Quick disconnect assembly having a finger lock assembly

1. A disposable assembly having quick disconnect capabilities when utilized with a reusable assembly, comprising:

a) a stem section;

b) a finger lock element, comprising:

i. a distal finger lock element section having a threaded inner surface for engagement with a threaded outer surface of said stem section; and,

ii. a plurality of radially spaced fingers extending proximally from said distal finger lock element section, each finger having a) a ramped surface for operatively engaging an associated ramp section on said stem section during use; and, b) a female lip at a proximal end thereof; and

c) a detachable handle assembly, comprising:

i. a proximal handle section having a distal end having an inner surface that is operatively engaged with an outer surface of said finger lock element so as to resist relative rotation and axial motion therebetween;

ii. a distal handle section having an inner surface that is operatively engaged with another outer surface of said stem section so as to resist relative rotation and axial motion therebetween; and,

iii. a breakaway collar positioned between said proximal handle section and said distal handle section, wherein,

1) when the disposable assembly is attached, said breakaway collar is an integral unit which prevents relative rotation between said proximal handle section and said distal handle section, said female lip engaging a male lip at a distal end of a reusable assembly, thereby securing the reusable assembly to said disposable assembly;

2) during an initial stage of detachment of said disposable assembly, rotation of said proximal handle section in a first direction relative to said distal handle section breaks away breakaway surfaces of said breakaway collar, allowing said breakaway collar to radially expand;

3) during an intermediate stage of detachment of said disposable assembly counter rotation of said distal handle section in an opposite second direction relative to said proximal handle section, the relative rotation between said proximal handle section and said distal handle section provides axial movement of said distal handle section toward said proximal handle section via said engagement of said threaded inner surface of said distal finger lock element section and said threaded outer surface of said stem section, said axial movement being enabled by said radial expansion of said breakaway collar, said ramped surfaces of said radially spaced fingers engaging said associated ramp section on said stem during said axial movement thereby urging said fingers to open; and,

4) during a final stage of detachment said fingers open sufficiently to allow disengagement of the male lip from said female lip, thus enabling said disposable assembly to be detached from the reusable assembly.

2. The disposable assembly of claim 1 , wherein said stem section comprises a fluid conduit subassembly.

3. The disposable assembly of claim 1 , wherein said stem section comprises a fluid conduit subassembly for delivering and returning cooling fluid used for cryogenic cooling.

4. The disposable assembly of claim 1 , wherein said stem section, said finger lock element and said detachable handle assembly comprise components of a detachable cryosurgical probe.

5. The disposable assembly of claim 1 , wherein said stem section, said finger lock element and said detachable handle assembly comprise components of a control valve for a water heater.

6. The disposable assembly of claim 1 , wherein said stem section, said finger lock element and said detachable handle assembly comprise components of a pneumatic system.

7. The disposable assembly of claim 1 , wherein said stem section, said finger lock element and said detachable handle assembly comprise components of an electrical system.

8. A finger lock assembly for a disposable assembly normally attached to a reusable assembly, said disposable assembly being of a type having a handle assembly including: 1) a proximal handle section, 2) a distal handle section, and 3) a breakaway collar positioned between said proximal handle section and said distal handle section, said finger lock assembly, comprising:

a finger lock element, comprising:

i. a distal finger lock element section having a threaded inner surface for engagement with a threaded outer surface of a stem section of said disposable assembly; and,

ii. a plurality of radially spaced fingers extending proximally from said distal finger lock element section, each finger having a) a ramped surface for operatively engaging an associated ramp section on said disposable assembly during use; and, b) a female lip at a proximal end thereof, wherein,

1) when the disposable assembly is attached, said breakaway collar is an integral unit which prevents relative rotation between said proximal handle section and said distal handle section, said female lip engaging said male lip, thereby securing said reusable assembly to said disposable assembly;

2) during an initial stage of detachment of said disposable probe assembly, rotation of said distal handle section in a first direction relative to said proximal handle section breaks away breakaway surfaces of said breakaway collar, allowing said breakaway collar to radially expand;

3) during an intermediate stage of detachment of said disposable assembly counter rotation of said distal handle section in an opposite second direction relative to said proximal handle section, the relative rotation between said proximal handle section and said distal handle section provides axial movement of said distal handle section toward said proximal handle section via said engagement of said threaded inner surface of said distal finger lock element section and said threaded outer surface of said stem section, said axial movement being enabled by said radial expansion of said breakaway collar, said ramped surfaces of said radially spaced fingers engaging said associated ramp section on said stem section during said axial movement thereby urging said fingers to open; and,

4) during a final stage of detachment said fingers open sufficiently to allow disengagement of said male lip from said female lip, thus enabling said disposable probe assembly to be detached from said reusable probe assembly.

9. A quick disconnect assembly, comprising:

a) a reusable assembly including a distal end having a male lip thereon;

b) disposable assembly having quick disconnect capabilities when utilized with said reusable assembly, comprising:

i. a stem section;

ii. a finger lock element, comprising:

1. a distal finger lock element section having a threaded inner surface for engagement with a threaded outer surface of said stem section; and,

2. a plurality of radially spaced fingers extending proximally from said distal finger lock element section, each finger having a) a ramped surface for operatively engaging an associated ramp section on said stem section during use; and, b) a female lip at a proximal end thereof; and

iii. a detachable handle assembly, comprising:

1. a proximal handle section having a distal end having an inner surface that is operatively engaged with an outer surface of said finger lock element so as to resist relative rotation and axial motion therebetween;

2. a distal handle section having an inner surface that is operatively engaged with another outer surface of said stem section so as to resist relative rotation and axial motion therebetween; and,

3. a breakaway collar positioned between said proximal handle section and said distal handle section, wherein,

1) when the disposable assembly is attached, said breakaway collar is an integral unit which prevents relative rotation between said proximal handle section and said distal handle section, said female lip engaging said male lip at a distal end of said reusable assembly, thereby securing the reusable assembly to said disposable assembly;

2) during an initial stage of detachment of said disposable assembly, rotation of said proximal handle section in a first direction relative to said distal handle section breaks away breakaway surfaces of said breakaway collar, allowing said breakaway collar to radially expand;

3) during an intermediate stage of detachment of said disposable assembly counter rotation of said distal handle section in an opposite second direction relative to said proximal handle section, the relative rotation between said proximal handle section and said distal handle section provides axial movement of said distal handle section toward said proximal handle section via said engagement of said threaded inner surface of said distal finger lock element section and said threaded outer surface of said stem, said axial movement being enabled by said radial expansion of said breakaway collar, said ramped surfaces of said radially spaced fingers engaging said associated ramp section on said stem during said axial movement thereby urging said fingers to open; and,

4) during a final stage of detachment said fingers open sufficiently to allow disengagement of said male lip from said female lip, thus enabling said disposable assembly to be detached from said reusable assembly.

10. The quick disconnect assembly of claim 1 , wherein said reusable assembly further comprises a safety valve assembly operatively engaged with a manifold assembly of the disposable assembly for impeding working fluid flow when the disposable assembly is detached from a reusable assembly, said safety valve assembly, comprising:

a) a conical surface formed in a proximal penultimate section of a proximal end portion of a manifold assembly of the disposable assembly, said manifold assembly terminating at its proximate end with a proximal ultimate section, said proximal ultimate section having a ball retaining cavity formed therein; and,

b) a ball positioned within said ball retaining cavity,

wherein,

1) when said disposable assembly is detached from said reusable assembly and no cooling gas is flowing within said manifold assembly, said ball is free to float freely within said ball retaining cavity;

2) when said disposable assembly is detached from said reusable assembly and cooling gas is flowing within said manifold assembly, said ball is urged into a volume defined by said conical surface, thus providing sufficient sealing to prevent “whipping” of said disposable probe assembly; and,

3) when said disposable probe assembly is connected to said reusable probe assembly a fluid delivery tube bonded to said stem section maintains said ball in a position away from said conical surface, thus allowing the free flow of cooling gas into said disposable assembly.

11. A detachable assembly having quick disconnect capabilities when utilized with a connector assembly, comprising:

a) a stem section;

b) a finger lock element, comprising:

i. a distal finger lock element section having a threaded inner surface for engagement with a threaded outer surface of said stem section; and,

ii. a plurality of radially spaced fingers extending proximally from said distal finger lock element section, each finger having a) a ramped surface for operatively engaging an associated ramp section on said stem section during use; and, b) a female lip at a proximal end thereof; and

c) a detachable handle assembly, comprising:

i. a proximal handle section having a distal end having an inner surface that is operatively engaged with an outer surface of said finger lock element so as to resist relative rotation and axial motion therebetween;

ii. a distal handle section having an inner surface that is operatively engaged with another outer surface of said stem section so as to resist relative rotation and axial motion therebetween; and,

iii. a spring positioned within said proximal handle section so as to bias a distal end of said proximal handle section against a proximal end of said distal handle section, wherein,

1) when the detachable assembly is attached to said connector assembly, said female lip engages a male lip at a distal end of a connector assembly, thereby securing the quick disconnect assembly to said connector assembly;

3) during an initial stage of detachment of said detachable assembly rotation of said distal handle section relative to said proximal handle section, the relative rotation between said proximal handle section and said distal handle section providing axial movement of said finger lock element along said stem in a distal direction via said engagement of said threaded inner surface of said distal finger lock element section and said threaded outer surface of said stem, said ramped surfaces of said radially spaced fingers engaging said associated ramp section on said stem during said axial movement thereby urging said fingers to open; and,

4) during a final stage of detachment said fingers open sufficiently to allow disengagement of the male lip from said female lip, thus enabling the detachable assembly to be detached from the connector assembly.

12. The detachable assembly of claim 11 , wherein said stem section comprises a fluid conduit subassembly.

13. The detachable assembly of claim 11 , wherein said stem section comprises a fluid conduit subassembly for delivering and returning cooling fluid used for cryogenic cooling.

14. The detachable assembly of claim 11 , wherein said stem section, said finger lock element and said detachable handle assembly comprise components of a detachable cryosurgical probe.

15. The detachable assembly of claim 11 , wherein said stem section, said finger lock element and said detachable handle assembly comprise components of a control valve for a water heater.

16. The detachable assembly of claim 11 , wherein said stem section, said finger lock element and said detachable handle assembly comprise components of a pneumatic system.

17. The detachable assembly of claim 11 , wherein said stem section, said finger lock element and said detachable handle assembly comprise components of an electrical system.

18. A finger lock assembly for a detachable cryosurgical probe of a type including a disposable probe assembly normally attached to a reusable probe assembly, said disposable handle assembly including: 1) a proximal handle section, 2) a distal handle section, and 3) a breakaway collar positioned between said proximal handle section and said distal handle section, said locking assembly, comprising:

a finger lock element, comprising:

i. a distal finger lock element section having a threaded inner surface for engagement with a threaded outer surface of a gas delivery assembly of the disposable probe assembly; and,

ii. a plurality of radially spaced fingers extending proximally from said distal finger lock element section, each finger having a) a ramped surface for operatively engaging an associated ramp section on said gas delivery assembly during use; and, b) a female lip at a proximal end thereof, wherein,

1) when the disposable probe assembly is attached, said breakaway collar is an integral unit which prevents relative rotation between said proximal handle section and said distal handle section, said female lip engaging said male lip, thereby securing said reusable probe assembly to said disposable probe assembly;

2) during an initial stage of detachment of said disposable probe assembly, rotation of said distal handle section in a first direction relative to said proximal handle section breaks away breakaway surfaces of said breakaway collar, allowing said breakaway collar to radially expand;

3) during an intermediate stage of detachment of said disposable probe assembly counter rotation of said distal handle section in an opposite second direction relative to said proximal handle section, the relative rotation between said proximal handle section and said distal handle section provides axial movement of said distal handle section toward said proximal handle section via said engagement of said threaded inner surface of said distal finger lock element section and said threaded outer surface of said gas delivery assembly, said axial movement being enabled by said radial expansion of said breakaway collar, said ramped surfaces of said radially spaced fingers engaging said associated ramp section on said stem during said axial movement thereby urging said fingers to open; and,

4) during a final stage of detachment said fingers open sufficiently to allow disengagement of said male lip from said female lip, thus enabling said disposable probe assembly to be detached from said reusable probe assembly.

19. A safety valve assembly for a detachable cryosurgical probe of a type including a disposable probe assembly normally attached to a reusable probe assembly, comprising:

a) a conical surface formed in a proximal penultimate section of a proximal end portion of a manifold assembly of said reusable probe assembly for providing a flow of cooling gas, said manifold assembly terminating at its proximate end with a proximal ultimate section, said proximal ultimate section having a ball retaining cavity formed therein; and,

b) a ball positioned within said ball retaining cavity,

wherein,

1) when said disposable probe assembly is detached from said reusable probe assembly and no cooling gas is flowing within said manifold assembly, said ball is free to float freely within said ball retaining cavity;

2) when said disposable probe assembly is detached from said reusable probe assembly and cooling gas is flowing within said manifold assembly, said ball is urged into a volume defined by said conical surface, thus providing sufficient sealing to prevent “whipping” of said disposable probe assembly; and,

3) when said disposable probe assembly is connected to said reusable probe assembly a Joule-Thomson (J-T) tube bonded to a gas delivery assembly of said disposable probe assembly maintains said ball in a position away from said conical surface, thus allowing the free flow of cooling gas into said disposable probe assembly.