Patent ID: 7008362
Filing Date: 2006-03-07
Classification: A61B,B23Q,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A tool holder arrangement comprising: a tool holder to be mounted on a support and allowing removable attachment thereto of any one of a plurality of tools; a sensor arrangement operable to sense at least one feature present on one of said tools when attached to the tool holder, wherein said feature or features are unique to the specific one of said tools; and a processor operable to identify uniquely, from the sensed feature or features, a type of the tool attached to the tool holder, wherein the tool holder and the sensor arrangement are such that a tool of the plurality of tools is electrically isolated from the support when the tool is attached to the tool; and wherein the sensor arrangement includes a plurality of rods, each having a longitudinal axis and being axially movable relative the support and the tool holder, extending to a face of the tool holder which is adjacent the tool when the tool is attached to the tool holder, there being a respective switch element actuable in response to movement of each of the rods.