# US 2009/0014607 A1 · Fixture for spatial positioning of a device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2009/0014607 A1 - Document ID: US20090014607A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/924,398 - Filed: 2007-10-25 - Published: 2009-01-15 - Earliest claimed: 2006-10-27 - Assignees: AST GmbH - Inventors: Werner Schwarze; Hugo Stephan; Andreas Martin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090014607A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/2255: {Means for positioning patient, shock wave apparatus or locating means, e.g. mechanical aspects, patient beds, support arms or aiming means} - A61B 90/50: Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms - A61B 2017/0069: {with universal joint, cardan joint} - A61B 2090/508: {with releasable brake mechanisms} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract In a fixture (1) for spatial positioning of a device (2), in particular a device for medical application, that is supported in a pivoting arrangement on a holding device (5) or the like by means of an arm (6), quick and easy alignment of the device (2) in relation to a person's treatment area should be guaranteed. This is achieved in that a ring-shaped holding body (11) is attached to the free end of the arm (6), that a spherical cup-shaped outer jacket surface (13) is provided on the device (2) with the surface enclosed wholly or in part by the holding body (11) and that the outer jacket surface (13) of the device (2) is held in the holding body (11) and can be pivoted relative to the holding body (11). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fixture (1) for spatial positioning of a device (2), specifically a device with a medical application, that is supported in a pivoting arrangement on a holding device (5) or the like by means of an arm (6), characterised in that, a ring-shaped holding body (11) is attached to the free end of the arm (6), that a spherical cup-shaped outer jacket surface (13) is provided on the device (2) and the surface is enclosed in whole or in part by the holding body (11) and that the outer jacket surface (13) of the device (2) is held in the holding body (11) and can be swivelled relative to the holding body. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fixture in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that, the inside (12) of the holding body (11) is arranged at a distance from the outer jacket surface (13), that the inside (12) runs concentrically to the outer jacket surface (13) and that at least one plain or anti-friction bearing (13, 15, 16) is provided between the holding body (11) and supported against it, with the bearing acting against the outer jacket surface (13). ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The fixture in accordance with claim 2, characterised in that, the anti-friction bearing consists of two rings (14, 15) that are permanently attached inside the holding body (11) and aligned with spaces in between them, that the two rings (14, 15) run parallel to one another and perpendicular to the lengthways axis of the device (2), that a plurality of roller bodies are inserted in both rings (14, 15), project from the rings, are preferably shaped as balls (16) and are in contact with the outer jacket surface (13) of the device (2), and that the roller bodies (16) are mounted in a rotating arrangement in the ring (14, 15) in question. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The fixture in accordance claim 3, characterised in that, both rings (14, 15) are arranged in the area of both ends of the holding body (11) and that the curvature of the rings (14, 15) runs concentrically to the outer jacket surface (13). ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The fixture in accordance with claim 4, characterised in that, each of the roller bodies (16) contacts the outer jacket surface (13) of the device (2) vertically. ### Claim 6 The fixture in accordance with one or more of the aforementioned claims, characterised in that, a swivel joint (21) is arranged between the holding body (11) and the arm (6) by means of which the device (2) can be movably aligned perpendicular to the axis (10) formed by the arm (6). ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The fixture in accordance with claim 6, characterised in that, the swivel joint (21) consists of two guide elements (22, 23) rotatably arranged one inside the other, which are preferably connected together in the form of a dovetail guide (22). ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The fixture in accordance with claim 7, characterised in that, the openings in the dovetail guide (22) are closed by a cover (23) or the like in the direction of the lengthways axis (10) of the arm (6). ### Claim 9 The fixture in accordance with one or more of the aforementioned claims, characterised in that, an externally operated brake (17) is provided in the inside of the holding body (11) and the brake contacts the outer jacket surface (13) and has an adjustable effect on it. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The fixture in accordance with claim 9, characterised in that, the brake (17) consists of a two-part ring that completely encloses the outer jacket surface (13) and the two free ends of which can be pressed apart from the outside by means of an actuator (18), and that the two free ends of the brake (17) are pressed together by a return spring (19). ### Claim 11 (depends on 9, 10) The fixture in accordance with claim 9 or 10, characterised in that, the brake (17) is in the central plane of the holding body (11). ### Claim 12 The fixture in accordance with one or more of the aforementioned claims, characterised in that, that the arm (6) is formed by two support struts (8) that can be telescoped one inside the other. ### Claim 13 The fixture in accordance with one or more of the aforementioned claims, characterised in that, in order to align the device (2) manually, one or more handles (25) is/are provided on the device. ### Claim 14 The fixture in accordance with one or more of the aforementioned claims, characterised in that, the surface of the device (2) that runs parallel to the lengthways axis (9) of the device and in the area of the outer jacket surface (13) serves as the stop (28) for the freedom of movement of the device (2). ### Claim 15 The fixture in accordance with one or more of the aforementioned claims, characterised in that, the outer jacket surface (13) is configured in such a way that the roller bodies (16) roll along the surface with as little friction as possible. ### Claim 16 The fixture in accordance with one or more of the aforementioned claims, characterised in that, the device (2) can be moved in a first plane that runs perpendicular to the lengthways axis (9) of the device within an adjusting angle (a) of +/−26° and in a second plane that runs perpendicular to the first plane within an adjusting angle (β) of +/−45°. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The fixture in accordance with claim 16, characterised in that, the adjusting angle (β) is divided into two different adjustment sections.