FLEXIBLE SHAFT FOR HOLDING A TOOL OF ROTARY DRIVEN MOTION

摘要

A tool having a flexible shaft, a first end and, a second end and capable of being bent about its axis. The tool transfers rotary motion from a device to tool. The shaft, manufactured from a rigid material, has at least one flexible segment, each flexible segment have at least one sinuous slot ascending in a helical path. With multiple segments, the helical path of the slots can be opposite or the same. With one or more segments having multiple slots, the slots can be parallel or have opposite ascensions, thereby crossing one another. The helical paths can vary within each segment or from segment to segment.

主权项

1. A flexible shaft for a tool, said flexible shaft being a rigid material and comprising:
a. a rigid first end, said rigid first end being capable of receiving an instrument to impart rotary motion, b. a rigid second end, said rigid second end being dimensioned to receive a tool to receive said rotary motion and transmit said rotary motion to a tool, c. a body between said rigid first end and said rigid second end, said body having:
an outer surface,an inner cavity having a surface,a longitudinal surface,at least one segment, each of said at least one segment having a segment proximal end and a segment distal end,at least one sinuous slot having a width within each of said at least one segment, each of said at least one sinuous slot having:a depth from said outer surface to said inner cavity,at least one start point, said at least one start point being a first predetermined distance from said rigid first end, andat least one end point, said at least one end point being a second predetermined distance from said rigid first end,said sinuous slot being cut in a helical path along a longitudinal surface of said body to form interlocking teeth and flexibility within said at least one segment, said at least one sinuous slot ascending a first of said at least one segment from said segment start point to said segment end point in a first direction, wherein said rotary motion is transferred by said interlocking teeth locking with adjacent teeth to transfer said rotary motion while said body is unbent or bent about an axis.