MEDICAL
Our Products
FLEXIBLE SHAFTS
Consider Elliott flex shafts a critical component in your minimally invasive surgical device design. Our flex shafts transmit power to a driven element at speeds up to 10,000 rpm, with core sizes as small as 0.125 inches (3.1750 mm).
Carefully engineered, Elliott flex shafts are ideally suited for use in medical equipment. They are manufactured to hold very tight tolerances, ensuring accuracy during diagnostic, endoscopic or laparoscopic surgery. Our flex shafts transmit rotary motion from a mechanical console to surgical tools like:
- Orthopedic instruments
- Biopsy probes and needle actuators
- Suction and tissue removal devices
- Medical imaging contrast injector devices
Consider Elliott flex shafts early in your surgical device design process, for specialties like orthopedics, OB/GYN, gastroenterology (bariatrics) and ENT, to take full advantage of our ability to solve demanding drive problems efficiently, economically and with flexibility.
Why choose an Elliott design?
Elliott offers a broad range of flex shaft materials for your medical equipment, including core constructions and sizes. You’ll find our flex shafts will effectively and reliably transmit power to a driven element that must move during operation for a high degree of freedom in the location of drive sources.
Elliott has extensive engineering expertise, from concept, design and development (life, performance and validation testing) to the ability to design and produce complex parts, including unique interface designs.
With more than 75 years of industry experience, you can depend on Elliott for established performance and reliability. We are a leader in innovative, technological advancements to optimize efficient performance, including materials, methods, coatings, lubricants, tribology and interfaces, plus we are ISO and AS9000 certified.
Customer Resources
FAQs
Visit our FAQ page to learn more.
A flex shaft is a complete mechanism capable of transmitting rotary power or motion between two points that need not be co-linear. Flex shafts are available in a wide range of configurations and materials to meet your needs. Flex shafts are very durable and can operate in demanding environments, even if continuous operation at very high speed is required. There are two primary types of flex shafts:
- Power drive: Designed for continuous operation at speeds exceeding 100 RPM where torque is carried in one direction of rotation. It may also be used where intermittent operation is an application requirement.
- Remote control: Designed for intermittent operation at speeds of 100 RPM or less. Remote Control Flex Shafts generally handle higher torque loads than Power Drive Flex Shafts and can rotate either clockwise or counterclockwise without adverse effects.
Generally, a flex shaft is made up of the following:
- Core: Wire wound in layers in opposing directions around a center wire.
- Casing: Flexible conduit that supports the core during operation. Many of Elliott’s flex shafts come with a casing comprised of a steel liner, steel and cloth reinforcing braids and an elastomer cover.
- Motor connection: This is what attaches the flex shaft to a power source. There are many different motor connections ranging from the simple single fitting to a more complex multi-faceted system.
- Fitting: A core fitting is attached directly to the core to mate to the power source.
- Ferrule: A ferrule attaches to the casing to support it in a uniform bend and to keep it from rotating.
Some systems will have each of these components while others may only have a few.
We can help you determine if the torque, speed and environment of your application are appropriate for a flex shaft. Visit our Markets pages to learn more about how our products are used.
Our Core Specifications is a good place to start. You should know the power you need to transmit, operating speed, direction of rotation, minimum bend radius and torsional deflection. We can figure it out for you if you need help.
Contact Elliott
Can’t find the answer to your question or need more detail? Elliott’s customer service team is here to support you. Please contact us for assistance.
