WO2023168327A2

WO2023168327A2 - Torque driver adapter

Info

Publication number: WO2023168327A2
Application number: PCT/US2023/063561
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nathan Williams; Rajesh Pandey
Original assignee: Clearpoint Neuro, Inc.
Priority date: 2022-03-04
Filing date: 2023-03-02
Publication date: 2023-09-07
Also published as: WO2023168327A3

Abstract

A driver adapter that is configured to be used with an existing driver device, such as a drill having Hudson-type connector or any type of hand tool or power tool for applying torque. The driver adaptor is configured to adapt such drills for tasks associated with various driver heads, such as for driving a screw.

Description

TORQUE DRIVER ADAPTER

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 63/316,546, filed March 4, 2022, entitled “TORQUE DRIVER ADAPTER”, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] There are many situations when it is necessary to use a driver (such as a screwdriver) such as to apply torque in a clinical application. It may be desirable to use a powered driving mechanism, such as in an operation room or surgical room, even in situations where a powered driver is unavailable. Some operating rooms are equipped with drills and speed reducer attachments that offer lower speed, high torque output but that also require a universal Hudson mating geometry.

[0003] There is a need for an adapter that is configured to adapt a driver head to a Hudson-type connector for attaching the driver head to a drill.

SUMMARY

[0004] Disclosed is a driver adapter that is configured to be used with an existing driver device, such as a drill having Hudson-type connector (or any type of hand tool or power tool for applying torque). The disclosed driver adaptor is configured to adapt such drills for tasks associated with various driver heads, such as for driving a screw. This may be particularly useful in scenarios such as intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) guided procedures where a powered screwdriver is not available for use. [0005] In one aspect, there is disclosed a system for adapting a driver device to a driver head, comprising: a housing having an opening configured to mechanically coupled to the driver head; and a connector attached to the housing opposite the opening, the connector configured to mechanically couple to a Hudson- type connector.

[0006] The details of one or more variations of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of the subject matter described herein will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The details of one or more variations of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of the subject matter described herein will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

[0008] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a driver adapter and a driver head.

[0009] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the driver adapter and the driver head of Figure 1 mechanically coupled to one another.

[0010] Figure 3 shows a schematic, cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the driver adapter.

[0011] Figure 4 shows a schematic, cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the driver adapter.

[0012] Figure 5 shows a schematic view of the driver adapter coupled to a driver device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Before the present subject matter is further described, it is to be understood that this subject matter described herein is not limited to particular embodiments described, as such may of course vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. Unless defined otherwise, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one skilled in the art to which this subject matter belongs.

[0014] Disclosed is a driver adapter that is configured to be used with an existing driver device, such as a drill (or any type of hand tool or power tool for applying torque), having Hudson-type connector. The disclosed driver adaptor is configured to adapt such drills for tasks associated with various driver heads, such as for driving a screw. This may be particularly useful in scenarios such as intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) guided procedures where a powered screwdriver is not available for use.

[0015] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a driver adapter 105 and a driver head 110 (sometimes referred to as a driver bit or drill bit). Figure 2 shows the driver head 110 mechanically coupled to the driver adapter 105. The driver adapter 105 is configured to provide an adapter interface for coupling the driver head 110 to a drive device, such as a drill device, and in particular a driver device having a Hudson-type connector, as described further below.

[0016] The driver head 110 is shown in a non-limiting example as an elongated body that extends along an axis. The driver head has distal screwdriver tip or head comprising a Phillips type head. It should be appreciated that the type of driver head can vary and can be, for example, a flat head, a Torx head, a hex head or any other type of head. The driver head can also be configured for uses other than driving a screw. A proximal end of the driver head 110 forms a shank or tang 120 that is configured to attach to a driver interface. The tang 120 is illustrated as a hex-type interface. However, the driver adapter 105 can be configured for use with any interface that is not a Hudson-type connector. For example, the tang 120 can be replaced with a different type of interface or any type of mating geometry such as a proprietary mating geometry, a permanently affixed driver head, or a keyed or keyless chuck for example.

[0017] The driver adapter 105 is formed of a body such as a sleeve or housing 107 (which can vary in shape) that defines or otherwise includes a port 302, which forms an opening 125 configured to receive or otherwise couple to the tang 120 of the driver head 110 (as described further below with reference to Figures 3 and 4.) The opening 125 has a size and shape that complements the size and shape of the tang 120 such that the tang 120 is insertable into the opening 125. As mentioned, the opening 125 has a standard hex mating geometry as shown although the geometry can vary. The shape of the opening can conform exactly to the shape of the tang 120 or it can vary. In any event, the two shapes complement one another such that when the tang 120 is mated with the opening 125, the driver adapter can transfer rotation movement to the driver head 110 such as rotation about the long axis of the driver head, which is co-axial with that of the driver adapter 105 when the two are mated as shown in Figure 2.

[0018] The driver adapter 105 has a proximal end that forms a mechanical interface comprised of a Hudson connector 115 having a Hudson mating geometry, which is configured to be mechanically attached to a Hudson-type driver such as a Hudson drill. The Hudson connector 115 is described in more detail below with reference to Figure 3

[0019] Figure 2 schematically shows the driver head 110 mechanically coupled to the driver adapter 105. The tang 120 inserts and fits into the opening 125 such that the driver adapter 105 and the driver head 110 form a unitary structure. The driver adapter 105 rotates (such as via attachment to a driver such as a hand powered or otherwise powered drill) and transfer such rotation to the driver head 110 via the attachment between the tang 120 and the driver adapter 105. The rotation occurs about the long axis of the driver head 110. For example, the driver adapter 105 and driver head 110 can rotate about an axis that is co-axial or otherwise aligned with a long axis of the driver head 110. The driver adapter 105 can be mechanically attached to a Hudson-type interface of a driver device, such as a drill, via the Hudson-type mechanical interface. In this manner, the driver device can be used to transfer torque to the driver head 110 via the driver adapter 105.

[0020] Figure 3 shows a schematic, cross-sectional view of the driver adapter 105. The sleeve or housing 107 of the driver adapter 105 includes an internal port 302, which forms the opening 125. The port 302 can be formed as an integral or monolithic part of the housing 107 or it can be a separate structure positioned inside the housing 107. The opening 125 extends into an internal cavity 305 formed by the port 302 and having a geometry that complements the geometry of the tang 120 (Figure 1 ) such that the tang 120 is insertable into the cavity 305. In a non-limiting example, the geometry is a % inch hex geometry.

[0021] As mentioned, the driver adapter 105 has a Hudson connector

115 formed of a Hudson mating geometry configured to mate with a complementary Hudson-type connector of a driver device. The Hudson connector 115 includes a cylindrical collar 307 connected to a frustoconical body 309, which connects to a cylindrical body or shaft 311 . The frustoconical body tapers moving in a distal direction (i.e., left to right in Figure 3.) The Hudson connector 115 further includes a stepped body 312, which forms a flat surface. The stepped body 312 can be part of a proximal portion of the housing 107 or it can be spaced from the housing 107. The stepped body 312 has a wider diameter relative to an attachment location of the shaft 311.

[0022] With reference still to Figure 3, the driver adapter 105 includes clutch 307 that is configured to disengage transmission of power at a discrete torque threshold or a range of torque thresholds such as to prevent overdriving of the driver head 110 beyond the threshold. In an embodiment, the level of the torque threshold can be selected by a user. The type of clutch can vary. For example, the clutch 307 can be a slip clutch configured to cause the driver to slip and stop spinning upon a predetermined torque threshold being reached. This feature prevents stripping, breaking or over-driving of a device being driven, such as a screw. The slip clutch can be configured to not release when a reverse rotation is implemented. In an embodiment reverse rotation is counterclockwise rotation. In addition, the clutch can be configured to slip in only a forward direction (i.e. , clockwise) or in both a forward direction and a reverse direction. The driver adapter 105 can also be configured without a clutch.

[0023] Figure 4 shows a schematic, cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the driver adapter 105. This embodiment includes a friction disk 405 mechanically attached a drive shaft 410. The friction disk 405 is a relatively thin, disk-like body position at a proximal region of the housing of the adapter. The friction disk 405 is configured to transfer energy to the drive shaft 410 via a pressure plate assembly 415 positioned distal of the friction disk 405 and mechanically coupled to the housing 107. The pressure plate can be mechanically attached to the drive shaft or the friction disk The driver adapter further includes an optional reverse mechanism 420 such as a sprag clutch positioned distal of the pressure plate assembly 415. It should be appreciated that any of a variety of clutch mechanisms can be used.

[0024] The driver adapter 105 may or may not be designed to be magnetic resonance (MR) conditional. When the driver adapter is MR conditional then the driver adapter may be constructed from a range of plastics, ceramics and non-magnetic metals in non-limiting examples. Some non-limiting examples of MR conditional materials include aluminum, titanium, brass, copper and austenitic stainless steel (e.g. 304, 316L). If MR conditional labelling is not required, then the device may also include magnetic materials such as iron, nickel and magnetic steel (e.g. chromium-vanadium).

[0025] The driver adapter 105 can also include a speed reducing gear system to enable the driver adapter to provide even lower speeds and higher torque. In this regard, one or more gears are contained inside or otherwise coupled to the housing of the driver adapter such that the gears are configured to reduce a rotational speed of the driver device (such as a drill) that drives the driver adapter 105. Alternatively, if a high-speed reducer is employed, the driver adapter 105 can be configured to plug directly into a high-speed drill without the need for a separate speed reducer. The driver adapter 105 can also include a torque limiter that is configured to reduce or otherwise limit a level of torque that is applied by the driver. The driver adapter 105 can also include a speed limiter.

[0026] Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of the driver adapter 105 and the attached driver head 115 coupled to a driver 505 such as a Hudson drill. As mentioned, the Hudson connector 115 (Figure 1 ) is configured to mechanically attach to a complementary interface (i.e., a complementary Hudson-type connector) of the driver 505. In this manner, the driver adapter 105 is configured to adapt the tang 120 (which is not a Hudson-type connector) of the driver head 110 to the Hudson-type connector of the Hudson drill 505. The driver adapter 105 thus transmits torque provided by the Hudson drill 505 to the driver head 110.

[0027] While this specification contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of an invention that is claimed or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or a variation of a sub-combination. Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Only a few examples and implementations are disclosed. Variations, modifications and enhancements to the described examples and implementations and other implementations may be made based on what is disclosed.

Claims

1. A system for adapting a driver device to a driver head, comprising: a housing having an opening configured to mechanically coupled to the driver head; a connector attached to the housing opposite the opening, the connector configured to mechanically couple to a Hudson-type connector.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the housing defines a hex mating geometry.

3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a clutch inside the housing.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system is MR conditional.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the driver head is a screw driver head.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising the driver head, which is configured to fit into an opening of the housing.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the device includes a speed reducing gear system inside the housing.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes an internal port that receives the driver head.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the port defines the opening.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the port forms an internal cavity that receives at least a portion of the driver head.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the internal cavity has a hexagonal geometry.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a friction disk, a pressure plate, and a drive shaft, wherein the friction disk is configured to transfer energy to the drive shaft via the pressure plate assembly.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the pressure plate is attached to the drive shaft.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the pressure plate is attached to the friction disk.