Patent ID: 6129392
Filing Date: 2000-10-10
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A coupling assembly comprising:a shaft tube having a longitudinal axis;a tubular-shaft instrument spaced axially apart from said shaft tube; anda coupler releasably connecting said shaft tube and said tubular-shaft instrument and comprising: a rotating sleeve disposed around a shaft mount, wherein said tubular-shaft instrument on its end includes at least one recess, and wherein a snap-in sleeve is disposed between said rotating sleeve and said shaft mount, which is adapted for movement in an axial direction defined by the longitudinal axis of said shaft tube and which receives at least one snap-in element adapted for movement to the outside, and wherein the connection of said tubular-shaft instrument to said coupler is established by snap engagement of said at least one snap-in element in said at least one recess, said rotating sleeve being rotationally arrested upon detachable engagement of a pin into a hole after said coupler has received the tubular shaft instrument.