Surgical instrument support device and method
A surgical instrument support device and method for positioning a surgical instrument relative to a surface of a surgical support platform are disclosed. The support device includes a base member, an elongated support member, an extender bar, and a securing mechanism. The base member is fixably mountable to the surgical support platform. The elongated support member has one end mounted to the base member for pivotal movement of the elongated support member relative to the base member within a pivot plane that is nonparallel to the surface of the surgical support platform. The extender bar is adapted for mounting a surgical instrument with respect thereto and is disposed at the other end of the elongated support member. The extender bar projects from the elongated support member such that the pivotal movement of the elongated support member raises or lowers the extender bar and the surgical instrument mounted with respect thereto with respect to the surface of the surgical support platform. The securing mechanism selectively locks and unlocks the elongated support member relative to the base member to respectively prevent and allow the pivotal movement.
The present invention relates generally to a surgical instrument support device and method and, more particularly, to a surgical instrument support device upon which a surgical device, such as a retractor or the like, may be operably mounted.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONSurgical support apparatuses are used to hold and/or position a surgical instrument in such a manner as to provide a surgeon a clear opening to a patient during surgical procedures. Various improvements have been made to these apparatuses to simplify implementation and positioning of surgical instruments, while keeping the surgeon's hands free, so that the surgeon, assistant or other user need not break off performing an act in order, for example, to displace the surgical instrument.
However, most of the various known surgical support devices afford limited flexibility in their positioning or repositioning, or the positioning or repositioning of the surgical instrument supported by the surgical support device. For example, some prior art support devices have a combination of support members that are adjustable only in a linear motion. Oftentimes, such devices require a combination of a number of linear movements of the various support members before a desired position of the support device and surgical instrument may be obtained in which the surgeon's range of action is unobstructed. What is needed is a surgical support apparatus which provides a wide range of possible positions for placement of surgical devices, such as retractors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a surgical instrument support device that can be easily adjusted to a wide variety of desired positions without obstructing the surgeon's range of action.
According to one aspect of the invention, a surgical instrument support device for positioning a surgical instrument relative to a surface of a surgical support platform, includes a base member, an elongated support member, an extender bar, and a securing mechanism. The base member is fixably mountable to a surgical support platform. The elongated support member has one end mounted to the base member for pivotal movement of the elongated support member relative to the base member within a pivot plane that is nonparallel to the surface of the surgical support platform. The extender bar is adapted for mounting a surgical instrument with respect thereto, and is disposed at the other end of the elongated support member and projects from the elongated support member such that the pivotal movement of the elongated support member raises or lowers the extender bar and the surgical instrument mounted with respect thereto with respect to the surface of the surgical support platform. The securing mechanism selectively locks and unlocks the elongated support member relative to the base member to respectively prevent and allow pivotal movement.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of supporting a surgical instrument relative to a patient positioned relative to a surface of a surgical support platform. The method includes the steps of providing an elongated support member having one end mounted to a base member for pivotal movement of the elongated support member relative to the base member within a pivot plane that is nonparallel to the surface of the surgical support platform, and an extender bar at the other end of the elongated support member, the extender bar projecting from the elongated support member, mounting a surgical instrument with respect to the extender bar, pivoting the elongated support member, thereby to raise or lower the extender bar with respect to the surface of the surgical support platform, and, using a securing mechanism to lock and prevent pivotal movement of the elongated support member relative to the base member.
According to another aspect of the invention, a surgical instrument support device for positioning a surgical instrument extender bar relative to a surface of a surgical support platform, includes an elongated support member, an extender bar, and a securing mechanism. The elongated support member is fixably mountable with respect to the surface of the surgical support platform. The extender bar is mounted to the elongated support member for swiveling movement of the extender bar relative to the elongated support member above the surface of the surgical support platform. The securing mechanism selectively locks and unlocks the extender bar relative to the elongated support member to respectively prevent and allow swivelable movement.
According to still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of supporting a surgical instrument relative to a patient positioned relative to a surface of a surgical support platform. The method includes the steps of providing an elongated support member-disposed with respect to the surface of the surgical support platform, and an extender bar mounted to the elongated support member for swivelling movement of the extender bar relative to the elongated support member above the surface of the surgical support platform, mounting a surgical instrument with respect to the extender bar, swiveling the extender bar to position the extender bar with respect to the surface of the surgical support platform, and, using a securing mechanism to lock and prevent swivelable movement of the extender bar relative to the elongated support member.
According to an aspect of the invention, an extension device for a surgical instrument support device having a support bar includes a clamp portion, an extender bar portion, and a securing mechanism. At least one receptacle is disposed in the clamp portion for receiving the support bar from the surgical instrument support device, the clamp portion being positioned to retain the support bar in the receptacle. The extender bar portion is mounted to the clamp portion for pivotal movement of the extender bar portion relative to the clamp portion. The securing mechanism selectively locks and unlocks the extender bar portion relative to the clamp portion to respectively prevent and allow pivotal movement.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of supporting a surgical instrument relative to a patient positioned relative to a surface of a surgical support platform. The method includes the steps of providing a first extender bar disposed above the surface of the surgical support platform, mounting an extension device with respect to the first extender bar, the extension device including a clamp portion, a second extender bar, and a securing mechanism, the second extender bar being mounted to the clamp portion for pivotal movement relative to the clamp portion, the securing mechanism being operative to selectively lock and unlock the second extender bar relative to the clamp portion to respectively prevent and allow pivotal movement, mounting a surgical instrument with respect to the second extender bar, pivoting the second extender bar relative to the clamp portion to position the second extender bar with respect to the surface of the surgical support platform, and, using the securing mechanism to lock and prevent pivotal movement of the second extender bar relative to the clamp portion.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention. These embodiments are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed. Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the detailed description which follows, where considered appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding elements, regardless of whether they are shown in different embodiments of the present invention. To illustrate the present invention in a clear and concise manner, the drawings may not necessarily be to scale and certain features may be shown in somewhat schematic form. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements are exaggerated relative to each other for clarity.
Referring initially to
The support systems 14 and 16 illustrated in
In accordance with the invention, the particular structure and arrangement of the components forming the exemplary surgical instrument support systems 10, 12, 14 and 16 enable the surgical instrument to be raised or lowered, moved transversely from right to left or vice versa, moved longitudinally from head to toe or vice versa, and/or be angularly displaced in a variety of planes to achieve a wide range of surgical instrument positions. The flexibility in positioning and/or repositioning of the surgical instrument and the surgical instrument support systems 10, 12, 14 and 16, and the ease with which the support systems 10, 12, 14 and 16 may be accessed and adjusted, simplify implementation and positioning of a surgical instrument relative to a patient on the surgical support platform 18. These and other advantages, as well as the structure, function and features of the surgical instrument support systems 10, 12, 14 and 16 are described in greater detail below.
The surgical instrument of the illustrated support systems 10, 12, 14 and 16 includes a ratcheting lifting device 52, a cable 54, and a snap clip 58. The surgical instrument shown in
Each surgical instrument support system 10, 12, 14 and 16 is mounted to the surgical support platform 18. Of course, the surgical instrument support system 10, 12, 14 and 16 may alternatively be mounted to the surgery room floor or other suitable mounting surface, so long as the surgical instrument support system 10, 12, 14 and 16 is fixed relative to the surgical support platform 18. Also, it will be appreciated that the surgical instrument support system 10, 12, 14 and 16 need not include the riser member 20, for example in surgical operations in which the surgical instrument may be disposed relatively lower than that illustrated, in which case the base member 24 may be mounted to the surgical support platform 18 or other mounting surface.
In the illustrated embodiments, the surgical support platform 18 is generally rectangular in shape, having a head end 80 (the right end in
As is shown in
The base member 24 is mounted to the upper portion of the riser member 20. The elongated support member 28, in turn, is mounted to the base member 24 for pivotable movement about a pivot axis A, the arc α-α being representative of such pivoting motion of the elongated support member 28. The extender bar 34 is mounted to the upper or distal end of the elongated support member 28 for swivellable movement about a swivel axis B, the arc β-β being representative of such swivelling movement of the extender bar 34. In the support systems 10 and 12, the surgical instrument, and more particularly the ratcheting lifting device 52 thereof, is slidable axially with respect to the extender bar 34 along the axis B, the arrows b-b being representative of the motion of the surgical instrument. In the support system 14, the extension device 40 is slidable axially with respect to the extender bar 34 along the axis B, and the extender bar portion 42 thereof is pivotable about an axis C, which in the
Turning to
The
In the illustrated embodiment, the extender bar 34 projects perpendicularly from the elongated support member 28. In this way, pivoting the elongated support member 28 relative to the base member 24 raises or lowers the extender bar 34 relative to the horizontal while also maintaining the extender bar 34 parallel relative to the horizontal. As will be appreciated, the extender bar 34 may project from the elongated support member 28 at any non-parallel angle to effect raising or lowering of the extender bar 34 with pivoting of the elongated support member 28.
The extender bar 34 may be swivelled or angularly displaced substantially the same amount as the elongated support member 28 is pivoted relative to the base member 24 to maintain the extender bar 34, and the surgical instrument supported thereby, in the same orientation as before such angular displacement. For example, in the right portion of
In an embodiment, the extender bar 34 may swivel automatically, for example as by gravitational force exerted by the surgical instrument, as the elongated support member 28 is tilted. Alternatively, the swivelling of the extender bar 34 and the pivoting of the elongated support member 28 may require two separate actions on the part of the user.
In each of the support systems 10, 12, 14 and 16 illustrated in
The support device 90 (
Details of an exemplary securing mechanism 30 and an exemplary means of pivotably mounting the elongated support member 28 to the base member 24 are shown in
The securing mechanism 30 includes a pair of engaging members 110 and 112. In one embodiment, the male engaging member 110 is disposed at the proximal or lower end 30a of the elongated support member 28. In one embodiment, the female engaging member 112 is disposed at the distal or upper end 30b of the base member 24. In other embodiments, the respective engaging members 110 and 112 may be reversed from the positions shown in
Each engaging member 110 and 112 is somewhat U-shape in cross section. The U-shape is defined by a bottom wall 111 and 113 and a cylindrical wall 114 and 116 projecting from the respective bottom wall 111 and 113. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom wall 113 of the female engaging member 112 includes six holes or apertures 109 (
As is shown in
The projecting ends of the cylindrical walls 114 and 116 form respective engaging surfaces 118 and 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the engaging surfaces 118 and 120 include a plurality of circumferentially disposed teeth 124 and 126 (
The male engaging member 110 includes a pivot shaft 130. The pivot shaft 130 is slidably received in a through hole 132 of the female engaging member 112, enabling the female engaging member 112 to be pivoted about the pivot shaft 130. The pivot shaft 130 has a longitudinal axis A, which is the same as the aforementioned pivot axis A in the support systems 10, 12, 14 and 16 illustrated in
In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the elongated support member 28 and base member 24 are spring biased axially apart by means of a spring 30c (
The securing mechanism 30 includes a knob 30d (
In the illustrated embodiment, the securing mechanism 30 also includes a stop such as a screw 30e (
Referring to
In the illustrated embodiment, the cams 170 and 172 limit the range of relative pivotal movement between the elongated support member 28 and the base member 24 to about 90 degrees from vertical in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction. As will be appreciated, in this embodiment the extender bar 34 likewise has a limited range within which it may be raised or lowered, corresponding substantially to the angular displacement limit of the elongated support member 28, since the vertical displacement of the extender bar 34 is a function of the angular displacement of the elongated support member 28. As will further be appreciated, the cams 170 and 172 may be sized and dimensioned to obtain other suitable angular displacement limits, or may be omitted altogether.
Referring again to the stop 30e of the securing mechanism 30, the stop 30e limits the axial distance that the knob 30d can be axially displaced or backed away from the male engaging member 110. This ensures that the cams 170 and 172 contact one another when the elongated support member 28 and the base member 24 are pivoted relative to one another. In an alternative embodiment, the stop 30e may be adapted to allow the knob 30d to be backed away from the male engaging member 110 so as to provide a rotational clearance between the cams 170 and 172. Such clearance may be suitable, for example, when it is desired to enable a wider range of relative pivotal movement of the elongated support member 28 and the base member 24 than that which is provided by the cams 170 and 172.
It will be appreciated that the illustrated exemplary securing mechanism 30 is but one way of enabling selective locking and unlocking of the elongated support member 28 relative to the base member 24 to respectively prevent and allow relative pivotal movement between the elongated support member 28 and the base member 24. Means other than the illustrated toothed surfaces 118 and 120 may be used to provide engagement between the engaging members 110 and 112. For example, the engaging members 110 and 112 may be equipped with a relatively high friction material such as rubber, or sintered metal. Additionally, or alternatively, a C-clamp or similar device may be used to lock or unlock the elongated support member 28 relative to the base member 24.
Referring now to
Like the securing mechanism 30, the securing mechanism 36 includes a pair of engaging members 110 and 112, except that in the illustrated embodiment the male engaging member 110 is disposed at the proximal end 36a of the extender bar 34, and the female engaging member 112 is disposed at the distal or upper end 36b of the elongated support member 28. In other embodiments, the respective engaging members 110 and 112 may be reversed from the positions shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom wall 113 of the female engaging member 112 includes six holes or apertures 109 (
As is shown in
The securing mechanism 36 functions in a manner similar to that described above for the securing mechanism 30. Likewise, the manner by which the extender bar 34 swivels relative to the elongated support member 28 is substantially the same as the manner by which the elongated support member 28 pivots relative to the base member 24. Thus, the extender bar 34 may be locked relative to the elongated support member 28 to prevent relative swivelable movement therebetween by axially sliding the engaging members 110 and 112 towards one another along the axis B such that the toothed surfaces 118 and 120 of the engaging members 110 and 112 engage one another. To enable the extender bar 34 to be swivelled relative to the elongated support member 28 about the swivel axis B, the engaging members 110 and 112 are axially slid away from one another along the axis B such that a gap exists between the planes of the crowns of the teeth 124 and 126 of the respective toothed surfaces 118 and 120.
The threaded portion 104 of the knob 30d is operative to draw the engaging members 110 and 112 together, and thereby force together and relatively lock the extender bar 34 and the elongated support member 28. The spring 30c biases the engaging members 110 and 112 into relative disengagement to allow the extender bar 34 to be swivelled relative to the elongated support member 28. The stop 30e limits the distance that the knob 30d may be axially displaced from the male engaging member 110, which distance is sufficient to provide a gap between the planes of the crowns of the teeth 124 and 126 of the respective toothed surfaces 118 and 120.
Unlike the illustrated embodiment of the securing mechanism 30, the illustrated embodiment of securing mechanism 36 does not include cams that limit the angular displacement between the engaging members 110 and 112. Thus, in this embodiment, the extender bar 34, when unlocked from the elongated support member 28, is free to swivel about the axis B any angular amount. In another embodiment, the cams 170 and 172 are included to provide for limited angular displacement between the extender bar 34 and the elongated support member 28.
It will be appreciated that the illustrated exemplary securing mechanism 36 is but one way of enabling selective locking and unlocking of the extender bar 34 relative to the elongated support member 28 to respectively prevent and allow relative swivellable movement between the extender bar 34 and the elongated support member 28. As with the securing mechanism 30, means other than the illustrated toothed surfaces 118 and 120 may be used to provide engagement between the engaging members 110 and 112 of the securing mechanism 36. For example, the engaging members 110 and 112 may be equipped with a relatively high friction material such as rubber, or sintered metal. Additionally, or alternatively, a C-clamp or similar device may be used to lock or unlock the extender bar 34 and the elongated support member 28.
Referring now to
The extension device 40 includes an extender bar portion 42, a clamp portion 44 and a securing mechanism 46. The extender bar portion 42 is mounted to the clamp portion 44 for pivotal movement of the extender bar portion 42 about the pivot axis C, which is the same as the aforementioned pivot axis C in the support systems 14 and 16 illustrated in
The clamp portion 44 includes first and second receptacles 206 and 208 having first and second axes X and Y defining the direction in which the extender bar 34 is received. In the illustrated embodiment, the first axis X is disposed perpendicular to the pivot axis C, the second axis Y is disposed collinearly with the pivot axis C, and the first and second axes X and Y are disposed perpendicular to one another (
The receptacles 206 and 208 of the clamp portion 44 enable the extension device 40 to be mounted to the extender bar 34 in a plurality of orientations, two of which are shown for example in
The clamp portion 204 includes a clamp body 210, a threaded shaft 212 in one embodiment, and a handle 214. In one embodiment, the lower end (opposite the handle) of the shaft 212 is configured to securely fit into a positioning bore such as the bores 220 shown in
Details of the securing mechanism 46 and an exemplary means of pivotally mounting the extender bar portion 42 to the clamp portion 44 will now be described. Except as described herein, the securing mechanism 46 is substantially the same as the afore described securing mechanisms 30 and 36.
Like the securing mechanisms 30 and 36, the securing mechanism 46 includes a pair of engaging members 110 and 112, except that in the illustrated embodiment the male engaging member 110 is disposed at the distal end 46b of the clamp portion 44, and the female engaging member 112 is disposed at the proximal end 46a of the extender bar portion 42. In other embodiments, the respective engaging members 110 and 112 may be reversed from the positions shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom wall 113 of the female engaging member 112 includes six holes or apertures 109 (
As is shown in
The securing mechanism 46 functions in a manner similar to that described above for the securing mechanisms 30 and 36. Likewise, the manner by which the extender bar portion 42 pivots relative to the clamp portion 44 is substantially the same as the pivoting and swivelling functions of the securing mechanisms 30 and 36. Thus, the extender bar portion 42 may be locked relative to the clamp portion 44 to prevent relative pivoting movement therebetween by axially sliding the engaging members 110 and 112 towards one another along the axis C such that the toothed surfaces 118 and 120 of the engaging members 110 and 112 engage one another. To enable the extender bar portion 42 to be pivoted relative to the clamp portion 44 about the pivot axis C, the engaging members 110 and 112 are axially slid away from one another along the axis C such that a gap exists between the planes of the crowns of the teeth 124 and 126 of the respective toothed surfaces 118 and 120.
The threaded portion 104 of the knob 30d is operative to draw the engaging members 110 and 112 together, and thereby force together and relatively lock the extender bar portion 42 and the clamp portion 44. The spring 30c biases the engaging members 110 and 112 into relative disengagement to allow the extender bar portion 42 to be pivoted relative to the clamp portion 44. The stop 30e limits the distance that the knob 30d may be axially displaced from the male engaging member 110, which distance is sufficient to provide a gap between the planes of the crowns of the teeth 124 and 126 of the respective toothed surfaces 118 and 120.
Unlike the illustrated embodiment of the securing mechanism 30, the illustrated embodiment of the securing mechanism 46 does not include cams that limit the angular displacement between the engaging members 110 and 112. Thus, in this embodiment the extender bar portion 42, when unlocked from the clamp portion 44, is free to pivot about the axis C any angular amount. In another embodiment, the cams 170 and 172 are included to provide for limited angular displacement between the extender bar portion 42 and the clamp portion 44.
It will be appreciated that the illustrated exemplary securing mechanism 46 is but one way of enabling selective locking and unlocking of the extender bar portion 42 relative to the clamp portion 44 to respectively prevent and allow relative pivotal movement between the extender bar portion 42 and the clamp portion 44. As with the securing mechanisms 30 and 36, means other than the illustrated toothed surfaces 118 and 120 may be used to provide engagement between the engaging members 110 and 112 of the securing mechanism 46. For example, the engaging members 110 and 112 may be equipped with a relatively high friction material such as rubber, or sintered metal. Additionally, or alternatively, a C-clamp or similar device may be used to lock or unlock the extender bar portion 42 and the clamp portion 44.
As will be appreciated, in one embodiment, the illustrated securing mechanisms 30, 36 and 46 are compact and, when locked, substantially smooth and continuous and free of seams, cracks, pinholes or other openings into which contaminants could become lodged.
In each of the above described embodiments, the surgical instrument is a ratcheting lifting device 52. It will be appreciated that the surgical instrument may take any form as desired for a particular surgical operation. Also, additional and/or alternative surgical instruments may be supported by the surgical instrument support systems 10, 12, 14 and 16, such as, for example, cardiovascular and thoracic instruments, clamps, diagnostic instruments, ear and eye instruments, mouth and throat instruments, orthopedic instruments, probes and directors, retractors, suture instruments, urological instruments, etc. Also, the extender bar 34 and the extender bar portion 42 each have a rectilinear transverse cross-section for mating with the illustrated ratcheting lifting device 52 and/or extension device 40. It will be appreciated that the cross-section may have any suitable size or geometry to facilitate mounting of a surgical instrument with respect to the extender bar 34 and/or the extender bar portion 42. Similarly, the receptacles of the ratcheting lifting device and/or extension device also may have any suitable size or geometry to receive the extender bar and/or the extender bar portion 42.
Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to several embodiments, it is obvious that equivalents and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of the specification. The present invention includes all such equivalents and modifications, and is limited only by the scope of the following claims.
Claims
1-47. (canceled)
48. A method of supporting a surgical instrument relative to a surface of a surgical support platform, comprising the steps of:
- providing a first extender bar disposed above the surface of the surgical support platform;
- mounting an extension device with respect to the first extender bar, the extension device including a clamped portion, a second extender bar, and a securing mechanism, the second extender bar being mounted to the clamped portion for pivotable movement relative to the clamped portion, the securing mechanism being operative to selectively lock and unlock the second extender bar relative to the clamp portion to respectively prevent and allow the pivotable movement;
- mounting a surgical instrument with respect to the second extender bar;
- pivoting the second extender bar relative to the clamp portion to position the second extender bar with respect to the surface of the surgical support platform; and
- using the securing mechanism to lock and prevent pivotable movement of the second extender bar relative to the clamped portion.
49. The method of claim 48, wherein the step of mounting the surgical instrument with respect to the second extender bar occurs before the step of mounting the extension device with respect to the first extender bar.
50. A method as set forth in claim 48, wherein the using step includes moving a first or a second engaging member relative to the other against a spring bias into relative disengagement to unlock the securing mechanism.
51. A method as set forth in claim 48, comprising the step of pivoting an elongated support member, to which the first extender bar is connected, over a predetermined limited angular range.
52. A method as set forth in claim 51, wherein the step of pivoting the second extender bar occurs automatically as the elongated support member pivots.
53. A method as set forth in claim 51, including the step of axially sliding engaging members toward one another to lock the position of the first extender bar relative to the support member.
54. A method as set forth in claim 48, comprising the step of clamping the first extender bar relative to the surgical support platform.
55. A method as set forth in claim 48, comprising the step of angularly displacing the extender bar the same amount as the elongated support if pivoted relative to the base.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 28, 2004
Publication Date: May 26, 2005
Inventors: Janice Schilt (Irvine, CA), William Kotelee (Broadview Heights, OH)
Application Number: 11/024,206