Torque Shaft and Torque Drive

Abstract

Torque shafts and other related systems and methods are described herein. The torque shafts are both flexible and capable of transmitting torque. The torque shafts are useful for procedures that require torque and pushability to drive or deploy a device. The flexibility and pushability of the torque shafts enable them to curve along a tortuous path, and the torque transferring capability of the shafts enable them to transmit torque along the shaft.

1 . An apparatus for transmission of torque, comprising:
 a plurality of rigid segments coupled together in an elongate configuration, wherein each segment comprises:   a first end comprising a male feature; and   a second end comprising a female feature, the female feature having a shape corresponding to the male feature such that the female feature is configured to receive the male feature of the first end of an adjacent rigid segment.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rigid segments are coupled together in a flexible elongate configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the male feature has a “T” like shape or a teardrop shape. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the male feature comprises a base and an end, the end having a greater width than the base. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each segment comprises:
 a plurality of male features located along the periphery of the first end; and   a plurality of female features located along the periphery of the second end, wherein the plurality of rigid segments are coupled together in a flexible elongate configuration.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of male features located along the periphery of the first end form a first pattern outline and the a plurality of female features located along the periphery of the second end form a second pattern outline, the first and second pattern outlines having generally the same shape. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the first and second pattern outlines are offset from each other and the first and second pattern outlines have different sizes. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the male feature is a first male feature and the female feature is a first female feature, each segment comprising:
 a second male feature on the first end, the second male feature being configured differently from the first male feature; and   a second female feature on the second end, the second female feature being configured differently from the first female feature, the second female feature having a shape corresponding to the second male feature such that the second female feature is configured to receive the second male feature of the first end of an adjacent rigid segment.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a first segment of the plurality of segments is pivotable with respect to an adjacent second segment of the plurality of segments. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein each segment comprises a pivot space. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the female feature is a first female feature, the male feature is a first male feature, and the pivot space is a first pivot space, each segment further comprising:
 a second male feature located opposite the first male feature and having the same configuration as the first male feature;   a second female feature located opposite the first female feature and having the same configuration as the first female feature; and   a second pivot space located opposite the first pivot space and having the same configuration as the first pivot space.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the first segment is coupled to the second segment by a hinge. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the male feature is configured to slide within the female feature. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the hinge is a first hinge, the female feature is a first female feature, the male feature is a first male feature, and the pivot space is a first pivot space, each segment further comprising:
 a second hinge located opposite the first hinge and having a similar configuration to the first hinge;   a second male feature located opposite the first male feature and having a similar configuration to the first male feature;   a second female feature located opposite the first female feature and having a similar configuration to the first female feature; and   a second pivot space located opposite the first pivot space.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the male or female features is located in at least one of the pivot spaces. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one segment comprises a lumen. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rigid members are configured for medical use. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rigid segments are one continuous body. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus for transmission of torque, comprising:
 an inner elongate member comprising a wound portion, the wound portion having a proximal location wound with respect to a distal location in a first direction; and   an outer elongate member comprising a wound portion, the wound portion having a proximal location wound with respect to a distal location in a second direction opposite the first direction, the outer elongate member coupled to the inner elongate member.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the wound portion of the inner elongate member is biased to unwind in the second direction and the wound portion of the outer elongate member is biased to unwind in the second direction such that the respective biases are sufficient to counteract each other and prevent unwinding and wherein the inner and outer elongate members are in contact with each other, together flexible and configured for medical use. 
     
     
         21 . A medical apparatus, comprising:
 a tubular member configured to interface with a prosthesis;   a torque drive coupled with the tubular member and configured to rotate the tubular member, the torque drive being configured to fit within the vasculature of a patient.   
     
     
         22 . The medical apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the tubular member is a torque shaft. 
     
     
         23 . The medical apparatus of  claim 22 , further comprising a cable configured to interface with the torque drive, wherein the torque drive is configured to translate axial motion of the cable into rotational motion of the torque shaft. 
     
     
         24 . The medical apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the torque shaft comprises:
 a sheave; and   a cable hub rotatably coupled to the sheave and fixably coupled with the torque shaft, the cable hub configured to receive the cable in a wrapped state.