Patent ID: 6132435
Filing Date: 2000-10-17
Classification: A61B,B25B

Abstract:
A torque-limiting device for surgical use, comprising:a rotatable housing having first and second ends;a base unit engaged within the first end of said housing, said base unit having an input stem for engagement with a rotary device;an output shaft extending through the second end of said housing, said output shaft having a flange disposed about said shaft, said flange and said base unit having adjacent faces;a plurality of recesses in said faces of said base unit and said flange, said recesses being positionable for mutual alignment;a ball located in and between each pair of said opposing recesses; andan elastic element disposed about said input shaft between said flange and said second opposing end of said housing, said elastic element exerting a force to maintain a drive connection between said balls and said opposing faces, said drive connection being severed when the torque exerted on said balls by said elastic element is exceeded by the counter-torque exerted on said balls by said flange.