Method and Apparatus for Maintenance of Surgical Instruments

Abstract

A maintenance machine particularly well-suited for servicing tools such as surgical instruments includes a base, a plurality of stations, and an adjustable tool platform. The stations each include respective servicing wheels that can include any of a variety of known servicing wheels, such as polishing and sharpening wheels. The wheels are supported by the base, which houses motors for driving the wheels. The adjustable tool platform includes a plurality of guide rails, rollers, pivot points, and a rotating post that together provide for fine adjustment of a position of a tool being services relative to any of the servicing wheels.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods associated with the maintenance and repair of a tools, and more particularly to systems and methods associated with the maintenance and repair of surgical instruments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the system of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the system itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the leftmost significant digit(s) in the reference numerals denote(s) the first figure in which the respective reference numerals appear, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a front-right perspective view of a surgical-instrument maintenance machine (SIMM) that serves as an embodiment of a servicing apparatus according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a front-left perspective view of the SIMM shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a rear-right perspective view of the SIMM shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a rear-left perspective view of the SIMM shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a right side perspective view of the SIMM shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 shows a bottom-front perspective view of the SIMM shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 shows a bottom-right perspective view of the SIMM shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 shows a bottom-left perspective view of the SIMM shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 shows a front-right perspective view of the adjustable tool platform of the SIMM in isolation;

FIG. 10 shows a bottom-left perspective view of the adjustable tool platform shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a first instrument-mounting lug;

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a second instrument-mounting lug;

FIG. 13 shows a vehicle equipped with the SIMM shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 14 shows a trailer equipped with the SIMM shown in FIG. 1.

Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same reference numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “front,” “back,” “first,” “second,” “upper,” “lower,” “height,” “top,” “bottom,” “outer,” “inner,” “width,” “length,” “end,” “side,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawing and are utilized only to facilitate describing embodiments of the present disclosure.

All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present disclosure only; the extensions of the figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts will either be explained or will be within the skill of persons of ordinary skill in the art after the following teachings of the present disclosure have been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific width, length, and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present disclosure have been read and understood.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the system of the present application are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationships between various components and to the spatial orientation of various aspects of components as the devices are depicted in the attached drawings. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of the present application, the devices, members, apparatuses, etc. described herein may be positioned in any desired orientation. Thus, the use of terms such as “above,” “below,” “upper,” “lower,” or other like terms to describe a spatial relationship between various components or to describe the spatial orientation of aspects of such components should be understood to describe a relative relationship between the components or a spatial orientation of aspects of such components, respectively, as the device described herein may be oriented in any desired direction.

FIGS. 1-8 show perspective views of a surgical-instrument maintenance machine (SIMM) 100 that serves as an embodiment of a servicing apparatus according to the present disclosure. The SIMM 100 is particularly well-suited for the maintenance and repair of various tools, such as stainless steel surgical instruments, but embodiments of the SIMM 100 can be used for other types of tools as well. The SIMM 100 allows the user to precisely adjust, sharpen, or refinish stainless steel surgical instruments by miniaturizing and combining the necessary industry standard equipment into a compact portable unit. The SIMM 100 is equipped with adjustable tool platform 102 that securely holds tools while the tools are being services and greatly reduces the hand skills otherwise needed to sharpen or repair such tools, particularly where high degrees of precision are desirable such as for the servicing of surgical instruments.

The SIMM 100 comprises a plurality (four in the illustrated embodiment) of motor-driven, independently-operable work stations 104, 106, 108, and 110 supported by a base 112. The first, second, third, and fourth stations 104, 106, 108, and 110 include respective first, second, third, and fourth wheels 114, 116, 118, and 120. The first and fourth wheels 114 and 120 are vertically-mounted wheels, while the second and third wheels 116 and 118 are horizontally-mounted wheels.

In the illustrated embodiment, the base 112 includes an upper surface 112a connected to the second and third stations 106 and 108, a right-side surface 112b connected to the first station 104, and a left-side surface 112c connected to the fourth station 110. The base 112 also includes a front surface 112d for supporting the adjustable tool platform 102. The base 112 is preferably a rigid structure, for example comprising metal, plastic, composite, acrylic, and/or wood surfaces 112a-112d. The back and bottom sides of the base 112 can also include respective surfaces or can be open.

The wheels 114, 116, 118, and 120 can include various types of buffing, grinding, and sanding wheels, such as fixed-belt sanding wheels, familiar to those in the art that are useful for sharpening or repairing surgical instruments or other cutting tools.

The wheels 114 and 120 are driven by motor 124, and the wheels 116 and 118 are driven by motor 126. The motors 124 and 126 are at least partially housed within the base 112. The motor 124 has a shaft that is connected to wheels 114 and 120, and the motor 126 has a shaft that is connected for driving wheels 116 and 118. Alternative embodiments can include a plurality of motors such that each of the plurality of motors is configured for driving a respective one of the wheels 114, 116, 118, and 120. Still other alternative embodiments can include one motor that is configured for simultaneously driving all of the wheels 114, 116, 118, and 120. The motors 124 and 126 are preferably variable-speed motors that allow the user to adjust the speed of rotation of the wheels 114, 116, 118, and 120. The motors 124 and 126 are also preferably bi-directional motors that allow the user to control the direction of rotation of the wheels 114, 116, 118, and 120.

The wheels 114, 116, 118, and 120 are preferably removable from the shafts of the respective motors 124 and 126. In some embodiments, one or more of the wheels 114, 116, 118, and 120 can be removed and installed using common mounting hardware, such as a nut and bolt. Also, in some embodiments, one or more of the wheels 114, 116, 118, and 120 can be attached to their respective motors 124 and 126 via one or more magnets on a magnetic hub.

Each of the four stations 104, 106, 108, and 110 can be at least partially enclosed by respective shrouds 134, 136, 138, and 140. The shrouds 134, 136, 138, and 140 serve as partial enclosures to help contain debris that often is ejected during sanding, grinding, and polishing operations. Each of the shrouds 134, 136, 138, and 140 can include a respective port for receiving a conduit for a vacuum system (not shown). The vacuum system can be fully or partially integrated in the SIMM 100, or can be separate from the SIMM and connected to the SIMM via the vacuum ports in the shrouds 134, 136, 138, and 140.

One or more of the four stations 104, 106, 108, and 110 can be equipped with lights 142, such as light-emitting diode (LED) lighting elements, for illuminating the respective stations. In some embodiments each light 142 can be independently controllable, and in some embodiments groups of lights 142 can be controllable together.

The SIMM 100 also includes a user control panel 144. The control panel 144 includes circuitry that is electrically connected with each of the motors 124 and 126. The SIMM 100 receives electrical power from an external power source and the control panel 144 allows a user to use the electrical power to operate the motors 124 and 126 and thereby rotate the wheels 114, 116, 118, and 120. The control panel 144 can also include user-operable controls for selecting one or more of the wheels 114, 116, 118, and 120 to operate, for selecting a rotational direction of the wheels 114, 116, 118, and 120, and for adjusting the speed of rotation of the wheels 114, 116, 118, and 120. The control panel 144 can also include one or more user-operable controls for turning the lights 142 on and off.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show perspective views of the adjustable tool platform 102 in isolation. It should be appreciated that the adjustable tool platform 102 can be used with the SIMM 100 or in other applications with other apparatus. The adjustable tool platform 102 allows a user to selectively position a tool. When used with the SIMM 100 as shown in FIGS. 1-8, the adjustable tool platform allows a user to selectively position a tool relative to any of the wheels 114, 116, 118, and 120. Unless otherwise noted, components of the adjustable tool platform 102 described herein can be formed of any of a number of different rigid materials, for example materials comprising metal, plastic, composite, acrylic, and/or wood.

The adjustable tool platform 102 can be connected to the base 112 via a base guide rail 150 that is mounted to the front side surface 112d of the base 112. The base guide rail 150 extends along the front side surface 112d of the base 112 between the left and right side surfaces of the base 112. The base guide rail 150 has opposing first and second raceways 150a and 150b that extend along opposing sides of the rail 150. The adjustable tool platform 102 has a first pair of guide rollers 152a and 152b that are engaged with the first raceway 150a, and a second pair of guide rollers 152c and 152d that are engaged with the second raceway 150b.

The adjustable tool platform 102 includes a tool rest member 154 that serves as a support platform for a tool, such as a surgical instrument, while the tool is being serviced by any of the wheels 114, 116, 118, and 120. The tool rest member 154 has a first tool-receiving surface 156 and a second tool receiving surface 158. The second tool receiving surface 158 is orthogonal to the first tool-receiving surface 156. The first tool-receiving surface 156 can include a groove 157 defined by a recessed portion of the surface 156. The groove 157 can be useful for securing tools to the first tool-receiving surface 156 and for maintaining an alignment of a tool relative to the first tool-receiving surface 156.

The tool rest member 154 can be used in conjunction with a variety of interchangeable instrument-mounting lugs, including the first and second instrument-mounting lugs 170 and 180 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, respectively, that are configured for being removably mounted to the tool rest member 154. In order to accommodate a variety of instrument-mounting lugs such as lugs 170 and 180, the tool rest member 154 includes a first lug-receiving bore 160 having a smooth interior surface, a second lug-receiving bore 162 having a smooth interior surface, and a thumbscrew 164 having a threaded post that extends through the body of the tool rest member 154. The first and second lug-receiving bores 160 and 162 allow for attachment of a lug having a smooth mounting posts and/or threaded posts that can extend therethrough and can be secured with a nut on the opposite side of the bore 160 or 162. The thumbscrew 164 allows for attachment of a lug having an internally-threaded bore.

FIG. 11 shows a first instrument-mounting lug 170, which serves as a first example of a lug that is vertically adjustable relative to the first tool-receiving surface 156 and is configured to be removably mounted to the tool rest member 154. The first instrument-mounting lug 170 includes a first lug body 172. The first lug body 172 includes a smooth post and/or a thumb screw for securing the first lug body 172 to the tool rest member 154 using the first and second lug-receiving bores 160 and 162. The first lug body 172 also includes a clamp assembly 174. The clamp assembly 174 includes a clamp handle 175, a threaded clamp post 176 that is fixed to the clamp handle 175, and a clamp plate 177 that is attached to the clamp post 176 opposite the clamp handle 175. The threaded clamp post 176 extends through a threaded clamp bore 178 though the first lug body 172. Thus, while the first instrument-mounted lug 170 is attached to the tool rest member 154, when a user rotates the clamp handle 175 in a first direction, the clamp plate 177 will move closer to the first tool-receiving surface 156, and when a user rotates the clamp handle 175 in a second direction (opposite the first direction), the clamp plate 177 will move further from the first tool-receiving surface 156. Preferably the clamp plate 177 is aligned with the groove 157 in the first tool-receiving surface 156 so that a tool having a shaft that is at least partially retained within the groove 157 can be further secured thereto by the clamp assembly 174.

FIG. 12 shows a second instrument-mounting lug 180, which serves as a first example of a lug that is horizontally adjustable relative to the second tool-receiving surface 156 and is configured to be removably mounted to the tool rest member 154. The second instrument-mounting lug 180 includes a second lug body 182. The second lug body 182 includes a smooth post 183 and a threaded bore (not shown) for securing the second lug body 182 to the tool rest member 154 using the first lug-receiving bore 160 and the thumbscrew 164. The second lug body 182 also includes a clamp assembly 184. The clamp assembly 184 includes a clamp handle 185, a threaded clamp post 186 that is fixed to the clamp handle 185, and a clamp plate 187 that is attached to the clamp post 186 opposite the clamp handle 185. The threaded clamp post 186 extends through a threaded clamp bore 188 though the second lug body 182. Thus, while the second instrument-mounted lug 180 is attached to the tool rest member 154, when a user rotates the clamp handle 185 in a first direction, the clamp plate 187 will move closer to the second tool-receiving surface 158, and when a user rotates the clamp handle 185 in a second direction (opposite the first direction), the clamp plate 187 will move further from the second tool-receiving surface 158.

Referring again primarily to FIGS. 9 and 10, the adjustable tool platform 102 further includes a post member 190 for supporting the tool rest member 154. The post member 190 extends between the tool rest member 154 and a first support bracket 192. The post member 190 is also attached to a shaft 194 that extends through the first support bracket 192 and is rigidly fixed to the post member 190. The shaft 194 is rotatable relative to the first support bracket 192 about the longitudinal axis A1 of the post member 190. Rotation of the shaft 194 causes rotation of the post member 190 about the longitudinal axis A1, thereby allowing for rotational adjustment of the tool rest member 154 and any tool supported thereon relative to any of the wheels 114, 116, 118, and 120. The shaft 194 is also configured for receiving a knob 196 that can be mounted thereon such that rotation of the knob 196 causes rotation of the post member 190 about the longitudinal axis A1 of the post member 190. In some embodiments, the knob 196 can include indicia thereon for providing a user with a visual indication of the degree of rotation of the post member 190 relative to the first support bracket 192.

The first support bracket 192 includes a bottom surface 198 and a first plurality of guide rollers 200a-200d mounted to the bottom surface 198.

The first support bracket 192 is supported by a first guide rail 202. The first guide rail 202 includes opposing first and second raceways 204a and 204b. The first and second guide rollers 200a and 200b are engaged with the first raceway 204a and the third and fourth guide rollers 200c and 200d are engaged with the second raceway 204b such that a user can slide the first support bracket 192 along the first guide rail 202 in the directions indicated by arrow A2 in order to adjust the position of the tool rest member 154 relative to any of the wheels 114, 116, 118, and 120.

The first guide rail 192 is supported by a first guide rail support element 206, which in turn is supported by a second support bracket 208. The second support bracket 208 includes a wall member 210, a first support arm 212, and a second support arm 214. The first and second support arms 212 and 214 are rigidly attached to the wall member 210 and extend from the wall member 210 towards the first guide rail support element 206. The first and second support arms 212 and 214 are pivotally connected to the first guide rail support element 206 such that the first guide rail support element 206 can rotate relative to the second support bracket 208 about the pivot axis A3 in the directions indicated by arrow A4.

The wall member 210 includes a wall surface opposite the first and second support arms 212 and 214. A second plurality of guide rollers 218a-d are mounted to the wall member 210 on the wall surface opposite the first and second support arms 212 and 214. The wall member 210 also includes a guide bore 220 extending therethrough for receiving a guide post 222 (shown in FIG. 9).

A limiter strap 224 is connected between the second support bracket 208 and the first guide rail 202 for limiting the pivotal range of motion between the second support bracket 208 and the first guide rail 202. The limiter strap 224 can be secured to the wall member 210 and to the first guide rail 202 using commonly known hardware or other connection methods. The limiter strap 224 can be a flexible, elongated element having a predetermined length that does not extend beyond what would allow an undesirable degree of pivotal rotation between the first guide rail 202 and the second support bracket 208. The desirable degree of rotation can be selected based on preferences of the user and can be adjusted by adjusting the length of the limiter strap 224. The limiter strap 224 can be made of any of a variety of known flexible materials, such as flexible metal strapping or nylon string.

The second support bracket 208 is supported by a second guide rail 226. The second guide rail 226 includes opposing third and fourth raceways 228a and 228b. The guide rollers 218a and 218b are engaged with the third raceway 228a and the guide rollers 218c and 218d are engaged with the fourth raceway 228b such that a user can slide the second support bracket 208 along the second guide rail 226 in the directions indicated by arrow A5 in order to adjust the position of the tool rest member 154 relative to any of the wheels 114, 116, 118, and 120.

The guide post 222 has a lower end that is connected to the second guide rail 226 via a rigid connection plate 230. The guide post 222 is a rigid post that extends from the connection plate 230 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the second guide rail 226 and through the guide bore 220 of the wall member 210 of the second support bracket 208. A compression spring 232 extends about the guide post 222 between the lower end of the guide post 222 and the second support bracket 208. The compression spring 232 urges the second support bracket 208 away from the connection plate 230 so that the tool rest member 154 remains generally at an elevation close to that of the wheels 114, 116, 118, and 120 while still being adjustable downward towards the connection plate 230.

The second guide rail 226 is supported by a carriage member 236. The carriage member 236 is rigidly attached to the second guide rail 226 and includes a carriage surface 238 opposite the second guide rail 226. The guide rollers 152a-d are mounted to the carriage surface 238.

The carriage member 236 is supported by the base guide rail 150. The base guide rail includes opposing raceways 150a and 150b. The guide rollers 152a and 152b are engaged with the raceway 150a, and the guide rollers 152c and 152d are engaged with the raceway 150b such that a user can slide the adjustable tool platform 102 along the base guide rail 150 in the directions indicated by arrow A6 in order to adjust the lateral position of the tool rest member 154 relative to any of the wheels 114, 116, 118, and 120.

The SIMM 100 thus provides a servicing platform that allows for servicing a variety of tools, for example surgical instruments, using a variety of servicing wheels and a tool support platform that is highly adjustable for easily positioning a tool relative to a servicing wheel. The SIMM 100 is also a compact system that can be used in a fixed or mobile location. For example, as shown in FIG. 13 a mobile servicing station can be realized by providing the SIMM 100 in a vehicle such as a van. Also, as shown in FIG. 14, a mobile servicing station can similarly be realized by providing the SIMM 100 in a towable trailer. In still further examples, a mobile servicing station can be realized by providing the SIMM 100 on a cart or other such mobile apparatus.

Section headings herein are provided for consistency with the suggestions under 37 C.F.R. 1.77 or otherwise to provide organizational cues. These headings shall not limit or characterize the invention(s) set out in any claims that may issue from this disclosure. Specifically and by way of example, although the headings refer to a “Technical Field,” such claims should not be limited by the language chosen under this heading to describe the so-called technical field. Further, a description of a technology in the “Background” is not to be construed as an admission that technology is prior art to any invention(s) in this disclosure. Neither is the “Summary” to be considered as a characterization of the invention(s) set forth in issued claims. Furthermore, any reference in this disclosure to “invention” in the singular should not be used to argue that there is only a single point of novelty in this disclosure. Multiple inventions may be set forth according to the limitations of the multiple claims issuing from this disclosure, and such claims accordingly define the invention(s), and their equivalents, that are protected, thereby. In all instances, the scope of such claims shall be considered on their own merits in light of this disclosure, but should not be constrained by the headings set forth herein.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the application may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the claims below. It is apparent that a system with significant advantages has been described and illustrated. Although the system of the present application is shown in a limited number of forms, it is not limited to just these forms, but is amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

Claims

1. A maintenance machine comprising:

a base defining an interior space;

a plurality of stations having respective ones of a plurality of removable wheels;

a first motor disposed within the interior space of the base for driving at least a first wheel of the plurality of wheels;

a second motor disposed within the interior space of the base for driving at least a second wheel of the plurality of wheels;

a control panel operably associated with the first and second motors, the control panel having user-operable controls for operating the plurality of wheels;

a base guide rail connected to a front surface of the base; and

an adjustable tool platform for selectively positioning a tool relative to any of the plurality of wheels, the adjustable tool platform having a plurality of wheels for engaging the base guide rail.

2. The maintenance machine according to claim 1, wherein the base further comprises an upper surface and opposing left and right side surfaces.

3. The maintenance machine according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of stations includes:

a first station connected to the right side surface;

a second station connected to the upper surface;

a third station connected to the upper surface; and

a fourth station connected to the left side surface.

4. The maintenance machine according to claim 1, wherein the control panel includes user-operable controls for at least one of:

controlling whether at least one of the first and second motors is on or off;

selecting a rotational direction of at least one of the plurality of wheels; and

adjusting a speed of rotation of at least one of the plurality of wheels.

5. The maintenance machine according to claim 1, further comprising at least one light configured for illuminating at least one of the stations, wherein the control panel further comprises user-operable control for turning the light on and off.

6. The maintenance machine according to claim 1, wherein the base guide rail comprises opposing first and second raceways.

7. The maintenance machine according to claim 6, wherein the adjustable tool platform comprises a first guide roller engaging the first raceway and a second guide roller engaging the second raceway.

8. A maintenance machine, comprising:

a base defining an interior space;

a plurality of stations having respective ones of a plurality of removable wheels;

at least one motor disposed within the interior space of the base for driving at least one of the plurality of wheels;

a control panel operably associated with the first and second motors, the control panel having user-operable controls for operating the plurality of wheels;

a base guide rail connected to a front surface of the base, the base guide rail including a first base raceway and a second base raceway; and

an adjustable tool platform for selectively positioning a tool relative to any of the plurality of wheels, the adjustable tool platform comprising: a tool rest member including a first tool-receiving surface and a second tool receiving surface orthogonal to the first tool-receiving surface; a post member for supporting the tool rest member; a first support bracket for supporting the post member such that the post member is rotationally connected to the first support bracket about a longitudinal axis of the post member, the first support bracket including a bottom surface and a first plurality of guide rollers mounted to the bottom surface; a first guide rail for supporting the first support bracket, the first guide rail including opposing first and second raceways, wherein the first plurality of guide rollers includes at least one guide roller engaging the first raceway and at least one guide roller engaging the second raceway; a second support bracket for supporting the first guide rail, the second support bracket including a wall member and first and second support arms extending from the wall member, the first and second arms being pivotally connected to the first guide rail, and the wall member having a wall surface opposite the first and second support arms, the wall surface having a second plurality of guide rollers mounted thereto; a second guide rail for supporting the second support bracket, the second guide rail including opposing third and fourth raceways, wherein the second plurality of guide rollers includes at least one guide roller engaging the third raceway and at least one guide roller engaging the fourth raceway; and a carriage member attached to the second guide rail and having a carriage surface, the carriage surface having a third plurality of guide rollers mounted thereto, wherein the third plurality of guide rollers includes at least one guide roller engaging the first base raceway and at least one guide roller engaging the second base raceway.

9. The maintenance machine according to claim 8, further comprising a plurality of instrument-mounting lugs, each configured to be removably attached to the tool rest member, wherein the plurality of instrument-mounting lugs comprises:

a first instrument-mounting lug having a vertically adjustable member that is adjustable relative to the first tool-receiving surface when attached to the tool rest member; and

a second instrument-mounting lug having a horizontally adjustable member that is adjustable relative to the second tool-receiving surface when attached to the tool rest member.

10. The maintenance machine according to claim 8, wherein the base further comprises an upper surface and opposing left and right side surfaces, and wherein the plurality of stations includes:

a first station connected to the right side surface;

a second station connected to the upper surface;

a third station connected to the upper surface; and

a fourth station connected to the left side surface.

11. The maintenance machine according to claim 8, wherein the wall member includes a guide bore extending therethrough, and wherein the adjustable tool platform further comprises:

a guide post having a lower end that is connected to the second guide rail, the guide post extending from the lower end thereof parallel to the second guide rail and through the guide bore of the wall member of the second support bracket; and

a compression spring extending about the guide post between the lower end of the guide post and the second support bracket.

12. The maintenance machine according to claim 8, wherein the adjustable tool platform further comprises a knob connected to the post member such that rotation of the knob causes rotation of the post member about the longitudinal axis of the post member, the knob including indicia for indicating a degree of rotation of the post member relative to the first support bracket.

13. The maintenance machine according to claim 8, wherein the adjustable tool platform further comprises a limiter strap connected between the second support bracket and the first guide rail for limiting the pivotal range of between the second support bracket and the first guide rail.

14. An adjustable tool platform for selectively positioning a tool relative to an abrading, surface, the tool platform comprising:

a tool rest member including a first tool-receiving surface and a second tool receiving surface orthogonal to the first tool-receiving surface;

a post member for supporting the tool rest member;

a first support bracket for supporting the post member such that the post member is rotationally connected to the first support bracket about a longitudinal axis of the post member, the first support bracket including a bottom surface and a first plurality of guide rollers mounted to the bottom surface;

a first guide rail for supporting the first support bracket, the first guide rail including opposing first and second raceways, wherein the first plurality of guide rollers includes at least one guide roller engaging the first raceway and at least one guide roller engaging the second raceway;

a second support bracket for supporting the first guide rail, the second support bracket including a wall member and first and second support arms extending from the wall member, the first and second arms being pivotally connected to the first guide rail, and the wall member having a wall surface opposite the first and second support arms, the wall surface having a second plurality of guide rollers mounted thereto;

a second guide rail for supporting the second support bracket, the second guide rail including opposing third and fourth raceways, wherein the second plurality of guide rollers includes at least one guide roller engaging the third raceway and at least one guide roller engaging the fourth raceway; and

a carriage member attached to the second guide rail and having a carriage surface, the carriage surface having a third plurality of guide rollers mounted thereto.

15. The adjustable tool platform according to claim 14, further comprising a plurality of instrument-mounting lugs, each configured to be removably attached to the tool rest member, wherein the plurality of instrument-mounting lugs comprises a first instrument-mounting lug having a vertically adjustable member that is adjustable relative to the first tool-receiving surface when attached to the tool rest member.

16. The adjustable tool platform according to claim 14, further comprising a plurality of instrument-mounting lugs, each configured to be removably attached to the tool rest member, wherein the plurality of instrument-mounting lugs comprises a second instrument-mounting lug having a horizontally adjustable member that is adjustable relative to the second tool-receiving surface when attached to the tool rest member.

17. The adjustable tool platform according to claim 14, wherein the wall member includes a guide bore extending therethrough.

18. The adjustable tool platform according to claim 17, further comprising:

a guide post having a lower end that is connected to the second guide rail, the guide post extending from the lower end thereof parallel to the second guide rail and through the guide bore of the wall member of the second support bracket; and

a compression spring extending about the guide post between the lower end of the guide post and the second support bracket.

19. The adjustable tool platform according to claim 14, further comprising a knob connected to the post member such that rotation of the knob causes rotation of the post member about the longitudinal axis of the post member, the knob including indicia for indicating a degree of rotation of the post member relative to the first support bracket.

20. The adjustable tool platform according to claim 14, further comprising a limiter strap connected between the second support bracket and the first guide rail for limiting the pivotal range of between the second support bracket and the first guide rail.