Surgical support arm docking apparatus
AssigneeIntegra LifeSciences Corporation
InventorWalter J. Dobrovolny
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An assembly for exchanging retractor support arms within a retractor support clamp. The assembly includes a main body having a surface defining a cavity extending into the main body from a first end. A support arm having an end portion with a substantially complimentary configuration to the surface defining the cavity is positionable within the cavity. A retaining mechanism is disposed about the main body and in communication with the end portion where the retaining mechanism retains the end portion within the main body.
Claims14
An assembly for exchanging retractor support arms within a retractor support clamp, the assembly comprising:
- a main body having a surface defining a cavity extending into the main body from a first end, the cavity having a back wall;
- a pivot ball attached to a second end of the main body wherein the pivot ball engages the retractor support clamp;
- a support arm having an end portion having a substantially complimentary configuration to the surface defining the cavity wherein the end portion is positionable within the cavity such that an end surface of the end portion is proximate the back wall of the cavity;
- and
- a retaining mechanism disposed about the main body and in communication with the end portion for retaining the end portion within the main body.
A method of securing a retractor support arm within a docking apparatus attached to a retractor support apparatus, the method comprising:
- disposing a spheroidal member within a through bore that intersects a cavity of a main member where a first portion of the spheroidal member is positioned within the cavity;
- positioning an end of a retractor support arm within the cavity;
- positioning an actuating mechanism disposed about an exterior surface of the main member into a non-engaging position;
- forcing the end of the retractor support arm into the cavity wherein the end displaces the first portion of the spheroidal member from the cavity;
- and
- positioning the actuating mechanism into an engaging position wherein an internal surface of the actuating mechanism engages a second portion of the spheroidal member extending beyond the exterior surface of the main member such that the first portion is forced into the internal cavity and engages the end of the retractor support arm and retains the retractor support arm within the main member.
An assembly for exchanging retractor support arms within a retractor support clamp, the assembly comprising:
- a main body having a surface defining a cavity extending into the main body from a first end and an outer perimeter;
- a support arm having an end portion having a substantially complimentary configuration to the surface defining the cavity wherein the end portion is positionable within the cavity;
- a retaining mechanism disposed about the outer perimeter of the main body and in communication with the end portion for retaining the end portion within the main body;
- and
- a compression spring disposed about the outer perimeter of the main body and in communication with the retaining mechanism wherein the compression spring biases the retaining mechanism into retaining the end portion.
A docking apparatus for exchanging retractor support arms within a retractor support apparatus, the docking apparatus comprising:
- a main body attached to the retractor support apparatus, the main body comprising an internal cavity;
- a support arm having an end comprising a substantially complementary configuration to the internal cavity within the main body wherein the end is positionable within the internal cavity;
- and
- a securing mechanism engaging the end of the support arm and the main body wherein the securing mechanism applies a force to the end of the support arm and the main body to retain the end of the support arm within the main body and wherein the securing mechanism comprises a coiled flexible spring positioned within the internal cavity and wherein the end is positioned within the internal cavity the coil flexible spring retains the end within the cavity of the main body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.