Patent ID: 6053907
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A surgical instrument drive shaft comprising:a rigid drive shaft section having an end portion;a flexible drive shaft section comprising a bendable spring having an outer surface and an end portion;a sleeve for transmitting torque between said rigid drive shaft section and said bendable spring, said sleeve having an inner surface and extending from said end portion of said rigid drive shaft section over said end portion of said flexible drive shaft section, said inner surface of said sleeve being disposed radially outward of said outer surface of said bendable spring; andan adhesive material disposed radially between said inner surface of said sleeve and said outer surface of said bendable spring and joining said inner surface of said sleeve to said outer surface of said bendable spring, whereby said sleeve is disposed in a torque-transmitting relationship between said rigid drive shaft section and said bendable spring.