Active drive mechanism for simultaneous rotation and translation

Abstract

An exemplary drive apparatus is disclosed having a roller assembly configured to impart axial motion to the elongate member along a first continuous surface configured to maintain contact with the elongate member during axial motion. The drive apparatus may further include a roller support configured to rotate the roller assembly, thereby imparting rotational motion to the elongate member. The roller support may be configured to rotate the roller assembly about a second continuous surface configured to maintain contact with the roller support during rotational motion. Moreover, the roller assembly and roller support may be configured to impart axial and rotational motion independently of one another, such that a first one of the roller assembly and the roller support imparts their associated motion regardless of a presence or absence of motion by the other of the roller assembly and the roller support.

1 . A drive apparatus for an elongated member, comprising:
 a roller assembly configured to impart axial motion to the elongate member; and   a roller support configured to rotate the roller assembly, thereby imparting rotational motion to the elongate member;   wherein the roller assembly and roller support are configured to impart axial and rotational motion independently of one another, such that a first one of the roller assembly and the roller support imparts their associated motion regardless of a presence or absence of motion by the other of the roller assembly and the roller support.   
     
     
         2 . The drive apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a first continuous surface defined by a generally cylindrical roller included in the roller assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The drive apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the roller support is configured to rotate about a second generally continuous surface. 
     
     
         4 . The drive apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the roller assembly is configured to maintain continuous grip of the elongate member in the axial and rotational direction. 
     
     
         5 . The drive apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of clamps selectively surrounding the roller assembly and the roller support. 
     
     
         6 . The drive apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the clamps selectively open to define a gap along an upper portion of the drive apparatus, allowing the elongate member to be received through the gap and within the rollers in a direction parallel to an axis of rotation of the rollers. 
     
     
         7 . The drive apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a driving roller supported in a support plate defining a channel configured to receive the elongated member when the elongated member is disposed in the roller assembly, the driving roller configured to rotate the clamps. 
     
     
         8 . The drive apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a saddle supporting the roller assembly within a housing defined by the pair of clamps. 
     
     
         9 . The drive apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the roller assembly includes a pair of opposing rollers. 
     
     
         10 . The drive apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the opposing rollers are engaged via a plurality of mating teeth, thereby coordinating a turning of the opposing rollers. 
     
     
         11 . The drive apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a drive pinion engaged with an inner toothed surface. 
     
     
         12 . The drive apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the drive pinion is configured to rotate the first continuous surface about a spindle. 
     
     
         13 . The drive apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a drive mechanism and a disposable portion including the roller assembly and the roller support. 
     
     
         14 . The drive apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the drive mechanism defines at least a portion of a sterile barrier with respect to the disposable portion. 
     
     
         15 . A drive apparatus for an elongated member, comprising:
 a roller assembly configured to impart axial motion to the elongate member along a first continuous surface configured to maintain contact with the elongate member during axial motion;   a roller support configured to rotate the roller assembly, thereby imparting rotational motion to the elongate member, the roller support configured to rotate the roller assembly about a second continuous surface configured to maintain contact with the roller support during rotational motion; and   a pair of clamps selectively surrounding the roller assembly and the roller support;   wherein the roller assembly and roller support are configured to impart axial and rotational motion independently of one another, such that a first one of the roller assembly and the roller support imparts their associated motion regardless of a presence or absence of motion by the other of the roller assembly and the roller support.   
     
     
         16 . The drive apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the first continuous surface is defined by a generally cylindrical roller included in the roller assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The drive apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the clamps selectively open to define a gap along an upper portion of the drive apparatus, allowing the elongate member to be received through the gap and within the rollers in a direction parallel to an axis of rotation of the rollers. 
     
     
         18 . The drive apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a drive pinion engaged with an inner toothed surface. 
     
     
         19 . The drive apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the drive pinion is configured to rotate the first continuous surface about a spindle. 
     
     
         20 . The drive apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a drive mechanism and a disposable portion including the roller assembly and the roller support, wherein the drive mechanism defines at least a portion of a sterile barrier with respect to the disposable portion.