US6780189B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surgical instrument with a collet locking and indexing system
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
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Filing: 2002-06-07
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Granted: 2004-08-24
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Expires: 2022-06-07
Abstract
Abstract A surgical instrument is provided for cutting bone and other tissue. The surgical instrument includes a motor assembly, a collet, a locking nut, and an attachment. The motor assembly includes a cavity having a groove on an inner surface that corresponds to a groove on an outer surface of the collet. The corresponding grooves form an aperture when the collet is inserted into the cavity. The insertion of a pin into the aperture prevents rotation of the collet relative to the cavity. The locking nut is placed over the collet and fastened to the motor assembly to secure the collet to the motor assembly. The attachment is fastened to the collet by placing protuberances on the attachment into corresponding apertures on the collet. The consistent alignment provided by the locking and indexing system enables the motor assembly and attachment to receive alignment markings before the surgical instrument is assembled.
Inventors
- 👤 Durrell G. Tidwell
- 👤 Rex Wesley Shores
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:20
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/16; A61B17/1613; A61B17/162; A61B17/1633
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A surgical instrument comprising: a collet including a first engaging means and a third engaging means; a motor assembly operable to receive the collet in a cavity, the cavity including a second engaging means operable to engage the first engaging means to align and prevent rotation of the collet relative to the motor assembly; a locking element rotatable about an axis of the collet, the locking element operable to secure the collet to the motor assembly; and an attachment having a fourth engaging means operable to engage the third engaging means; wherein one of the third and fourth engaging means is a groove and the remaining third or fourth engaging means is a protuberance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A surgical instrument comprising: a collet including a first engaging means and a third engaging means; a motor assembly operable to receive the collet in a cavity, the cavity including a second engaging means operable to engage the first engaging means to align and prevent rotation of the collet relative to the motor assembly; a locking element rotatable about an axis of the collet, the locking element operable to secure the collet to the motor assembly; and an attachment having a fourth engaging means operable to engage the third engaging means; wherein one of the third and fourth engaging means is a groove and the remaining third or fourth engaging means is a protuberance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the first and second engaging means are first and second apertures, respectively, and wherein the instrument further comprises a rigid member operable to fit into a cavity formed by the first and second apertures.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein one of the first and second engaging means is an aperture and the other engaging means is a protuberance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the attachment includes an internal cavity shaped substantially like an exterior of the collet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The locking system of claim 1 wherein the locking element includes threads operable to engage corresponding threads on the motor assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The locking system of claim 1 wherein the collet further comprises a base portion proximate to the motor assembly, wherein the base portion is operable to engage the locking element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The locking system of claim 6 wherein an outer diameter of the base portion is larger than an inner diameter of the locking element, so that the locking element cannot slide past the base portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
115 words
A locking system for a surgical instrument comprising: a collet having a first engagement element and a fourth engagement element; a motor assembly having a second engagement element corresponding to the first engagement element, wherein the first and second engagement elements are operable to align and prevent rotation of the collet relative to the motor assembly; an attachment having a third engagement element operable to engage the fourth engagement element on the collet; and a slidable locking member operable to secure the collet to the motor assembly, wherein one of the third and fourth engagement elements is a protuberance and the remaining third or fourth engagement element is an aperture operable to receive the protuberance.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
115 words
A locking system for a surgical instrument comprising: a collet having a first engagement element and a fourth engagement element; a motor assembly having a second engagement element corresponding to the first engagement element, wherein the first and second engagement elements are operable to align and prevent rotation of the collet relative to the motor assembly; an attachment having a third engagement element operable to engage the fourth engagement element on the collet; and a slidable locking member operable to secure the collet to the motor assembly, wherein one of the third and fourth engagement elements is a protuberance and the remaining third or fourth engagement element is an aperture operable to receive the protuberance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The locking system of claim 8 wherein the first and second engagement elements are apertures operable to form a cavity around a rigid fastening member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The locking system of claim 8 wherein one of the first and second engagement elements is a protuberance and the remaining first or second engagement element is an aperture operable to receive the protuberance.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The locking system of claim 8 wherein the attachment includes an internal cavity having a configuration substantially matching an external configuration of the collet.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The locking system of claim 8 wherein the attachment is operable to rotate at least partially around an axis of the collet, wherein the rotation is operable to lock or unlock the collet.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
108 words
A surgical instrument comprising: a collet including a first engaging means and a third engaging means; a motor assembly operable to receive the collet in a cavity, the cavity including a second engaging means operable to engage the first engaging means to prevent rotation of the collet relative to the motor assembly; a locking element rotatable about an axis of the collet, the locking element operable to secure the collet to the motor assembly; and an attachment having a fourth engaging means operable to engage the third engaging means, wherein the motor assembly and the attachment include marks operable to indicate whether the collet is locked or unlocked.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
108 words
A surgical instrument comprising: a collet including a first engaging means and a third engaging means; a motor assembly operable to receive the collet in a cavity, the cavity including a second engaging means operable to engage the first engaging means to prevent rotation of the collet relative to the motor assembly; a locking element rotatable about an axis of the collet, the locking element operable to secure the collet to the motor assembly; and an attachment having a fourth engaging means operable to engage the third engaging means, wherein the motor assembly and the attachment include marks operable to indicate whether the collet is locked or unlocked.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
113 words
A collet for insertion into a cavity of a surgical instrument, the collet comprising: a distal portion having an opening for receiving a tool; a first fastening element for accepting a second fastening element of an attachment, wherein one of the fastening elements is a protuberance and the other an aperture; a proximal portion with a first alignment element for engaging a second alignment element present in the cavity, the first alignment element and the second alignment element operable to align and prevent rotation of the collet and the surgical instrument; and a locking member rotatable about an axis of the collet, the locking member for securing the collet to the surgical instrument.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
113 words
A collet for insertion into a cavity of a surgical instrument, the collet comprising: a distal portion having an opening for receiving a tool; a first fastening element for accepting a second fastening element of an attachment, wherein one of the fastening elements is a protuberance and the other an aperture; a proximal portion with a first alignment element for engaging a second alignment element present in the cavity, the first alignment element and the second alignment element operable to align and prevent rotation of the collet and the surgical instrument; and a locking member rotatable about an axis of the collet, the locking member for securing the collet to the surgical instrument.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The collet of claim 14 wherein the first alignment element is an aperture operable to receive a rigid member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The collet of claim 14 wherein the first alignment element is a protuberance for insertion into an aperture.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The collet of claim 14 wherein the locking member is translatable along an axis of the collet.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The collet of claim 14 wherein the locking member includes threads operable to engage corresponding threads on the surgical instrument.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The collet of claim 14 wherein the first fastening element is a protuberance for insertion into an aperture formed in the attachment.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for assembling a surgical instrument, the method comprising: aligning a first anti-rotation element of a collet with a corresponding second anti-rotation element on a motor assembly; inserting the collet into a cavity in the motor assembly, whereby the corresponding first and second anti-rotation elements are engaged; and securing the collet to the motor assembly using a locking member; whereby an attachment can be fastened to the collet in a position determined by the engaged anti-rotation elements.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for assembling a surgical instrument, the method comprising: aligning a first anti-rotation element of a collet with a corresponding second anti-rotation element on a motor assembly; inserting the collet into a cavity in the motor assembly, whereby the corresponding first and second anti-rotation elements are engaged; and securing the collet to the motor assembly using a locking member; whereby an attachment can be fastened to the collet in a position determined by the engaged anti-rotation elements.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 20 further including sliding the locking member over the collet in the direction of the motor assembly.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 20 further including inserting a tool into a receptacle in the collet and rotating at least a portion of the collet to secure the tool.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 22 wherein rotating the portion of the collet includes rotating the attachment so that a mark on the attachment aligns with a corresponding mark on the motor assembly.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-08-24 | 2008-02-23 | 2008-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-08-24 | 2012-02-23 | 2012-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-08-24 | 2016-02-23 | 2016-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |