WO2015118521A1 - Joint d'étanchéité élastique ou manchon annulaire à utiliser avec un outil à main pour fournir un retour tactile de la directionnalité de rotation de l'outil - Google Patents

Joint d'étanchéité élastique ou manchon annulaire à utiliser avec un outil à main pour fournir un retour tactile de la directionnalité de rotation de l'outil Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015118521A1
WO2015118521A1 PCT/IL2014/051021 IL2014051021W WO2015118521A1 WO 2015118521 A1 WO2015118521 A1 WO 2015118521A1 IL 2014051021 W IL2014051021 W IL 2014051021W WO 2015118521 A1 WO2015118521 A1 WO 2015118521A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
handle
working tip
sealing element
hand
sleeve
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IL2014/051021
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Eliot Robert Gitman
Original Assignee
Scalpal Llc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Scalpal Llc filed Critical Scalpal Llc
Publication of WO2015118521A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015118521A1/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25G—HANDLES FOR HAND IMPLEMENTS
    • B25G1/00—Handle constructions
    • B25G1/10—Handle constructions characterised by material or shape
    • B25G1/102—Handle constructions characterised by material or shape the shape being specially adapted to facilitate handling or improve grip

Definitions

  • This invention relates to tools having rotational directionality particularly but not necessarily for surgical and dental use.
  • rotational directionality when applied to a tool relates to those tools that are configured for optimal use when held in a specific angular or rotational orientation along a longitudinal axis of the tool.
  • a fountain pen has rotational directionality because to be used effectively its nib must preferably be maintained in proper angular alignment with the paper.
  • a ball point pen on the other hand, has no rotational directionality since it is equally effective regardless of how it is held.
  • a surgical probe having a cylindrical handle and a curved probe shaped for applying to a confined work area.
  • the cylindrical handle has no rotational directionality since it is symmetrical along a longitudinal axis. But once the curved probe is attached to the handle, the tool is then rotationally directional and eye- hand coordination is required to ensure that the tool is held correctly.
  • This requirement may be met at least in part by employing a handle having rotational directionality and affixing the working tip so when the handle is held in a predetermined angular orientation, the working tip is correctly oriented. But when the handle has no rotational directionality, in the absence of eye -hand coordination it is difficult to ensure that the working tip is properly oriented.
  • one aspect of the present invention is how to ensure that the tool is held correctly even when eye -hand coordination is compromised or impossible and particularly when the handle has no rotational directionality.
  • Surgical tools typically comprise a handle at an end of which a working tip is mounted. It is known to fix working tips to the handle of such tools using a screw coupling or a friction coupling. Regardless of the type of coupling, the joint between the working tip and the end of the handle is a reservoir for bacteria and organic residue that collects on the working tip. When the handle is intended for repeated use between different patients, it must be cleaned and sterilized between patients. But it is difficult to completely sterilize the joint.
  • another aspect of the invention relates to a sealing element that is disposed between the working tip and the handle and which may, optionally, also serve to secure the working tip to the handle, but which in either case inhibits bacteria and organic residue from collecting in the joint.
  • Elements for coupling a working tip to a handle are known. So, too, are sleeves that are placed over the handle of a surgical tool to prevent the transfer of bacteria.
  • US Patent No. 6,012,922 discloses a motorized dental handpiece having a two- part housing coupled via a ring seal, spacer or washer, which may be a snap ring that allows for free mutual rotation of the two parts of the housing while preventing disengagement.
  • US Patent No. 5,267,860 discloses an extendable latex shield and internal seals incorporated in a disposable dental hygiene tool for protecting sterility of standard dental handpieces. Internal seals in the tool preclude fluids or other material from transfer through the interior of the tool into the dental handpiece.
  • US Patent No. 7,927,100 discloses a protective sleeve for dental equipment of the type including a straight handpiece or a contra-angle.
  • the dental equipment is formed by a body enclosing a motor unit and/or members for transmitting movement and a tool -holder head bearing a tool.
  • US Patent No. 4,810,194 discloses an antiseptic dental shield for preventing contamination of hand-held dental devices comprising an elongated disposable sanitary sleeve which covers exterior surfaces of the dental device.
  • the sleeve includes an axial opening at one end, the opposite end being connected to an adapter which engages a disposable high-volume evacuator tube.
  • the adapter comprises a short tubular piece having a central passageway through which fluid flows to the evacuator device.
  • a first bend of the adapter is sized to sealingly connect to the outermost portion of tube extending from the valve body.
  • a second opposite end is narrower in diameter than the first end and is sized the same as the outer end of the evacuator tube to sealingly receive the disposable tube.
  • the evacuator tube may be construed as a working tip that is coupled to a handle or body portion.
  • the adapter may possibly be formed of resilient plastic that is mountable between the handle and the working tip in order to engage both the handle and the working tip. But the evacuator tube neither rotates nor does it have rotational directionality and there is therefore no requirement to inhibit rotation thereof or to retain the evacuator tube in rotational alignment with the handle such that when the handle is held correctly, the working tip is properly aligned.
  • the adapter may inhibit the transfer of bacteria from the working tip to the handle but it does not serve to help align a working tip having rotational directionality to the handle. Furthermore, the adapter serves to anchor the sleeve when placed over the handle; but the adapter itself is not covered by the sleeve precisely at the joint where the evacuator tube is coupled thereto.
  • the handle in such a way as to afford rotational directionality whereby the handle is configured for holding in a preferred orientation and the working tip has a rotational direction so that it is directed for optimal effect when rotationally aligned with the handle and when the handle is held by a user in the preferred orientation.
  • This may be done, for example, as shown in US 2010-0005630 by forming indentations, bevels or scallops in the handle that serve as finger grips that favor a preferred orientation.
  • an indicium may be formed on the handle that provides a line of sight indication to the user. In either case, this requires that the working tip be properly aligned with the handle in order to provide the required rotational directionality.
  • working tips are mounted at both ends of the handle, each requiring rotational alignment therewith.
  • the handle has a threaded bore inside the handle that engages a comple- mentary external thread of the tool shank.
  • the bore has a depth that is pre-calibrated so that the working tip is properly aligned to the handle when the end of the threaded shank reaches the bottom of the bore.
  • Such alignment assumes that when the tool shank is fully engaged in the bore further rotation is prevented.
  • inevitable tolerances in manufacturing may render this assumption invalid and in practice some play is unavoidable whereby during use of the tool the working tip becomes misaligned.
  • the spring-type washers disclosed in the above references are disposed between two abutting planar surfaces and are compressed when the two mating surfaces are tightened.
  • a working tip be axially and removably coupled to a handle.
  • the handle may include a bore into which the working tip is inserted under slight pressure inducing latching between the working tip and the handle.
  • the latching may employ some kind of bayonet fastening such as the well-known D-type coupler thereby preventing rotation of the working tip relative to the handle.
  • either or both of the handle and the working tip may be disposable in order to reduce the risk of cross-contamination between patients.
  • WO/2013/063394 discloses a haptic feedback system wherein a transducer presses an actuator against an operator's skin with a force corresponding to a sensed parameter for use with remotely controlled systems.
  • the transducer can be attached by a band, wrap, or other mechanism anywhere on the operator's body, such as a wrist, ankle.
  • US 20050/283916 discloses a multiple use hand tool and wearable hand tool organizer, typically in the form of a belt.
  • Fig. 7a shows a hammer having an elongate handle on which there is affixed an annular clasp that allows the hammer to be hung on the organizer when not in use.
  • US Patent No. 5,934,722 discloses a food portioning tool having an ergonomic shaped handle which aids in the proper orientation of the portioning tool in the user's hand.
  • the handle may be attached to accommodate either left-handed or right-handed users.
  • the invention provides a sealing element for coupling a rotational- ly directional working tip to the handle of a tool in such a manner as to effectively isolate the handle from the working tip, so that contamination of the working tip does not reach the handle. Furthermore the sealing element is configured to provide tactile feedback to a user of the rotational direction of the working tip.
  • the sealing element may be a spring washer that is interposed between a threaded bore in the handle and a threaded shank of the working tip, so as to inhibit relative rotation when the working tip is properly aligned.
  • a periphery of the spring washer may be provided with a small recess or indent or alternatively a slight bump or protrusion or any other means of gauging its angular orientation by tactile feedback. Then provided that the relative rotational alignment between the handle and the working tip is known to the operator, the recess, indent, bump or protrusion allows the operator to rotate the handle until the working tip is properly aligned with the workpiece.
  • At least part of the sealing element is of sufficient diameter to completely overlap the joint between the handle and the working tip thus serving as a barrier to bacteria.
  • This is particularly advantageous with tools whose working tips are disposable since it effectively isolates the handle from the working tip, so that contamination of the working tip does not reach the handle, thus allowing easy disposal of the working tip without the need to sterilize the handle between patients.
  • the two mutually rotatable mating surfaces may be secured by an elongated tubular sealing element having a recess or indent or bump or protrusion or any other means of gauging its angular orientation.
  • a sealing element serves the same purpose as the spring washer but is better suited to tools where the working tip is frictionally coupled to the handle, rather than screw-threaded thereto.
  • the tubular element may be dimensioned to tightly accommodate the shank of the working tip by friction.
  • the clamping force can be increased by a spring loaded clasp fitting or snap-fit.
  • spring-loaded bearings inside the tube may engage peripheral depressions or indents on the outer surface of the shank of the working tip.
  • the sealing element acts as a buffer between the handle and the working tip, thereby preventing the working tip from contaminating the handle. As a result, sterility of the handle is maintained and after use or between patients, the working tip and the sealing element may be discarded prior to coupling a new sterile tool and sealing element to the same handle for use with a different patient.
  • Fig. la is a pictorial representation showing schematically a hand-held tool according to a first embodiment prior to coupling the working tip to the handle;
  • Figs, lb and lc show details of a sealing element used to couple the working tip to the handle according to an embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 2 is a pictorial representation showing the hand-held tool of Fig. la in its coupled state
  • Fig. 3 shows an enlarged detail of the coupling between the tool and the handle
  • Fig. 4a is a pictorial representation showing schematically a hand-held tool according to a second embodiment of the invention prior to coupling the working tip to the handle;
  • Fig. 4b is a pictorial representation showing the hand-held tool of Fig. 4a in its coupled state
  • Figs. 5a to 5e show details of a resilient sealing element according to another embodiment
  • Figs. 6a to 6d show details of a resilient sealing element according to yet another embodiment
  • Fig. 7a shows details of a prior art U-shaped clasp affixed to a handle of a handheld tool
  • Fig. 7b shows details of an annular sleeve affixed to a handle of a hand-held tool according to an embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 7c and 7d show details of deformable annular sleeves affixed to a handle of a hand-held tool according to different embodiments of the invention;
  • Figs. 8a, 8b and 8c show pictorially use of the sleeve shown in Fig. 7d;
  • Fig. 9 shows use of multiple sleeves to afford tactile feedback regarding the angular orientation of a tool handle
  • Figs. 10a to 10c show pictorially use of sleeves to afford enhanced tactile feedback to a user wearing latex gloves.
  • a hand-held tool 10 comprising a handle
  • a resilient sealing element 14 is mountable between the handle 11 and the working tip 13 for compressing when the working tip 13 is attached to the handle 11, typically by means of a screw-coupling, so as to exert a counter force against the working tip 13 and inhibit rotation thereof thereby retaining the working tip 13 in proper rotational alignment with the handle 11.
  • the sealing element 14 is shaped so as to provide tactile feedback to an operator regarding the rotational alignment of the working tip regardless of whether or not the handle is rotationally directional. This may be achieved by a small recess 15 or indent as seen in Fig. lb or alternatively a slight bump 16 or protrusion as seen in Fig. lc, which can be felt by the operator. If desired, there may be provided more than one indent as shown in Fig. 6e or likewise more than one bump or one or more of each.
  • the resilient sealing element 14 is a spring washer that is interposed between a threaded bore 17 in the handle and a threaded shank 18 of the working tip, so as to inhibit relative rotation when the working tip is properly aligned.
  • the recesses 15 or protrusions 16 are formed in a periphery of the spring washer so that provided that the relative rotational alignment between the handle and the working tip is known to the operator, the recess, indent, bump or protrusion allows the operator to rotate the handle until the working tip is properly aligned with the workpiece.
  • the spring-type washer is of sufficient diameter to completely overlap the joint between the handle and the working tip thus serving as a barrier to bacteria.
  • the shank 18 of the working tip 13 is threadably coupled to the bore 17 of the handle 11 through the spring washer 14.
  • the shankl8 of the working tip 13 compresses the spring washer so as to exert a counter force against the shank and inhibit rotation thereof thereby retaining the working tip 13 in rotational alignment with the handle 11 without requiring that the end of the threaded shank 18 reach the end of the threaded bore 17.
  • Figs. 4a and 4b shows another embodiment wherein the sealing element 14 is tubular rather than planar as dictated by the spring washer shown in Figs, la and lb.
  • the sealing element 14 has a tubular body portion 20 having an axial bore 21 that accommodates the shank 18 of the working tip.
  • a circumferential flange 22 is provided at a distal end of the tubular body portion 20 i.e. the end that engages the handle, and acts as a shield for preventing cross-contamination between the working tip and the handle. Such a shield also prevents the user's finger making inadvertent contact with the working tip.
  • the axial bore 21 may be internally threaded for engaging an outer thread of the shank 18.
  • Figs. 5a to 5e show an embodiment where the tubular body portion 20 is elongated.
  • the tubular body portion 20 may be externally threaded for engaging an internal thread of the handle.
  • the tubular body portion 20 may be adapted for push-fitting into the bore 17 of the handle, and the shank of the working tip may be adapted for push-fitting into the axial bore 21 of the sealing element 14.
  • the axial bore 21 may be provided internally with a circumferential groove that engages one or more peripheral protrusions on a free end of the working tip for providing a snap- fit engagement when the working tip is pushed into the axial bore.
  • one end of the sealing element 14 is adapted for screw- coupling and the other end for push-fitting to the respective element.
  • Figs. 6a to 6c show an embodiment where the tubular body portion 20 is foreshortened for use with working tips whose shanks are threadably coupled to the handle.
  • the circumferential flange 22 still operates as a shield for preventing cross- contamination between the working tip and the handle, and it is provided with one or more recesses 15 or protrusions 16 as shown in Figs. 6d and 6e for providing tactile feedback regarding the angular orientation of the sealing element 14.
  • the recesses 15 may be formed in the circumferential flange 22 at discrete points along a line parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular body, or a slot or groove may be formed along such a line.
  • the protrusions 16 may be formed at discrete points in the flange 22 or an extended protrusion may be formed along a line parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body. It is to be understood that while in the embodiments shown in Figs. 5 and 6 the flange 22 of the sealing element 14 is shaped to provide tactile feedback, the sealing element 14 may be otherwise configured to provide the required tactile feedback. For example, part of the external surface of the flange may be textured or knurled or it may have small bores along its outer surface in a line parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body. Part of the surface of the sealing element could be treated to render it tacky to the touch.
  • a material having a different feel to the sealing element may be adhered to the flange so as to provide tactile feedback.
  • Such material may be rubber or a similar material, which may also reduce slippage. None of these approaches alters the shape of the sealing element 14, but they can easily be felt and thus provide instant tactile feedback to the operator regarding the angular orientation of the tool.
  • tactile feedback affords the operator a clear indication of the orientation of the working tip even when eye-contact is impaired.
  • the resilient sealing element 14 is formed of a material that is easily depressed upon coupling the working tip to the handle. Suitable materials are silicone, rubber, plastic and the like which compress easily and in so doing exert a counter force against the shank of the working tip and the bore 17 of the handle, thereby inhibiting rotation of both the sealing element within the handle and of the working tip within the sealing element.
  • a sealing element formed of such material when held by the user will provide a higher frictional grip than the smooth metallic handle of the tool, thereby reducing the tendency of the tool to slip in the user's hands.
  • the handle 11 may be configured for holding in a preferred orientation.
  • the working tip 13 is directed for optimal effect when rotationally aligned with the body portion and when the body portion is held by a user in the preferred orientation.
  • the sealing element there is no requirement for the sealing element to provide tactile feedback since this is done by the shaped handle.
  • the inventive concept resides in the use of a resilient sealing element to secure the working tip to the body portion regardless of whether or not the handle has rotational directionality.
  • the invention has particular benefit when the working tip is rotationally directional, there is no impediment to the use of working tips that are not rotationally directional such as straight probes and the like.
  • the probe shown in the figures does have rotational directionality in that it must be held in a specific rotational direction to be effective.
  • the same would apply to a mirror that is adjusted for use within the oral cavity and is supported at an angle to the body portion.
  • the invention does not preclude the use of other tools such as straight probes that are removably supported at the end of the body portion.
  • the resilient sealing element still serves as a shield against contamination and may prevent rotation of the working tip relative to the body portion even though this is not its primary function.
  • the resilient sealing element may be color-coded so as to allow easy identification of the working tip.
  • the working tip is coupled to a handle constituted by the body portion 11 of a hand-held tool by disposing the resilient sealing element 14 between a proximal end of the handle and the working tip. Sufficient axial force is applied between the working tip and the handle to compress the resilient sealing element and apply pressure to opposing surfaces of the working tip and the handle to inhibit mutual rotation thereof.
  • sealing element 14 is an adapter that allows working tips of different manufacturers to be coupled to a universal handle.
  • a universal handle may have rotational directionality in which case tactile feedback via contact with the sealing element in order to ensure correct rotational alignment of the working tip is not paramount.
  • the universal handle may also be disposable between patients.
  • a sleeve that fits over the distal end of the working tip so as to seal the joint between the handle and the working tip.
  • a sleeve may be formed or silicone rubber and may be used instead of or in addition to the sealing element as described above.
  • the sleeve may be provided with a small recess 15 or indent or a slight bump 16 or protrusion, which can be felt by the operator. If desired, there may be provided more than one indent or bump or one or more of each.
  • the sleeve Prior to use, the sleeve may be rolled into a ring that is slipped over the end of the working tool like a prophylactic and then unrolled so as to tightly cover the joint between the handle and the working tip.
  • it may be stretched over the rim of a container or support, becoming released therefrom when pierced by the sharp point of a working tip thereby forming a ring which surrounds the end of the working tip and may then be rolled along the working tip toward the joint. It may then be manipulated so as to cover the joint.
  • the sleeve may be rotated until the indent or bump is brought into alignment with the desired orientation of the working tip so that when the operator feels the depression or bump he can feel how to orientate the tool correctly, even when the working tip is concealed.
  • Fig. 7a shows a detail of a hammer 25 having such an elongated handle 11 and a head portion 26 constituting the working tip.
  • the handle 11 is rotationally directional since it is not circular in cross-section but is shaped so that it is most comfortably held with the head portion 26 properly oriented for the most effective action.
  • a generally rigid U-shaped clasp 27 has an open end 28 that is mounted over the handle 11 and has a hook 29 that allows the hammer 25 to be supported on a user's belt when not in use. This embodiment is described in above-mentioned US 20050/283916 with reference to Fig. 2 thereof.
  • Fig. 7b shows by way of comparison details of an annular sleeve 30 affixed to an elongated handle 11 of a hand-held tool according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 7a shows the same hammer as shown in Fig. 7a for convenience to describe the structural differences between the sleeve 30 and the clasp 27 shown in Fig. 7a.
  • the sleeve 30 according to the invention finds particular use for handles that have no rotational directionality.
  • the hammer head portion 26 is fixed to the handle so as always to be correctly oriented when the handle is gripped comfortably.
  • the sleeve 30 is used for handles that have no rotational direction- ality and to which different working tips that do have rotational directionality are removably attached.
  • the sleeve 30 is continuous, typically in the form of a flexible rubber or plastic ring and is slipped over the end of the handle rather than a side-wall thereof as is done in Fig, 7a.
  • a portion 31 of an outer surface of the sleeve 30 is textured so that, when held, it provides tactile feedback as to the angular orientation of the handle.
  • the sleeve 30 is rolled over the handle 11 from its distal end i.e. remote from the working tip and is rotated about a longitudinal axis of the handle until the textured portion 31 is aligned with the working tip in a manner that provides an indication to the operator when the working tip is properly aligned.
  • the portion 31 may alternatively be shaped to provide the required tactile feedback.
  • the sleeve 30 may have one or more circumferential depressions or bevels 32 that accommodate the user's finger or fingers and whose angular disposition provides tactile feedback regarding the angular disposition of the handle.
  • the portion 31 may have small pocks or could be treated to render it tacky to the touch.
  • a material having a different feel to the sleeve may be adhered to its outer surface so as to provide tactile feedback.
  • Such a sleeve 30 may be slipped over the typically smooth elongated metallic handles of surgical tools and may be formed of a material that when held by the user provides a higher frictional grip than the smooth metallic handle of the tool, thereby reducing the tendency of the tool to slip in the user's hands.
  • the sleeve 30 shown in Fig. 7c is formed of a deformable elastic material and is contoured or beveled so that the user's finger applies radial pressure to the sleeve so as to induce rotation of the sleeve and thereby of the handle in the direction of arrow A.
  • radial finger pressure compresses the edge of the bevel 32 in addition to causing rotation of the sleeve.
  • the degree of rotation of the handle caused by a given amount of finger pressure is less than it would be if the sleeve 30 were rigid or if the same force were applied directly to the handle and this allows for very fine rotation of the handle.
  • the sleeve 30 shown in Fig. 7d is formed of a deformable elastic material and has a circumferential slot 33 extending around the outer edge of the sleeve in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 34 of the sleeve.
  • axial finger pressure applied to the sleeve 30 in the direction of the axis 34 as denoted by arrow B as shown in Fig. 8a compresses the sleeve axially as shown in Fig. 8b in addition to causing axial displacement of the handle.
  • Fig. 8c shows a variation of this embodiment where the edge of the sleeve has a slight axial projection 35 that is depressed by the user's finger to induce compression of the slot.
  • the projection 35 is preferably formed of a material that is more pliable than that of the sleeve 30.
  • finger pressure applied to the projection 35 causes it to compress to a greater extent than the sleeve 30 or the circumferential slot 33, when provided whereby the body of the sleeve 30 and consequently of the handle to which it is affixed are displaced only very slightly in response to significantly greater displacement of the projection 35.
  • sleeve compresses owing to its elasticity and the compression provides tactile feedback to the user of the extent of forward or backward movement of the tool.
  • the sleeve may be used to allow the user to apply very fine control to the tool, this effect being enhanced by the circumferential slot 33 or by the pliable projection 35, when provided.
  • the sleeve 30 may be configured for fitting on to a tool handle having circumferential grooves. These are commonly provided for accommodating colored rings, which provide an indication of the tool's identity.
  • the sleeve has an internal ridge 36 that fits into one of the circumferential grooves.
  • the internal ridge 36 is shaped and dimensioned such that it is retained tightly within the circumferential groove thereby preventing axial movement of the sleeve 30. Rotation of the sleeve 30 is inhibited owing to the tight frictional retention of the sleeve 30 within the groove.
  • the tactile feedback may be provided upon forward, backward or torsional pressure by the user's finger on the periphery of the sleeve. Additionally or alternatively the user may grip the sleeve between the fingers of one hand whereupon slight rotation of the tool by the user's other hand about the tool's axis will give rise to distortion of the sleeve. The distortion is felt as tactile feedback allowing very sensitive axial rotation of the tool that is effective even when the tool is held by a user wearing latex gloves, which tend to distort on a rigid or highly textured tool handle.
  • Fig. 9 shows yet a further embodiment where multiple sleeves 30 are mounted on the tool handle.
  • Each sleeve has a radial projection 37 or the sleeve may have one or more bevels as shown in Fig, 7c so that the user's finger may induce rotation of the handle by applying radial pressure to the edge of the bevel or to the side wall of the radial projection 37.
  • the sleeves may or may not have internal ridges that fit into circumferential grooves formed along the external surface of the tool handle.
  • the bevels or projections of the sleeves may be angularly offset so that they are optimally gripped between two fingers.
  • the handle is gripped by a left-handed user, the tip of whose forefinger presses against the side wall of the radial projection 37 while the user's thumb presses against opposing side walls of corresponding radial projections or bevels of adjacent rings.
  • the angular offset of the projections 37 or of the edges of the bevels may serve to identify the tool so that the extent and location of pressure applied by the contacting surfaces of the sleeves to the user's fingers affords tactile feedback identifying the tool.
  • the projections 37 or of the edges of the bevels may be pre- aligned in known angular relationship with a working tip of the tool, so as to afford tactile feedback regarding the angular disposition of the working tip even when it is out of sight of the user.
  • one of the rings has a circumferential slot 33 in addition to its being beveled.
  • any of the resilient sealing elements shown in Figs. 5a to 5e may have a circumferential slot formed in a radially projecting surface of the sealing element, and against which axial pressure may bear to displace the tool axially to a lesser extent than would result from equal force applied to a rigid seal.
  • multiple sealing elements having mutual angularly offset projections may serve to identify the tool and/or allow very fine rotational adjustment of the tool.
  • Figs. 10a to 10c show pictorially use of sleeves of the kind described above to afford enhanced tactile feedback to a user wearing latex gloves.
  • Fig. 10a shows an initial situation wherein the user, e.g. a surgeon, has donned a fresh pair of latex gloves 40 prior to performing a surgical procedure. The gloves 40 are stretched tight and hug the contours of the surgeon's fingers 41. During use, contact pressure applied to the gloves causes them to stretch and form wrinkles owing to their elasticity. This is normally a drawback and an irritation to the user because it reduces tactile sensitivity. However, the invention exploits this phenomenon to the benefit of the user. Thus, consider the arrangement shown in the figures where three annular sleeves 30 are affixed to the handle 11 of the tool 10. In Fig.
  • the forefinger 41 bearing the glove 40 in its pristine state is moved in the direction of arrow C toward the three sleeves 30, to which the finger 41 applies pressure as shown in Fig. 10b.
  • the finger 41 is now moved away from the sleeves in the direction of arrow D, it is seen in Fig. 10c that there are formed ridges 42 in the glove 40 that match the exterior shape of the sleeves.
  • the glove 40 accurately senses the direction of the tool since every slight movement of the handle 11 induces corresponding pressure to the ridges 42, which provides immediate tactile feedback to the surgeon. The effect may be further enhanced by using sleeves of different shapes.
  • opposing ends of the handle may be adapted for engagement each with a respective working tip.
  • different types of tool or different sizes of the same tool type are mounted at opposing ends of the handle.
  • the tools at one or both ends of the handle may be fixed to the handle via respective resilient sealing elements as described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6 and may be axially aligned.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Dental Tools And Instruments Or Auxiliary Dental Instruments (AREA)

Abstract

Outil à main (10) comportant une poignée (11) ayant une première extrémité (12) configurée pour entrer en prise avec une pointe de travail (13) amovible à directionnalité de rotation. Un élément d'étanchéité (14) pouvant être monté en association avec la poignée et la pointe de travail selon un alignement rotatif connu sur la pointe de travail scelle la première extrémité de la poignée où il entre en prise avec la pointe de travail et fournit un retour tactile à un utilisateur de la direction de rotation de la pointe de travail. Le retour tactile peut également être obtenu par un ou plusieurs manchons annulaires (30) constitués d'un matériau flexible monté sur la poignée (11) de l'outil.
PCT/IL2014/051021 2014-02-04 2014-11-25 Joint d'étanchéité élastique ou manchon annulaire à utiliser avec un outil à main pour fournir un retour tactile de la directionnalité de rotation de l'outil WO2015118521A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IL230808A IL230808A0 (en) 2014-02-04 2014-02-04 A manual tool with a flexible seal that can be assembled between the body of the tool and its active tip
IL230808 2014-02-04

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Publication Number Publication Date
WO2015118521A1 true WO2015118521A1 (fr) 2015-08-13

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PCT/IL2014/051021 WO2015118521A1 (fr) 2014-02-04 2014-11-25 Joint d'étanchéité élastique ou manchon annulaire à utiliser avec un outil à main pour fournir un retour tactile de la directionnalité de rotation de l'outil

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WO (1) WO2015118521A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10357271B2 (en) 2012-05-20 2019-07-23 Scalpal Llc Surgical instrument
US11234899B2 (en) 2017-05-11 2022-02-01 Scalpal Llc Grasping facilitators and uses thereof and kits involving the same
US11969864B2 (en) 2017-05-11 2024-04-30 Scalpal Llc Multi-tier torque enhancer driver and/or receiver and method of using same

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10357271B2 (en) 2012-05-20 2019-07-23 Scalpal Llc Surgical instrument
US11234899B2 (en) 2017-05-11 2022-02-01 Scalpal Llc Grasping facilitators and uses thereof and kits involving the same
US11458071B2 (en) 2017-05-11 2022-10-04 Scalpal Llc Torque enhancer device for grasping and tooling, and assemblies and uses thereof
US11944587B2 (en) 2017-05-11 2024-04-02 Scalpal Llc Grasping facilitators and uses thereof and kits involving the same
US11963933B2 (en) 2017-05-11 2024-04-23 Scalpal Llc Torque enhancer device for grasping and tooling, and assemblies and uses thereof
US11969864B2 (en) 2017-05-11 2024-04-30 Scalpal Llc Multi-tier torque enhancer driver and/or receiver and method of using same

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