Surgical instruments and methods for selectively coupling to an object
Instruments and methods for selectively coupling to an object are provided, for example surgical instruments that can form a rigid connection with an object and also be disassembled for cleaning, sterilization, etc. One embodiment includes an elongate shaft with a longitudinal groove, a first partial circumferential groove that intersects with a distal end of the longitudinal groove, and a second at least partial circumferential groove formed distal to the first partial circumferential groove. The instrument also includes a sleeve disposed over the elongate shaft that includes a protrusion extending from an internal wall that is received within the longitudinal groove to constrain movement of the sleeve relative to the elongate shaft. The sleeve further includes a lock that interfaces with the second at least partial circumferential groove when the protrusion is disposed in the first partial circumferential groove to further selectively constrain axial and rotational movement of the sleeve.
1 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
a sleeve having a body that extends from a proximal end to a distal end and defines a central longitudinal axis therebetween, the sleeve having a channel that extends from the proximal end to the distal end;
an elongate shaft having a tubular body that extends from a proximal end to a distal end and defines a central longitudinal axis therebetween, the elongate shaft being configured to be received in the channel of the sleeve, the elongate shaft being sized such that a device can be positioned radially outward from the elongate shaft and received in a portion of the channel of the sleeve; and
a locking mechanism configured to translate and rotate relative to the elongate shaft to lock the device within the channel.
2 . The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the elongate shaft further comprises a first shoulder and a second shoulder that define at least a first partial circumferential groove therebetween.
3 . The instrument of claim 2 , wherein the first shoulder is positioned along the elongate shaft to act as a stop against further advancement of the sleeve relative to the elongate shaft.
4 . The instrument of claim 2 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a button disposed in the sleeve, the button having one or more channels formed therein that align with the channel of the sleeve to allow the elongate shaft to pass therethrough and through the proximal end of the sleeve.
5 . The instrument of claim 4 , wherein the button further comprises a flange configured to interface with one or more of the sleeve or the elongate body.
6 . The instrument of claim 5 , wherein the button is configured to translate axially relative to the elongate shaft between a first, unlocked position and a second, locked position to dispose the flange in the first partial circumferential groove, the flange being configured to interface with one or more of the first shoulder or the second shoulder to provide an axial stop that prevents proximal and distal displacement of the elongate shaft relative to the sleeve during engagement therewith.
7 . The instrument of claim 6 , wherein the first partial circumferential groove further comprises one or more flats configured to interface with the flange to align the sleeve in either the unlocked configuration or a locked configuration.
8 . The instrument of claim 7 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a second circumferential groove configured to interface with a portion of the sleeve during rotation of the sleeve from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration.
9 . The instrument of claim 8 , wherein the interface between the second circumferential groove and the sleeve occurs substantially simultaneously with the button axially translating from the first, unlocked position to the second, locked position.
10 . The instrument of claim 2 , wherein the elongate shaft further comprises an intermediate portion formed between the proximal and distal ends, the intermediate portion having the first shoulder and the second shoulder formed therein such that a diameter of the intermediate portion is larger than a diameter than a diameter of each of the proximal end and a diameter of the distal end.
11 . The instrument of claim 10 , wherein the diameter of the proximal end is substantially equal to the diameter of the distal end, with the diameter of the elongate shaft tapering from the intermediate portion to each of the proximal end and the distal end.
12 . The instrument of claim 10 , wherein the elongate shaft further comprises a longitudinal groove that extends from the proximal portion into the intermediate portion.
13 . The instrument of claim 12 , wherein the longitudinal groove forms a dogleg junction with a second circumferential groove of the locking mechanism that is configured to interface with a portion of the sleeve during rotation of the sleeve from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration, the dogleg junction being configured to pass an object traveling from the longitudinal groove during relative rotation between the sleeve and the elongate shaft.
14 . The instrument of claim 13 , wherein the object comprises a pin disposed radially through the sleeve to engage one or more of the longitudinal groove and the second circumferential groove to guide and limit translation and rotation of the elongate shaft relative to the sleeve.
15 . The instrument of claim 14 , wherein the second circumferential groove prevents over rotation of the sleeve relative to the elongate shaft when the pin is disposed therein.
16 . The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the elongate shaft further comprises a tab that passes through the channel of the sleeve.
17 . The instrument of claim 16 , wherein the tab further comprises an interface that is configured to couple the elongate shaft to a handle.
18 . The instrument of claim 17 , wherein the interface is keyed to be received in the handle in a single, specific orientation.
19 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
a sleeve having a body that extends from a proximal end to a distal end and defines a central longitudinal axis therebetween, the sleeve having a channel that extends from the proximal end to the distal end;
an elongate shaft having a tubular body that extends from a proximal end to a distal end and defines a central longitudinal axis therebetween, the elongate shaft being configured to be received in the channel of the sleeve and extend distal to a distal end of the sleeve, the elongate shaft being sized such that a device can be received in a portion of the channel between the elongate shaft and the sleeve; and
a locking mechanism configured to translate and rotate relative to the elongate shaft to lock the device within the channel.
20 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
a sleeve having a body that extends from a proximal end to a distal end and defines a central longitudinal axis therebetween, the sleeve having a channel that extends from the proximal end to the distal end;
an elongate shaft having a tubular body that extends from a proximal end to a distal end and defines a central longitudinal axis therebetween, the elongate shaft being configured to be received in the channel of the sleeve, the elongate shaft being sized such that a device can be received in a portion of the channel between the elongate shaft and the sleeve and having a first shoulder and a second shoulder that define at least a first partial circumferential groove therebetween; and
a locking mechanism configured to translate and rotate relative to the elongate shaft to lock the device within the channel, the locking mechanism including a button disposed in the sleeve, with the button having one or more channels formed therein that align with the channel of the sleeve to allow the elongate shaft to pass therethrough and through the proximal end of the sleeve.