# US 12,109,080 B2 · Method for frictionally locking a pair of holding segments

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- Number: US 12,109,080 B2
- Document ID: US12109080B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/467,783
- Filed: 2023-09-15
- Published: 2024-01-04
- Granted: 2024-10-08
- Earliest claimed: 2018-05-28
- Assignees: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG
- Applicants: Karl Storz SE & Co. KG
- Inventors: Jochen Stefan; Sven Grüner
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12109080B2

## CPC

- A61B 90/57: Accessory clamps
- A61B 17/00234: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)}
- A61B 90/50: Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms
- F16M 11/041: {Allowing quick release of the apparatus}
- F16M 11/046: {adapted to upward-downward translation movement}
- F16M 11/18: with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
- F16M 11/2021: {around a horizontal axis (F16M11/2035 takes precedence)}
- F16M 11/2078: {with ball-joint (ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06)}
- F16M 11/2092: {comprising means allowing depth adjustment, i.e. forward-backward translation of the head relatively to the undercarriage}
- F16M 11/38: by folding {, e.g. pivoting or scissors tong mechanisms}
- F16M 13/022: {repositionable}
- A61B 2017/00292: {mounted on or guided by flexible, e.g. catheter-like, means}
- A61B 2017/00398: {using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids}
- A61B 2090/571: {for clamping a support arm to a bed or other supports}
- F16H 25/20: Screw mechanisms (with automatic reversal F16H25/12)
- F16M 2200/022: by friction
- F16M 2200/027: by friction
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16H: GEARING

## Abstract

A clamping device and method for human-medicine or veterinary-medicine applications for the frictionally engaged locking of at least two holding segments, the clamping device has a first holding segment, a second holding segment; a driveable spindle, via which a rotational movement can be converted into an axial longitudinal movement for spindle-locking the second holding segment, and a threaded plate. In this case, the threaded plate can be moved axially in the opposite direction during the spindle movement, wherein, by counter-movement of the threaded plate, at least one wedge body is moveable in a ramp system, in order to clamp the first holding segment.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for human-medicine or veterinary-medicine applications for frictionally engaged locking of at least two holding segments, by a clamping device comprising the method steps of:
driving a spindle, in order to convert a rotational movement of the spindle into an axial longitudinal movement, wherein a second holding segment is locked by a longitudinal movement of the spindle in a distal direction; and
by the spindle movement, simultaneous moving of a threaded plate in an opposite, proximal direction,
wherein, by the movement of the threaded plate in the opposite and proximal direction, at least one wedge body is moved in a ramp system, the ramp system interposed between the second holding segment and a first holding segment, the ramp system clamp-locking the first holding segment.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the ramp system has at least one ramp loop which is penetrated centrally by the spindle and which has at least one ramp, in order to move the at least one wedge body laterally with respect to the spindle axis.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method according to claim 2, wherein the ramp loop has, respectively on two opposing sides, at least one ramp for interacting with assignable wedge bodies, in order to form two opposing ramp/mating-ramp systems.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
guiding a cable from a proximal actuation element of a handle, at least partially along the at least two holding segments and bypassing a joint between the at least two holding segments, wherein said handle is attachable to a distal holding segment of a holding device, and
connecting the cable to a drive unit in order to activate the spindle of the clamping device.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein a locking unit of the clamping device interacts with the ramp system, for clamping of the first holding segment, wherein a tightening screw of the locking unit is movable transversely to the spindle axis by the ramp system, and
wherein a cross-hole bolt of the locking unit guides the first holding segment.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method according to claim 5, wherein the ramp system has a ramp loop, which is supportable on one side by a support arranged in a stationary manner in a housing, in order to pull the cross-hole bolt, for the clamping, to the housing, or to push the cross-hole bolt away therefrom, by the tightening screw.