Disposable bidirectional ratchet

A disposable bidirectional ratchet, which has a tubular hollow handle with an interior surface having teeth thereon; a toggle mounted movably within the handle; a knob connected to an end of the toggle moves the toggle inside the handle; a plurality of pins on another end of the toggle; a plurality of actuators each comprising: fingers, levers, toes and a head, and having a post guide formed therein; a plurality of posts affixed to a clutch; and, wherein the actuators are movable affixed to the clutch via the posts, and the pin position selects the direction of engagement via adjustment of the actuator position via applying force to the levers, which moves the lateral edges of the actuator towards or away from the teeth.

BACKGROUND

Field

This disclosure relates to a disposable limited use ratchet.

General Background

Traditional ratchet devices used in the medical industry require repeat sterilization, are susceptible to coating or caking with medical waste, and may fall out of specification and fail to operate over time.

Human bone, tissue, blood and other fluids are frequently present during surgical procedures. These materials may be medical waste. Medical waste includes: “Any discarded biologic product such as blood or tissue removed from operating rooms, morgues, laboratories, or other medical facilities. The term may also be applied to bedding, bandages, syringes, and similar materials that have been used in treating patients and to animal carcasses or body parts used in research. Medical waste is regulated at the state and local levels. “Mosby's Medical Dictionary, 8th edition. © 2009, Elsevier.

Medical waste is regulated and needs to be properly disposed of. Part of the disposal process is the collection of such medical waste.

SUMMARY

Briefly stated, the disposable bidirectional ratchet using a finger, toe and tooth system provides a compact, novel limited-use device, which obviates the need for repeat sterilization during the predetermined maximum number of use cycles, thusly obviating the shortfalls of prior medical bidirectional ratchets.

Disclosed herein are aspects of methods, systems and disposable bidirectional ratchet devices including a hollow handle with an interior surface having teeth thereon; a toggle within the handle; a knob that moves the toggle; a plurality of pins on an end of the toggle; a plurality of actuators, each having fingers, levers, toes and a head having a post guide formed therein; a plurality of posts affixed to a clutch; and, wherein the actuators are movably affixed to the clutch via the posts, and the pin position selects the direction of engagement via adjustment of the actuator position via applying force to the levers, which moves the lateral edges of the actuator towards or away from the teeth. In some instances the finger of the actuator comprises an obtuse side, an engaging side, and a neutral side.

Disclosed herein are aspects of methods, system bidirectional ratchet devices including a hollow handle with an interior surface having teeth thereon; a toggle within the handle; a knob that moves the toggle; a plurality of pins on an end of the toggle; a plurality of actuators, each having fingers, levers, toes, and a head having a post guide formed therein; a plurality of posts affixed to a clutch; and, wherein the actuators are movably affixed to the clutch via the posts, and the pin position selects the direction of engagement via adjustment of the actuator position via applying force to the levers, which moves the lateral edges of the actuator towards or away from the teeth, the fingers, levers, toes and a head are a unitary plastic part; and, the levers deform and act as springs applying adequate pressure to the fingers to have the fingers follow the contours of the teeth.

Disclosed herein are aspects of methods, systems and disposable bidirectional ratchet devices including a hollow handle with an interior surface having teeth thereon; a toggle within the handle; a knob that moves the toggle; a plurality of pins on an end of the toggle; a plurality of actuators, each having fingers, levers, toes and a head having a post guide formed therein; a plurality of posts affixed to a clutch; and, wherein the actuators are movably affixed to the clutch via the posts, and the pin position selects the direction of engagement via adjustment of the actuator position via applying force to the levers, which moves the lateral edges of the actuator towards or away from the teeth, the fingers, levers, toes and a head are a unitary plastic part; the levers deform and act as springs applying adequate pressure to the fingers to have the fingers follow the contours of the teeth; and the levers deform and act as springs applying adequate pressure to the fingers to have the fingers follow the contours of the teeth.

Disclosed herein are aspects of methods, systems and disposable bidirectional ratchet devices including a hollow handle with an interior surface having teeth thereon; a toggle within the handle; a knob that moves the toggle; a plurality of pins on an end of the toggle; a plurality of actuators, each having fingers, levers, toes and a head having a post guide formed therein; a plurality of posts affixed to a clutch; and, wherein the actuators are movably affixed to the clutch via the posts, and the pin position selects the direction of engagement via adjustment of the actuator position via applying force to the levers, which moves the lateral edges of the actuator towards or away from the teeth, the fingers, levers, toes and a head are a unitary plastic part; the levers deform and act as springs applying adequate pressure to the fingers to have the fingers follow the contours of the teeth; and, wherein the levers fail to keep adequate pressure on the finger associated therewith for the fingers to consistently follow the teeth after about 600 cycles.

In one or more of the above exemplary implementations wherein a disposable bidirectional ratchet has the pins in a first location, where they apply a force to the levers such that the actuators pivot into a first position, and when the ratchet is turned in a first direction, rotational force is applied in the opposite direction.

In one or more of the above exemplary implementations wherein the disposable bidirectional ratchet pins are in a second location, where they apply a force to the levers such that the actuators pivot into a second position, and when the ratchet is turned in a second direction, rotational force is applied in the opposite direction.

In one or more of the above exemplary implementations of the disposable bidirectional ratchet the engaging side of the finger of the actuator abuts at least one of the teeth, and a toe not adjacent to the engaging side abuts a rib of the clutch. And, in some instances when the ratchet is turned in an opposite direction, the finger slides over the tooth without catching. In one or more of the above exemplary implementations of the disposable bidirectional ratchet the pins are configured to apply a force to the levers such that once the finger slides over the tooth, the engaging side is in contact with that tooth. In one or more of the above exemplary implementations of the disposable bidirectional ratchet the pins are in a third location, where the pins do not apply a force to the levers.

In one or more of the above exemplary implementations of the disposable bidirectional ratchet the include a handle having a passage extending therethrough; the passage defining an internal surface, wherein the inner surface has a plurality of protrusions; a neck configured to attach to a tool; a clutch having at least one post; at least one actuator wherein the actuator comprises a head having a post guide therein, a finger, a toe, and a lever; a toggle portion having a plurality of pins, wherein the toggle is moved by a knob; wherein the actuator is movably attached to the post via the post guide; wherein the pins are configured to be moved and apply force to the lever of the actuator; and wherein the actuator is configured to engage a first protrusion, engage a second protrusion, or engage no protrusions in response to the force applied by the pin on the lever or in the absence of force.

In one or more of the above exemplary implementations of the disposable bidirectional ratchet a method of ratcheting with a unitary plastic lever is taught, the method including placing a clutch inside a hollow handle with an interior surface having teeth thereon; forming a plurality of posts affixed to the clutch; placing a plastic actuator, each having fingers, levers, toes, and a head, movably on each post; placing a toggle within the handle connected to a knob that moves the toggle and selects a direction of engagement; wherein the actuator applies force to the levers, which moves the lateral edges of the actuator towards or away from the teeth; and, wherein the levers are a unitary part of the actuator, which deform during use to provide spring force for a limited number of actuations.

In one or more of the above exemplary implementations of the disposable bidirectional ratchet a method of ratcheting with a unitary plastic lever is taught, the method including placing a clutch inside a hollow handle with an interior surface having teeth thereon; forming a plurality of posts affixed to the clutch; placing a plastic actuator, each having fingers, levers, toes, and a head, movably on each post; placing a toggle within the handle connected to a knob that moves the toggle and selects a direction of engagement; wherein the actuator applies force to the levers, which moves the lateral edges of the actuator towards or away from the teeth; and, wherein repeated deformation of levers over 600 cycles will cause one or more levers to fail to provide adequate force to a finger to one of engage and disengage teeth.

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the present disclosure that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the present disclosure's teachings will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the appendices and figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. All descriptions and callouts in the Figures are hereby incorporated by this reference as if fully set forth herein.

FURTHER DESCRIPTION

According to one or more exemplary implementations,FIGS.1-10illustrate aspects of devices, systems, and methods of ratcheting, providing ratcheting and disposable ratchets.

FIGS.1A and1Billustrate assembly views of disposable bidirectional ratchet10. The device has a handle which contains a ratcheting mechanism, a toggle to switch ratcheting directions, and a shaft with tool to use with instruments used in medical procedures. The handle supports a shaft12that has a partially-threaded portion13, a proximal end15, and a distal end16. The shaft is connected to a tool14. A nut17or other fastener connects the shaft to an internal selecting mechanism or toggle.

FIGS.1A-10illustrate aspects of disposable bidirectional ratchets. The handle is made of a tubular front body100connected to a tubular back body120. The front body100has an interior wall101, an open end102forming a receiving guide103, an internal annular wall104inside the receiving guide and an open back end105and having a clutch flange106and teeth110extending periodically from the interior wall101. The back body120has an open front end122and a back end24, which is partially closed125, and has a back body aperture127fluidly connecting the exterior and interior of the back body. A rotatable extended neck160has an aperture162on one end, which affixes the non-round shaft portion18, fluidly connecting it to the inside of the body, and a first drive connection163on its back side165. An annular ring167is formed around the drive connection. During assembly, a plastic washer170, such as PTFE or polypropylene, is interposed between the annular ring and the internal annular wall104. A toggle knob180with finger grabs185(for rotating the knob) is connected to the internal ratcheting structures through the back body aperture127. Inside the knob is an annular wall forming a toggle guide186and ribs188which mate with the toggle assembly200.

Inside the handle are toggle assembly200, the ratcheting assembly300and the actuator system302. The toggle assembly200has a hollow elongated member202with a distal end204with rib catches205formed therein and a proximal end206with a flat face208supporting drive pins210. A fluid connection211is formed from the distal end to the proximal end. The rib catches205mate with the ribs188inside the knob180and can be used to rotate the toggle, thereby rotating the drive pins, which in turn direct the positive direction of the ratcheting device. The proximal end206also forms a receptacle for the nut17, which mates with the threaded portion13of the shaft. The shaft threaded on to the nut holds together the two body halves and nose.

The ratcheting assembly300has two subparts, which are the actuator system302and the clutch310. The back side of the clutch312provides post connection guides314and clutch ribs315. A second drive connection320, which mates with the first drive connection163of the neck160, is on the front side of the clutch. Also on the front side is an annular ring322, which surrounds a raised wall324, which passes through the receiving guide103. The annular ring322uses the clutch flange16as a bearing plate, which it rotates against. A shaft guide325forms a passageway for the shaft through the ratcheting assembly. An array of actuators350are connected to the clutch's back side312via posts365.

FIGS.6A and6Bshow the assembly of the ratcheting assembly. The ribs315extending from the clutch backside face312separate the ratcheting assembly into four compartments316A-D each bordered by two ribs315and having a post connection guide314. Each actuator350fits on a post365, which is mounted in a post connection guide314. Actuators are formed of plastic, resin, or other non-metal composite and have a dorsal side351and a ventral side352. On the ventral side are two lever arms353. The lever arms are spring members that have a limited life cycle; they are formed as an integral part of the actuator. The limited number of actuations allows the lever arms353to be unitary with the actuator350. The lever arms are susceptible to failure if they are exposed to the heat of sterilization, such as an autoclave, accordingly when used in medical procedures the device utilizing the levers should be disposed of after use and not subjected to the heat of sterilization. Laterally, each actuator has a finger354and a toe358. Each finger has three sides: an obtuse side355, which is positioned toward the centerline1000; an engaging side356, which is furthest from the centerline; and a neutral side357between the obtuse and engaging sides. On the ventral side is a head359, and through the actuator is a pivot guide360, via which the actuator movably mates with the post365. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that although the illustrations show a four compartment (316A-D) clutch back, that number is not a limitation, and there could be fewer or more compartments. An actuator mounted in a compartment may also be referred to as an actuation module367. The actuators350partially rotate around the post, whereby the first lateral side361or the second lateral side362, and the finger and toe associated therewith, is engaged with the teeth110. During transition from positive rotation clockwise to positive rotation counterclockwise, neither lateral side is engaged (seeFIG.8B and8C).

FIG.7shows a cut away view of disposable bidirectional ratchet devices with a solid shaft.

FIGS.8A-8Dshow a cut away view ofFIG.7along the line of “A”-“A” movement of the actuators via the drive pins210. The drive pins are adjusted via the toggle200, which is moved via the toggle knob180. Moving the drive pins210(via rotation of the knob) applies force to the levers353, which are temporarily deformed, and which respond with a spring action to pivot the actuator from first position “A” to neutral position “B” to a second position “C”. The pins are rotated via the knob180. A fourth pin position is the result of turning the handle of the ratchet opposite the positive rotation. In that mode, the pins210move from a first position212to a second position212′, which is slightly away from the clutch ribs315. That movement deforms one of the pair of levers353and keeps pressure on the finger354, which then follows the contour of the teeth110without catching. The deformation of the lever allows it to act as a catch and a spring at the same time. The deformation over time will cause the lever to fail to actuate consistently during use. It is a functional limitation of some exemplary implementations that the lever arms, during uses, degrade and are unable to perform consistently. Testing to failure has shown that lever arms begin to fail to actuate consistently after approximately 600 cycles. The foregoing is intended to be the antecedent basis for a negative claim limitation. The Plastic lever arms are cost saving and space saving as integral parts of the plastic actuator, however, they are frangible and will lose function over uses. It is preferred that they function consistently for about 400 cycles, it is more preferred that the function consistently for about 500 cycles and it is most preferred that they function consistently for about 600 cycles. Consistent functions means a lever keeps adequate pressure on the finger354associated therewith wherein the finger follows the contour of the teeth110during the cycle.

A cycle corresponds to an approximate ½ turn (about a 180 degree rotation) of the handle during use. The position of the pins210can be seen relative to the back of clutch312and the clutch ribs315. The pins210position the actuators. During use, the teeth110on the inside of the handle act as catches for the engaging side356of each finger. The pins210drive the actuators to one of a first, neutral and second position, and those positions correspond to placement of the teeth and fingers in an engagement for clockwise or counterclockwise movement. During usage, on each actuator350, the toes358furthest from the engaging side356, which is against a tooth110, abuts the rib315of the clutch, thereby acting as a buttress for the actuator as the engaging side356and tooth110apply force to the neck160and the shaft12. When adjusting the actuators, the obtuse side355does not catch the teeth110and slides over them allowing the handle to rotate/ratchet without engagement. By reversing handle direction, the engaging side356is then engaged with the teeth110. Drive pins210can place the actuators in a neutral position or select a clockwise or counterclockwise direction of engagement, wherein the device, when turned, will apply rotational force in an opposite direction. Knob180is used to select the pin position and the direction of positive rotation and ratchet, as well as the position of free movement if it is moved in-between positions.

FIG.9shows a cut away view of a disposable bidirectional ratchet device.FIG.8is a device with a solid shaft.FIG.9shows a cannulated shaft12having a first opening22at the proximal end15, wherein the handle supports a shaft12, which has a partially threaded portion13and is connected to a tool14at its proximal end15, cannulated shaft12further having a second opening24at the distal end16of the shaft. A passageway25runs between the first and second openings, wherein a guide wire may be passed, or fluid added or evacuated, or viewing devices such a fiber optics may be inserted, or illumination devices, laser device, or radio frequency devices may be added or passed.

It should also be understood that a variety of changes may be made without departing from the essence of the disclosure. Such changes are also implicitly included in the description. They still fall within the scope of this disclosure. It should be understood that this disclosure is intended to yield a patent covering numerous aspects of the disclosure, both independently and as an overall system, and in both method and apparatus modes.

Further, each of the various elements of the disclosure and claims may also be achieved in a variety of manners. This disclosure should be understood to encompass each such variation, be it a variation of an implementation of any apparatus implementation, a method or process implementation, or even merely a variation of any element of these.

Particularly, it should be understood that as the disclosure relates to elements of the disclosure, the words for each element may be expressed by equivalent apparatus terms or method terms—even if only the function or result is the same.

Such equivalent, broader, or even more generic terms should be considered to be encompassed in the description of each element or action. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this disclosure is entitled.

It should be understood that all actions may be expressed as a means for taking that action or as an element which causes that action.

Similarly, each physical element disclosed should be understood to encompass a disclosure of the action which that physical element facilitates.

Any patents, publications, or other references mentioned in this application for patent are hereby incorporated by reference. In addition, as to each term used it should be understood that unless its utilization in this application is inconsistent with such interpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understood as incorporated for each term and all definitions, alternative terms, and synonyms such as contained in at least one of a standard technical dictionary recognized by artisans and the Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, latest edition are hereby incorporated by reference.

Finally, all references listed in the Information Disclosure Statement or other information statement filed with the application are hereby appended and hereby incorporated by reference; however, as to each of the above, to the extent that such information or statements incorporated by reference might be considered inconsistent with the patenting of this/these disclosure(s), such statements are expressly not to be considered as made by the applicant(s).

In this regard, it should be understood that for practical reasons and so as to avoid adding potentially hundreds of claims, the applicant has presented claims with initial dependencies only.

Support should be understood to exist to the degree required under new matter laws—including but not limited to United States Patent Law 35 USC 132 or other such laws—to permit the addition of any of the various dependencies or other elements presented under one independent claim or concept as dependencies or elements under any other independent claim or concept.

To the extent that insubstantial substitutes are made, to the extent that the applicant did not in fact draft any claim so as to literally encompass any particular implementation, and to the extent otherwise applicable, the applicant should not be understood to have in any way intended to or actually relinquished such coverage as the applicant simply may not have been able to anticipate all eventualities; one skilled in the art, should not be reasonably expected to have drafted a claim that would have literally encompassed such alternative implementations.

Such terms should be interpreted in their most expansive forms so as to afford the applicant the broadest coverage legally permissible.