US 11,992,261 B2
Locking mechanism and sliding conductor for extendable shaft
Darcy W. Greep, Herriman, UT (US); and Chad S. Frampton, American Fork, UT (US)
Assigned to Megadyne Medical Products, Inc., Draper, UT (US)
Filed by Megadyne Medical Products, Inc., Draper, UT (US)
Filed on Jan. 24, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/752,511.
Application 16/752,511 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/975,552, filed on May 9, 2018, abandoned.
Application 15/975,552 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/596,266, filed on May 16, 2017, granted, now 11,039,876.
Prior Publication US 2020/0155231 A1, May 21, 2020
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61B 18/00 (2006.01); A61B 18/16 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 18/12 (2006.01); A61B 18/14 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 18/16 (2013.01) [A61B 2017/00902 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00991 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00172 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00345 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00595 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00601 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00607 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1253 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1412 (2013.01); A61B 2018/162 (2013.01); A61B 2218/007 (2013.01); A61B 2218/008 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
11. An instrument, comprising:
a body having a proximal end, a distal end, an interior conduit defined by an interior surface, and a conductor disposed on or in the interior surface and extending along a length within the interior conduit and at least partially between the proximal end and the distal end;
an extendable shaft at least partially disposable within the interior conduit of the body, the extendable shaft comprising a sidewall, a first opening at or adjacent to a proximal end of the extendable shaft and a second opening between the proximal end and a distal end of the extendable shaft, the second opening being separate and distinct from the first opening such that a portion of the sidewall is disposed between and separates the first and second openings from one another, the second opening being formed in the sidewall of the extendable shaft, the extendable shaft being selectively movable relative to the body between a retracted position and an extended position; and
a sliding conductor secured to the extendable shaft, the sliding conductor comprising a first end portion, a main body portion, a bend, a contact portion, and a second end portion, the first end portion being disposed within the extendable shaft, the main portion extending proximally from the first end portion along a length of an interior portion of the extendable shaft, the bend being disposed at the first opening in the extendable shaft, the contact portion extending distally along an exterior portion of the extendable shaft between the conductor of the body and the exterior portion of the extendable shaft, the second end portion of the sliding conductor being disposed adjacent to and configured to extend at least partially within the second opening in the extendable shaft and towards the main body portion, the contact portion being configured to maintain a sliding conductive connection with the conductor of the body when the extendable shaft is selectively moved between the retracted position and the extended position.