US20060264711A1 - Surgical clamp - Google Patents
Surgical clamp Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060264711A1 US20060264711A1 US11/413,607 US41360706A US2006264711A1 US 20060264711 A1 US20060264711 A1 US 20060264711A1 US 41360706 A US41360706 A US 41360706A US 2006264711 A1 US2006264711 A1 US 2006264711A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- clamping
- clamping member
- clamp
- bore
- shaft
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 25
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 description 19
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 9
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 9
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 9
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000001788 irregular Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001356 surgical procedure Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
- A61B1/32—Devices for opening or enlarging the visual field, e.g. of a tube of the body
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B90/00—Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups A61B1/00 - A61B50/00, e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges
- A61B90/50—Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms
- A61B90/57—Accessory clamps
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
- A61B17/02—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for holding wounds open; Tractors
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B90/00—Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups A61B1/00 - A61B50/00, e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges
- A61B90/50—Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms
- A61B90/57—Accessory clamps
- A61B2090/571—Accessory clamps for clamping a support arm to a bed or other supports
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B90/00—Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups A61B1/00 - A61B50/00, e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges
- A61B90/50—Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to a surgical clamp for use in mounting a retractor support apparatus with respect to an operating table. More particularly, the present invention relates to a clamp that can be positioned about the retractor support apparatus in a selected position.
- a retractor support apparatus Prior to performing a surgical procedure requiring retraction, a retractor support apparatus is typically constructed about a surgical site.
- the retractor support apparatus is attached to a field post that is attached to a surgical table with the field post extending upwardly from the surgical table.
- the retractor support apparatus extends over the surgical table and can include as little as one support member or numerous support members. Retractors and other surgical equipment are positioned about the surgical site by being secured with a clamp attached to the retractor support apparatus.
- the retractor support apparatus can be burdensome and difficult to position.
- the clamp is typically free to move along the length of the field post which creates additional difficulty in securing the retractor support apparatus with the clamp. Therefore, securing the retractor support apparatus with a clamp and positioning the clamp in a selected position on the field post can pose difficulties.
- the design of the clamp can also add to the difficulty in mounting the retractor support apparatus to the field post.
- the retractor clamp typically includes first and second clamping members that are generally in the shape of the letter “U”. Clamping members having U-shaped structures are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,718,151, 5,020,195, 5,242,240 and 5,7921,046, all of which are assigned to the same assignee as the assignee of the present application.
- the object to be clamped is placed in a clamping bore defined by the legs of the U-shaped structure where movement of the legs towards each other causes the object to be clamped within the clamping bore.
- the weight and configuration of the retractor support apparatus may create potential difficulties in positioning the end of the retractor support apparatus within the clamping bore. Additionally, once the end of the retractor support apparatus is positioned within the U-shaped structure, the retractor support apparatus must be slid into a selected position prior to clamping the retractor support apparatus in the selected position.
- the present invention includes a surgical joint having a first clamping member for engaging a first support member and a second clamping member for engaging a second support member.
- the first clamping member includes a clamping bore wherein the first support member is positionable within the clamping bore.
- the second clamping member includes a socket wherein the second support member is positionable within the socket.
- a shaft is disposed through the first clamping member and is in communication with the second clamping member.
- An actuating mechanism is coupled to the shaft such that the actuating mechanism is positionable to force the first clamping member to frictionally engage the first support member and the second clamping member to frictionally engage the second support member.
- FIG. 1 is a side view of the surgical clamp of the present invention clamping a retractor support apparatus to a field post clamped to a surgical table.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the surgical clamp of the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the surgical clamp of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the surgical clamp of the present invention in a clamping position along section line 4 - 4 in FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the surgical clamp of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the alternative embodiment of the surgical clamp of the present invention.
- FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the alternative embodiment of the surgical clamp of the present invention in a clamping position along section line 7 - 7 in FIG. 5 .
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the surgical clamp of the present invention.
- FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the alternative embodiment of the surgical clamp of the present invention.
- FIG. 10 is a side view of the clamping bore of the first clamping member of the present invention.
- FIG. 11 is a side view of the pawl attached to the first clamping member of the present invention.
- the present invention includes a surgical clamp illustrated in FIG. 1 at 10 .
- the surgical clamp 10 secures a retractor support apparatus 18 to a field post 16 where the field post 16 is mounted to a rail 14 of a surgical table 12 .
- the surgical clamp 10 includes a first clamping member 20 that engages the field post 16 and a second clamping member 70 that engages the retractor support apparatus 18 .
- a shaft 90 is positioned through the first clamping member 20 and engages the second clamping member 70 .
- An actuating mechanism 100 is coupled to the shaft 90 where the actuating mechanism 100 is positionable between a first position and a second position.
- first and second clamping members 20 , 70 are in a nonclamping position where the first clamping member 20 is positionable on the field post 16 .
- the retractor support apparatus 18 is positionable within the second clamping member 70 and the second clamping member 70 is rotatable with respect to the first clamping member 20 .
- first and second clamping members 20 , 70 are positioned into clamping positions.
- first clamping member 20 frictionally engages the field post 16
- second clamping member 70 frictionally engages the retractor support apparatus 18
- the second clamping member 70 is rotatably fixed with respect to the first clamping member 20 .
- the first clamping member 20 is of a unitary construction having a first resilient leg 22 and a second resilient leg 24 defining a clamping bore 26 .
- a clamping slot 28 separates the first and second resilient legs 22 , 24 , respectively.
- the field post 16 is positioned within the clamping bore 26 where the first clamping member 20 is positionable along a length of the field post 16 .
- the first clamping member 20 is described as having a unitary construction, a non-unitary construction of the first clamping member 20 is within the scope of the present invention.
- a pawl 32 is pivotally attached to a frame 30 extending from the first clamping member 20 .
- a gripping end 34 of the pawl 32 extends into the clamping bore 26 through a pawl passing slot 35 that intersects the clamping bore 26 .
- the gripping end 34 engages one of a plurality of annular grooves 15 , preferably uniformly spaced, along a length of the field post 16 to retain the first clamping member 20 on the field post 16 when the clamp 10 is in the non-clamping position. With the gripping end 34 positioned within one of annular grooves 15 , the first clamping member 20 is rotatable about the field post 16 .
- a pivot pin 40 is positioned through through holes ( 33 , not shown) in sides of the pawl 32 and through holes (not shown) in sidewalls of the frame 30 to pivotally attach the pawl 32 to the first clamping member 20 , as best illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 , and 11 .
- a compression spring 42 biases the gripping end 34 of the pawl 32 within the clamping bore 26 and into engagement with the plurality of annular grooves 15 .
- the gripping end 34 of the pawl 32 includes a slanted surface 36 and a substantially right angled surface 38 .
- the slanted surface 36 slides over and does not engage the plurality of annular grooves 15 .
- the right angled surface 36 engages one of the plurality of the annular grooves 15 and retains the first clamping member 20 on the field post 16 while the first clamping member 20 is rotatable about the field post 16 .
- the design of the pawl 32 allows the first clamping member 20 to freely travel in the direction where the slanted surface engages 36 the plurality of annular grooves 15 and prevents travel in the opposite direction where the substantially right angled surface 38 engages one of the plurality of the annular grooves 15 .
- manual force is applied to the pawl 32 to overcome the bias of the compression spring 42 which removes the gripping end 34 from the clamping bore 26 . With the gripping end 34 removed from the clamping bore 26 , the first clamping member 20 freely travels along the field post 16 in either direction.
- the first clamping member 20 is secured onto the field post 16 by constricting the clamping bore 26 about the field post 16 by forcing the first and second resilient legs 22 , 24 , respectively, together by positioning the actuating mechanism 100 into the second clamping position.
- the clamping bore 26 is defined by raised arcuate clamping surfaces 50 , 52 and 54 which are separated by recessed arcuate surfaces 44 , 46 and 48 .
- the recessed arcuate surfaces 44 , 46 and 48 are grooves within the clamping bore 26 which make the clamping surfaces 50 , 52 and 54 , the surfaces that engage the field post 16 .
- the raised surface 50 is located opposite the clamping slot 28 and the raised surfaces 52 , 54 are located proximate to and separated by the clamping slot 28 .
- a clamping bore having two or more raised surfaces is within the scope of the invention.
- the raised surfaces 52 , 54 respectively, contact the field post 16 and urge the field post 16 into the raised surface 50 .
- the field post 16 is frictionally engaged along lengths of the raised surfaces 50 , 52 and 54 .
- the clamping strength of the first clamping member 20 having a grooved clamping bore 26 with the raised surfaces 50 , 52 and 54 separated by the recessed surfaces or grooves 44 , 46 and 48 is significantly greater than that of a smooth surfaced clamping bore.
- a significant amount of the clamping strength of a smooth bore occurs at two points on a plane having a substantially orthogonal relationship to the clamping slot 28 separating the first and second resilient legs 22 , 24 , respectively.
- the first clamping member 20 In comparision to clamping substantially at two points, the first clamping member 20 , having the grooved clamping bore 26 , engages the field post 16 along the lengths of the raised arcuate surfaces 50 , 52 , 54 which significantly increases the clamping surface that frictionally engages the field post 16 and thereby increases the clamping strength of the first clamping member 20 .
- a stop 56 is positioned into the clamping slot 28 to prevent an excessive clamping force from being applied to the field post 16 by the first clamping member 20 . Excessive clamping force can cause the metal from the field post 16 and/or the first clamping member 20 to wear.
- the stop 56 is preferably a threaded bolt 58 that threadably engages a threaded bore 60 in the first resilient leg 22 where an end 57 of the bolt 58 is positioned within the clamping slot 28 .
- the bolt 58 is secured into the selected position by deforming the threads through a bore 59 intersecting the threaded bore 60 .
- the actuating mechanism 100 is preferably a camming pin 102 that is positioned within through bores 64 , 66 of a collar 62 such that a camming surface 110 is positioned within a through bore 94 of a head 92 of the shaft 90 .
- the collar 62 is preferably an integral portion of the first resilient leg 22 and includes a shaft head accepting bore 68 that intersects the through bores 64 , 66 .
- the collar 62 may be a separate component from the first clamping member 20 while being within the scope of the present invention.
- the camming pin 102 includes end portions 104 , 106 and an intermediate portion 108 having the camming surface 110 .
- the end portions 104 , 106 and the intermediate portion 108 are generally cylindrical in shape and are located adjacent one to another.
- the end portions 104 , 106 are centered about a rotational axis 112 and are captivated within the through bores 64 , 66 , respectively.
- the captivated end portions 104 , 106 rotatably support the intermediate portion 108 within the through bore 94 in the head 92 of the shaft 90 .
- the shaft 90 is positioned through the shaft head accepting bore 68 which is aligned with first and second shaft passing bores 23 , 25 within the first and second resilient legs 22 , 24 , respectively, until the head 92 is positioned within the shaft head accepting bore 68 .
- the shaft head accepting bore 68 is elongated to allow the required movement of a head 92 of the shaft 90 when the clamp 10 is positioned from the first nonclamping position to the second clamping position and also in the reverse direction as best illustrated in FIG. 2 .
- the intermediate portion 108 is eccentrically coupled between the end portions 104 , 106 .
- the intermediate portion 108 has an axis 114 that is spaced from the rotational axis 112 of the camming pin 102 by a selected distance.
- the distance separating the axis 112 of the camming pin 102 and the axis 114 of the intermediate portion 108 generally determines the maximum distance that the camming pin 102 moves the shaft 90 relative to the first and second clamping members 20 , 70 , respectively.
- the distance separating the axis 112 of the camming pin 102 and the axis 114 of the intermediate portion 108 is sufficient to frictionally secure the field post 16 and the retractor support apparatus 18 within the first and second clamping members 20 , 70 , respectively.
- camming mechanisms besides the camming pin 102 described are within the scope of the invention, including, but not limited to, an irregular shaped lobe, a head having increasing radii to an external surface from a pivot point and an eccentric.
- Other actuating mechanisms 100 besides a camming mechanism are also within the scope of the invention including but not limited to a moving wedge or a threaded rod as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,718,151, 5,020,195 or 5,242,240 herein incorporated by reference.
- the second clamping member 70 is positioned proximate the second resilient leg 24 .
- the second clamping member 72 includes a main body 72 having a socket 74 that accepts the retractor support apparatus 18 .
- a clamping lever 80 pivotally attached to the main body 72 by a pivot pin 81 includes an arcuate surface 82 on a first leg 84 that constricts an entrance 73 to the socket 74 .
- socket an opening or a cavity into which an inserted part, such as a retractor support apparatus, is designed to fit and wherein the retractor support apparatus can be inserted into the socket from an infinite number of directions in a 180° range starting from a substantially parallel position to a back surface of the socket to a position substantially perpendicular to the back surface and continuing to position again substantially parallel to the back surface of the socket.
- the retractor support apparatus 18 To position the retractor support apparatus 18 within the socket 74 , the retractor support apparatus 18 is positioned proximate the entrance 73 to the socket 74 defined by surfaces 75 of first and second walls 76 , 78 separated by a back surface 77 . Manual force is applied to the retractor support apparatus 18 substantially perpendicularly to an axis 17 to position the retractor support apparatus 18 within the socket 74 . However, the retractor support apparatus 18 can be inserted from any position within a substantially 180° range as discussed previously.
- the retractor support apparatus 18 is retained within the second clamping member 70 by the arcuate surface 82 of the clamping lever 80 and the surfaces 75 of the first and second walls 76 , 78 .
- a compression spring 93 is positioned about the shaft 90 and biases the clamping lever 80 toward a clamping position which retains the retractor support apparatus 18 within the socket 74 as best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 .
- the retractor apparatus 18 With the retractor support apparatus 18 retained within the socket 74 , the retractor apparatus 18 is slidably positionable parallel to the axis 17 within the second clamping member 70 .
- the clamping lever 80 is positioned within a channel 79 in the first wall 76 and is pivotally attached to the first wall 76 by the pivot pin 81 .
- the pivot pin 81 is positioned through aligned bores 120 , 122 intersecting the channel 79 and through bore 83 in the clamping lever 80 .
- the retractor support apparatus 18 is fixedly retained in a select position by positioning the actuating mechanism 100 into the second clamping position by applying a force to the clamping lever with a bolt 130 disposed through an elongated through bore 85 within a second leg 86 of the clamping lever 80 .
- the bolt 130 includes a threaded end portion 132 that threadably engages an internal threaded bore 96 within the shaft 90 .
- a head 134 of the bolt 130 is positioned within a counter-sunk recess 87 about the through bore 85 such that the head 134 of the bolt 130 does not extend into the socket 74 .
- the first and second legs 84 , 86 respectively of the clamping lever 80 are generally configured in the shape of the letter “L”. When the force is applied to the second leg 96 by the bolt 130 , the clamping lever 80 pivots about the pivot pin 81 such that the arcuate surface 82 of the first leg 84 engages the retractor support apparatus 18 as illustrated with dotted lines in FIG. 2 .
- the first and second clamping members 20 , 70 are positionable between the clamping and non-clamping positions when the actuating mechanism 100 is in the first non-clamping and second clamping positions, respectively.
- the selected distance between the head 92 of the shaft 90 and the head 134 of the bolt 130 is fixed by inserting a punch into an opening 98 in the shaft 90 and deforming the threads to prevent the bolt 130 from threadably moving out of the threaded bore 96 .
- the second clamping member 70 is rotatably captivated with respect to the first clamping member 20 by positioning a generally cylindrical end portion 124 within the second shaft passing bore 25 of the second resilient leg 24 .
- An annular groove 126 on the generally cylindrical end portion 134 is positioned within the clamping slot 28 and a snap ring 128 is positioned within the annular groove 126 to captivate the second clamping member 70 with respect to the first clamping member 20 .
- the second clamping member 70 is rotatably fixed with respect to the first clamping member 20 when the camming pin 102 is positioned into the second clamping position.
- the head 134 of the bolt 130 forces the second clamping member 70 towards the first clamping member 20 wherein a first frusto-conical surface 131 of the second clamping member 70 frictionally engages a second frusto-conical surface 31 of the second shaft passing bore 25 .
- the clamp 10 is typically used to clamp the retractor support apparatus 18 to the field post 16 , although the clamp 10 can also be used to clamp a first rod to a second rod.
- the field post 16 includes the plurality of annular grooves 15 uniformly spaced apart.
- the first clamping member 20 With the clamp 10 in the first non-clamping position, the first clamping member 20 is slid over the field post 16 in a first direction where the slanted surface 36 of the gripping end 34 of the pawl 32 slides over the plurality of annular grooves 15 thereby allowing the first clamping member 20 to freely move in the first direction.
- the first clamping member 20 can be moved in an opposite direction by displacing the gripping end 34 from the clamping bore 27 by overcoming the bias of the compression spring 42 .
- the substantially right angled surface 38 of the gripping end 34 engages one of the annular grooves 15 such that the first clamping member 20 is rotatably secured in the selected position about the field post 16 .
- the retractor support apparatus 18 With the first clamping member 20 rotatably secured to the field post 16 by the pawl 32 , the retractor support apparatus 18 is positioned proximate the constricted entrance 73 to the socket 74 of the second clamping member 70 . Manual force is exerted upon the retractor support apparatus 18 preferably substantially perpendicular to the back surface 77 of the socket 74 (or within a substantially 180° range from the back surface 77 ) to overcome the bias of the compression spring 93 on the clamping lever 80 to position the retractor support apparatus 18 within the socket 74 .
- the retractor support apparatus 18 is retained within the socket 74 by the arcuate surface 82 of the clamping lever 80 constricting the entrance 73 where the retractor support apparatus 18 is slidably positionable within the socket 74 .
- the second clamping member 70 is rotatably positioned into a selected position with respect to the first clamping member 20 .
- the force also causes the head 134 of the bolt 130 to be drawn into the counter-sunk recess 87 within the second leg 86 of the clamping lever 80 .
- the clamping lever 80 pivots about the pivot pin 81 and causes a frictional engagement between the arcuate surface 82 of the clamping lever 80 , the retractor support apparatus 18 and the clamping surface 75 of the second clamping member 70 .
- the force generated by the camming pin 102 rotatably fixes the second clamping member 70 with respect to the first clamping member 20 .
- the second clamping member 70 is retained in a selected position by the frictional engagement of the frusto-conical surfaces 131 , 31 of the second clamping member 70 and the second resilient leg 24 , respectively.
- the camming pin 102 is positioned from the second clamping position to the first non-clamping position such that the retractor support apparatus 18 is slidably retained within the second clamping member 70 .
- the second clamping member 70 is rotatable with respect to the first clamping member 20 .
- the retractor support apparatus 18 is removable from the second clamping member 70 by applying a force preferably substantially perpendicular to the back surface 77 of the socket 74 (or within the substantially 180° range from the back surface 77 ) in an opposite direction of the force used to position the retractor support apparatus 18 within the socket 74 .
- the force causes the arcuate surface 82 of the clamping lever 80 to pivot away from the entrance 73 to the clamping slot 94 by overcoming the bias of the spring compression 93 such that the entrance 73 is not constricted. With a non-constricted entrance 73 , the retractor support apparatus 18 is removable from the second clamping member 70 .
- the location of the first clamp 20 can be adjusted on the field post 16 by either moving the first clamping member 20 in the direction of free travel where the slanted surface 36 of the gripping end 34 of the pawl 32 slides over the annular grooves 15 of the field post 16 .
- manual force is applied to the pawl 32 to overcome the bias of the compression spring 42 such that the gripping end 34 is positioned away from the clamping bore 26 .
- the first clamping member 20 can be positioned along the field post 16 in either direction.
- FIG. 5 An alternative embodiment of the clamp of the present invention is generally illustrated at 210 in FIG. 5 .
- the embodiment 210 includes a similar first clamping member 20 and a different second clamping member 270 from the first embodiment 10 .
- like reference characters will be used to describe like elements throughout the drawings.
- the second clamping member 270 includes a flexing member 290 that slidably cooperates with a spacer 272 .
- the spacer 272 includes a substantially cylindrical end portion 274 that is disposed within the second shaft passing bore 25 of the second resilient leg 24 .
- An annular groove 276 on the cylindrical end portion 274 is positioned within the clamping slot 28 and a snap ring 128 is positioned within the annular groove 276 to rotatably captivate the spacer 272 to the second resilient leg 24 .
- a retractor support apparatus 18 is positioned at a constricted entrance 293 to a socket 294 defined by a clamping surface 292 of the flexing member 290 .
- the clamping surface 292 of the flexing member 290 is generally aligned with cut out areas 279 , 280 of the spacer 270 that allows the retractor support apparatus 18 to be positioned within the socket 294 without interference from the spacer 270 .
- Manual force is applied to the retractor support apparatus 18 preferably substantially perpendicularly to a bottom surface 289 (or within the substantially 180° range from the back surface 289 ) of the socket 294 to position the retractor support apparatus 18 within the socket 294 .
- the constricted entrance 293 slidably retains the retractor support apparatus 18 within the socket 294 where the retractor support apparatus 18 is movable along the axis 17 .
- the force exerted by the compression spring 93 upon a bolt 130 disposed through bores in the flexing member 290 and the spacer 270 and threadably engaging the shaft 90 biases the flexing member 290 to make the constricted entrance 293 .
- the bolt 130 is connected to the shaft 90 by a threadable engagement of a threaded end 132 with the threaded bore 96 within the shaft 90 .
- the bolt 130 is manipulated until a distance from the head 92 of the shaft 90 to the head 134 of the bolt 130 is a selected distance where the first and second clamping members 20 , 270 , respectively, are positionable between non-clamping and clamping positions when the camming pin 102 is positioned from the first non-clamping position to the second clamping position, respectively.
- the threads of the threaded end 132 are deformed by positioning a punch in the opening 93 in the shaft 90 to fixedly retain the bolt 130 within the shaft 90 .
- the second clamping member 270 is positioned into the clamping position when the camming pin 102 is positioned into the second clamping position.
- the camming pin 102 urges the head 134 of the bolt 130 toward the first clamping member 20 and exerts a force on the flexing member 290 and the spacer 272 .
- the force applied to the spacer 272 creates a frictional engagement between a frusto-conical surface 278 of the spacer 272 with the frusto-conical surface 31 of the second resilient leg 24 .
- the frictional engagement between the frusto-conical surfaces 278 , 31 prevents the spacer 272 from rotating with respect to the second resilient leg 24 , respectively.
- the retractor support apparatus 18 is frictionally engaged by the clamping surface 292 defining the socket 294 .
- the clamping surface 292 is defined by inner surfaces of first and second wings 300 , 302 , respectively, separated by the arcuate bottom surface 289 .
- arcuate tapered outer surfaces 304 , 306 of the first and second wings 300 , 302 respectively, slidably engage arcuate tapered inner surfaces 282 , 284 of first and second sidewalls 286 , 288 of the spacer 270 .
- first and second cut outs 308 , 310 located between the first and second wings 300 , 302 , respectively, and an end portion 312 flex.
- the first and second cut outs 308 , 310 flex to conform the arcuate tapered outer surfaces 304 , 306 of the first and second wings 300 , 302 with an angle of pitch of the arcuate tapered inner surfaces 282 , 284 of the first and second sidewalls 286 , 288 , all respectively.
- the socket 294 is constricted. The constricted socket 294 creates the frictional engagement between the clamping surface 292 and the retractor support apparatus 18 .
- an angle of pitch of the arcuate tapered outer surfaces 304 , 306 of the first and second wings 300 , 302 is shallower than an angle of pitch of the arcuate tapered inner surfaces 282 , 284 of first and second sidewalls 286 , 288 such that the arcuate tapered outer surfaces 304 , 306 do not completely engage the arcuate tapered inner surfaces 282 , 284 .
- the retractor support apparatus 18 is slidably positionable within the socket 294 .
- An end portion 312 of the flexing member 290 is rotatably fixed and slidable within a counter-bored recess 283 positioned about the through bore in the spacer 270 .
- the end portion 312 includes a generally square cross-section that is positioned within the counter-bored recess 283 which also has a generally square cross-section. Flat surfaces of the end portion 312 engage flat surfaces of the counter-bored recess 283 to prevent the flexing member 290 from rotating within the spacer 270 .
- the camming pin 102 is positioned into the first non-clamping position where the first clamping member 20 is positionable on the field post 16 .
- the first clamping member 20 is retained in a selected position on the field post 16 by the substantially right angled surface 38 of the pawl 32 engaging one of the annular grooves 15 of the field post 16 .
- the retractor support apparatus 18 is positioned proximate the constricted entrance 293 to the socket 294 of the second clamping member 270 .
- Manual force is applied substantially perpendicularly to the axis 17 of the retractor support apparatus 18 and preferably substantially perpendicularly to the back surface 289 (or within the substantially 180° range from the back surface 289 ) of the socket 294 to overcome the constricted entrance 293 created by the bias of the compression spring 93 to position the retractor support apparatus 18 within the socket 294 .
- the retractor support apparatus 18 With the retractor support apparatus 18 positioned within the socket 294 , the retractor support apparatus 18 is slidably positioned into a selected position within the socket 294 and rotated into a selected orientation with respect to the field post 16 .
- the handle 101 which is fixedly attached to the camming pin 102 is moved to rotate the camming pin 102 from the first non-clamping position to the second clamping position.
- the first clamp 20 frictionally engages the field post 16 as previously described.
- the head 134 of the bolt 130 is raised with respect to the second clamping member 270 and pulls the flexing member 290 into the spacer 270 .
- the first and second cut outs 308 , 310 flex such that the arcuate tapered outer surfaces 304 , 306 of the first and second wings 300 , 302 conform to the arcuate tapered inner surfaces 282 , 284 of the first and second sidewalls 286 , 288 , all respectively.
- the socket 294 constricts and creates a frictional engagement between the clamping surface 292 and the retractor support apparatus 18 .
- the spacer 270 is forced into the second resilient leg 24 of the first clamping member 20 such that the frusto-conical surface 278 of the spacer 270 frictionally engages the frusto-conical surface 31 of the second resilient leg 24 .
- the frictional engagement of the frusto-conical surfaces 278 , 31 prevents the spacer 270 from rotating with respect to the first clamping member 20 .
- the camming pin 102 is positioned from the second clamping position to the first non-clamping position such that the retractor support apparatus 18 is slidably retained along the axis 17 within the second clamping member 270 .
- the flexing member 290 having spring characteristics, returns to a non-flexed state and the retractor support apparatus 18 is removable from the second clamping member 270 by applying a force substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface 289 (or within the substantially 180° range from the back surface 289 ) of the socket 294 and away from the second clamping member 270 .
- FIG. 8 Another embodiment of the clamp of the present invention is generally illustrated at 410 in FIG. 8 .
- the embodiment 410 includes a substantially similar first clamping member 20 and a different second clamping member 470 from the first embodiment 10 and the first alternative embodiment 210 .
- Like reference characters will be used to describe like elements throughout the drawings.
- the second clamping member 470 comprises a unitary structure having a socket 472 defined by a surface 474 including a back surface 475 for engaging and retaining a retractor support apparatus 18 .
- the retractor support apparatus 18 is positioned proximate a constricted entrance 476 to the socket 472 .
- Manual force is exerted upon the retractor support apparatus 18 substantially perpendicularly to the back surface 475 (or within the substantially 180° range from the back surface 475 ) of the socket 294 .
- the retractor support apparatus 18 is forced into the socket 472 and retained within the socket 472 by the constricted entrance 476 .
- the second clamping member 470 is rotatably attached to the first clamping 20 member with a bolt 130 positioned through a through bore 478 within the second clamping member 470 where the bolt 130 threadably engages the threaded internal bore 96 within the shaft 90 .
- a head 134 of the bolt 130 With a head 134 of the bolt 130 a selected distance from the head 92 of the shaft 90 , a portion of the threads 132 are deformed to retain the bolt 130 within the shaft 90 .
- the head 134 of the bolt 130 is positioned within a counter-bored recess 480 about the through bore 478 such that the head 134 does not interfere with the retractor support apparatus 18 being positioned within the socket 472 .
- the clamp 410 is positioned into a clamping position where a substantially flat surface 482 of the second clamping member 470 frictionally engages a substantially flat surface 484 of a cylindrical extension 486 extending from the second resilient leg 24 .
- the frictional engagement of the substantially flat surfaces 482 , 484 rotatably fixes the position of the second clamping member 470 with respect to the first clamping member 20 .
- the handle 101 which is attached to the camming pin 102 is moved such that the camming pin 102 is rotated from the first non-clamping position to the second clamping position.
- the first clamping member 20 frictionally engages the field post 16 as previously described.
- the second clamping 470 is secured in a selected position by forcing the head 134 of the bolt 130 into the second clamping member 470 .
- the force created by the head 134 of the bolt 130 on the second clamping member 470 causes a frictional engagement between the substantially flat surface 482 of the second clamping member 470 and the substantially flat surface 484 of the generally cylindrical extension 486 , thereby retaining the second clamping member 470 in the selected position.
- the camming pin 102 is positioned into the first non-clamping position. Additionally, with the camming pin 102 in the first position, the second clamping member 470 is rotatable with respect to the first clamping member 20 .
Abstract
A surgical joint includes a first clamping member for engaging a first support member and a second clamping member for engaging a second support member. The first clamping member includes a clamping bore wherein the first support member is positionable within the clamping bore. The second clamping member includes a socket wherein the second support member is positionable within the socket. A shaft is disposed through the first clamping member and is in communication with the second clamping member. An actuating mechanism is coupled to the shaft wherein the actuating mechanism is positionable to force the first clamping member frictionally engages the first support member and the second clamping member frictionally engages the second support member.
Description
- None.
- The present invention relates generally to a surgical clamp for use in mounting a retractor support apparatus with respect to an operating table. More particularly, the present invention relates to a clamp that can be positioned about the retractor support apparatus in a selected position.
- Prior to performing a surgical procedure requiring retraction, a retractor support apparatus is typically constructed about a surgical site. The retractor support apparatus is attached to a field post that is attached to a surgical table with the field post extending upwardly from the surgical table.
- The retractor support apparatus extends over the surgical table and can include as little as one support member or numerous support members. Retractors and other surgical equipment are positioned about the surgical site by being secured with a clamp attached to the retractor support apparatus.
- However, the retractor support apparatus can be burdensome and difficult to position. Additionally, the clamp is typically free to move along the length of the field post which creates additional difficulty in securing the retractor support apparatus with the clamp. Therefore, securing the retractor support apparatus with a clamp and positioning the clamp in a selected position on the field post can pose difficulties.
- The design of the clamp can also add to the difficulty in mounting the retractor support apparatus to the field post. The retractor clamp typically includes first and second clamping members that are generally in the shape of the letter “U”. Clamping members having U-shaped structures are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,718,151, 5,020,195, 5,242,240 and 5,7921,046, all of which are assigned to the same assignee as the assignee of the present application. The object to be clamped is placed in a clamping bore defined by the legs of the U-shaped structure where movement of the legs towards each other causes the object to be clamped within the clamping bore.
- However, the weight and configuration of the retractor support apparatus may create potential difficulties in positioning the end of the retractor support apparatus within the clamping bore. Additionally, once the end of the retractor support apparatus is positioned within the U-shaped structure, the retractor support apparatus must be slid into a selected position prior to clamping the retractor support apparatus in the selected position.
- The present invention includes a surgical joint having a first clamping member for engaging a first support member and a second clamping member for engaging a second support member. The first clamping member includes a clamping bore wherein the first support member is positionable within the clamping bore. The second clamping member includes a socket wherein the second support member is positionable within the socket. A shaft is disposed through the first clamping member and is in communication with the second clamping member. An actuating mechanism is coupled to the shaft such that the actuating mechanism is positionable to force the first clamping member to frictionally engage the first support member and the second clamping member to frictionally engage the second support member.
-
FIG. 1 is a side view of the surgical clamp of the present invention clamping a retractor support apparatus to a field post clamped to a surgical table. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the surgical clamp of the present invention. -
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the surgical clamp of the present invention. -
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the surgical clamp of the present invention in a clamping position along section line 4-4 inFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the surgical clamp of the present invention. -
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the alternative embodiment of the surgical clamp of the present invention. -
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the alternative embodiment of the surgical clamp of the present invention in a clamping position along section line 7-7 inFIG. 5 . -
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the surgical clamp of the present invention. -
FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the alternative embodiment of the surgical clamp of the present invention. -
FIG. 10 is a side view of the clamping bore of the first clamping member of the present invention. -
FIG. 11 is a side view of the pawl attached to the first clamping member of the present invention. - The present invention includes a surgical clamp illustrated in
FIG. 1 at 10. Thesurgical clamp 10 secures aretractor support apparatus 18 to afield post 16 where thefield post 16 is mounted to arail 14 of a surgical table 12. - Referring to
FIG. 2 , thesurgical clamp 10 includes afirst clamping member 20 that engages thefield post 16 and asecond clamping member 70 that engages theretractor support apparatus 18. Ashaft 90 is positioned through thefirst clamping member 20 and engages thesecond clamping member 70. Anactuating mechanism 100 is coupled to theshaft 90 where theactuating mechanism 100 is positionable between a first position and a second position. - In the first position, the first and
second clamping members first clamping member 20 is positionable on thefield post 16. Theretractor support apparatus 18 is positionable within thesecond clamping member 70 and thesecond clamping member 70 is rotatable with respect to thefirst clamping member 20. - In the second position, the first and
second clamping members first clamping member 20 frictionally engages thefield post 16, thesecond clamping member 70 frictionally engages theretractor support apparatus 18 and thesecond clamping member 70 is rotatably fixed with respect to thefirst clamping member 20. - The
first clamping member 20 is of a unitary construction having a firstresilient leg 22 and a secondresilient leg 24 defining aclamping bore 26. Aclamping slot 28 separates the first and secondresilient legs field post 16 is positioned within theclamping bore 26 where thefirst clamping member 20 is positionable along a length of thefield post 16. Although thefirst clamping member 20 is described as having a unitary construction, a non-unitary construction of thefirst clamping member 20 is within the scope of the present invention. - A
pawl 32 is pivotally attached to aframe 30 extending from thefirst clamping member 20. Agripping end 34 of thepawl 32 extends into theclamping bore 26 through a pawl passing slot 35 that intersects theclamping bore 26. The grippingend 34 engages one of a plurality ofannular grooves 15, preferably uniformly spaced, along a length of thefield post 16 to retain thefirst clamping member 20 on thefield post 16 when theclamp 10 is in the non-clamping position. With the grippingend 34 positioned within one ofannular grooves 15, thefirst clamping member 20 is rotatable about thefield post 16. - A
pivot pin 40 is positioned through through holes (33, not shown) in sides of thepawl 32 and through holes (not shown) in sidewalls of theframe 30 to pivotally attach thepawl 32 to thefirst clamping member 20, as best illustrated inFIGS. 2, 3 , and 11. Referring toFIG. 3 , acompression spring 42 biases the grippingend 34 of thepawl 32 within theclamping bore 26 and into engagement with the plurality ofannular grooves 15. - Referring to
FIG. 11 , the grippingend 34 of thepawl 32 includes aslanted surface 36 and a substantially rightangled surface 38. Theslanted surface 36 slides over and does not engage the plurality ofannular grooves 15. The rightangled surface 36 engages one of the plurality of theannular grooves 15 and retains thefirst clamping member 20 on thefield post 16 while thefirst clamping member 20 is rotatable about thefield post 16. - The design of the
pawl 32 allows thefirst clamping member 20 to freely travel in the direction where the slanted surface engages 36 the plurality ofannular grooves 15 and prevents travel in the opposite direction where the substantially rightangled surface 38 engages one of the plurality of theannular grooves 15. To move thefirst clamping member 20 in the opposite direction of the free travel, manual force is applied to thepawl 32 to overcome the bias of thecompression spring 42 which removes the grippingend 34 from theclamping bore 26. With the grippingend 34 removed from theclamping bore 26, thefirst clamping member 20 freely travels along thefield post 16 in either direction. - Referring to
FIGS. 2, 3 and 10, thefirst clamping member 20 is secured onto thefield post 16 by constricting the clamping bore 26 about thefield post 16 by forcing the first and secondresilient legs actuating mechanism 100 into the second clamping position. Referring toFIG. 10 , theclamping bore 26 is defined by raisedarcuate clamping surfaces arcuate surfaces arcuate surfaces field post 16. - In an exemplary configuration, the raised
surface 50 is located opposite the clampingslot 28 and the raised surfaces 52, 54 are located proximate to and separated by the clampingslot 28. A clamping bore having two or more raised surfaces is within the scope of the invention. - As the clamping bore 26 is constricted by a force applied to the
shaft 90 by theactuating mechanism 100, the raised surfaces 52, 54, respectively, contact thefield post 16 and urge thefield post 16 into the raisedsurface 50. When the first clampingmember 20 is in the clamping position, thefield post 16 is frictionally engaged along lengths of the raised surfaces 50, 52 and 54. - The clamping strength of the first clamping
member 20 having a grooved clamping bore 26 with the raised surfaces 50, 52 and 54 separated by the recessed surfaces orgrooves clamping slot 28 separating the first and secondresilient legs member 20, having the grooved clamping bore 26, engages thefield post 16 along the lengths of the raisedarcuate surfaces field post 16 and thereby increases the clamping strength of the first clampingmember 20. - Referring to
FIG. 3 , astop 56 is positioned into the clampingslot 28 to prevent an excessive clamping force from being applied to thefield post 16 by the first clampingmember 20. Excessive clamping force can cause the metal from thefield post 16 and/or the first clampingmember 20 to wear. Thestop 56 is preferably a threadedbolt 58 that threadably engages a threadedbore 60 in the firstresilient leg 22 where anend 57 of thebolt 58 is positioned within the clampingslot 28. Thebolt 58 is secured into the selected position by deforming the threads through abore 59 intersecting the threaded bore 60. - Referring to
FIG. 3 and 4, theactuating mechanism 100 is preferably acamming pin 102 that is positioned within throughbores collar 62 such that acamming surface 110 is positioned within a throughbore 94 of ahead 92 of theshaft 90. Thecollar 62 is preferably an integral portion of the firstresilient leg 22 and includes a shaft head accepting bore 68 that intersects the through bores 64, 66. However, thecollar 62 may be a separate component from the first clampingmember 20 while being within the scope of the present invention. - The
camming pin 102 includesend portions intermediate portion 108 having thecamming surface 110. Theend portions intermediate portion 108 are generally cylindrical in shape and are located adjacent one to another. Theend portions rotational axis 112 and are captivated within the through bores 64, 66, respectively. The captivatedend portions intermediate portion 108 within the throughbore 94 in thehead 92 of theshaft 90. - The
shaft 90 is positioned through the shaft head accepting bore 68 which is aligned with first and second shaft passing bores 23, 25 within the first and secondresilient legs head 92 is positioned within the shafthead accepting bore 68. The shaft head accepting bore 68 is elongated to allow the required movement of ahead 92 of theshaft 90 when theclamp 10 is positioned from the first nonclamping position to the second clamping position and also in the reverse direction as best illustrated inFIG. 2 . - Referring to
FIGS. 3 , and 4, theintermediate portion 108 is eccentrically coupled between theend portions intermediate portion 108 has anaxis 114 that is spaced from therotational axis 112 of thecamming pin 102 by a selected distance. The distance separating theaxis 112 of thecamming pin 102 and theaxis 114 of theintermediate portion 108 generally determines the maximum distance that thecamming pin 102 moves theshaft 90 relative to the first andsecond clamping members axis 112 of thecamming pin 102 and theaxis 114 of theintermediate portion 108 is sufficient to frictionally secure thefield post 16 and theretractor support apparatus 18 within the first andsecond clamping members - Other camming mechanisms besides the
camming pin 102 described are within the scope of the invention, including, but not limited to, an irregular shaped lobe, a head having increasing radii to an external surface from a pivot point and an eccentric.Other actuating mechanisms 100 besides a camming mechanism are also within the scope of the invention including but not limited to a moving wedge or a threaded rod as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,718,151, 5,020,195 or 5,242,240 herein incorporated by reference. - Referring to
FIGS. 2-4 , thesecond clamping member 70 is positioned proximate the secondresilient leg 24. Thesecond clamping member 72 includes amain body 72 having asocket 74 that accepts theretractor support apparatus 18. A clampinglever 80 pivotally attached to themain body 72 by apivot pin 81 includes anarcuate surface 82 on afirst leg 84 that constricts anentrance 73 to thesocket 74. By socket is meant an opening or a cavity into which an inserted part, such as a retractor support apparatus, is designed to fit and wherein the retractor support apparatus can be inserted into the socket from an infinite number of directions in a 180° range starting from a substantially parallel position to a back surface of the socket to a position substantially perpendicular to the back surface and continuing to position again substantially parallel to the back surface of the socket. - To position the
retractor support apparatus 18 within thesocket 74, theretractor support apparatus 18 is positioned proximate theentrance 73 to thesocket 74 defined bysurfaces 75 of first andsecond walls back surface 77. Manual force is applied to theretractor support apparatus 18 substantially perpendicularly to anaxis 17 to position theretractor support apparatus 18 within thesocket 74. However, theretractor support apparatus 18 can be inserted from any position within a substantially 180° range as discussed previously. - The
retractor support apparatus 18 is retained within thesecond clamping member 70 by thearcuate surface 82 of the clampinglever 80 and thesurfaces 75 of the first andsecond walls compression spring 93 is positioned about theshaft 90 and biases the clampinglever 80 toward a clamping position which retains theretractor support apparatus 18 within thesocket 74 as best illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4 . With theretractor support apparatus 18 retained within thesocket 74, theretractor apparatus 18 is slidably positionable parallel to theaxis 17 within thesecond clamping member 70. - The clamping
lever 80 is positioned within achannel 79 in thefirst wall 76 and is pivotally attached to thefirst wall 76 by thepivot pin 81. Thepivot pin 81 is positioned through alignedbores channel 79 and throughbore 83 in the clampinglever 80. - The
retractor support apparatus 18 is fixedly retained in a select position by positioning theactuating mechanism 100 into the second clamping position by applying a force to the clamping lever with abolt 130 disposed through an elongated throughbore 85 within asecond leg 86 of the clampinglever 80. Thebolt 130 includes a threadedend portion 132 that threadably engages an internal threaded bore 96 within theshaft 90. - A
head 134 of thebolt 130 is positioned within acounter-sunk recess 87 about the throughbore 85 such that thehead 134 of thebolt 130 does not extend into thesocket 74. The first andsecond legs lever 80 are generally configured in the shape of the letter “L”. When the force is applied to thesecond leg 96 by thebolt 130, the clampinglever 80 pivots about thepivot pin 81 such that thearcuate surface 82 of thefirst leg 84 engages theretractor support apparatus 18 as illustrated with dotted lines inFIG. 2 . - With the
head 134 of the bolt 130 a selected distance from thehead 92 of theshaft 90, the first andsecond clamping members actuating mechanism 100 is in the first non-clamping and second clamping positions, respectively. The selected distance between thehead 92 of theshaft 90 and thehead 134 of thebolt 130 is fixed by inserting a punch into anopening 98 in theshaft 90 and deforming the threads to prevent thebolt 130 from threadably moving out of the threaded bore 96. - The
second clamping member 70 is rotatably captivated with respect to the first clampingmember 20 by positioning a generallycylindrical end portion 124 within the second shaft passing bore 25 of the secondresilient leg 24. Anannular groove 126 on the generallycylindrical end portion 134 is positioned within the clampingslot 28 and asnap ring 128 is positioned within theannular groove 126 to captivate thesecond clamping member 70 with respect to the first clampingmember 20. - The
second clamping member 70 is rotatably fixed with respect to the first clampingmember 20 when thecamming pin 102 is positioned into the second clamping position. Thehead 134 of thebolt 130 forces thesecond clamping member 70 towards the first clampingmember 20 wherein a first frusto-conical surface 131 of thesecond clamping member 70 frictionally engages a second frusto-conical surface 31 of the secondshaft passing bore 25. - In operation, the
clamp 10 is typically used to clamp theretractor support apparatus 18 to thefield post 16, although theclamp 10 can also be used to clamp a first rod to a second rod. Preferably, thefield post 16 includes the plurality ofannular grooves 15 uniformly spaced apart. - With the
clamp 10 in the first non-clamping position, the first clampingmember 20 is slid over thefield post 16 in a first direction where the slantedsurface 36 of thegripping end 34 of thepawl 32 slides over the plurality ofannular grooves 15 thereby allowing the first clampingmember 20 to freely move in the first direction. Alternatively, the first clampingmember 20 can be moved in an opposite direction by displacing thegripping end 34 from the clamping bore 27 by overcoming the bias of thecompression spring 42. When the first clampingmember 20 is in a selected position on thefield post 16 the substantially rightangled surface 38 of thegripping end 34 engages one of theannular grooves 15 such that the first clampingmember 20 is rotatably secured in the selected position about thefield post 16. - With the first clamping
member 20 rotatably secured to thefield post 16 by thepawl 32, theretractor support apparatus 18 is positioned proximate theconstricted entrance 73 to thesocket 74 of thesecond clamping member 70. Manual force is exerted upon theretractor support apparatus 18 preferably substantially perpendicular to theback surface 77 of the socket 74 (or within a substantially 180° range from the back surface 77) to overcome the bias of thecompression spring 93 on the clampinglever 80 to position theretractor support apparatus 18 within thesocket 74. Theretractor support apparatus 18 is retained within thesocket 74 by thearcuate surface 82 of the clampinglever 80 constricting theentrance 73 where theretractor support apparatus 18 is slidably positionable within thesocket 74. Thesecond clamping member 70 is rotatably positioned into a selected position with respect to the first clampingmember 20. - With the first clamping
member 20 in the selected position on thefield post 16 and theretractor support apparatus 18 in a selected position with respect to both thefield post 16 and thesecond clamping member 20, theclamp 10 is positioned into the second clamping position by manipulating ahandle 101 attached to thecamming pin 102. As thehandle 101 is moved, thecamming pin 102 is rotated from the first non-clamping position to the second clamping position, and thecamming surface 110 of theintermediate portion 108 contacts the throughbore 94 within thehead 92 of theshaft 90 and generates a force upon the first andsecond clamping members - The force applied to the first clamping
member 20 causes the first and secondresilient legs resilient legs arcuate surfaces field post 16. - The force also causes the
head 134 of thebolt 130 to be drawn into thecounter-sunk recess 87 within thesecond leg 86 of the clampinglever 80. As thehead 134 of thebolt 130 is drawn into thesecond leg 86, the clampinglever 80 pivots about thepivot pin 81 and causes a frictional engagement between thearcuate surface 82 of the clampinglever 80, theretractor support apparatus 18 and the clampingsurface 75 of thesecond clamping member 70. - The force generated by the
camming pin 102 rotatably fixes thesecond clamping member 70 with respect to the first clampingmember 20. Thesecond clamping member 70 is retained in a selected position by the frictional engagement of the frusto-conical surfaces second clamping member 70 and the secondresilient leg 24, respectively. - To relocate or readjust the
retractor support apparatus 18 with respect to thefield post 16, thecamming pin 102 is positioned from the second clamping position to the first non-clamping position such that theretractor support apparatus 18 is slidably retained within thesecond clamping member 70. With thecamming pin 102 in the first non-clamping position, thesecond clamping member 70 is rotatable with respect to the first clampingmember 20. - The
retractor support apparatus 18 is removable from thesecond clamping member 70 by applying a force preferably substantially perpendicular to theback surface 77 of the socket 74 (or within the substantially 180° range from the back surface 77) in an opposite direction of the force used to position theretractor support apparatus 18 within thesocket 74. The force causes thearcuate surface 82 of the clampinglever 80 to pivot away from theentrance 73 to theclamping slot 94 by overcoming the bias of thespring compression 93 such that theentrance 73 is not constricted. With anon-constricted entrance 73, theretractor support apparatus 18 is removable from thesecond clamping member 70. - Additionally, the location of the
first clamp 20 can be adjusted on thefield post 16 by either moving the first clampingmember 20 in the direction of free travel where the slantedsurface 36 of thegripping end 34 of thepawl 32 slides over theannular grooves 15 of thefield post 16. Alternatively, to move the first clampingmember 20 in the opposite direction, manual force is applied to thepawl 32 to overcome the bias of thecompression spring 42 such that thegripping end 34 is positioned away from the clamping bore 26. With thegripping end 34 positioned away from the clamping bore 26, the first clampingmember 20 can be positioned along thefield post 16 in either direction. - An alternative embodiment of the clamp of the present invention is generally illustrated at 210 in
FIG. 5 . Theembodiment 210 includes a similarfirst clamping member 20 and a differentsecond clamping member 270 from thefirst embodiment 10. In describing theembodiment 210, like reference characters will be used to describe like elements throughout the drawings. - Referring to
FIGS. 5-7 , thesecond clamping member 270 includes a flexingmember 290 that slidably cooperates with aspacer 272. Thespacer 272 includes a substantiallycylindrical end portion 274 that is disposed within the second shaft passing bore 25 of the secondresilient leg 24. Anannular groove 276 on thecylindrical end portion 274 is positioned within the clampingslot 28 and asnap ring 128 is positioned within theannular groove 276 to rotatably captivate thespacer 272 to the secondresilient leg 24. - A
retractor support apparatus 18 is positioned at aconstricted entrance 293 to asocket 294 defined by a clampingsurface 292 of the flexingmember 290. The clampingsurface 292 of the flexingmember 290 is generally aligned with cut outareas spacer 270 that allows theretractor support apparatus 18 to be positioned within thesocket 294 without interference from thespacer 270. Manual force is applied to theretractor support apparatus 18 preferably substantially perpendicularly to a bottom surface 289 (or within the substantially 180° range from the back surface 289) of thesocket 294 to position theretractor support apparatus 18 within thesocket 294. - The
constricted entrance 293 slidably retains theretractor support apparatus 18 within thesocket 294 where theretractor support apparatus 18 is movable along theaxis 17. The force exerted by thecompression spring 93 upon abolt 130 disposed through bores in the flexingmember 290 and thespacer 270 and threadably engaging theshaft 90 biases the flexingmember 290 to make theconstricted entrance 293. - The
bolt 130 is connected to theshaft 90 by a threadable engagement of a threadedend 132 with the threaded bore 96 within theshaft 90. Thebolt 130 is manipulated until a distance from thehead 92 of theshaft 90 to thehead 134 of thebolt 130 is a selected distance where the first andsecond clamping members camming pin 102 is positioned from the first non-clamping position to the second clamping position, respectively. With the bolt 136 in the selected position, the threads of the threadedend 132 are deformed by positioning a punch in theopening 93 in theshaft 90 to fixedly retain thebolt 130 within theshaft 90. - Referring to
FIGS. 6 and 7 , thesecond clamping member 270 is positioned into the clamping position when thecamming pin 102 is positioned into the second clamping position. Thecamming pin 102 urges thehead 134 of thebolt 130 toward the first clampingmember 20 and exerts a force on the flexingmember 290 and thespacer 272. The force applied to thespacer 272 creates a frictional engagement between a frusto-conical surface 278 of thespacer 272 with the frusto-conical surface 31 of the secondresilient leg 24. The frictional engagement between the frusto-conical surfaces spacer 272 from rotating with respect to the secondresilient leg 24, respectively. - The
retractor support apparatus 18 is frictionally engaged by the clampingsurface 292 defining thesocket 294. The clampingsurface 292 is defined by inner surfaces of first andsecond wings arcuate bottom surface 289. As the flexingmember 290 is drawn into thespacer 270, arcuate taperedouter surfaces second wings inner surfaces second sidewalls spacer 270. As the arcuate outertapered surfaces second wings tapered surfaces second cut outs second wings end portion 312 flex. - The first and
second cut outs outer surfaces second wings inner surfaces second sidewalls outer surfaces second wings inner surfaces second sidewalls socket 294 is constricted. Theconstricted socket 294 creates the frictional engagement between the clampingsurface 292 and theretractor support apparatus 18. - In the non-clamping position an angle of pitch of the arcuate tapered
outer surfaces second wings inner surfaces second sidewalls outer surfaces inner surfaces retractor support apparatus 18 is slidably positionable within thesocket 294. - An
end portion 312 of the flexingmember 290 is rotatably fixed and slidable within acounter-bored recess 283 positioned about the through bore in thespacer 270. Theend portion 312 includes a generally square cross-section that is positioned within thecounter-bored recess 283 which also has a generally square cross-section. Flat surfaces of theend portion 312 engage flat surfaces of thecounter-bored recess 283 to prevent the flexingmember 290 from rotating within thespacer 270. - In operation, the
camming pin 102 is positioned into the first non-clamping position where the first clampingmember 20 is positionable on thefield post 16. Thefirst clamping member 20 is retained in a selected position on thefield post 16 by the substantially rightangled surface 38 of thepawl 32 engaging one of theannular grooves 15 of thefield post 16. - The
retractor support apparatus 18 is positioned proximate theconstricted entrance 293 to thesocket 294 of thesecond clamping member 270. Manual force is applied substantially perpendicularly to theaxis 17 of theretractor support apparatus 18 and preferably substantially perpendicularly to the back surface 289 (or within the substantially 180° range from the back surface 289) of thesocket 294 to overcome theconstricted entrance 293 created by the bias of thecompression spring 93 to position theretractor support apparatus 18 within thesocket 294. With theretractor support apparatus 18 positioned within thesocket 294, theretractor support apparatus 18 is slidably positioned into a selected position within thesocket 294 and rotated into a selected orientation with respect to thefield post 16. - With the
retractor support apparatus 18 in the selected position, thehandle 101 which is fixedly attached to thecamming pin 102 is moved to rotate thecamming pin 102 from the first non-clamping position to the second clamping position. With thecamming pin 102 in the second clamping position, thefirst clamp 20 frictionally engages thefield post 16 as previously described. - As the
camming pin 102 is rotated into the second position, thehead 134 of thebolt 130 is raised with respect to thesecond clamping member 270 and pulls the flexingmember 290 into thespacer 270. As the flexingmember 290 is pulled into thespacer 270, the first andsecond cut outs outer surfaces second wings inner surfaces second sidewalls second wings inner surfaces second sidewalls socket 294 constricts and creates a frictional engagement between the clampingsurface 292 and theretractor support apparatus 18. - The
spacer 270 is forced into the secondresilient leg 24 of the first clampingmember 20 such that the frusto-conical surface 278 of thespacer 270 frictionally engages the frusto-conical surface 31 of the secondresilient leg 24. The frictional engagement of the frusto-conical surfaces spacer 270 from rotating with respect to the first clampingmember 20. - To relocate or readjust the
retractor support apparatus 18 with respect to thefield post 16, thecamming pin 102 is positioned from the second clamping position to the first non-clamping position such that theretractor support apparatus 18 is slidably retained along theaxis 17 within thesecond clamping member 270. With thecamming pin 102 in the first non-clamping position, the flexingmember 290, having spring characteristics, returns to a non-flexed state and theretractor support apparatus 18 is removable from thesecond clamping member 270 by applying a force substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface 289 (or within the substantially 180° range from the back surface 289) of thesocket 294 and away from thesecond clamping member 270. - Another embodiment of the clamp of the present invention is generally illustrated at 410 in
FIG. 8 . Theembodiment 410 includes a substantially similarfirst clamping member 20 and a differentsecond clamping member 470 from thefirst embodiment 10 and the firstalternative embodiment 210. Like reference characters will be used to describe like elements throughout the drawings. - Referring to
FIGS. 8 and 9 , thesecond clamping member 470 comprises a unitary structure having asocket 472 defined by asurface 474 including aback surface 475 for engaging and retaining aretractor support apparatus 18. Theretractor support apparatus 18 is positioned proximate aconstricted entrance 476 to thesocket 472. Manual force is exerted upon theretractor support apparatus 18 substantially perpendicularly to the back surface 475 (or within the substantially 180° range from the back surface 475) of thesocket 294. Theretractor support apparatus 18 is forced into thesocket 472 and retained within thesocket 472 by theconstricted entrance 476. - The
second clamping member 470 is rotatably attached to the first clamping 20 member with abolt 130 positioned through a throughbore 478 within thesecond clamping member 470 where thebolt 130 threadably engages the threadedinternal bore 96 within theshaft 90. With ahead 134 of the bolt 130 a selected distance from thehead 92 of theshaft 90, a portion of thethreads 132 are deformed to retain thebolt 130 within theshaft 90. Thehead 134 of thebolt 130 is positioned within acounter-bored recess 480 about the throughbore 478 such that thehead 134 does not interfere with theretractor support apparatus 18 being positioned within thesocket 472. - The
clamp 410 is positioned into a clamping position where a substantiallyflat surface 482 of thesecond clamping member 470 frictionally engages a substantiallyflat surface 484 of acylindrical extension 486 extending from the secondresilient leg 24. The frictional engagement of the substantiallyflat surfaces second clamping member 470 with respect to the first clampingmember 20. - To position the first and
second clamping members handle 101 which is attached to thecamming pin 102 is moved such that thecamming pin 102 is rotated from the first non-clamping position to the second clamping position. With thecamming pin 102 in the second clamping position, the first clampingmember 20 frictionally engages thefield post 16 as previously described. - The
second clamping 470 is secured in a selected position by forcing thehead 134 of thebolt 130 into thesecond clamping member 470. The force created by thehead 134 of thebolt 130 on thesecond clamping member 470 causes a frictional engagement between the substantiallyflat surface 482 of thesecond clamping member 470 and the substantiallyflat surface 484 of the generallycylindrical extension 486, thereby retaining thesecond clamping member 470 in the selected position. - To reposition the first clamping
member 20 on thefield post 16, thecamming pin 102 is positioned into the first non-clamping position. Additionally, with thecamming pin 102 in the first position, thesecond clamping member 470 is rotatable with respect to the first clampingmember 20. - To remove the
retractor support apparatus 18 from thesocket 472, manual force is applied to theretractor support apparatus 18 substantially perpendicularly to the back surface 475 (or within the substantially 180° range from the back surface 475) of thesocket 472. Manual force overcomes the constrictedopening 476 such that theretractor support apparatus 18 is removed from thesocket 472. - Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (18)
1-15. (canceled)
16. A clamp for accepting a substantially circular cross-sectional rod comprising:
a first clamping member comprising first and second legs defining a clamping bore; and
a plurality of raised portions attached to the first clamping member and each of the raised portions having arcuate surfaces extending into the clamping bore wherein the arcuate surfaces engage are for engaging the substantially circular cross-sectional rod.
17. The clamp of claim 16 and further comprising:
a shaft supporting the first and second legs; and
an actuating mechanism coupled to the shaft wherein the actuating mechanism is positionable to force the first and second legs together thereby creating a frictional engagement between the substantially circular cross-sectional rod and the arcuate surfaces of the plurality of raised portions.
18. The clamp of claim 17 wherein the actuating mechanism comprises a camming member.
19. The clamp of claim 17 and further comprising a second clamping member rotatably supported about the shaft and wherein the second clamping member includes a socket for accepting a second support member.
20. The clamp of claim 19 wherein the second clamping member further comprises:
a main body comprising the socket and a through bore for receiving the shaft; and
a clamping arm pivotally attached to the main body wherein the clamping arm comprises a clamping surface wherein the clamping arm is in communication with the shaft such that when the actuating mechanism is positioned to frictionally engage the first support member, the clamping arm pivots such that second support member is frictionally engaged between the clamping surface of the clamping arm and the surface defining the clamping slot.
21. (canceled)
22. The clamp of claim 16 wherein the first clamping member further comprises a pawl pivotally connected to the first clamping member wherein an end of the pawl engages the first support member to retain the first clamping member in a selected position on the first support member when the first clamping member is not frictionally engaging the first support member.
23. A clamp for accepting a substantially circular cross-sectional rod comprising:
a first clamping member comprising first and second legs defining a clamping bore; and
a plurality of raised portions attached to the first clamping member and each of the rasied portions having arcuate surfaces having radii that are less than the radii of the clamping bore.
24. The clamp of claim 23 and further comprising:
a shaft supporting the first and second legs; and
an actuating mechanism coupled to the shaft wherein the actuating mechanism is positionable to force the first and second legs together thereby creating a frictional engagement between the substantially circular cross-sectional rod and the arcuate surfaces of the plurality of raised portions.
25. The clamp of claim 24 wherein the actuating mechanism comprises a camming member.
26. The clamp of claim 24 and further comprising a second clamping member rotatably supported about the shaft and wherein the second clamping member includes a socket for accepting a second support member.
27. A clamp for mounting on a support member comprising:
a first clamping member comprising first and second legs defining a clamping bore; and
a stop extending between the first and second legs wherein the stop limits movement of the first and second legs towards each other to prevent excessive clamping force from being applied to the support member.
28. The clamp of claim 27 and further comprising a plurality of raised portions attached to the first clamping member and having arcuate surfaces having radii that are less than the radii of the clamping bore.
29. The clamp of claim 27 and further comprising:
a shaft supporting the first and second legs; and
an actuating mechanism coupled to the shaft wherein the actuating mechanism is positionable to force the first and second legs together wherein the stop prevents further movement of the first and second legs toward each other and wherein a surface defining the clamping bore frictionally engages the support member.
30. The clamp of claim 29 wherein the actuating mechanism comprises a camming member.
31. The clamp of claim 29 and further comprising a second clamping member rotatably supported about the shaft and wherein the second clamping member includes a socket for accepting a second support member.
32. The clamp of claim 19 wherein the second clamping member further comprises a flexible clamping member having wing portions with clamping surfaces that define the socket and wherein as the actuating mechanism forces the second clamping member to frictionally engage the second support member, the wing portions flex such that the clamping surface engage the second support member.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/413,607 US20060264711A1 (en) | 2003-10-08 | 2006-04-28 | Surgical clamp |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/681,480 US7097616B2 (en) | 2003-10-08 | 2003-10-08 | Surgical clamp |
US11/413,607 US20060264711A1 (en) | 2003-10-08 | 2006-04-28 | Surgical clamp |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/681,480 Division US7097616B2 (en) | 2003-10-08 | 2003-10-08 | Surgical clamp |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20060264711A1 true US20060264711A1 (en) | 2006-11-23 |
Family
ID=34422289
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/681,480 Expired - Fee Related US7097616B2 (en) | 2003-10-08 | 2003-10-08 | Surgical clamp |
US11/413,607 Abandoned US20060264711A1 (en) | 2003-10-08 | 2006-04-28 | Surgical clamp |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/681,480 Expired - Fee Related US7097616B2 (en) | 2003-10-08 | 2003-10-08 | Surgical clamp |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US7097616B2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2005034739A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
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US20060211920A1 (en) * | 2005-03-16 | 2006-09-21 | Minnesota Scientific, Inc. | Polymer or plastic load bearing surface for cam actuated retractor clamp |
US20140091185A1 (en) * | 2012-09-28 | 2014-04-03 | Flexbar Machine Corp. | Field post |
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US20060200005A1 (en) * | 2003-09-17 | 2006-09-07 | Levahn Intellectual Property Holding Company, Llc | Low profile, handle-in-between surgical scissors clamp |
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EP2648633B1 (en) * | 2010-12-09 | 2016-05-18 | Zimmer, Inc. | External fixation clamp with cam driven jaw |
WO2012158698A1 (en) * | 2011-05-17 | 2012-11-22 | Extraortho, Inc. | External fixation clamping system using a trigger mechanism and stored spring energy |
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US11266391B2 (en) | 2019-02-11 | 2022-03-08 | Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc. | Surgical retractor and method |
US10959716B2 (en) | 2019-02-11 | 2021-03-30 | Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc. | Surgical retractor system and method |
EP4190273A1 (en) * | 2021-12-03 | 2023-06-07 | Medizintechnik Sattler GmbH | Quick-action clamping clamp |
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US20140091185A1 (en) * | 2012-09-28 | 2014-04-03 | Flexbar Machine Corp. | Field post |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US7097616B2 (en) | 2006-08-29 |
US20050080321A1 (en) | 2005-04-14 |
WO2005034739A1 (en) | 2005-04-21 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MINNESOTA SCIENTIFIC, INC., MINNESOTA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:BJORK, TODD M.;SHARRATT, TODD WILLIAM;BERG, CHRISTOPHER LEE;REEL/FRAME:018089/0652 Effective date: 20060711 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |