Nm (about 70 inch-pounds and about 150 inch-pounds).
[0017] According to aspects of one or more deployments, a method is disclosed comprising: providing a workpiece with a torque limiting driver comprising: a body having a handle; an upper cylindrical tang; a lower cylindrical shank that has a drive socket; a nut; a spring between the upper cylindrical tang and the nut, wherein the spring is configured to apply a force across the upper cylindrical tang and lower cylindrical tang; a rod having a tip engageable with the workpiece and a drive connection engaged within the lower cylindrical tang drive socket, the shank extending axially through the lower cylindrical tang, the upper cylindrical tang and the spring and connected to the nut; apply a torque applied to the torque-limiting actuator, in which the upper cylindrical tang and the lower cylindrical tang engage for relative rotation if the applied torque does not exceed the predetermined torque limit and thus the upper cylindrical tang and the cylindrical tang disengage if the applied torque exceeds the predetermined torque limit.
[0018] The predetermined torque limit can be between about 7.9 Nm (70 inch-pounds) and about 13.55 Nm (120 inch-pounds). A force provided by the spring can securely keep the rod drive connection engaged within the lower cylindrical shank drive socket. DRAWINGS
[0019] The foregoing features of the present disclosure will become more apparent with reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals denote like elements and in which:
[0020] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of some aspects of an actuator;
[0021] Figure 2A shows an exploded view of some aspects of an actuator;
[0022] Figure 2B shows a perspective view of some aspects of a nose cone;
[0023] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of some aspects of an actuator;
[0024] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of some aspects of an actuator;
[0025] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of some aspects of a top tang;
[0026] Figure 6 shows a profile view of some aspects of a tooth of a clutch assembly;
[0027] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of some aspects of the teeth of a clutch assembly;
[0028] Figure 8 shows a top view of some aspects of the teeth of a clutch assembly; and
[0029] As should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, figures are not to scale and modifications to scale within a figure or across figures are considered within the present disclosure. ADDITIONAL DESCRIPTION
[0030] According to one or more exemplary implementations, as shown in Figures 1 to 8, a torque limiter driver 100 can be provided. The torque limiter driver 100 can generally have a T-shaped handle or other structure for ease of use by the user. For example, the handle can be "T-shaped". The handle may include arms 4 at one end of a generally axially extending hollow cylindrical body 6. The cap 2 covers the same end of the handle. The cylindrical end 18 terminates the cylindrical body 6 in the direction of the tip 12 of the rod 14. The cap 2 can be snap closed on the cylindrical body 6 or can be welded, adhered or attached by any equivalent thereof.
[0031] An exemplary deployment shows, at least in part, at the cylindrical end 18, the provided lower shank 700 having an annularly shaped tamping body and nose cone 8 along its length. Bottom tang 700 may have a plurality of support tabs 10 that add strength while saving material. At one end, the lower shank 700 crimps the drive socket 9 at the end of the molded nose cone 8 to engage the drive connection 16 of the stem 14. An exemplary implementation shows, at least in part, the provided stem 14 in a end, with a tip engageable with workpiece 12, adapted to engage with an associated workpiece such as a lock or the like. The tip engageable with the workpiece 12 is shown as being a socket wrench, but could be a screwdriver, wrench or any other tool arrangement. At an opposite end, the lower shank 700 has a plurality of teeth 82 disposed in a crown gear formation, with a radially outwardly extending circumferential edge and an inner axial bore to accommodate at least a portion of the extending rod 14 through the same.
[0032] In accordance with aspects of one or more exemplary embodiments, a clutch assembly is disposed within the cylindrical body 6. The clutch assembly includes upper shank 800 for forcefully engaging the lower shank 700. The upper shank 800 it has a bottom face having a plurality of teeth 82 disposed in a crown gear formation and radially outwardly extending circumferential edge 83. As shown in Figure 5, the upper tang 800 includes the outer cylindrical tang 84 and axial bore 92 through the inner tang 86. The inner tang 86 and the outer tang 84 are connected by means of inner supports 88, leaving the upper tang 800 substantially hollow with internal spaces 90 over the top face. Alternatively, the upper tang 800 can be in a single contiguous piece.
[0033] According to one or more exemplary embodiments, the upper tang 800 includes at least one recess 80 on one side of the outer tang 84. The recess 80 is provided as a cylindrical cut, relief or recess on the side of the outer tang and may be supplied as a square or rectangular cut, or the cut may have one side or sides oblique to the geometric axis of the upper tang 800, as shown in Figure 2.
[0034] In assembly, the drive connection 16 of the rod 14 is received in the drive socket 9 of the lower tang 700. A washer 32 can be provided between the circumferential edge 31 of the lower tang 700 and the circumferential tab 30 which extends radially inward into the hollow portion of the cylindrical body 6. The washer 32 may be of a polymer or material that has a low coefficient of friction. Alternatively, the circumferential edge 31 of the lower tang 700 may be provided flush against the circumferential tab 30 of the cylindrical body 6. The opposite side of the circumferential tab 30 receives the circumferential edge 83 of the upper tang 800, allowing the teeth 82 of the lower tang 700 will engage teeth 82 of upper shank 800 when torque is applied.
[0035] According to aspects of one or more exemplary implementations, formed integrally within the cylindrical body 6, the protrusion 85 houses with recess 80 of the upper tang 800. Figure 3 and Figure 4 illustrate the protrusion 85 in relation to the recess 80. The protrusion 85 extends inwardly in a radial manner and has a length along the geometric axis of the cylindrical body 6 for relative movable engagement within the recess 80. This engagement provides a locking mechanism of the rod 14 with respect to the handle by means of upper tang 800, when pressure is applied through lower tang 700 and upper tang 800. Recess 80 is provided circumferentially wider than protrusion 85 to allow cylindrical body 6 and handle to inversely rotate a predetermined distance from a locked position without subsequent reverse rotation of the tip engageable to the workpiece 12. Thereby, at least one recess 80 and at least one bulge 85 locks the handle in one direction providing the torque required to engage a latch and allow a predetermined amount of reverse rotation before loosening the latch.
[0036] According to aspects of one or more exemplary deployments, force is applied through the lower tang 700 and upper tang 800 by means of a spring 22 inside the cylindrical body 6. Inside the cylindrical body 6, shown in Figure 2 and Figure 5, washer 20 and washer 21 are provided between the upper tang 800 and spring 22. The washer 20 and washer 21 transfer pressure from the spring 22 onto the top surface of the upper tang 800. At one end of the spring 22 opposite the upper tang 800, the washer 23 and nut 25 hold the spring 22 in a relatively compressed state. Washer 23 may be provided between nut 25 and spring 22 to facilitate relative rotation of nut 25 and spring 22.
[0037] According to one or more exemplary implementations, the rod 14 having a thread 17 at an end opposite the tip engageable with the workpiece 12 engages with a complementary thread inside the nut 25, thereby imparting pressure between the respective teeth 82 of lower tang 700 and upper tang 800. Spring 22 and nut 25 provide proper tension and bias for clutch mounting and generally nut 25 is adjustable relative to stem 14 to provide proper tension and calibration.
[0038] According to aspects of one or more exemplary implementations, various materials can be used for the components of the actuator 100. According to some exemplary implementations, at least one of body 6, nut 25, lower tang 700 and upper tang 800 is of a plastic material or a composite that includes plastic. Plastic and other economic equivalents improve production cost efficiency while providing high tensile strength, resistance to deformation, etc. Effective materials include plastics, resins, polymers, imides, fluoropolymers, thermoplastic polymers, thermosetting plastics and the like, as well as blends or blends thereof. In accordance with aspects of one or more exemplary embodiments, at least one of lower tang 700 and upper tang 800 is made of, or includes at least one, material that is lubricating or otherwise reduces friction. The presence of a friction-reducing material allows geometric aspects of the engagement between the lower tang 700 and the upper tang 800 to dictate whether the teeth engage or disengage, thereby improving the accuracy of the device.
[0039] According to aspects of one or more exemplary deployments, the materials and components of the trigger 100 are resistant to sterilization, cleaning, and preparation operations. For example, actuator 100 and parts thereof are configured to withstand sterilization by methods that include radiation (eg, gamma rays, electron beam processing), steam (eg, autoclave), detergents, chemicals (Ethylene Oxide) , heat, pressure, inter alia. For example, materials for the trigger 100 can be selected for resistance to one or more sterilization techniques.
[0040] According to aspects of one or more exemplary implementations, the rod 14 is of a rigid material. For example, rod 14 can be a metal such as stainless steel. According to some exemplary implementations, the high torque capability of the driver 100 is, at least in part, provided by features that maintain an effective engagement between the drive connection 16 of the stem 14 and the drive socket 9 of the lower shank 800. For example, some exemplary implementations are provided to improve the ability of the actuator 100 to maintain its grip on rod 14 for a greater torque range.
[0041] According to aspects of one or more exemplary deployments, a single integrated rod 14 covers the distance between the workpiece engagement tip 12 and a point of engagement with the nut 25. This configuration allows for greater torque capacity than a scattered or fragmented set of interconnected components. This reduces the number of interconnections between a source of torque and a location to which torque is transferred.
[0042] According to one or more exemplary implementations, the rod 14 having a drive connection 16 between opposition extensions stabilizes the drive connection 16 within the drive socket 9. The placement of drive connection 16 in a segment stem medial 14 - rather than at the end thereof - facilitates a more stable engagement between drive connection 16 and drive socket 9, thereby increasing the engagement ability to transfer high amounts of torque.
[0043] According to one or more exemplary embodiments, a drive connection coupling 16 within drive socket 9 is held by connecting the integral portion of stem 14 that extends to nut 25. According to some exemplary embodiments , both thread 17 and drive connection 16 are of a single integrated structure (ie shank 14). A force applied by spring 22 to nut 25 is directly transferred along rod 14 from thread 17 to drive connection 16. This force securely holds drive connection 16 within drive socket 9. enables large amount of torque transfers from the lower shank 700 (ie via drive socket 9) to stem 14 (ie via drive connection 16).
[0044] According to aspects of some exemplary implementations, drive connection 16 and drive socket 9 have complementary geometries. One or more of a variety of configurations may be provided for engaging drive connection 16 within drive socket 9. For example, drivers and associated connections may include triangular, square, hexagonal, rectangular, etc. In accordance with aspects of one or more exemplary implementations, a substantially quadrangular drive connection 16 and drive socket 9 provide high torque transfer capability. From a variety of drive types, experimental results demonstrated that square drives and connections were among the most successful in fail-safe high torque transfer. Drive connection 16 and drive socket 9 can have rounded corners and edges to reduce or distribute voltage rises.
[0045] According to aspects of one or more exemplary implementations, the actuator 100 with higher torque transfer capability may be provided with a spring 22 that has a higher spring constant (i.e. force constant) or, otherwise, be calibrated with spring 22 which exerts greater forces in an initial (rest) state. Washer 20 and washer 21 may be provided when spring 22 may have a tendency to hold relative to washer 21. A stronger spring 22 increases the likelihood of a friction grip relative to washer 21. Providing additional washer 20 preserves at least one freely rotating structure between spring 22 and upper tang 800.
[0046] In accordance with aspects of one or more exemplary implementations, nut 25 may provide a lower portion having an outer diameter substantially equal to an inner diameter of spring 22. The lower portion of nut 25 may extend axially through fur. minus one portion of spring 22. The lower portion of nut 25 can maintain relative axial alignment between nut 25 and spring 22 by limiting spring 22's displacement other than by compressing the same.
[0047] According to aspects of one or more exemplary implementations, the plurality of teeth 82 are formed on the top face of the lower tang 700 and the bottom face of the upper tang 800 to forcefully engage to impart torque from from the handle to the workpiece when torque is applied. Referring to Figures 6 and 7, tooth 82 has an inclined face 66 which smoothly transitions to substantially flat peak 60 via first radius of curvature 64. Substantially flat peak 60 subsequently smoothly transitions via second radius of curvature 62 for vertical face 68 which is substantially parallel to the geometric axis of lower tang 700 and upper tang 800. First radius of curvature 64 is typically much larger than second radius of curvature 62.
[0048] Experimental results have shown that a tooth that has an inclined face that transitions smoothly to a substantially flat face has the ability to impart a substantial increase in torque to a closure. In one experiment, a tenfold increase in torque was observed. This increase in torque is due to frictional forces associated with the smooth transition curve of the inclined face 66 of teeth 82.
[0049] In a simplified example, when two uniform slopes are frictionally engaged, only a static force that has a single static force coefficient acts against the relative motion of the two slopes. However, when the two inclinations are not uniform, more than one static force coefficient can be observed, thus resulting in a disinclination for the movement.
[0050] According to aspects of one or more exemplary implementations, teeth 82 are circumferentially spaced apart in a crown gear formation from the top face and bottom face of the lower tang 700 and upper tang 800, respectively. Teeth 82 are preferably configured in a spiral formation, as shown in Figure 7. Each face of the lower shank 700 and upper tang 800 has an inner radius and an outer radius and the teeth 82 spiral around the inner radius, resulting in a larger tooth detail when viewing the tooth from the outer radius relative to the tooth detail when viewing the tooth from the inner radius. The spiral configuration of teeth 82 can also be defined as having a longer slanted face 66 at the tooth edge about or near the outer radius relative to the angled face 66 at the tooth edge about or near the inner radius of the lower shank 700 and shank. superior 800. The results showed that teeth arranged in said spiral configuration provide increased reliability and/or accuracy in torque consistency when compared to their non-spiral counterparts.
The substantially flat peaks 60 of teeth 82 can be as wide on the inner radius as they are on the outer radius. Alternatively, the substantially flat peaks 60 may be wider in the outer radius and narrower in the inner radius direction.
[0052] The vertical faces 68 of teeth 82 of the lower tang 700 and upper tang 800 respectively engage when a torque is applied to prevent relative rotation of the lower tang 700 and upper tang 800 in one direction. Sloped faces 66 engage to accommodate the relative rotation of lower tang 700 and upper tang 800 in an opposite direction.
[0053] According to aspects of one or more exemplary implementations, the extent to which the thread 17 of the rod 14 is threaded into the nut 25 controls the amount of compression or preload on the spring 22 which subsequently controls the limiting torque required to effect the relative rotation of lower tang 700 and upper tang 800. If stem 14 is threaded deeper into nut 25, a higher torque will be required to disengage teeth 82 of lower tang 700 and upper tang 800. rod 14 is less threaded into nut 25, a higher torque will be required to disengage teeth 82 of lower tang 700 and upper tang 800. In this way, a predetermined torque limit is selectively programmable. The predetermined torque limit can correspond to a predefined threshold of a work piece (eg a lock) that has a desired torque-based installation level not to be exceeded.
[0054] According to one or more exemplary implementations, when the actuator 100 is rotated in one direction under an applied torque, the rod 14 will rotate with the cylindrical body 6 and handle until a predetermined torque limit is reached. When the predetermined torque limit is reached or exceeded by the applied torque, a bias force exerted by the spring 22 will be overcome, allowing the slanted face 66 of the upper tang 800 to slide up a respective slanted face 66 of the lower tang 700, subsequently engaging by pressing each tooth 82 of the lower tang 700 into the engagement behind the next tooth 82 of the upper tang 800. This snapping sound is typically an audible indication to a user that a predetermined torque limit has been reached or exceeded.
[0055] When a force beyond the predetermined torque limit is reached, the teeth 82 of the lower tang 700 and upper tang 800 will continue to disengage, resulting in rotation of the handle without further rotation of the nose engageable to the workpiece 12. , the handle will continue to rotate, disengaging teeth 82 with each rotational movement that will not impart continued force beyond a predefined threshold for closing.
[0056] According to one or more exemplary implementations, when the actuator 100 is rotated in the opposite direction, the handle is rotated in the reverse direction a predetermined distance from a locked position without subsequent reverse rotation of the tip engageable to the workpiece 12. However, when the protrusion 85 moves the distance provided within the recess 80 and locks against the opposite end of the recess 80, the driver 100 will operate as a standard driver with no torque limiting feature as the vertical engagement face 68 will force rotation relative of the lower tang 700 and upper tang 800 in the opposite direction without any torque limiting feature.
[0057] In accordance with aspects of one or more exemplary implementations, the disposable torque limiting driver of the present disclosure is capable of imparting torques of up to about 13.55 Nm (120 inch-lbs). For example, the torque output range can be selected between about 7.91 Nm and about 13.55 Nm (70 inch-lbs and about 120 inch-lbs). Typically, the torque requirement is different for different operations and for different implants. For example, applications may include those in the field of orthopedic surgery, construction and placement of implants, etc. Therefore, in some situations, the predetermined torque limit may be at least about 0.11 Nm (1 inch-pound). In other situations, the predetermined torque limit may be between about 0.56 Nm and about 16.94 Nm (5 inch-pounds and about 150 inch-pounds), depending on the specifications of an implant. In other situations, the predetermined torque limit may be between about 7.91 Nm and about 13.55 Nm (70 inch-pounds and about 120 inch-pound), depending on the specifications of an implant.
[0058] In some situations, a torque limiting driver such as the driver 100 can be prepackaged with an implant provided for a single use. Such methodology combines the actuator that will impart a required amount of torque to the implant.
[0059] In other situations, trigger 100 may be reusable. Stem 14 may be interchangeably with respect to nose cone 8 for accommodating multiple tips engageable to workpiece 12. It is also to be appreciated that the actuator handle is not limited to a T-shape and may be provided in any other suitable configuration.
[0060] Although the method and agent have been described in terms of what are currently considered to be the most practical and preferred deployments, it should be understood that disclosure need not be limited to disclosed deployments. It is intended to cover the various modifications and similar provisions included within the spirit and scope of the claims, the scope of which should be in accord with the broadest interpretation so as to incorporate all similar modifications and structures. The present disclosure includes any and all implementations of the following claims.
[0061] It should also be understood that a variety of changes can be made without departing from the essence of revelation. Such changes are also implicitly included in the description. They still fall within the scope of this revelation. It should be understood that this disclosure is intended to yield a patent which covers numerous aspects of the disclosure both independently and as a general system and in both method and apparatus mode.
[0062] Furthermore, each of the various elements of the disclosure and claims can also be achieved in a variety of ways. This disclosure should be understood to incorporate each variation, whether it is a variation of an implantation of any apparatus implantation, a method or process implantation, or merely a variation of any element thereof.
[0063] In particular, it should be understood that as the disclosure refers to elements of the disclosure, the words for each element can be expressed by equivalent apparatus terms or method terms - even if only the function or result is the same.
[0064] Such equivalent, broader or even more generic terms should be considered to be incorporated in the description of each element or action. Such terms may be substituted when it is desired to make explicit the broad coverage implicitly to which this disclosure is entitled.
[0065] It should be understood that all actions can be expressed as a means to carry out that action or as an element that causes that action.
[0066] Similarly, each physical element revealed should be understood to incorporate a revelation of the action which that physical element facilitates.
[0067] Any patents, publications or other references mentioned in this patent application are hereby incorporated by reference. Furthermore, as for each term used, it should be understood that, unless its use in this application is inconsistent with such an interpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understood as incorporated for each term and all definitions, alternative terms and synonyms as per the contained in at least one of the standard technical dictionaries recognized by those skilled in the art and by Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, latest edition are hereby incorporated by reference.
[0068] Finally, everything referenced in the Statement of Disclosure of Information or other statement of information filed with the application is hereby attached and hereby incorporated by way of reference; however, like each of the foregoing, to the extent that such information and statements incorporated by reference may be deemed inconsistent with the patentable portion of such disclosure(s), such statements are expressly not to be deemed to be made by the (s) depositor(s).
[0069] In this regard, it should be understood that, for practical reasons and in order to avoid adding potentially hundreds of claims, the applicant has filed claims with initial dependencies only.
[0070] It should be understood that there is support to the degree required under new subject matter laws, including, but not limited to, United States Patent Act 35 USC 132 or other such laws, to allow for the addition of any of the various dependencies or other elements presented under an independent claim or concepts such as dependencies or elements under any other independent claim or concept.
[0071] To the point that insubstantial substitutions have been made, to the point where the depositor has not actually drafted any claim so as to literally incorporate any particular implementation and to the point where otherwise applicable, it should not be considered that the depositor so any intended to waive such coverage as the depositor simply may not have been able to anticipate all eventualities; a person skilled in the art should not rationally expect it to have drafted a claim that would literally have incorporated such alternative implementations.
[0072] In addition, the use of transient expressions "understand" is used to maintain "unclosed" claims in this document, in accordance with the traditional claims interpretation. Thus, unless the context otherwise requires, it should be understood that the term "commit" or variations such as "comprises" or "understands" are intended to imply the inclusion of an element or step or group elements or steps mentioned, but not in the exclusion of any other element or step or group of elements or steps.
[0073] Such terms should be interpreted in their most expansive forms so as to provide the depositor with the broadest legally permissible coverage.

权利要求:
Claims (18)
[0001]
1. Torque limiting actuator (100), characterized in that it comprises: a body (6) having a handle and a hollow cylindrical portion, the body further comprising a circumferential flap extending radially inwardly within the hollow cylindrical portion ; an upper cylindrical shank (800) comprising a plastic material or a composite including plastic; a lower cylindrical shank (700) comprising a plastic material or a composite including plastic and having a square drive socket (9); a nut (25); a spring (22) between the upper cylindrical tang (800) and the nut (25), the spring (22) being configured to apply a force across the upper cylindrical tang (800) and the lower cylindrical tang (700); a shank (14) having a tip engageable with the workpiece (12) and a drive connection (16) engaged within the drive socket (9) square of the lower cylindrical shank (700), the shank extending axially through the lower cylindrical tang (700), the upper cylindrical tang (800) and the spring (22) and is connected to the nut (25), the square drive connection (16) being placed on a medial segment of the shank (14 ) and the rod (14) having a lumen (15) extending through an axial length of the rod (14) so that said lumen (15) extends within the hollow cylindrical portion of said body (6); wherein the upper cylindrical tang (800) and lower cylindrical tang (700) engage for relative rotation, and wherein the upper cylindrical tang (800) and lower cylindrical tang (700) disengage when a predetermined torque limit is exceeded; wherein the lower cylindrical tang (700) and upper cylindrical tang (800) each comprise a circumferential edge extending radially outward at the ends where the lower cylindrical tang (700) and upper cylindrical tang (800) engage , with the circumferential skirt of the body (6) being disposed between the circumferential edges.
[0002]
2. Torque limiter actuator (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that the lumen (15) encloses an advanceable tube within the lumen (15).
[0003]
3. Torque limiter actuator (100), according to claim 2, characterized in that the tube is configured to deliver biological material.
[0004]
4. Torque limiter actuator (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that the lumen (15) encloses an advanceable guidewire within the lumen (15).
[0005]
5. Torque limiter actuator (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that the rod (14) includes a thread that is threaded on the nut (25).
[0006]
6. Torque limiting driver (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that a force provided by the spring (22) securely maintains the drive connection (16) of the rod (14) engaged inside the drive socket (9) of the lower cylindrical shank (700).
[0007]
7. Torque limiting actuator (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the nut (25) includes a lower portion that has an outer diameter equal to an inner diameter of the spring (22) and which extends axially through at least a portion of the spring (22).
[0008]
8. Torque limiting actuator (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that it additionally comprises at least two washers (20, 21) between the spring (22) and the upper cylindrical tang (800).
[0009]
9. Torque limiter actuator (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that it additionally comprises a washer (32) between the lower cylindrical tang (700) and the body (6).
[0010]
10. Torque limiting actuator (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that it additionally comprises a washer (23) between the spring (22) and the nut (25).
[0011]
11. Torque limiting actuator (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper cylindrical tang (800) and the lower cylindrical tang (700) each have a plurality of teeth (82) and an axial bore (92), the teeth (82) having a vertical face (68), an inclined face (66) and a flat peak (60), wherein the inclined face (66) is defined by a first radius. of curvature (64) which transitions to the flat peak (60) and where the teeth (82) are spiraled around the axial bore (92).
[0012]
12. Torque limiting actuator (100), according to claim 9, characterized in that the vertical face (68) ends in a second radius of curvature (62) that undergoes transition to the flat peak (60) and in that the second radius of curvature (68) is smaller than the first radius of curvature (64).
[0013]
13. Torque limiting actuator (100), according to claim 9, characterized in that the flat surface (60) is wider in the outer radius than in the inner radius and that the flat surface is perpendicular to the geometric axis of the upper and lower ear (800, 700).
[0014]
14. Torque limiting actuator (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that the transition from the first radius of curvature (64) and the second radius of curvature (68) to the flat peak (60) is smooth .
[0015]
15. Torque limiter actuator (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that the predetermined torque limit is at least 0.1130 Newton-meter (1 inch-pound).
[0016]
16. Torque limiter driver (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the predetermined torque limit is between about 7.91 Newton-meters (70 inch-pounds) and about 16.95 Newton-meters -meters (150 inch-pounds).
[0017]
17. Method, characterized in that it comprises: providing a workpiece, as defined in claim 1, with a torque limiting actuator (100) comprising: a body (6) having a handle and a hollow cylindrical portion, the body (6) further comprising a circumferential tab extending radially inwardly within the hollow cylindrical portion; an upper cylindrical shank (800) comprising a plastic material or a composite including plastic; a lower cylindrical shank (700) comprising a plastic material or a composite including plastic and having a square drive socket (9); a nut (25); a spring (22) between the upper cylindrical tang (800) and the nut (25), the spring (22) being configured to apply a force across the upper cylindrical tang (800) and the lower cylindrical tang (700); a shank (14) having a tip engageable with the workpiece (12) and a drive connection (16) engaged within the drive socket (9) square of the lower cylindrical shank (700), wherein the shank (14 ) extends axially through the lower cylindrical tang (700) and through the hollow cylindrical portion, said rod (14) comprising a lumen (15) extending through an axial length of said rod (14) so that said lumen (15 ) extends into the hollow cylindrical portion, the upper cylindrical tang (800) and the spring (22) and is connected to the nut (25), the square drive connection (9) being placed on a medial segment of the stem (14) and the rod (14) having a lumen (15) extending through an axial length of the rod (14), the lower cylindrical tang (700) and the upper cylindrical tang (800) each comprising a circumferential edge which extends radially outward at the ends where the lower cylindrical tang (700) and the cylindrical tang upper rib (800) engage, with the circumferential skirt of the body being disposed between the circumferential edges; apply a torque applied to the torque limiting actuator (100), whereby the upper cylindrical tang (800) and the lower cylindrical tang (700) engage for relative rotation if the applied torque does not exceed the predetermined torque limit, and through of which the upper cylindrical tang (800) and the lower cylindrical tang (700) disengage if the applied torque exceeds the predetermined torque limit; and delivering a device or material to the workpiece through the lumen (15).
[0018]
18. Method according to claim 19, characterized in that the device (100) is one of a sound emitter, light emitter, radiation emitter, perforation, ablation reduction, cure, grip, aspiration, suction , irrigation, gasification, cooling, heating and visualization optics.

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法律状态:
2019-12-03| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|

2019-12-10| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|

2020-08-25| B07A| Technical examination (opinion): publication of technical examination (opinion) [chapter 7.1 patent gazette]|

2021-02-23| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|

2021-05-11| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 29/04/2011, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. PATENTE CONCEDIDA CONFORME MEDIDA CAUTELAR DE 07/04/2021 - ADI 5.529/DF |

优先权:

申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题

US33216910P| true| 2010-05-06|2010-05-06|

US61/332,169|2010-05-06|

PCT/US2011/034607|WO2011139902A2|2010-05-06|2011-04-29|Ultra high torque device|

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