Patent Publication Number: US-2022212321-A1

Title: Shaft retention mechanism

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is a national phase application of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2019/031622, filed on May 9, 2019. The international application referenced in this paragraph is incorporated by reference as if set forth fully herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure generally relates to devices and methods for connecting a tool having a shaft to a base, and more particularly relates to a new design for connecting and. retaining a tool having a shaft in engagement with a socket. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Rotary tools are often used in many fields for precise applications. The spectrum of bases, mounts and handles for interchangeable tools is broad. A commonality on both mechanical and powered devices or bases is the ability to mount and unmount a tool. The bases or handles may be fixed wherein t e base provides on a fixation point, other bases may include additional mechanism for any or ratcheting, torque control and the like. There are shortcomings with conventional connecting mechanisms. First, existing devices have many separate components. This makes them difficult to assemble and costly to manufacture. Second, existing options which are intended for many repetitive uses and require proper maintenance and sterilizations between uses. In medical uses, they may contact dangerous medical waste, requiring extensive cleaning and sterilization and carrying an inherently higher risk of contamination. Therefore, there is a need for an improved retention assembly for connecting a tool. 
     SUMMARY DESCRIPTION 
     The foregoing needs are met by the various aspects of retainer assemblies disclosed. A retention assembly for connecting a base to a tool having a shaft can include a shaft engagement socket that defines a shaft receptacle configured to receive the shaft along an insertion axis. The retention assembly includes a retainer configured to releasably secure the shaft to the shaft engagement socket. The retainer has a body that defines an opening extending therethrough, with the opening being dimensioned to receive the shaft. The retention assembly further includes at least one finger extending from the body of the retainer. 
     On some non-limiting aspects, the at least one finger may define a sliding surface and be configured to contact the shaft. The sliding surface of the at least one finger may be configured to slidably contact a ramp on the shaft retainer socket. 
     The retainer may be movable relative to the shaft engagement socket along the insertion axis, such that when the retainer is translated toward the shaft engagement socket, the sliding surface of the at least one finger slides along the ramp of the shaft engagement socket and causes the at least one finger to move away from the shaft, and when the retainer is translated away from the shaft engagement socket, the sliding surface of the at least one finger slides along the ramp and causes the at least one finger to move towards the shaft. 
     According to a non-limiting aspect of the disclosure, the at least one finger may include a protrusion between the sliding surface and the body of the retainer. The protrusion may extend from the at least one finger towards the insertion axis and be configured to be received within a notch on the shaft. When the protrusion is in the notch, the shaft may be precluded from moving along the insertion axis. This would help solve the problem of an unsecured shaft or of a shaft that is accidentally or inadvertently removed from the retention assembly. 
     According to a non-limiting aspect, the retainer may include an outer wall extending from the body and an attachment clip disposed on the outer wall. The attachment clip may be configured to slidably engage the shaft engagement socket to releasably secure the retainer to the shaft engagement socket. The retainer may he removed from the rest of the device and used reused later or disposed of. Removing the retainer may help reduce contamination from improperly cleaned retainers by allowing the retainer to be cleaned or replaced. 
     In some non-limiting aspects, the body of the retainer may include a cutout between the at least one finger and the outer wall. 
     According to some aspects, the body may include a plurality of cutouts between the at least one finger and the outer wall. 
     According to a non-limiting aspect, the shaft engagement socket may include at least one wall configured to contact a locking surface on a socketing region of the shaft when the socketing region is in the shaft engagement socket. When the wall is in contact with the locking surface, rotational movement of the shaft around the insertion axis may be precluded. This may be advantageous to properly impart rotational force from the base or another rotary mechanism configured to rotate the shaft. 
     In some aspects, the socketing region of the shaft may have a semi-circular cross section. 
     In some aspects, the shaft engagement socket may include four walls, each wall being orthogonal to two adjacent walls. The four walls may define the shaft receptacle that is configured to receive the shaft. The proximal end of the shaft may have a rectangular cross section in this aspect. 
     According to a non-limiting aspect, the at least one finger of the retention assembly may be deformable, such that when the retainer is translated towards the shaft engagement socket, the at least one finger deflects radially away from the insertion axis. 
     In some aspects, the protrusion may be triangular, and the notch on the shaft may also be triangular. 
     In other aspects, the protrusion may be arcuate, and the notch on the shaft may be arcuate. 
     In a non-limiting aspect, the retainer may include a plurality of fingers as described herein. 
     In some aspects, the retainer may include at least three fingers. 
     In sonic aspects, the retainer may include four fingers. 
     According to a non-limiting aspect, the shaft, engagement socket may define a radial channel having a floor and a ceiling. The radial channel may be configured to receive the attachment clip therein. The attachment clip may be movable within the channel between the floor and the ceiling, such that the movement of the retainer towards the shaft engagement socket is confined by contact between the attachment clip and the ceiling, and movement away from the shaft engagement socket is confined by contact between the attachment clip and the floor. 
     According to a non-limiting aspect, the retainer may define a guide configured to contact the shaft and to align the shaft to a permitted orientation. The shaft may be precluded from moving through the retainer if the shaft is not in the permitted orientation. This may help reduce improper insertion of the shaft into the retention assembly and can also reduce instances of damage to the shaft or to the retainer. This would reduce associated manufacturing costs and preparation time during use. 
     In some non-limiting aspects, the tool having the shaft that is connected to the retention assembly may be a medical device. 
     In some non-limiting aspects, the retainer may be disposable and unsuitable for heat sterilization. 
     According to an aspect of the disclosure, a method of connecting a tool having a shaft to a base may include the step of inserting a shaft into an opening defined by a retainer. The retainer has at least one finger configured to contact the shaft. The method further includes the step of moving the at least one finger away from the shaft such that the shaft passes through the opening of the retainer and towards a shaft retention socket. The method further includes the step of inserting the shaft into a shaft receptacle defined by the shaft retention socket. The method also includes securing the shaft within the shaft receptacle by moving the at least one finger towards the shaft such that the at least one finger precludes translation of the shaft along the insertion axis. 
     According to a non-limiting aspect, the method may further include the step of moving the retainer in a first direction along the insertion axis toward the shaft engagement socket. This can result in the at least one finger being moved away from the shaft. 
     According to a non-limiting aspect, the method may further include the step of sliding the at least one finger along a ramp defined by the shaft engagement socket when the retainer is moved along the insertion axis. 
     According to a non-limiting aspect, the method may further include removing the shaft from the base. The removal step may include moving the at least one finger away from the shaft and moving the shaft out of the shaft receptacle and away from the shaft engagement socket. 
     In some aspects, the method may include a further step of precluding rotational movement of the shaft when the shaft is within the shaft receptacle. This may be performed by contacting a wall defined by the shaft receptacle with a corresponding locking surface on the shaft. This may be advantageous to properly impart rotational force from the base or another rotary mechanism configured to rotate the shaft. 
     According to a non-limiting aspect, the method may further include the step of orienting the shaft to a permitted orientation by contacting the shaft to a guide defined on the retainer. This may help reduce improper insertion of the shaft into the retention assembly and can also reduce instances of damage to the shaft or to the retainer. This would reduce associated manufacturing costs and preparation time during use. 
     According to a non-limiting aspect, the method may further include a step of contacting a protrusion extending from the at least one finger with a notch defined on the shaft, When the at least one finger is moved away from the shaft, the protrusion is also moved out of the notch, and when the at least one finger is moved toward the shaft, the protrusion is moved into the notch. 
     According to a non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, a retention assembly for connecting a base to a tool having a shaft may include a shaft engagement socket having four walls, each wall being orthogonal to two adjacent walls. The four walls may define a shaft receptacle. The shaft engagement socket may be configured to receive the shaft of the medical tool. In some instances the shaft engagement socket may be configured to correspond to the cross section of the shaft. The shaft has a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end and defines an insertion axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The shaft receptacle of the shaft engagement socket may be dimensioned to slidably receive the proximal end of the shaft therein. A retainer may be configured to removably secure the shaft to the socket. The retainer may have a body that defines an opening extending therethrough, the opening being dimensioned to receive the proximal end of the shaft therein. The retainer further may have an outer wall extending from the body, A deformable clip may be disposed on the outer wall and be configured to slidably engage the shaft engagement socket to releasably secure the retainer to the shaft engagement socket. The deformable clip may be deformable in a direction orthogonal to the insertion axis. A finger may be disposed on the inner wall and configured to deflect away from the insertion axis. The finger may define a sliding surface and a protrusion disposed between the contact surface and the body of the retainer. The protrusion may extend from the finger towards the insertion axis and be configured to contact a notch defined on the shaft. A guide may be disposed on the retainer. The guide may be configured to contact the shaft and to orient the shaft to a. permitted orientation. The guide may preclude the shaft from moving into the retainer if the shaft is not in the permitted orientation. Each wall of the shaft engagement socket may define a ramp configured to slidably contact the contact surface of the finger. The retainer may be configured to translate relative to the shaft engagement socket along the insertion axis. When the retainer is translated toward the shaft engagement socket, the sliding surface of the finger slides along the ramp of the shaft engagement socket and causes the finger to deflect away from the insertion axis. The proximal end of the shaft may define a rectangular cross section and may be insertable into the shaft receptacle of the shaft engagement socket, such that when the proximal end is in the shaft receptacle, rotational movement of the shaft about the insertion axis is impeded. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       The present application is further understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the subject matter, there are shown in the drawings exemplary embodiments of the subject matter; however, the presently disclosed subject matter is not limited to the specific methods, devices, and systems disclosed. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an isometric view of a base engaged with a shaft according to an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an isometric cross-sectional view of a retention assembly according to an aspect; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded isometric view of a retention assembly and a shaft; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a shaft being received into a retention assembly; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the shaft being secured within the retention assembly of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a top isometric view of a retainer according to an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a bottom isometric view of the retainer of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an exploded isometric view of a retention assembly according to an aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a top isometric view of a retainer according to another aspect; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a bottom perspective view of the retainer of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the retainer of  FIGS. 9 and 10  with fingers not deflected; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the retainer of  FIGS. 9-11  with fingers deflected radially; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a flowchart depicting a method of engaging a shaft with a retention assembly according to an aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a retention assembly according to an aspect of the disclosure showing a shaft being introduced into the retention assembly; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the retention assembly of  FIG. 14  with the shaft contacting the fingers of the retention assembly; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the retention assembly of  FIGS. 14 and 15  with the shaft causing the fingers to deflect radially; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the retention assembly of  FIGS. 14-16  with the retainer in the locking position, the shaft engaged in the shaft receptacle, and the fingers contacting the notch of the shaft; 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the retention assembly of  FIGS. 14-17  with retainer in an unlocking position and the fingers deflected radially according to an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 19  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a retention assembly according to an aspect of the disclosure depicting an alternate attachment means of the retainer and the shaft engagement socket; and 
         FIG. 20  illustrates an exploded isometric view of a retention assembly according to an aspect of the disclosure and showing an alternate attachment means of the retainer and the shaft engagement socket. 
     
    
    
     Aspects of the disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to like elements throughout, unless specified otherwise. 
     FURTHER DESCRIPTION 
     Bases which hold tools are used across various industries, including medical. The tools often need to be connected or disconnected. The bases include the full spectrum of devices from fixed to rotating, including but not limited to ratcheting, drills, motors, and torque limiting. A base can have a retention assembly attached thereto that serves to connect and disconnect a desired tool. While torque-limiting devices are exemplified throughout this disclosure, it will be understood that such an engagement assembly is not limited only to torque-limiting devices, but also includes other bases and devices and other power or rotary tools and apparatuses used in tool automation. Similarly, this disclosure is not limited to any particular tool that is connected to the base, and it will be appreciated that any rotational tool can be implemented, such as a drill, driver, cutter, grinder, sander, or another rotational apparatus, 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a device  10  includes a retention assembly  100  that is configured to receive and interact with a tool having a shaft  14 . The shaft  14  can be inserted into the retention assembly  100  and releasable secured therein. While secured by the retention assembly  100 , the shaft  14  can receive rotational force from the torque-limiting device  10  and further impart that force onto the connected tool (not shown). The shaft  14  has a proximal end  16  and a distal end  18  opposite the proximal end  16 . The shaft  14  can be connected to a rotational tool (not shown) at the distal end  18 . A socketing region  20  is defined along the shaft closer to the proximal end  16  than to the distal end  18 , The socketing region  20  may be directly adjacent to the proximal end  16 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2-5 , the retention assembly  100  has a shaft engagement socket  104  that is configured to retain the, shaft  14  and to provide an interface between the shaft  14  and the base  10 . The shaft engagement socket  104  includes at least one wall  112  that defines a shaft receptacle  108 , into which the proximal end  16  of the shaft  14  can be inserted along an insertion axis A. The shaft engagement and the shaft are configured to provide a shape for the shaft engagement which receives a cross-section of the shaft. The shaft may be circular, D-shaped (semi-circular), hexagon, polygon or another shape formed in cross section on a shaft. In some aspects, the shaft receptacle  108  may be defined by a plurality of walls  112  arranged in an advantageous geometric shape. For example, the shaft engagement socket  104  may include four walls  112 , with each wall being disposed orthogonally to each adjacent wall such that the defined shaft receptacle  108  has a square cross section. The cross section of the shaft receptacle  108  may complement that of the: socketing region  20  of the shaft  14 . While square cross sections are exemplified, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that other suitable shapes can be used, such as semi-circles, rectangles, pentagons, hexagons, or other polygons. The socketing region  20  may include at least one locking surface  22  configured to contact the wall  112  when the shaft  14  is in the shaft receptacle  108 . The cross section of the shaft receptacle  108  may be the same shape as that of the socketing region  20 , but that is not a requirement, 
     When rotational force is imparted by the base  10  or by another driver to the shaft  14 , it is advantageous to prevent the shaft  14  from rotating freely within the shaft receptacle  108  or to prevent the shaft engagement socket  104  from rotating freely around the shaft  14  without imparting the desired rotational force. Contact between at least one wall  112  and at least one locking surface  22  is configured to confine the link the rotation of the shaft  14  with that of the shaft engagement socket  104 . 
     To prevent the shaft  14  from being inadvertently removed from the shaft engagement socket  104 , a retainer  150  secures the shaft  14  within the shaft receptacle  108 . Referring to  FIGS. 4-12 , the retainer  150  has a body  154  that defines an opening  158  therethrough. The opening  158  is dimensioned such that at least a portion of the shaft  14 , including at least the socketing region  20 , can be inserted through it. The retainer  150  includes at least one finger  200  that surrounds the opening  158 . The finger  200  is configured to engage with the shaft  14  and to prevent the shaft  14  from being removed from the shaft receptacle  108 . 
     The finger  200  extends from the body  154  and includes a sliding surface  204  and a protrusion  208  between the sliding surface  204  and the body  154 . The retention assembly  100  may include any suitable number of fingers  200 , for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, , . . . or 20 fingers  200 . 
     Each finger  200  can be configured to move toward and away from the insertion axis A as the shaft  14  is inserted into or removed from the shaft engagement socket  104 . The finger  200  may include an elastically deformable material and may be permanently attached to, or be a unitary part of, the retainer body  154 . As a force is applied to the finger  200  radially away from the insertion axis A, the finger  200  may remain fixed to or a part of the body  154 , while the sliding surface  204  and the protrusion  208  may be deflected radially away from the insertion axis A. When the force is removed, the finger  200  reverts to its previous non-deflected state, and the sliding surface  204  and the protrusion  208  are moved radially toward the insertion axis A. 
     In some aspects, the finger  200  may be a non-unitary part that is separated from the body  154  and is moveably attached thereto. In such aspects, when the force is applied radially away from the insertion axis A, the finger  200  slidably moves along the body  154  such that the sliding surface  204  and the protrusion  208  are moved away from the insertion axis A. A biasing mechanism may be disposed between the finger  200  and the body  154 , such that when the force is removed from the finger, the biasing mechanism moves the finger  200  back towards the insertion axis A. The biasing mechanism may be a helical spring, a deformable rod, or another mechanism configured to provide a biasing force against the finger  200  from the body  154 . 
     The finger  200  may contact the shaft  14  to prevent the shaft  14  from being moved out of the shaft engagement socket  104 . The shaft  14  may define a notch  26  that is configured to receive the protrusion  208  of the finger  200 . The notch  26  may be a radial notch that extends around the circumference of the shaft  14 , Alternatively, the notch  2 . 6  may be defied on a portion of the shaft  14  and not extend circumferentially around the shaft  14 , The shaft  14  may include a plurality of notches  26 . In some aspects, the number of notches  26  may be the same as the number of fingers  200 . 
     The notch  26  may be arcuate and may complement the protrusion  208 , such that the protrusion  208  may be moved into the notch  26 . It will be appreciated that the specific dimensions of the notch  26  are not limited by this disclosure, and other shapes can be suitable, for example, triangular, square, semi-circular, or other shapes. The protrusion  208  may similarly include any suitable shape, for example, semi-circular, triangular, quarter-circular, or another suitable shape. While the protrusion  208  can be dimensioned to complement the notch  26 , this is not a requirement. The specific dimensions of the notch  26  can vary, but it will be understood that the largest cross-sectional measurement of the shaft  14  at the notch  26  is smaller than the largest cross-sectional measurement of the shaft  14  between the notch  26  and the proximal end  16 . For example, in shafts having a round cross section, the largest cross-sectional measurement is the diameter. 
     The notch  26  may be disposed between the proximal end  16  and the distal end  18 . In some aspects, the notch  26  may be adjacent to the socketing region  20 . As exemplified in  FIG. 3 , the notch  26  may be located along the shaft  14  between the socketing region  20  and the distal end  18 . 
     When the protrusion  208  is within the notch  26 , axial movement of the shaft  14  along the insertion axis A is precluded. This helps prevent the shaft  14  and the tool to which it is attached (not shown) from being removed from the shaft engagement socket  104 . This decreases damage to the tool, injury to the user, and any preparation time required to re-insert or correct alignment of the tool in the retention assembly  100 . 
     The retainer  150  is configured to permit the shaft  14  to pass along a first direction along the insertion axis A towards the shaft engagement socket. Referring to  FIG. 4 , as the shaft  14  is moved into the opening  158  of the retainer  150 , the shaft  14  contacts the finger  200 . This contact may occur at the proximal end  16  or at another location along the shaft  14  between the proximal end  16  and the notch  26 . The shaft  14  may contact the protrusion  208  on the finger  200 . As the shaft  14  moves through the opening  158 , a force is exerted on the finger  200  radially away from the shaft  14  and the insertion axis A. This force results in the deflection of the finger  200  as described above, Referring now to Fig,  5 , as the shaft  14  is moved further towards the shaft engagement socket  104 , the socketing region  20  is positioned within the shaft receptacle  108 . When the socketing region  20  is in the shaft receptacle  108 , the notch  26  contacts the finger  200 , preferably at the protrusion  208 , The protrusion  208  disposed in the notch  26  prevents the shaft  14  from being moved in a second direction opposite the first direction and out of the shaft receptacle  108 . 
     To remove the shaft  14  from the shaft receptacle  108 , the finger  200  is deflected radially such that the shaft  14  does not contact the finger  200 . The finger  200  may be deflected such that the protrusion  208  is moved out of the notch  26 , After the finger  200  is moved away from the shaft  14 , the shaft  14  is permitted to move axially along the insertion axis A and can be removed from the shaft engagement socket  104  and out of the retainer  150  through the opening  158 . 
     The finger  200  may be deflected by an actuator, such as a button or a lever. In some aspects, the finger  200  may be pushed radially away from the insertion axis A by another component of the retention assembly  100 . In some aspects, the retainer  150  may be movable axially along the insertion axis A toward and away from the shaft engagement socket, As shown in  FIG. 17 , the retainer  150  may have a locking position when the retainer  150  is at a first distance DI away from the shaft engagement socket. Referring to  FIG. 18 , the retainer  150  may have an unlocking position when the retainer  150  is at a second distance D 2  away from the shaft engagement socket. The second distance is smaller than the first distance. When the retainer  150  is in the locking position and the shaft  14  is inserted in the shaft receptacle  108 , the finger  200  contacts the shaft  14  and prevents the shaft  14  from being removed from the shaft receptacle  108 . When the retainer  150  is in the unlocking position, the finger  200  is deflected away from the shaft  14  and the shaft  14  can be axially moved out of the shaft receptacle  108 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the shaft engagement socket  104  may include a ramp  116  configured to slidably contact the sliding surface  204  of the finger  200 . The ramp  116  has a proximal end  116   a  and a distal end  116   b  opposite the proximal end  116   a.  The ramp  116  is oriented such that the distal end  116   b  is closer to the insertion axis A than the proximal end  116   a.  When the retainer  150  is moved from the locking position to the unlocking position, the sliding surface  204  contacts the ramp  116 , and the finger  200  slides along the ramp  116  toward the proximal end  116   a.  As the finger  200  slides along the ramp  116 , the finger  200  is deflected radially away from the insertion axis A and away from the notch  26 . To move the retainer  150  to the locking position, the retainer  150  may be translated in the second direction away from the shaft engagement socket  104  such that the finger  200  slides along the ramp  116  towards the distal end  116   b.    
     In some aspects, a biasing mechanism may be disposed between the retainer  150  and the shaft engagement socket  104 . The biasing mechanism may be a spring, a deformable rod, or another suitable mechanism that is configured to provide a biasing force. The retainer  150  may be biased toward the locking position, such that moving the retainer  150  from the locking position to the unlocking position requires overcoming the biasing force exerted by the biasing mechanism on the retainer. 
     In some aspects, the finger  200  acts as the biasing mechanism. When the sliding surface  204  is moved along the ramp  116  towards the proximal end  116   a,  the finger  200  is deflected. The finger  200  may be biased against this deflection such that the retainer  150  is configured to move from the unlocking position to the locking position absent a suitable force exerted on the retainer  150  to move the retainer  150  to the locking position or keep the retainer  150  in the locking position. 
     The retainer  150  may be attached to the shaft engagement socket  104  via any suitable method that permits axial movement of the retainer  150  relative to the shaft engagement socket  104  along the insertion axis A. The retainer  150  may have an outer wall  166  extending from the body  154 . The outer wall  166  may include an attachment clip  170  configured to engage with the shaft engagement socket  104 . The attachment clip  170  is an exemplary only, and a snap-in or removable fit is not an exclusive means of attachment. The attachment clip  170  may or may not have one or more heads  172 . An exemplary attachment clip  170  without heads is depicted in  FIG. 19 . In some aspects, the outer wall  166  may define a plurality of attachment clips  170  disposed around the circumference of the retainer  150 . 
     The shaft engagement socket  104  may define a channel  120  configured to receive the attachment clip  170 . The channel  120  has a floor  124  and a ceiling  128 . The attachment clip  170  has a head  172  disposed within the channel  120  and configured to move between the floor  124  and the ceiling  128 . The channel  120  may be a continuous channel that surrounds the shaft engagement socket  104 , and the attachment clip  170  may be configured to move within the channel  120  around the insertion axis A. This would permit the retainer  150  to rotate freely around the insertion axis A. 
     The attachment clip  170  may be removed from the channel  120  such that the retainer  150  is separated from the shaft engagement socket  104 , The attachment clip  170  may be deflected toward the insertion axis A such that the head  172  can be removed from within the channel  120  through a channel opening  122  between the channel floor and the insertion axis A. Alternatively, if the channel floor  124  is between the channel opening  122  and the insertion axis A, the attachment clip  170  may be deflected away from the insertion axis A such that the head  172  can be removed from the channel  120 . 
     The shaft engagement socket  104  defines a first interface  123  shown as a circumferential end that is configured to engage a second interface  152  disposed on the retainer  150  between the heads  172 . In some instances, the retainer  150  does not have any heads  172 , and the first interface  123  can interface with the second interface  152  circumferentially as depicted in  FIGS. 19 and 20 . 
     As described above, the retainer  150  may axially move along the insertion axis A toward and away from the shaft retention socket  104 . The distance that the retainer  150  may move may he limited by the size of the channel  120  and the head  172  of the attachment clip  170 . When the head  172  is in contact with the floor  124  of the channel  120 , the retainer  150  may be at its maximum distance from the shaft retention socket  104 , and when the head  172  is in contact with the ceiling  128 , the retainer  150  may be at its minimum distance from the shaft retention socket  104 . It will also be understood that the retainer  150  may be positioned between the maximum and minimum distances. 
     Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the attachment clip is not intended to be a limitation, nor is it the singular means of attachment. 
     The amount of force required to move the retainer  150  from the locking position to the unlocking position may he varied depending on the desired applications. To allow the shaft  14  to be removed from the retention assembly  100 , the finger  200  should be deflected such that it does not contact the shaft  14 . Preferably, the finger  200  should be deflected to move the protrusion  208  out of the notch  26 . To remove the finger  200  from the shaft, the finger  200  can be deflected by a minimal deflection distance. The greater the minimal deflection distance, the more force will be required to deflect the finger  200  to remove it from contacting the shaft  14 . To reduce the required force of moving the retainer from the locking position to the unlocking position, the minimal deflection distance can be reduced. The minimal deflection distance may be decreased by various methods, and this disclosure is not limited by any particular method. Suitable methods include decreasing the thickness of the finger  200 , forming the finger  200  out of a more malleable material, reducing the size of the protrusion  208 , and disposing the finger  200  radially farther away from the insertion axis A. Conversely, to increase the force required to move the finger  200  the minimal deflection distance, the finger  200  may be thicker, may include a more rigid material, and may be positioned closer to the insertion axis A. 
     In some aspects, for example as shown in  FIGS. 9-12 . the body  154  of the retainer  150  may be a solid and rigid component. In other aspects, the body  154  may be configured to deflect when the finger  200  deflects. As seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the body  154  may define one or more cutouts  174 . The cutouts  174  may be cavities that extend through the body  154 , or they may be indentations in the body  154  that do not extend all the way through the body  154 . The cutouts  174  allow the body  154  to operate as a spring and deform radially away from the insertion axis A when the finger  200  is deflected in the same direction. The amount of deformation may be varied. For example, to increase deformation, more cutouts  174  may be present between the opening  158  and the outer wall  166 , the cutouts  174  may be larger (thus reducing the size of the body  154 ), or the cutouts  174  may be positioned to reduce the amount of force required to deform the body  154 . Conversely, to decrease deformability of the body  154 , fewer or no cutouts  174  may be present, the cutouts  174  may be smaller, or the cutouts  174  may be disposed to increase rigidity of the body  154 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the retainer  154  may include four fingers  200  and a plurality of cutouts  174 . The cutouts  174  may be disposed directly orthogonal to each finger  200  and be linearly between each finger  200  and the outer wall  166 . The cutouts  174  may be offset such that they are orthogonal to the space shown between each finger  200  and are between that space and the outer wall  166 . In some aspects, some cutouts  174  may be positioned orthogonal to the finger  200 , while other cutouts  174  may be positioned orthogonal to the space between adjacent fingers  200 . 
     The cutouts  174  may be round, oblong, rectangular, arcuate, S-shaped, zig-zag, or another suitable shape, and this disclosure is not limited to any particular dimension of the cutouts  174 . The retainer  150  may include one or more cutouts  174  of the same shapes and dimensions, or the retainer  150  may include cutouts  174  having different shapes and dimensions. 
     Although  FIG. 9  depicts a solid body  154  and three fingers  200  while  FIG. 7  depicts a body  154  having cutouts  174  and four fingers  200 , it will be understood that the arrangements are interchangeable and are not limited to the exemplified drawings, For example, a retainer  150  having a solid body  154  may have four fingers  200 , and a retainer  150  having a body  154  with cutouts  174  may have three fingers  200 . Other combinations of components and number of fingers  200  may exist as well, and the disclosure is not limited to only the exemplified drawings. 
     In some aspects, it may be advantageous to ensure that the shaft  14  is moved into the retention assembly  100  at a specific angle and orientation. If the shaft  14  is inserted into the opening  158  at an improper angle, the retainer  150  may be damaged. For example, one or more fingers  200  may be deformed or broken. In some aspects, the shaft  14  may not be engaged with the shaft engagement socket  104  properly, leading to poor connection to the base  10  and to inadequate use of the connected tool. 
     To improve the engagement of the shaft  14  with the retention assembly  100 , one or more guides  178  may be disposed on the retainer  150 . When the shaft  14  is moved into the opening  158 , the proximal end  16  of the shaft  14  contacts the one or more guides  178 . As the shaft  14  moves through the opening  158 , the shaft  14  is oriented to the desired angle relative to the insertion axis A. In sonic aspects, the proximal end  16  of the shaft  14  may include a keyed portion  182  configured to complement the guides  178 , such that the shaft  14  is permitted to pass through the guides  178  and enter the opening  158  only when the shaft  14  is in the desired orientation. Conversely, if the shaft  14  is not oriented in the desired orientation such that the keyed portion  182  corresponds to the guides  178 , then the shaft  14  may not be permitted from passing into the retainer  150 . The keyed portion  182  may be defined by the one or more locking surfaces  22  at the socketing region  14 . The guides  178  may he gaps between adjacent fingers  200 , for example, as shown in  FIG. 7 . In such aspects, the keyed portion  182  may be dimensioned to correspond to the gaps such that the shaft  14  can be inserted into the retainer  150  only when the keyed portion  182  aligns with the gaps. 
     Although the guides  178  are depicted in  FIG. 7  showing a retainer  150  having four fingers  200 , it will he understood that the guides  178  as described above can be used with retainers having one, two, three, or any other suitable number of fingers  200 . For example, the retainer  150  depicted in  FIG. 9  that has three fingers  200  may include one or more guides  178  as described. 
     An exemplary method  300  of engaging a shaft  14  with the retention assembly  100  is depicted in the flowchart of  FIG. 13 . First, as shown in step  304 , the shaft  14  is aligned with the opening  158  of the retainer  150 . The alignment step may include orienting the shaft  14  such that the keyed portion  182 , if present, engages with the guide  178 . This is exemplified in  FIG. 14 . Then, in step  308 , the shaft  14  is moved axially along insertion axis A towards the shaft engagement socket  104 . The shaft  14  contacts the finger  200 , for example, at the protrusion  208 . This is shown in  FIG. 15 . 
     An alternative connection between the shaft engagement socket  104  and the retainer  150  is presented in  FIGS. 19 and 20 . This alternative illustrates a means to attach the retainer  150  to the shaft engagement socket  104  via the first interface  123  and the second interface  152 . The interfaces form a connection. The connection may be a fixation means. A non-exclusive list includes latches and catches, friction, threaded, sonic weld, adhesive, glue, and the like. The fixation means functions to fix the shaft engagement socket  104  and the retainer  150  together either temporarily or permanently depending on the intended use. 
     As the shaft  14  continues to be moved along the insertion axis A, the shaft  14  forces the fingers  200  to radially deflect away from the shaft  14  and the insertion axis A in step  312  and as shown in  FIG. 16 . The shaft  14  is then moved past the fingers  200  and the protrusions  208  such that the notch  26  contacts the fingers  200 , preferably at the protrusion  208 , In step  316 , the protrusions  208  engage with the notch  26 . At this point, the socketing region  20  is in the shaft receptacle  108  and engaged with the shaft engagement socket  104 , and the shaft  14  is secured to the retention assembly  100 . This is depicted in  FIG. 17 . In an optional step  320 , to remove the shaft  14  from the retention assembly  100 , the retainer  150  may be moved axially towards the shaft engagement socket  104  until the fingers  200  contact the shaft engagement socket  104  at the ramp  116 . As shown in  FIG. 18 , the sliding surface  204  of the finger  200  slides along the ramp  116  toward the proximal end  116   a  of the ramp  116 . This sliding forces the fingers  200  to deflect radially away from the shaft  14  such that the fingers  200  do not contact the notch  26  and the protrusions  208  are moved out of the notch  26 . After this, in an optional step  324 , the shaft  14  may be removed axially along the insertion axis A away from the shaft engagement socket  104  and removed from the retention assembly  100  altogether. 
     The retainer  150  may include different materials. Alternatively, the retainer  150  may be a unitary integrated piece comprised of a uniform material. Materials may include metals, plastics, and resins. In sonic aspects, the retainer  150  may include polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethylene, or another suitable plastic. It will be appreciated that in aspects of this disclosure used in the medical field, the plastic needs to be suitable for medical use. 
     The retainer  150  may be designed and intended to be disposable after a limited number of uses. In some aspects, the retainer  150  may be designed to be disposed after a single use. The disposability is advantageous because it allows the retainer  150  to be manufactured out of cheaper materials. In aspects where the retainer  150  is intended to be disposable, the retainer  150  is formed of materials that are not designed for heat sterilization that would otherwise be necessary to reuse medical devices. In such aspects, instead of sterilizing the retainer  150  and reusing it, the retainer  150  is disposed of and a new retainer  150  is implemented. 
     While systems and methods have been described in connection with the various embodiments of the various figures, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, and it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims.