DE102015226424A1 - Pre-product for a multifunction tool, multifunction tool and method for producing a precursor for a multifunction tool - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a preliminary product for a multi-function tool (100), wherein the preliminary product comprises a one-piece housing (102) enclosing a cavity for a drive unit (104) of the multi-function tool (100) comprising at least one biocompatible, sterilisable plastic material and a housing (102 ) penetrating receptacle (114) for receiving a replaceable working head (116) for the multifunction tool (100), wherein in the receptacle (114) has a latching device (120) for locking the working head (116) in the housing (102) and a sealing device (118) is arranged for media-tight sealing of the housing (102) on the working head (116), wherein the latching device (120) and the sealing device (118) are encapsulated by the plastic material.

Description

State of the art

The invention is based on a device or a method according to the preamble of the independent claims.

In medical technology, great efforts are being made to make tools biocompatible and sterilizable.

The US 2013 342 050 A1 describes a motor assembly for a medical handpiece.

Disclosure of the invention

Against this background, with the approach presented here, a precursor for a multifunctional tool, furthermore a multifunctional tool with this precursor, and finally a method for producing a corresponding precursor according to the main claims are presented. The measures listed in the dependent claims advantageous refinements and improvements of the independent claim device are possible.

For tools in medical technology, metal materials and / or ceramic materials are preferably used. Due to special requirements in the processing of these materials, a design freedom in the design of the tools is limited.

A precursor for a multifunctional tool is presented wherein the precursor has the following features:
a, one-piece housing enclosing a cavity for a drive unit of the multifunctional tool and made of at least one biocompatible, sterilisable plastic material; and

a housing penetrating receptacle for receiving a replaceable working head for the multi-function tool, wherein in the receptacle, a latching device for locking the working head in the housing and a sealing means for media-tight sealing of the housing are arranged on the working head, wherein the latching means and the sealing means of the plastic material are overmoulded.

Under a precursor can be understood a device that results as an intermediate stage in the production of a multi-function tool. A multifunction tool may be a handpiece integrated drive for a rotating work insert. The labor input can be part of a replaceable working head. A cavity can be an interior. A biocompatible and sterilizable plastic material is temperature resistant and does not react with biological media. Under a recording, a passage opening can be understood through the housing. A sealing device may comprise at least one contacting seal. An inner diameter of the seal is smaller than an outer diameter of the working head to produce a contact pressure in the assembled state.

The housing may include a chuck. The receptacle can be arranged at least partially in the clamping head. The clamping head can be made of a further biocompatible and sterilizable plastic material. The further plastic material may be at least partially encapsulated by the plastic material of the housing. The plastic material of the clamping head may have different material properties than the plastic material of the housing. For example, the plastic material of the clamping head may have advantageous sliding properties. Likewise, the plastic material of the clamping head may be harder or stronger than the plastic material of the housing.

The clamping head may have a connecting contour, in which the plastic material of the housing is injected in a form-fitting manner. Under a connection contour, for example, an undercut can be understood. By a positive connection a strong claimable connection can be achieved.

In the connection contour, a further sealing device can be arranged. The further sealing device may be extrusion-coated by the plastic material of the housing. Due to the additional sealing device, the housing can be securely carried out media-tight.

The clamping head can be made of a polyoxymethylene plastic material. Polyoxymethylene or POM has a low coefficient of friction. Polyoxymethylene is loadable.

The sealing device can be designed as a ring made of a biocompatible ethylene-propylene-diene rubber. Ethylene-propylene-diene rubber is sterilizable and biocompatible. Furthermore, the plastic material is flexible and thus ensures a reliable sealing effect.

The housing may further enclose a further cavity for a power supply unit of the multi-function tool. The power supply unit may have different dimensions than the drive unit. Then the be adapted to the dimensions of the power supply unit further cavity.

The precursor may have a handle contour which is arranged on an outer side of the housing. By a handle contour, the multi-function tool can be safely held in one hand.

The plastic material of the housing may be encapsulated by another biocompatible and sterilizable plastic material of the handle contour. The other plastic material may have a better grip than the plastic material of the housing.

The handle contour can be made of a thermoplastic elastomer. Due to an elastic material, the multi-function tool can be protected against impact. Furthermore, an elastic grip contour is easy to grasp.

The housing may have a closure contour for a lid for closing the cavity. A closure contour can be, for example, a thread. The closure contour allows the cavity to remain accessible. The lid can be opened and closed again. Thus, the drive unit and the power supply unit can be maintained in the cavity.

Furthermore, a multifunctional tool with the following features is presented:
a precursor according to the approach presented here; and
a drive unit which is arranged in the cavity, wherein an output of the drive unit is arranged in alignment with the receptacle.

Furthermore, a method for producing a precursor for a multi-function tool is presented, wherein the method comprises the following steps:
Providing a mandrel, wherein on the mandrel a sealing device and a latching device are arranged;
Encapsulating the mold core, the sealing device and the latching device with a biocompatible and sterilizable plastic material; and
Remove the mold core.

With the assembly injection molding method presented here, a cost-effective design housing for a battery-powered multi-function tool, for example, can be produced in medical technology. In a few process steps and without additional mechanical processing, the media-tight plastic housing with replaceable working heads is completed. The complete housing is made of biocompatible plastics that can be sterilized.

Due to the low density of the plastics, the complete device is very light and can be used flexibly with the wireless drive. With interchangeable inserts in the injection mold, for example, the geometry of the handle can be changed quickly.

Embodiments of the approach presented here are shown in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. It shows:

1 an illustration of a multi-function tool according to an embodiment;

2 an illustration of a wireless multifunction tool according to an embodiment;

3 an illustration of individual parts of a working head according to an embodiment;

4 a representation of an injection molding tool for a chuck according to an embodiment;

5 a representation of an injection molding tool for a housing according to an embodiment;

6 a representation of an injection molding tool for a handle contour according to an embodiment; and

7 a flowchart of a method for producing a precursor according to an embodiment.

In the following description of favorable embodiments of the present invention, the same or similar reference numerals are used for the elements shown in the various figures and similar acting, wherein a repeated description of these elements is omitted.

1 shows a representation of a multi-function tool 100 according to an embodiment. The multifunction tool 100 has a housing 102 on that by a Montagespritzgussverfahren from several different biocompatible and sterilizable plastic materials as a precursor for the multi-function tool 100 has been produced. In a cavity or an interior of the housing 102 are a motor 104 and a power supply device 106 arranged one behind the other. The housing 102 consists of a clamping head 108 , of a basic body 110 of the housing 102 partially overmoulded. The main body 110 is in turn from a handle contour 112 partially overmoulded. The clamping body 108 , the basic body 110 and the handle contour 112 are each made of different plastic materials.

In the chuck 108 is a recording 114 for a working head 116 arranged. Here is the working head 116 in the recording 114 plugged in. The recording 114 is a passage opening through the housing 102 in which a sealing device 118 and a latch 120 are arranged. An output 122 of the motor 104 is in alignment with the picture 114 arranged. The sealing device 118 is one of the plastic material of the chuck 108 overmoulded flexible sealing ring 118 , The locking device 120 has at least two spring-mounted locking elements, which are adapted to, in a recess of the working head 116 lock. Also the locking device 120 is from the plastic material of the chuck 108 molded.

The working head 116 is in two parts and consists of a guide sleeve 124 and one in the guide sleeve 124 rotatably mounted working shaft 126 , The work wave 126 is rotatable in the output 122 of the motor 104 plugged in. At an opposite end of the work shaft 126 is a work assignment 128 of the multifunction tool 100 arranged.

According to one embodiment, said precursor comprises the housing 102 with the recording 114 and the latching device 120 as well as the sealing device 118 ,

2 shows a representation of a wireless multifunction tool 100 according to an embodiment. The multifunction tool 100 is essentially the same as in 1 shown multifunction tool. The power supply device 106 is designed here as a rechargeable battery. The power supply device 106 has larger dimensions than the engine 104 , In the area of the accumulator 106 is therefore a wall thickness of the housing 102 lower than in the area of the engine 104 , In other words, the power supply device is in a separate cavity of the housing 102 arranged.

The housing 102 is here by a screwed lid 200 Media-tightly closed. For this purpose, the housing 102 on a side facing away from the clamping head an internal thread 202 on. The lid 200 is in the internal thread 202 screwed. One in the lid 200 integrated sealing device 204 seals against an end face of the housing 102 from. The lid has a circumferential ribbing 206 on.

It will be a biocompatible plastic housing 102 with special sealing technology for battery-powered multifunction tools 100 in medical technology and a Montagespritzgießverfahren for producing a biocompatible plastic housing 102 presented.

Handheld devices for a variety of medical applications, such as disconnections or grinding operations at open surgical sites, may be powered electrically via power cables or pneumatically via hoses with specially filtered air. The filter technology for clean air is very expensive and requires constant checks and maintenance. With the slightest filter technology problems or leakage problems on the device, hazardous organic or inorganic particles reach the surgical sites at high speed.

The materials that can be used in these areas are all going down DIN ISO 10993 tested for biocompatibility and are sterilizable. Therefore, mainly metals or ceramics are used. Devices made of these materials are correspondingly heavy to handle and very inflexible with the connecting cables.

The metallic or ceramic components of the hand tools are, for example, machined for threaded connections and, in combination with the material price, make the devices costly. They are also freed from machining particles, mounted and cleaned again after the application.

In the case of enclosures which are not specially sealed, the stator encapsulation with a biocompatible and sterilizable plastic, for example, can also be carried out in electric drives.

Due to the production limits of the metal or ceramic components, the design is correspondingly limited or only very expensive to implement for special designs.

Against this background, a low-cost and lightweight plastic housing 102 for a battery-powered multifunction tool 100 presented in medical technology. The plastic housing 102 is manufactured by the assembly injection molding process. In combination with special exchangeable working heads 116 are the medical devices 100 completed in a few process steps. The complete housing 102 It is made of biocompatible materials, is sterilizable and sealed everywhere, so that no particles escape or penetrate. Likewise, the individual components are not subsequently processed mechanically. The housing 102 has a high design freedom and can be adapted to the requirements of the surgeon.

The engine battery block 104 . 106 is from the back against another inserted EPDM gasket 204 in the plastic housing 102 screwed and can in the sterile sealed condition through the plastic walls of the packaging and the housing 102 be charged by induction.

3 shows a representation of individual parts of a working head 116 according to an embodiment. The working head 116 is essentially the same as in 1 illustrated working head. The working head 116 is shown disassembled here. The guide sleeve 124 is designed essentially hollow cylindrical. At a first end to be inserted into the chuck, the guide sleeve 124 two opposing notches 300 for the locking device on. At a second end opposite the first end, the guide sleeve 124 a flange 302 on. In the area of the flange 302 is an inside of the guide sleeve 124 rounded.

The work wave 126 is essentially cylindrical. At the first end, the working shaft 126 a thread on. In the assembled state is on the thread a driver 304 screwed. The driver 304 is designed to match the output of the engine. At the second end, the working shaft 126 a polished tread 306 on. The tread 306 is designed as a groove. The tread 306 is suitable for the rounding of the guide sleeve 124 executed. After the tread 306 is a work assignment 128 with the wave of work 126 connected. The work assignment 128 For example, it can be designed as a bevel cutter, cylindrical cutter or side milling cutter.

The guide sleeve 124 with pre-assembled tool 128 is used with little play and a press fit to the sealing ring in the chuck. The fixation takes place by the engagement of the ball suspension and the hexagonal guide 304 in the drive unit.

The good sliding effect of polyoxymethylene (POM) allows easy insertion of the smooth sleeve 124 and by the frictional heat during operation, the seal is improved with the expansion of the plastic. Thus, no particles can get out of the device and none in the plastic housing.

The respective work assignment 128 made of metal is attached to a stainless steel shaft 126 fixed by a stainless steel guide sleeve 124 running. The transition area has a ground tread 306 to which the tightening torque is tuned. The wave 126 is with a left-hand thread in a hexagonal pin 304 screwed, which is fixed in the leadership of the drive unit. The disassembled working head 116 is with different work assignments in 3 shown. In 1 is the working head 116 fixed in the clamping head with the ball spring, the seal and in the drive unit through the hexagonal guide.

4 shows a representation of an injection molding tool 400 for a clamping head 108 according to an embodiment. The injection mold 400 is executed in several parts. Individual parts of the injection molding tool 400 are transverse to an opening direction of the injection molding tool 400 movable to the chuck 108 with an undercut 402 to be able to execute. The laterally moving parts are slanted in the tool 400 arranged slide 404 guided.

The injection mold 400 has an insertable mold core 406 and a contoured ejector 408 on. The ejector 408 has a part of a negative contour of the chuck 108 on. A sprue 410 of the injection mold 400 is in a dividing plane 412 of the injection mold 400 arranged.

Here is the mold core 406 with a sealing device 118 and a latching device 120 as they are in 1 are shown equipped. As a result, the sealing device 118 and the latching device 120 in a mold cavity 414 of the injection mold 400 arranged and can from an injected first biocompatible and sterilizable plastic material 416 be splashed or poured over. The mold core 406 is a negative form of the recording.

After the first plastic material 416 Hardened, the moving parts of the injection molding tool 400 laterally from the undercut 402 moved and the chuck 108 over the ejector 408 from the mold cavity 414 ejected. The sealing device 118 and the latching device 120 be from the mold core 406 stripped.

In the first process step, the clamping head 108 with the ball suspension 120 and a seal 118 in the first injection mold 400 manufactured. This is the prefabricated ball suspension 120 together with the first EDPDM seal 118 for support on a mold core 406 with corresponding grooves in the opened cavity 414 fixed. When closing the tool 400 drive the side sliders together. About the sprue 410 in the parting plane 412 becomes the first component 416 , which may be, for example, a polyoxymethylene (POM) to the ball suspension 120 and seal 118 to the clamping head 108 formed.

After a specified curing time, drive when opening the tool 400 the sliders 404 to the side and the chuck 108 is through the ejector 408 pushed out. In the formed undercut 402 Subsequently, a second EPDM gasket is inserted.

5 shows a representation of an injection molding tool 500 for a housing 102 according to an embodiment. The housing 102 is essentially the same as in 1 illustrated housing. The one in the in 4 illustrated injection molding tool shaped clamping head 108 is here with the recording 114 on another mold core 502 fitted and in a recess of the injection molding tool 500 arranged. In the undercut 402 is another sealing device 504 arranged. The undercut 402 protrudes into a mold cavity 414 of the injection mold 500 into it.

The injection mold 500 has an inner core 506 on, as a negative mold of a cavity 508 of the housing 102 is shaped. The further mold core 502 is on the inner core 506 supported. Also in the injection molding tool shown here 500 is the sprue 410 in the parting plane 412 arranged.

In injection molding, a second biocompatible and sterilizable plastic material 510 into the mold cavity 414 injected. The second plastic material 510 splashes the undercut 402 and the other sealing device 504 media-tight. The clamping head 108 is thus in the case 102 cast. The further mold core 502 makes the recording 114 in the second plastic material 510 of the housing 102 out. This shows the case 102 a passage opening 114 from a tip of the chuck 108 to the inside of the core 506 shaped cavity 508 on.

The pretensioned with a ball suspension and a biocompatible ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM) seal in a first injection mold clamping head 108 made of polyoxymethylene (POM) gets after demoulding in the undercut 402 a second EPDM gasket 504 used. Subsequently, in a second tool 500 the housing plastic acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) 510 around the undercut 402 of the clamping head 108 sprayed and by the injection pressure the seal 504 slightly compressed. In this combination of plastics 510 creates a media-tight encapsulation of the clamping head 108 with the housing 102 ,

The clamping head 108 gets into a second injection mold 500 on a mold core 502 inserted and fixed with the ball suspension and the seal. About the parting line 412 becomes the second component 510 injected, which may be, for example, an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS). The undercut 402 of the clamping head 108 with the seal 504 gets from the melt 510 enveloped by the injection pressure, so that with the pressing of the seal 504 a media-tight connection arises.

6 shows a representation of an injection molding tool 600 for a handle contour 112 according to an embodiment. That in the in 5 illustrated injection molded housing shaped housing 102 is in the injection mold 600 inserted. Replaceable inserts 602 of the injection mold 600 form the mold cavity 414 around the inserted housing 102 off and a negative mold for the handle contour 112 from.

A fence system 604 of the injection molding train 600 is here perpendicular to the parting plane 412 arranged. About the gate system 604 becomes a third biocompatible and sterilizable plastic material 606 into the mold cavity 414 injected and forms the housing 102 partially enclosing handle contour 112 out.

In the third injection mold 600 becomes the handle 112 manufactured for the surgeon who by interchangeable inserts 602 may have different designs. The housing 102 gets into the cavity 414 used and set the location on the recording of the clamping head. With a bar gate 604 becomes the third component 606 injected, for the optimum feel of the handle 112 made of an elastic thermoplastic (TPE, thermoplastic elastomer) 606 consists.

After demoulding the complete housing 102 the guide sleeve with mounted working head is inserted into the clamping head and fixed with the first seal, the ball suspension and the hexagonal guide in the drive unit.

The good sliding effect of POM enables the simple pressing in of the sleeve and the frictional heat during operation improves the seal with the expansion of the plastic. Thus, no particles can get out of the device and no in the plastic housing 102 reach.

Afterwards, the motor battery pack is screwed in from behind with a corrugated lid into which a third EPDM gasket is also inserted 2 shown. The finished multifunctional tool is sterile packed and placed on an induction unit. Through the plastic film and the housing 102 the battery is being charged.

7 shows a flowchart of a method 700 for producing a precursor according to an embodiment. The procedure 700 has a step 702 of providing a step 704 of overmolding and one step 706 of removing. In step 702 the provision of a mold core is provided. On the mold core, a sealing device and a latching device are arranged. In step 704 the encapsulation of the mold core, the sealing device and the locking device are encapsulated with a biocompatible and sterilizable plastic material. In step 706 Removing the mandrel is removed.

If an exemplary embodiment comprises a "and / or" link between a first feature and a second feature, then this is to be read so that the embodiment according to one embodiment, both the first feature and the second feature and according to another embodiment either only first feature or only the second feature.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 2013342050 A1 [0003]

Cited non-patent literature

• DIN ISO 10993 [0040]

Claims (13)

Pre-product for a multifunction tool ( 100 ), wherein the precursor has the following features: a, a cavity ( 508 ) for a drive unit ( 104 ) of the multifunction tool ( 100 ) enclosing, one-piece housing ( 102 ) of at least one biocompatible, sterilisable plastic material ( 416 . 510 . 606 ); and one the housing ( 102 ) penetrating intake ( 114 ) for receiving a replaceable working head ( 116 ) for the multifunction tool ( 100 ), whereas in the picture ( 114 ) a latching device ( 120 ) for locking the working head ( 116 ) in the housing ( 102 ) and a sealing device ( 118 ) for media-tight sealing of the housing ( 102 ) at the working head ( 116 ) is arranged, wherein the latching device ( 120 ) and the sealing device ( 118 ) is encapsulated by the plastic material ( 416 . 510 . 606 ) are. Preproduct according to claim 1, wherein the housing ( 102 ) a clamping head ( 108 ), in which the receptacle ( 114 ) is at least partially arranged, wherein the clamping head ( 108 ) from another biocompatible and sterilizable plastic material ( 416 . 510 . 606 ) carried out by the plastic material ( 416 . 510 . 606 ) of the housing ( 102 ) is at least partially encapsulated. Precursor according to Claim 2, in which the clamping head ( 108 ) a connection contour ( 402 ) into which the plastic material ( 416 . 510 . 606 ) of the housing ( 102 ) is positively injected. Precursor according to Claim 3, in which in the connection contour ( 402 ) another sealing device ( 504 ), wherein the further sealing device ( 504 ) media-tight from the plastic material ( 416 . 510 . 606 ) of the housing ( 102 ) is sprayed over. Precursor according to one of Claims 2 to 4, in which the clamping head ( 108 ) of a polyoxymethylene plastic material ( 416 . 510 . 606 ) is executed. Precursor according to one of the preceding claims, in which the sealing device ( 118 ) is designed as a ring made of a biocompatible ethylene-propylene-diene rubber. Preproduct according to one of the preceding claims, in which the housing ( 102 ) further a further cavity for a power supply unit ( 106 ) of the multifunction tool ( 100 ) encloses. Precursor according to one of the preceding claims, having a handle contour ( 112 ) located on an outside of the housing ( 102 ) is arranged. Precursor according to Claim 8, in which the plastic material ( 416 . 510 . 606 ) of the housing ( 102 ) of another biocompatible and sterilizable plastic material ( 416 . 510 . 606 ) the grip contour ( 112 ) is sprayed over. Preproduct according to claim 9, wherein the handle contour ( 112 ) is made of a thermoplastic elastomer. Preproduct according to one of the preceding claims, in which the housing ( 112 ) a closure contour ( 202 ) for a lid ( 200 ) for closing the cavity ( 508 ) having. Multifunction Tool ( 100 ) having the following features: a precursor according to any one of the preceding claims; and a drive unit ( 104 ), which are in the cavity ( 508 ), wherein an output of the drive unit ( 104 ) in alignment with the receptacle ( 114 ) is arranged. Procedure ( 700 ) for producing a precursor for a multifunction tool ( 100 ), the process ( 700 ) comprises the following steps: providing ( 702 ) of a mold core ( 406 ), wherein on the mandrel ( 406 ) a sealing device ( 118 ) and a latching device ( 120 ) are arranged; Overmolding ( 704 ) of the mandrel ( 406 ), the sealing device ( 118 ) and the latching device ( 120 ) with a biocompatible and sterilizable plastic material ( 416 . 510 . 606 ); and remove ( 706 ) of the mandrel ( 406 ).

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