US5609602A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Oscillatory coupling for surgical instruments and methods of imparting oscillatory motion thereto
Assignee: Duke University
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Filing: 1996-08-16
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Granted: 1997-03-11
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Expires: 2016-08-16
Abstract
Abstract Rotary oscillatory coupling includes a pair of opposed hubs which are independently rotatable about a common axis. Pairs of permanent magnets are provided in the opposed faces of the hubs. The proximal hub is continuously rotated in a selected rotational direction by a suitable motor. During a portion of the proximal hub's rotation, the distal hub will concurrently be rotated by virtue of the magnetic field interaction that occurs between the magnet pairs. The distal hub is, however, prevented from rotating a complete cycle by virtue of a mechanical stop. Upon encountering the mechanical stop, the rotation direction of the distal hub will be reverse to that of the continuously rotating proximal hub. When the magnets of the proximal and distal hubs again are in proximity to one another, the distal hub will then experience another reversal of rotation direction so that it rotates in the same direction as the proximal hub. This functional process repeats itself during subsequent rotational cycles to cause the distal hub to undergo high frequency oscillations.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Machemer
- 👤 Dyson Hickingbotham
- 👤 Brian Dodge
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:44
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/00736; A61F9/00763; F; F16; F16D; F16D3/00; F16D3/02; H; H02; H02K; H02K49/00; H02K49/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
An oscillatory coupling comprising: a pair of opposed hubs rotatable independently about a common axis; a housing which houses said pair of opposed hubs; a pair of permanent magnets, one of said magnets being carried by one of said hubs, and the other of said magnets being carried by the other of said hubs; and said housing includes a stop element for arresting rotation of said other hub in a selected rotation direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
An oscillatory coupling comprising: a pair of opposed hubs rotatable independently about a common axis; a housing which houses said pair of opposed hubs; a pair of permanent magnets, one of said magnets being carried by one of said hubs, and the other of said magnets being carried by the other of said hubs; and said housing includes a stop element for arresting rotation of said other hub in a selected rotation direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The oscillatory coupling as in claim 1, wherein said stop element is rigid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The oscillatory coupling as in claim 1, wherein said stop element is a compliant stop element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The oscillatory coupling as in claim 3, wherein said compliant stop element is a spring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The oscillatory coupling as in claim 3, wherein said compliant stop element is formed of an elastomeric material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The oscillatory coupling as in claim 1, which includes a support shaft defining said common axis and coaxially joining said opposed hubs to allow for independent rotation thereof about said common axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The oscillatory coupling as in claim 1, which includes at least one pair of like poled magnets.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The oscillatory coupling as in claim 7, which includes two pairs of said like poled magnets.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
146 words
A surgical instrument which comprises: a motor; a surgical implement for performing surgery on tissue; and a coupling unit for coupling said motor to said surgical implement so as to impart rotary oscillatory motion to said surgical implement, said coupling unit including; (i) a pair of opposed hubs rotatable independently about a common axis, one of said hubs being connected to said motor so as to be continuously driven thereby in a selected rotation direction; (ii) a pair of permanent magnets, one of said magnets being carried by said one hub, and the other of said magnets being carried by the other of said hubs; and (iii) a stop element for arresting rotation of said other hub in said selected rotation direction, and allowing said other hub to rotate in a direction opposite said selected rotation direction, whereby oscillatory motion is imparted to said surgical implement.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
146 words
A surgical instrument which comprises: a motor; a surgical implement for performing surgery on tissue; and a coupling unit for coupling said motor to said surgical implement so as to impart rotary oscillatory motion to said surgical implement, said coupling unit including; (i) a pair of opposed hubs rotatable independently about a common axis, one of said hubs being connected to said motor so as to be continuously driven thereby in a selected rotation direction; (ii) a pair of permanent magnets, one of said magnets being carried by said one hub, and the other of said magnets being carried by the other of said hubs; and (iii) a stop element for arresting rotation of said other hub in said selected rotation direction, and allowing said other hub to rotate in a direction opposite said selected rotation direction, whereby oscillatory motion is imparted to said surgical implement.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
184 words
The surgical instrument as in claim 9, wherein said pair of permanent magnets are oppositely poled, and wherein, (a) alignment of said pair of magnets couples said other hub magnetically to said one hub so that said one and other hubs rotate concurrently in said selected rotation direction through a first portion of a rotation cycle of said one hub until said other hub contacts said stop element which thereby magnetically uncouples said aligned magnets, and wherein (b) continued rotation of said one hub in said selected rotation direction through a second portion of said rotation cycle brings said one magnet carried thereby into magnetic proximity with said other magnet carried by said other hub to thereby responsively cause said other hub to rotate in a direction reverse to said selected rotation direction of said one hub until said pair of magnets are again aligned at which time said other hub again reverses rotation direction so that said one and other hubs rotate concurrently in said selected rotation direction, whereby said other hub oscillates between said selected rotation direction and said reverse rotation direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The surgical implement as in claim 9, which includes a support shaft defining said common axis and coaxially joining said opposed hubs to allow for independent rotation thereof about said common axis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
The surgical instrument as in claim 9, wherein said coupling includes a housing which houses said one and other hubs, and wherein said stop element includes a boss protruding from said other hub which contacts said housing and arrests rotation of said other hub in said selected rotation direction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The surgical instrument as in claim 9, which includes two pairs of opposite poled magnets.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The surgical instrument as in claim 9, wherein said magnets have like poles.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The surgical instrument as in claim 14, which includes two pairs of like poled permanent magnets.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
206 words
A method of effecting oscillatory motion comprising the steps of: (i) providing a pair of magnets carried respectively by one and another hubs which are rotatable independently relative to one another about a common axis; (ii) rotating said one hub in a selected rotation direction during a first portion of a rotation cycle to thereby cause said other hub to concurrently rotate therewith in said selected rotation direction by virtue of the magnetic field interaction of said pair of magnets; (iii) arresting rotational movement of said other hub in said selected rotation direction while continuing to rotate said one hub in said selected rotation direction through a second portion of said rotation cycle so as to cause the said other hub to rotate in a direction which is reverse to said selected rotation direction; (iv) bringing said magnet carried by said one hub into proximity with said magnet carried by said other hub during said second portion of said rotation cycle to thereby cause the rotation direction of said other hub to reverse and thereby be rotated in said selected rotation direction; and then (v) repeating steps (ii)-(iv) during subsequent rotation cycles to effect oscillation of said other hub between said selected and opposite rotation directions.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
206 words
A method of effecting oscillatory motion comprising the steps of: (i) providing a pair of magnets carried respectively by one and another hubs which are rotatable independently relative to one another about a common axis; (ii) rotating said one hub in a selected rotation direction during a first portion of a rotation cycle to thereby cause said other hub to concurrently rotate therewith in said selected rotation direction by virtue of the magnetic field interaction of said pair of magnets; (iii) arresting rotational movement of said other hub in said selected rotation direction while continuing to rotate said one hub in said selected rotation direction through a second portion of said rotation cycle so as to cause the said other hub to rotate in a direction which is reverse to said selected rotation direction; (iv) bringing said magnet carried by said one hub into proximity with said magnet carried by said other hub during said second portion of said rotation cycle to thereby cause the rotation direction of said other hub to reverse and thereby be rotated in said selected rotation direction; and then (v) repeating steps (ii)-(iv) during subsequent rotation cycles to effect oscillation of said other hub between said selected and opposite rotation directions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as in claim 16, wherein step (iii) is practiced by bringing said other hub into contact with a stop element.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as in claim 16, wherein said one and other magnets have either opposite or like poles.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The oscillatory coupling as in claim 18, wherein said stop means is a rigid stop element.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
80 words
An oscillatory coupling comprising: a pair of opposed hubs rotatable independently about a common axis; a housing which houses said pair of opposed hubs; a pair of permanent magnets, one of said magnets being carried by one of said hubs, and the other of said magnets being carried by the other of said hubs; and said housing includes stop means for arresting rotation of said other hub in a selected rotation direction to magnetically decouple said pair of permanent magnets.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
80 words
An oscillatory coupling comprising: a pair of opposed hubs rotatable independently about a common axis; a housing which houses said pair of opposed hubs; a pair of permanent magnets, one of said magnets being carried by one of said hubs, and the other of said magnets being carried by the other of said hubs; and said housing includes stop means for arresting rotation of said other hub in a selected rotation direction to magnetically decouple said pair of permanent magnets.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
127 words
The oscillatory coupling as in claim 20, wherein said one hub is continuously rotatable in said selected rotation direction such that said one magnet responsively drives said other magnet in one direction during a portion of the rotation of said one hub in said selected direction until rotation of said other hub is arrested by said stop means at which time said other hub rotates in a direction opposite to said one hub, and wherein continued rotation of said one hub in said selected rotation direction will again bring said one magnet into proximity with said other magnet so that the rotation direction of said other hub will again reverse and be rotated in said selected rotation direction, whereby oscillatory motion is imparted to said other hub.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The oscillatory coupling as in claim 20, wherein said stop means includes a compliant stop element.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The oscillatory coupling as in claim 22, wherein said compliant stop element is formed of an elastomeric material.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The oscillatory coupling as in claim 22, wherein said compliant stop element is a spring.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
190 words
An oscillatory coupling comprising: a pair of opposed hubs rotatable independently about a common axis; a housing which houses said pair of opposed hubs; a pair of permanent magnets, one of said magnets being carried by one of said hubs, and the other of said magnets being carried by the other of said hubs; and a stop element for arresting rotation of said other hub in a selected rotation direction, wherein said one hub is continuously rotatable in said selected rotation direction such that said one magnet responsively drives said other magnet in one direction during a portion of the rotation of said one hub in said selected direction until rotation of said other hub is arrested by said stop element at which time said other hub rotates in a direction opposite to said one hub, and wherein continued rotation of said one hub in said selected rotation direction will again bring said one magnet into proximity with said other magnet so that the rotation direction of said other hub will again reverse and be rotated in said selected rotation direction, whereby oscillatory motion is imparted to said other hub.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
190 words
An oscillatory coupling comprising: a pair of opposed hubs rotatable independently about a common axis; a housing which houses said pair of opposed hubs; a pair of permanent magnets, one of said magnets being carried by one of said hubs, and the other of said magnets being carried by the other of said hubs; and a stop element for arresting rotation of said other hub in a selected rotation direction, wherein said one hub is continuously rotatable in said selected rotation direction such that said one magnet responsively drives said other magnet in one direction during a portion of the rotation of said one hub in said selected direction until rotation of said other hub is arrested by said stop element at which time said other hub rotates in a direction opposite to said one hub, and wherein continued rotation of said one hub in said selected rotation direction will again bring said one magnet into proximity with said other magnet so that the rotation direction of said other hub will again reverse and be rotated in said selected rotation direction, whereby oscillatory motion is imparted to said other hub.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The oscillatory coupling as in claim 25, which includes at least one pair of like poled magnets.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The oscillatory coupling as in claim 26, which includes two pairs of said like poled magnets.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
The oscillatory coupling as in claim 25, wherein said one and another magnets have either like or opposite poles.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
240 words
An oscillatory coupling comprising: a pair of opposed hubs rotatable independently about a common axis; a housing which houses said pair of opposed hubs; a pair of oppositely poled permanent magnets, one of said magnets being carried by one of said hubs, and the other of said magnets being carried by the other of said hubs; and said housing includes a stop element for arresting rotation of said other hub in a selected rotation direction, wherein alignment of said pair of magnets couples said other hub magnetically to said one hub so that said one and other hubs rotate concurrently in said selected rotation direction through a first portion of a rotation cycle of said one hub until said other hub contacts said stop element which thereby magnetically uncouples said aligned magnets, and wherein continued rotation of said one hub in said selected rotation direction through a second portion of said rotation cycle brings said one magnet carried thereby into magnetic proximity with said other magnet carried by said other hub to thereby responsively cause said other hub to rotate in a direction reverse to said selected rotation direction of said one hub until said pair of magnets are again aligned at which time said other hub again reverses rotation direction so that said one and other hubs rotate concurrently in said selected rotation direction, whereby said other hub oscillates between said selected rotation direction and said reverse rotation direction.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
240 words
An oscillatory coupling comprising: a pair of opposed hubs rotatable independently about a common axis; a housing which houses said pair of opposed hubs; a pair of oppositely poled permanent magnets, one of said magnets being carried by one of said hubs, and the other of said magnets being carried by the other of said hubs; and said housing includes a stop element for arresting rotation of said other hub in a selected rotation direction, wherein alignment of said pair of magnets couples said other hub magnetically to said one hub so that said one and other hubs rotate concurrently in said selected rotation direction through a first portion of a rotation cycle of said one hub until said other hub contacts said stop element which thereby magnetically uncouples said aligned magnets, and wherein continued rotation of said one hub in said selected rotation direction through a second portion of said rotation cycle brings said one magnet carried thereby into magnetic proximity with said other magnet carried by said other hub to thereby responsively cause said other hub to rotate in a direction reverse to said selected rotation direction of said one hub until said pair of magnets are again aligned at which time said other hub again reverses rotation direction so that said one and other hubs rotate concurrently in said selected rotation direction, whereby said other hub oscillates between said selected rotation direction and said reverse rotation direction.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
34 words
The oscillatory coupling as in claim 25 or 29, which includes a support shaft defining said common axis and coaxially joining said opposed hubs to allow for independent rotation thereof about said common axis.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
98 words
An oscillatory coupling comprising: a pair of opposed hubs rotatable independently about a common axis; a housing which houses said pair of opposed hubs; a pair of permanent magnets, one of said magnets being carried by one of said hubs, and the other of said magnets being carried by the other of said hubs; and a stop element for arresting rotation of said other hub in a selected rotation direction, wherein said stop element includes a boss protruding from said other hub which contacts said housing and arrests rotation of said other hub in said selected rotation direction.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
98 words
An oscillatory coupling comprising: a pair of opposed hubs rotatable independently about a common axis; a housing which houses said pair of opposed hubs; a pair of permanent magnets, one of said magnets being carried by one of said hubs, and the other of said magnets being carried by the other of said hubs; and a stop element for arresting rotation of said other hub in a selected rotation direction, wherein said stop element includes a boss protruding from said other hub which contacts said housing and arrests rotation of said other hub in said selected rotation direction.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
77 words
An oscillatory coupling comprising: a pair of opposed hubs rotatable independently about a common axis; a housing which houses said pair of opposed hubs; at least one pair of oppositely poled permanent magnets, one of said magnets being carried by one of said hubs, and the other of said magnets being carried by the other of said hubs; and said housing includes a stop element for arresting rotation of said other hub in a selected rotation direction.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
77 words
An oscillatory coupling comprising: a pair of opposed hubs rotatable independently about a common axis; a housing which houses said pair of opposed hubs; at least one pair of oppositely poled permanent magnets, one of said magnets being carried by one of said hubs, and the other of said magnets being carried by the other of said hubs; and said housing includes a stop element for arresting rotation of said other hub in a selected rotation direction.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
The oscillatory coupling as in claim 32, which includes two pairs of said oppositely poled magnets.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-03-10 | 2000-09-09 | 2001-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-03-10 | 2004-09-09 | 2005-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-03-10 | 2008-09-09 | 2009-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |