DE102021134253B3 - quick release clamp - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a quick-release clamp for attaching surgical aids such as retractors or peripheral surgical techniques to a frame system, comprising two clamping elements provided with a central receptacle for a tie bolt, the first clamping element being mounted such that it can rotate about the axis of the tie bolt and the clamping elements being held in place by means of the tie bolt, which is guided through passage openings in the clamping elements, are mechanically and rotatably operatively connected to one another, with the tie bolt being connected to an eccentric lever via a transverse bolt, the tie bolt being pivotably mounted in a fork-shaped receptacle of the second clamping element and the system which can be coupled to the frame system first clamping element has two connected legs with a clamping opening. According to the invention, the tie bolt is designed in two parts.

Description

The invention relates to a quick-release clamp for attaching surgical aids such as retractors or peripheral surgical techniques to a frame system, comprising two clamping elements provided with a central receptacle for a tension bolt, the first clamping element being mounted such that it can rotate about an axis of the tension bolt and the clamping elements being held in place by means of the tension bolt, which is guided through passage openings in the clamping elements, are mechanically and rotatably operatively connected to one another, with the tie bolt being connected to an eccentric lever via a transverse bolt, the tie bolt being pivotably mounted in a fork-shaped receptacle of the second clamping element and the system which can be coupled to the frame system first clamping element has two connected legs with a clamping opening according to the preamble of claim 1.

From the U.S. 2009/0216087 A1 a tightening hinge for a surgical retraction system is previously known. The joint includes, among other things, a clamp for receiving a rod to be clamped. The clamp has a pivot connection showing a toggle lever.

From the EP 3 685 758 A1 as well as the US 10238375B quick-release clamps are already known, which have a lever for clamping, which is mounted on a fixed pivot point, the pivoting movement of the lever being guided via a longitudinal slot.

Quick-release clamps, which use a toggle lever to transfer power for clamping, are also available from the EP 2 385 797 B1 , the DE 10 2017 120 619 B4 or the EP 3 287 088 B1 famous.

The quick release clamp after US7314331B1 includes two clamping elements that can be clamped with the help of a toggle lever using a tension bolt and an eccentric lever.

It is known that a number of operations in the surgical field have to be carried out under a greatly enlarged operating field. In order to obtain such surgical fields, it is necessary to retract flaps of skin and tissue with retractors in order to allow the surgeon a clear view of the opened body cavities. In many cases, retractors are held by surgical nurses or residents during the course of the operation.

In the case of long-lasting operations, this represents a very high level of physical strain, especially since it cannot be prevented that any minor movements by the surgical staff are transferred to the retractor and thus to the tissue.

In this regard, so-called retraction systems have been in use for a long time. Retraction systems consist of a metal frame that can be assembled in various ways, with surgical aids such as retractors or peripheral surgical techniques attached to its connecting rods. Clamping screws or quick release clamps are used to attach the surgical aids to the frame system.

In the EP 2 151 197 B1 With the help of a quick-release clamp, a variable connection of surgical auxiliary elements with a retraction system is created that is secure over the entire duration of the operation while at the same time reducing the number of individual mechanical parts of the clamping device.

The previously known quick-release clamp comprises two clamping elements provided with a central receptacle for a tie bolt, the clamping element to be connected to the frame system having two legs connected to one another. The clamping elements interact mechanically by means of a tie bolt, which is guided through passage openings incorporated in the clamping elements, with an eccentric lever being arranged at the end of the tie bolt opposite the first clamping element.

The previously known second clamping element is designed as a one-piece leg which has a quadrant-shaped recess in cross section, the counter-leg being formed by an outer surface section of one of the legs of the first clamping element. The second clamping element receives a surgical aid to be connected to the frame system.

The passage openings are advantageously incorporated in the leg base of the respective clamping element and adapted to the respective geometric shape of the corresponding section of the tie bolt in order to be able to guide it through the two clamping elements. The use of an eccentric lever allows the greatest possible force to be applied to the quick release clamp with the least effort, so that the device can be operated with just one hand.

In order to transfer the leverage of the actuated eccentric lever to the second clamping element, a pressure piece is mounted between the second clamping element and the eccentric lever, which is pressed into a recess on the top of the second clamping element.

Furthermore, a resilient O-ring, which is preferably made of medical silicone, is inserted in a recess between the pressure piece and the second clamping element.

Although the quick-release clamp described above has proven itself very well in practical use, the pressure piece used in connection with the O-ring used leads to problems with the necessary disinfection and sterilization of the corresponding clamps after they have been used or before they are used again. Existing gaps here are too small to ensure sufficient access of disinfecting liquids, but are already so large that dirt particles, residues of body fluids or the like can penetrate.

A generic quick release clamp is from U.S. 2005/0080321 A1 previously known. This quick release clamp comprises two clamping elements provided with a central receptacle for a tension bolt, with a first clamping element being mounted such that it can rotate about the axis of the tension bolt. The tie bolt rests in a fork-shaped receptacle of a second clamping element and is pivotably mounted there.

The tie bolt in turn is connected to an eccentric lever via a transverse bolt. The tie bolt can be pivoted by means of the eccentric lever from a loose position into a toggle lever over dead center clamping position.

A comparable toggle lever quick release clamp principle is in the US6017008A explained, the local tension bolt is designed in two parts and adjustable.

In the US5727899A a quick release clamp with two clamping elements is shown, which can be braced by clamping using a lever.

The flexible clamp for holding medical devices or aids according to US7546993B1 discloses clamping by means of a vise type construction.

From the above, it is therefore the object of the invention to specify a further developed quick release clamp for attaching surgical aids, which has a reduced number of parts, which is easy and intuitive to handle and particularly easy to disinfect or sterilize.

The object of the invention is achieved by a quick-release clamp according to the combination of features according to claim 1, the subclaims comprising appropriate configurations and developments.

An additional pressure piece, as in the prior art described above, can be omitted here.

When the quick-release clamp is in the relaxed, ie in the loosened state, all surfaces of the components of the quick-release clamp are easily accessible, so that a particularly effective, easy and optimal sterilization can take place.

Accordingly, the starting point is a quick-release clamp for attaching surgical aids such as retractors or other peripheral surgical techniques to a frame system, which includes two clamping elements provided with a central receptacle for a tension bolt.

The first clamping element is rotatably mounted about the axis of the tie bolt. The clamping elements are mechanically and rotatably connected to one another by means of the tie bolt, which is guided through openings present in the clamping elements.

Furthermore, the tie bolt is connected to a clamping lever via a transverse bolt.

The tie bolt is pivotably mounted in a fork-shaped receptacle of the second clamping element.

The first clamping element that can be coupled to the frame system has two connected legs with a clamping opening.

Furthermore, the tie bolt is designed in two parts.

A first, countersunk screw-like part of the tie bolt is movably mounted in a recess complementary to the countersunk head in a bottom area of the first clamping element.

The countersunk screw-like part is received by a sleeve-like, second part by means of a threaded connection, the end of which is penetrated by the transverse bolt.

The passage openings for the tie bolts within the clamping parts have such a clear width and corresponding dimensions that allow an unhindered pivoting of the tension bolt by means of the clamping lever from a loose position in a toggle over dead center clamping position.

The threaded connection of the two-part tension bolt can be adjusted in such a way that a gap remains between the first and second clamping element in the loose position.

The thread connection is usually adjusted by the manufacturer and is secured against unauthorized changes.

In one embodiment, the surface side of the second clamping element directed towards the first clamping element has a protruding, circumferential collar which dips into a complementary guide opening in the first clamping element.

The opposite, mutually touching surface sections of the clamp parts can have a structure, for example in the form of fine teeth, in order to ensure different rotational positions of the first and second clamping elements relative to one another in the clamped state.

According to the invention, the tension bolt assumes a negative angular position of up to 7° in the loose position and a substantially positive angular position of 2° in the clamped position. The angular position explained above relates to the assignment to a substantially planar reference surface on the first clamping element. This reference surface is located opposite the clamping opening of the first clamping element.

The invention will be explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment and with the aid of figures.

• 1 eine Vorderansicht der Schnellspannklemme im entspannten Zustand;
• 2 eine Darstellung ähnlich derjenigen nach 1, jedoch im Zustand einer beginnenden Klemmung;
• 3 eine Vorderansicht der Schnellspannklemme im Klemmzustand, wobei hier der Spannhebel sich von der Lose-Stellung (1) in eine Kniehebel-Übertotpunkt-Klemmstellung befindet bzw. diese Position eingenommen hat;
• 4 eine Schnittdarstellung längs der Linie N-N;
• 5 eine Schnittdarstellung gemäß der Linie M-M und
• 6 eine Schnittdarstellung gemäß der Linie L-L (jeweils bezugnehmend auf die angedeuteten Schnitte in den 1-3).

Here show:

• 1 a front view of the quick release clamp in the relaxed state;
• 2 a representation similar to that shown below 1 , but in the state of incipient clamping;
• 3 a front view of the quick release clamp in the clamped state, with the clamping lever moving from the loose position ( 1 ) is in a toggle lever over-center clamping position or has assumed this position;
• 4 a sectional view along the line NN;
• 5 a sectional view along the line MM and
• 6 a sectional view along the line LL (each referring to the indicated sections in the 1-3 ).

The quick release clamp according to the embodiment consists of a first clamping element 1 and a second clamping element 2.

A central mount is used to guide a tie bolt 3.

The first clamping element 1 is rotatably mounted about the axis 4 of the tie bolt 3 .

The clamping elements 1; 2 are by means of the tension bolt 3, which is in the clamping elements 1; 2 existing passage openings 5; 6 is performed, mutually in mechanical and rotatable operative connection.

The tie bolt 3 is connected to a clamping lever 7 via a transverse bolt 8 .

The tie bolt 3 is pivotably mounted in a fork-shaped receptacle 9 of the second clamping element 2 .

The first clamping element 1 has two connected legs 10; 11 and a clamping opening 12 and a reference surface 13.

As in particular from the 4 until 6 recognizable, the tie bolt 3 is made in two parts.

A first, countersunk screw-like part 14 is mounted in a recess 16 complementary to the countersunk head 15 in the bottom region 17 of the first clamping element 1, in particular pivotably.

The countersunk screw-like part 14 is received by means of a threaded connection 18 by a sleeve-like, second part 19 of the tie bolt 3, the end of which is penetrated by the cross bolt 8 mentioned.

According to the invention, the passage openings 5; 6 for the tension bolt 3 within the clamping elements 1; 2 are designed in such a way and have a corresponding clear width, which allows an unimpeded pivoting of the tension bolt 3 by means of the clamping lever from a loose position into a toggle lever over-center clamping position.

the 1 and 4 show the loose position.

the 3 and 6 the reached knee lever over dead center clamping position.

The threaded connection 18 of the two-part tension bolt 3 is adjustable in such a way that in the loose position there is a gap between the first and the second clamping element 1; 2 remains, so that the quick release clamp can be optimally disinfected and sterilized.

The surface section of the second clamping element 2 facing the first clamping element 1 has a protruding collar 20.

This collar dips into a complementary guide opening 21 in the first clamping element 1 .

The opposing surface sections of the clamp parts 1; 2 can have a structure, in particular in the form of teeth or fine teeth (not shown in the figures).

the 4 indicates that the tension bolt 3 in the loose position assumes an angular position that is negative by up to 7° in relation to the reference surface 13 of the first clamping element.

In the clamping position, on the other hand, the tension bolt assumes a substantially 2° positive angular position, again with regard to the reference surface 13 on the first clamping element 1.

Reference List

1

first clamping element

2

second clamping element

3

draw bolt

4

Axis of the draw bolt

5; 6

passage openings

7

cocking lever

8th

cross bolt

9

forked mount

10; 11

Leg of the first clamping element

12

clamp opening

13

Reference surface on the first clamping element

14

countersunk screw-like first part

15

countersunk

16

complementary recess

17

Bottom area of the first clamping element

18

threaded connection

19

sleeve-like, second part

20

Federation

21

guide hole

Claims (5)

Quick-release clamp for attaching surgical aids such as retractors or peripheral surgical techniques to a frame system, comprising two clamping elements (1, 2) provided with a central receptacle for a tension bolt (3), the first clamping element (1) rotating about an axis (4) of the tension bolt (3) is rotatably mounted and the clamping elements (1, 2) are mechanically and rotatably connected to one another by means of the tie bolt (3), which is guided through openings (5, 6) in the clamping elements (1, 2), wherein Furthermore, the tie bolt (3) is connected to an eccentric lever (7) via a transverse bolt (8), the tie bolt (3) is pivotably mounted in a fork-shaped receptacle (9) of the second clamping element (2) and the first, which can be coupled to the frame system Clamping element (1) has two connected legs (10, 11) with a clamping opening (12), the tension bolt (3) being designed in two parts and a first countersunk screw-like part (14) in e is movably mounted in a recess (16) complementary to a countersunk head (15) in a bottom area (17) of the first clamping element (1), such that the countersunk screw-like part (14) is received by a sleeve-like, second part (19) by means of a threaded connection (18). , the end of which is penetrated by the transverse bolt (8) and the passage openings (5, 6) for the tension bolt (3) within the clamping parts (1, 2) have a clear width which allows the tension bolt (3) to pivot unhindered by means of the eccentric lever ( 7) from a loose position to a toggle lever over dead center clamping position, characterized in that the tension bolt (3) in the loose position has a negative angular position of up to 7° and in the toggle lever over dead center clamping position a substantially 2° assumes a positive angular position in relation to a reference surface (13) of the first clamping element (1). quick release clamp claim 1 , characterized in that the threaded connection (18) of the two-part tension bolt (3) is adjustable such that in the loose position a gap remains between the first and second clamping element (1, 2). quick release clamp claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that one of the first clamping element (1) directed surface side of the second clamping element (2) has a protruding collar (20), which in a komplemen tary guide opening (21) in the first clamping element (1) is immersed. Quick-release clamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that surface sections of the clamping parts (1, 2) which are in contact with one another and lie opposite one another have a surface structure. quick release clamp claim 4 , characterized in that the surface structure is designed as a fine toothing.

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