AN ACTUATION CONNECTOR FOR A TOOL

Abstract

A tool actuation connector includes a tool activation interface, a longitudinal lock interface and a rotation lock interface. The tool actuation connector includes a latching spring, an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve. The latching spring includes a plurality of spring hooks, for coupling with the tool activation interface. The inner sleeve is operable to longitudinally move relative to the latching spring. The inner sleeve couples the latching spring to the activation interface when the inner sleeve is located over the latching spring and releases the latching spring from the activation interface when the inner sleeve moves away from the latching spring toward the proximal direction. The outer sleeve is rotationally locked with the inner sleeve and is operable to longitudinally move relative to the inner sleeve. The outer sleeve is further operable to rotationally lock with the tool via the rotation lock interface.

Claims

1. An assembly operative to be employed during surgery comprising: at least one tool, each of said at least one tool including a tool activation interface, a longitudinal lock interface and a rotation lock interface; and actuation connector for connecting with each said at least one tool including: a latching spring, including a plurality of spring hooks, for coupling with said tool activation interface; an inner sleeve, operable to longitudinally move relative to said latching spring, said inner sleeve coupling said latching spring to said activation interface when said inner sleeve is located over said latching spring and releasing said latching spring from said activation interface when said inner sleeve moves away from said latching spring toward the proximal direction; and an outer sleeve, rotationally locked with said inner sleeve, operable to longitudinally move relative to said inner sleeve, said outer sleeve further being operable to rotationally lock with said tool via said rotation lock interface, wherein when said actuation connector is connected to said tool, to disconnect said actuation connector from said tool, said outer sleeve is longitudinally moved toward a proximal direction, thereby rotationally unlocking said outer sleeve from said rotation lock interface and thereby rotationally unlocking said actuation connector from said tool, wherein when said outer sleeve is rotationally unlocked from said rotation lock interface, said inner sleeve is rotated in a first direction, thereby longitudinally unlocking said actuation connector from said tool, wherein when said actuation connector is disconnected from said tool, to connect said actuation connector to said tool, said inner sleeve is rotated in a second direction different from said first direction, to longitudinally lock said actuation connector with said tool, wherein, when said inner sleeve is longitudinally locked with said actuation connector, said outer sleeve is longitudinally moved toward a distal direction to rotationally lock with said rotation lock interface, thereby rotationally locking said actuation connector with said tool.

2. The actuation connector according to claim 1, wherein said outer sleeve includes a plurality of rotation lock teeth, wherein said rotation lock interface includes a plurality of tool rotation lock protrusions which create a plurality of tool rotation lock grooves, when said outer sleeve is rotationally locked with said rotation lock interface, each one of said rotation lock teeth is located in one of said tool rotation lock grooves and each one of said rotation lock teeth rotationally lock with two adjacent ones of said rotation lock protrusions.

3. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said inner sleeve includes at least one sleeve rotation lock pin, wherein said outer sleeve includes at least one sleeve rotation lock groove, and wherein each of said at least one sleeve rotation lock pin is located in one of said at least one sleeve rotation lock grooves.

4. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said longitudinal lock interface is at least one L-shaped cutout, each of said at least one L-shaped cutout including a longitudinal section and a lateral section, wherein said inner sleeve includes at least one sleeve longitudinal lock pin, and wherein when each of said at least one sleeve longitudinal lock pin is inserted to one of said at least one L-shaped cutout toward the end of said lateral section, such that said inner sleeve and said tool do not move one with respect to the other in a longitudinal direction.

5. The assembly according to claim 4, wherein said actuation connector further includes a spring applying a force on said outer sleeve in the distal direction, and wherein when each of said rotation lock teeth is aligned with one of said tool rotation lock grooves, each one of said rotation lock teeth is inserted into one of said tool rotation lock grooves.

6. The assembly according to claim 5, wherein when a force is applied on said outer sleeve in the proximal direction, said outer sleeve moves until said rotation lock teeth are out of said tool rotation lock grooves thereby rotationally unlocking said actuation connector from said tool.

7. The assembly according to claim 6, wherein said inner sleeve is rotated to align said at least one longitudinal lock pin with said longitudinal section of said L-shaped cutout thereby longitudinally unlocking said actuation connector from said tool.

8. The assembly according to claim 7, wherein said inner sleeve is pulled toward the distal direction relative to said latching spring to remove said inner sleeve from said latching spring such that said spring hooks are releases from said activation interface.

9. The assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a manifold apparatus operative for containing medical tools during operation, said manifold apparatus comprising: a containers manifold including a plurality of tool containers, for containing medical tools, said containers manifold further including a at least one tool passage cavity operative to enable at least one arm with said at least one tool attached thereto to pass through a respective one of said at least one tool passage cavity, toward an operated region; and a manifold arm including articulation links, coupled with said containers manifold, operative to maneuver said containers manifold.

10. The assembly according to claim 9, wherein said containers manifold includes a proximal section and a distal section, and wherein diameter of each container at said distal section is smaller than the diameter of each container at said proximal section.

11. The assembly according to claim 9, wherein at least one of said tool containers is empty during surgery.

12. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein at least one of said tool containers includes at least a second tool.

13. An actuation connector for connecting with a tool, said tool including a tool activation interface, a longitudinal lock interface and a rotation lock interface, said actuation connector comprising: a latching spring, including a plurality of spring hooks, for coupling with said tool activation interface; an inner sleeve, operable to longitudinally move relative to said latching spring, said inner sleeve coupling said latching spring to said activation interface when said inner sleeve is located over said latching spring and releasing said latching spring from said activation interface when said inner sleeve moves away from said latching spring toward the proximal direction; an outer sleeve, rotationally locked with said inner sleeve, operable to longitudinally move relative to said inner sleeve, said outer sleeve further being operable to rotationally lock with said tool via said rotation lock interface, wherein when said actuation connector is connected to said tool, to disconnect said actuation connector from said tool said outer, sleeve is longitudinally moved toward a proximal direction, thereby rotationally unlocking said outer sleeve from said rotation lock interface and thereby rotationally unlocking said actuation connector from said tool, wherein when said outer sleeve is rotationally unlocked from said rotation lock interface, said inner sleeve is rotated in a first direction, thereby longitudinally unlocking said actuation connector from said tool, wherein when said actuation connector is disconnected from said tool, to connect said actuation connector to said tool, said inner sleeve is rotated in a second direction different from said first direction, to longitudinally lock said actuation connector with said tool, wherein, when said inner sleeve is longitudinally locked with said actuation connector, said outer sleeve is longitudinally moved toward a distal direction to rotationally lock with said rotation lock interface, thereby rotationally locking said actuation connector with said tool.

14. The actuation connector according to claim 13, wherein said outer sleeve includes a plurality of rotation lock teeth, wherein said rotation lock interface includes a plurality of tool rotation lock protrusions which create a plurality of tool rotation lock grooves, when said outer sleeve is rotationally locked with said rotation lock interface, each one of said rotation lock teeth is located in one of said tool rotation lock grooves and each one of said rotation lock teeth rotationally lock with two adjacent ones of said rotation lock protrusions.

15. The actuation connector according to claim 13, wherein said inner sleeve includes at least one sleeve rotation lock pin, wherein said outer sleeve includes at least one sleeve rotation lock groove, and wherein each of said at least one sleeve rotation lock pin is located in one of said at least one sleeve rotation lock grooves.

16. The actuation connector according to claim 13, wherein said longitudinal lock interface is at least one L-shaped cutout, each of said at least one L-shaped cutout including a longitudinal section and a lateral section, wherein said inner sleeve includes at least one sleeve longitudinal lock pin, and wherein when each of said at least one sleeve longitudinal lock pin is inserted to one of said at least one L-shaped cutout toward the end of said lateral section, such that said inner sleeve and said tool do not move one with respect to the other in a longitudinal direction.

17. The actuation connector according to claim 16, wherein said actuation connector further includes a spring applying a force on said outer sleeve in the distal direction, and wherein when each of said rotation lock teeth is aligned with one of said tool rotation lock grooves, each one of said rotation lock teeth is inserted into one of said tool rotation lock grooves.

18. The actuation connector according to claim 17, wherein when a force is applied on said outer sleeve in the proximal direction, said outer sleeve moves until said rotation lock teeth are out of said tool rotation lock grooves thereby rotationally unlocking said actuation connector from said tool.

19. The actuation connector according to claim 18, wherein said inner sleeve is rotated to align said at least one longitudinal lock pin with said longitudinal section of said L-shaped cutout thereby longitudinally unlocking said actuation connector from said tool.

20. The actuation connector according to claim 19, wherein said inner sleeve is pulled toward the distal direction relative to said latching spring to remove said inner sleeve from said latching spring such that said spring hooks are releases from said activation interface.

21. Manifold apparatus for containing medical tools during operation, said manifold apparatus comprising: a containers manifold including a plurality of tool containers, for containing medical tools, said containers manifold further including a at least one tool passage cavity operative to enable at least one arm with a medical tool attached thereto to pass through a respective one of said at least one tool passage cavity, toward an operated region; and a manifold arm including articulation links, coupled with said containers manifold, operative to maneuver said containers manifold.

22. The assembly according to claim 21, wherein said containers manifold includes a proximal section and a distal section, and wherein diameter of each container at said distal section is smaller than the diameter of each container at said proximal section.

23. The assembly according to claim 21, wherein at least one of said tool containers is empty during surgery.

24. The assembly according to claim 23, wherein at least one of said tool containers includes at least a second tool.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The disclosed technique will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

[0009] FIGS. 1A and 1B depict the components of tool mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed technique;

[0010] FIG. 1C-1D depicts tool mechanism in an assembled and connected state in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed technique;

[0011] FIGS. 1F-1I depicts the process of releasing actuation connector from a tool section in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed technique; and

[0012] FIGS. 2A-2D are schematic illustrations of a manifold apparatus, constructed and operative in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosed technique.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The disclosed technique overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a tool actuation connector mechanism, for connecting with a selected tool or to release the tool which is employed, during operation (e.g., surgery). In other words, the tool mechanism according to the disclosed technique enables exchanging tools of a tool guide during operation. The tool actuation connector includes a tool activation interface, a longitudinal lock interface and a rotation lock interface. The actuation connector includes a latching spring, an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve. The latching spring includes a plurality of spring hooks, for coupling with the tool activation interface. The inner sleeve is operable to longitudinally move relative to said latching spring. The inner sleeve couples the latching spring to the activation interface when said inner sleeve is located over said latching spring and releases the latching spring from the activation interface when the inner sleeve moves away from the latching spring toward the proximal direction. The outer sleeve is rotationally locked with the inner sleeve and is operable to longitudinally move relative to the inner sleeve. The outer sleeve is further operable to rotationally lock with said tool via said rotation lock interface.

[0014] Reference is now made to FIGS. 1A-1I, which are schematic illustrations of a tool mechanism, generally referenced 100, constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed technique. Tool mechanism 100 includes a tool section 101 and an actuation connector 103. FIGS. 1A and 1B depict the components of tool mechanism 100. FIG. 1C-1D depicts tool mechanism 100 in an assembled and connected state. FIGS. 1E-1I depicts the process of releasing actuation connector 103 from tool section 101.

[0015] For the sake of the description which follows, the direction toward the tool section 101 is referred to as ‘distal direction’ or ‘distal end’ and the toward actuation connector 103 is referred to as ‘proximal direction’ or ‘proximal end’. Tool section 101 includes a tool 102, a tool housing 104 and a tool activation interface such as a push-pull rod 110. Tool housing 104 includes a rotation lock interface. In exemplary tool mechanism 100, the rotation lock interface includes a plurality of rotation lock protrusions at the distal end thereof. In exemplary too mechanism 100 tool housing 104 includes five rotation lock protrusions 106.sub.1, 106.sub.2, 106.sub.3, 106.sub.4 and 106.sub.5. Rotation lock protrusions 106.sub.1-106.sub.5 create a plurality of tool rotation lock grooves 108.sub.1, 108.sub.2, 108.sub.3, 108.sub.4 and 108.sub.5. Tool housing 104 includes at a longitudinal lock interface. In the example brought forth in FIGS. 1A-1I, longitudinal lock interface is in the form of two L-shaped cutouts 109.sub.1 and 109.sub.2. Each one of L-shaped cutouts 109.sub.1 and 109.sub.2 includes a longitudinal section and a lateral section. Push-pull rod 110 includes a mushroom pin 112.

[0016] Actuation connector 103 includes a latching spring 114, an inner sleeve 118 and an outer sleeve 124. Latching spring 114 includes a plurality of spring hooks. In the example brought forth in FIGS. 1A-1I latching spring 114 includes four spring hook 116.sub.1, 116.sub.2, 116.sub.3 and 116.sub.4. Inner sleeve 118 includes at least one sleeve rotation lock pin and at least one sleeve longitudinal lock pin. In exemplary tool mechanism 100, inner sleeve 118 includes two sleeve rotation lock pins 120.sub.1 and 120.sub.2 and two sleeve longitudinal lock pin 122.sub.1 and 122.sub.2. Outer sleeve 124 includes a plurality of rotation lock teeth at the distal end thereof and at least one sleeve rotation lock groove. In exemplary tool mechanism 100, outer sleeve 124 includes five rotation lock teeth 126.sub.1, 126.sub.2, 126.sub.3, 126.sub.4 and 126.sub.5 extending from said inner sleeve toward the distal direction. Outer sleeve 124 two sleeve rotation lock grooves 128.sub.1 and 128.sub.2 located on the lateral surface of outer sleeve 124. Tool mechanism further includes a spring 130 and a rotation bearing 132. Inner sleeve 118 is coupled with a tool guide, which controls the actuation of tool mechanism 100.

[0017] Inner sleeve 118 and outer sleeve 124 exhibit a cylindrical shape. Tool housing 104 also exhibits a cylindrical shape with two prongs extending from the distal base thereof. When tool mechanism 100 is in the assembled and connected state, inner sleeve 118, outer sleeve 124 and tool housing 104 are concentric. The term ‘longitudinal direction’ or ‘longitudinally’ relate herein to any direction parallel to the concentric axis of inner sleeve 118, outer sleeve 124 and tool housing 104. The term ‘longitudinally move’ relates to movement in a longitudinal direction. The term ‘actuation’ relates herein to the motion (i.e., longitudinal motion, rotation motion) and to the activation of tool 102.

[0018] With reference to FIG. 1C, spring 130 applies a force on outer sleeve 124 in the distal direction and each rotation lock teeth 126.sub.1-126.sub.5 is located in one of tool rotation lock grooves 108.sub.1-108.sub.5. Consequently, each rotation lock teeth 126.sub.1-126.sub.5 rotationally lock with two adjacent rotation lock protrusions 106.sub.1-106.sub.5, such that when outer sleeve 124 rotates, tool housing 104, and thus tool 102 rotates as well (i.e., outer sleeve 124 and tool 102 are rotationally locked one with respect to the other). Also, each of sleeve rotation lock pins 120.sub.1 and 120.sub.2 of inner sleeve 118 is located in one of sleeve rotation lock grooves 128.sub.1 and 128.sub.2 such that when inner sleeve 118 rotates, outer sleeve 124 rotates as well (i.e., inner sleeve 118 and outer sleeve 124 are rotationally locked one with respect to the other). Thus, when inner sleeve 118 rotates, tool housing 104 and thus tool 102 also rotates (i.e., inner sleeve 118 and tool 102 are rotationally locked one with respect to the other). Also, the longitudinal length of sleeve rotation lock grooves 128.sub.1 and 128.sub.2 is larger than the longitudinal length of sleeve rotation lock pins 120.sub.1 and 120.sub.2, to enable relative motion between outer sleeve 124 and inner sleeve 118 in a longitudinal direction. This relative motion between outer sleeve 124 and inner sleeve 118 is limited by the longitudinal length of sleeve rotation lock grooves 128.sub.1 and 128.sub.2, and is equal or larger than the longitudinal length of rotation lock teeth 126.sub.1-126.sub.5.

[0019] With reference to FIG. 1D, which depicts tool mechanism 100 in an assembled and connected state with outer sleeve 124 removed, sleeve longitudinal lock pin 122.sub.1 is inserted into the L-shaped cutout 109.sub.1, toward the end of the lateral section, such that, in the assembled and connected state, tool housing 104 and inner sleeve 118 do not move one with respect to the other in a longitudinal direction (i.e., tool housing 104 and inner sleeve are longitudinally locked). It is noted that, although not depicted in FIG. 1D, in an assembled and connected state longitudinal lock pin 122.sub.2 is inserted into the L-shaped cutout 109.sub.2.

[0020] With reference to FIG. 1E, which depicts and cross-section tool mechanism 100 in the assembled connected state, inner sleeve 118 is located over latching spring 114, and presses on spring hooks 116.sub.1-116.sub.4, such that spring hooks 116.sub.1-116.sub.4 latch on mushroom pin 112, and thus on push-pull rod 110. Thus, latching spring 114 is coupled with push-pull rod 110 (i.e., with tool activation interface). It is noted that latching spring 114 and inner sleeve 118 may move independently one with respect to the other in a longitudinal direction.

[0021] To release of actuation connector 103 from tool section 101, a force is applied on outer sleeve 124 in the proximal direction. With reference to FIG. 1F, as tool mechanism 100 is inserted into a container 134, the rim of container 134 applies a force on outer sleeve 124 in the proximal direction until rotation lock teeth 126.sub.1-126.sub.5 are out of tool rotation lock grooves 108.sub.1-108.sub.2 and outer sleeve 124 is rotationally unlocked from tool housing 104. Thereafter, and with reference to FIG. 1G, inner sleeve 118 is rotated to align longitudinal lock pins 122.sub.1 and 122.sub.2 with the longitudinal section of L-shaped cutouts 109.sub.1 and 109.sub.2, longitudinally unlocking inner sleeve 118 from tool housing 104 (i.e., inner sleeve and tool housing can longitudinally move one with respect to the other). Thereby, actuation connector 103 is longitudinally unlocked from tool section 101. As inner sleeve 118 rotates, outer sleeve 124 rotates as well. It is noted that, for the sake clarity of the explanation, in FIG. 1G, tool mechanism 100 is depicted with outer sleeve 124 removed. With reference to FIG. 1H, when longitudinal lock pins 122.sub.1 and 122.sub.2 are aligned with the longitudinal section of L-shaped cutouts 109.sub.1 and 109.sub.2, inner sleeve 118 is pulled toward the proximal direction while the position of latching spring 114 is maintained, to remove inner sleeve 118 from latching spring 114, such that spring hooks 116.sub.1-116.sub.4 release mushroom pin 112. With reference to FIG. 1I, actuation connector 103 is released from tool section 101, and may than connect with a different tool, similar to tool 102.

[0022] To connect actuation connector 103 to tool section 101, the above described process is reversed. Actuation connector 103 is position such that spring hooks 116.sub.1-116.sub.4 are located over mushroom pin 112 and the rim containing 134 pushes on outer sleeve 124. Each one of longitudinal lock pins 122.sub.1 and 122.sub.2 is aligned with the longitudinal section of one of L-shaped cutouts 109.sub.1 and 109.sub.2. Inner sleeve 118 is then pushed over latching spring 114 such that inner sleeve presses on spring hooks 116.sub.1-116.sub.4 and spring hooks 116.sub.1-116.sub.4 latch onto mushroom pin 112. Outer sleeve 124 is then rotated by rotating Inner sleeve 118 until each of rotation lock teeth 126.sub.1-126.sub.5 is aligned with one of tool rotation lock grooves 108.sub.1-108.sub.5. As tool mechanism 100 is extracted from container 134, spring 130 applies a force on outer sleeve 124 in the distal direction such that each one of rotation lock teeth 126.sub.1-126.sub.5 is inserted into one of tool rotation lock grooves 108.sub.1-108.sub.5.

[0023] It is noted that container 134 (FIGS. 1A-1I) may be a part of a manifold of containers, where each container is operable to hold a separate tool. In the case of medical surgery, the manifold may be located within the operated cavity (e.g., the abdomen during laparoscopic surgery). The entire tool release and coupling procedures described above occur within the operated cavity. This eliminates the need to insert and/or withdraw the tool from the operated cavity each time a tool is to be changed, as long as the required tool is stored in one of the containers in the manifold. Reference is now made to FIGS. 2A-2D, which are schematic illustrations of a manifold apparatus, generally referenced 200, constructed and operative in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosed technique. Manifold apparatus 200 includes a containers manifold 202 and an arm 204. Manifold 202 includes a distal section 206 and a proximal section 208. Manifold 202 further includes a plurality of containers. In the example depicted in FIG. 2, manifold 202 includes five containers 210.sub.1, 210.sub.2, 210.sub.3, 210.sub.4 and 210.sub.5. In each of containers 210.sub.1-210.sub.5, the diameter thereof at the distal section 206 is smaller than the diameter thereof at the proximal section 208. Thus a tool may be inserted completely into one of containers 210.sub.1-210.sub.5, and the rim of the distal section of the container shall apply a force on the outer sleeve of the tool as the tool is pushed into the container. Manifold 202 further includes a plurality of tool passage cavities, such as through tool passage cavities 212.sub.1, 212.sub.2 and 212.sub.3. During operation, various tools, located at the distal end of respective articulation arms, may pass through a respective one of tool passage cavities 212.sub.1, 212.sub.2 and 212.sub.3. For example, and referring to FIG. 2C, at the beginning of the operation, tools 218.sub.1 and 218.sub.2, which are located at the distal end of articulation arms 220.sub.1 and 220.sub.2 respectively, as well as a camera 214, which is located at the distal end of articulation arm 216, are to be inserted into the operated cavity along with manifold 202. Manifold 202 is inserted into the operated cavity with at least one of containers 210.sub.1-210.sub.5 empty (i.e., to allow storage of the tool being replace). The remaining ones containers 210.sub.1-210.sub.5 include various tools. It is noted that at least each one of articulation arms 220.sub.1 and 220.sub.2 includes at the distal end thereof an actuation connector, such as actuation connector 103 described herein above in conjunction with FIGS. 1A-1I). It is also note that at least each one of tools 218.sub.1 and 218.sub.2 include a tool activation interface, a longitudinal lock interface and a rotation lock interface as described above in conjunction with FIGS. (1A-1I).

[0024] With reference to FIG. 2D, once within the operated cavity, tools 218.sub.1 and 218.sub.2 passes through tool passage cavities 212.sub.2 and 212.sub.3 respectively and camera 214 passes through tool passage cavity 212.sub.1. Consequently, tools 218.sub.1 and 218.sub.2 may be employed within the operated cavity while camera 214 acquires an image or images of thereof. When a tool is to be replaced, for example, tool 218.sub.1, then tool 218.sub.1 is retracted beyond manifold 202. Tool 218.sub.1 is then aligned with an empty container and released as described above. Articulation arm 220.sub.1 is then aligned with the selected one of containers 210.sub.1-210.sub.5 (i.e., which stores the required tool) and articulation arm 220.sub.1 is then coupled with the selected tool as described above. Tool 218.sub.2 may similarly be exchanged.

[0025] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the disclosed technique is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the disclosed technique is defined only by the claims, which follow.