Patent Application
20140276823
In the medical field, certain procedures use stabilization devices to stabilize a patient or portion of a patient during the procedure. With procedures where it is desirable to stabilize the patient's head and/or neck, various kinds of head fixation devices (HFDs) can be used. One such HFD is a skull clamp that preferably uses a three or more point fixation using pins that contact the patient's skull. These pins can be selectively retained in a pin holder assembly or system that makes up a component of the HFD.
While a variety of HFDs and pin holder assemblies have been made and used, it is believed that no one prior to the inventor(s) has made or used an invention as described herein.
A stabilization device for use in the medical field includes an interchangeable pin holder assembly. The pin holder assembly has a first portion that is separable from a second portion such that the first portion can be replaced with a similar first portion having one or more components of a different size to accommodate patients of different sizes or to accommodate different stabilization techniques.
A method for interchanging a portion of a pin holder assembly includes aligning components of the pin holder assembly and applying force in either a distal or proximal direction depending on whether or not the interchangeable portion of the pin holder assembly is being removed or attached.
In some versions of the device, an interchangeable pin holder assembly for use with a stabilization device includes a first member comprising a groove and a second member comprising at least one resiliently biased member. The at least one resiliently biased member is configured to selectively engage with the groove to inhibit unintended separation of the first member from the second member when the at least one resiliently biased member is positioned within the groove. The at least one resiliently biased member also provides a level of feedback, e.g., tactile or audible, when attaching components of the interchangeable pin holder assembly. The pin holder assembly also includes a first rotation limiting member and a second rotation limiting member. The first rotation limiting member is configured to engage with the second rotation limiting member to prevent rotation of the first member relative to the second member.
In some versions of the methods for interchanging a portion of a pin holder assembly of a stabilization device, the method includes applying a force on a first removable portion of the pin holder assembly in a direction away from a fixed portion of the pin holder assembly, causing at least one resilient member to disengage a recessed area, and causing a first rotational lock member to disengage from a second rotational lock member. Further method steps can include aligning a second removable portion of the pin holder assembly with the fixed portion of the pin holder assembly, and applying a force on the second removable portion in a direction toward the fixed portion of the pin holder assembly.
In some versions of the device, an interchangeable pin holder assembly for use with a stabilization device includes a first member and a second member that are configured to eliminate either or both lateral movement and vertical movement between a first portion of the interchangeable pin holder assembly and a second portion of the interchangeable pin holder assembly when the first portion is selectively connected with the second portion. Also, the interchangeable pin holder assembly includes a third member and a fourth member that are independent from the first member and the second member, with the third and fourth members configured to eliminate rotational movement between the first portion of the interchangeable pin holder assembly and the second portion of the interchangeable pin holder assembly when the first portion is selectively connected with the second portion.
While the specification concludes with claims which particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention, it is believed the present invention will be better understood from the following description of certain examples taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify the same elements.
The drawings are not intended to be limiting in any way, and it is contemplated that various embodiments of the invention may be carried out in a variety of other ways, including those not necessarily depicted in the drawings. The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements shown.
The following description of certain examples of the invention should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention. Other examples, features, aspects, embodiments, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, which is by way of illustration, one of the best modes contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different and obvious aspects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
Pin holder assembly (200) is shown as being attached to arch member (202). Arch member (202) comprises first and second ends (210, 212) that are each configured to receive and selectively retain a pin (not shown). Arch member (202) attaches to pin holder assembly (200) in the present example by way of threaded bolt (214) engaging a threaded nut. Arch member (202) is operable to adjustably rotate about threaded bolt (214).
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In addition to first and second pressure pins (248, 250) engaging groove (226) of adapter (206), protruding member (220) of connector (204) seats within recess (270) of adapter (206). With this engagement configuration, connector (204) is securely yet selectively attached to adapter (206) in a way where connector (204) does not rotate independent from adapter (206) but in unison with any rotation of adapter (206). In some versions, more than one protruding member (220) and recess (270) are used to prohibit relative rotation of connector (204) with respect to adapter (206). In the present example, protruding member (220) is generally considered a male connecting structure and recess (270) is generally considered a female connecting structure. In some versions, protruding member (220) and recess (270) can be replaced with any other suitable male to female connecting structures. Still in other versions, protruding member (220) can be located on adapter (206) while recess (270) can be located on connector (204). In view of the teachings herein, other ways to attach connector (204) and adapter (206) will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.
In the illustrated version, first portion (216) is connectable to second portion (218) in a way that there is preferably no play or free movement, either rotationally, laterally, or vertically, between first portion (216) and second portion (218) when they are connected. That is, once connected there is preferably no movement, or less preferably very little movement, between first portion (216) and second portion (218). Thus once connected the first portion (216) and second portion (218) have a tight connection such that they may feel as if they are a solid and single component. To achieve the tight connection with preferably no play or movement, or less preferably very little play or movement, between connected first portion (216) and second portion (218), tight tolerances are used when fabricating the structures or components that limit free movement either rotationally, laterally, or vertically.
To achieve no play or free movement rotationally, tight tolerances are used when fabricating protruding member (220) and recess (270). In this fashion, the width of protruding member (220) is matched or substantially matched with the width of recess (270). In some versions, while a tight tolerance is used in the width dimension as mentioned, it is not necessary or required to have a tight tolerance or match in the length dimension between recess (270) and protruding member (220). With the tight tolerance in the width dimension, when connector (204) is attached with adapter (206), the abutment or contact between the sides of protruding member (220) and the sides of recess (270) provide no play or free movement rotationally between the components. As understood from the illustrated version, rotational movement is considered that rotational movement about an axis defined by the length of threaded rod (268).
To achieve no play or free movement laterally and vertically, tight tolerances are used when fabricating extension (224) of adapter (206) and third opening (244) of connector (204). In this fashion, the diameter of third opening (244) is matched or substantially matched with the diameter of extension (224). Therefore, when connector (204) is attached with adapter (206), the abutment or contact between the sides of extension (224) and the sidewalls of third opening (244) provide no play or free movement laterally or vertically (or any diagonal direction between lateral and vertical for that matter) between the components. As understood from the illustrated version, lateral movement is considered that linear movement along an axis that would be parallel to an axis extending into and out of the page of the views of
Free movement of first portion (216) relative to second portion (218) is further limited in the Z-direction, which can be considered the direction along an axis defined by the length of threaded rod (268), which would be the same as the direction in which first portion (216) is moved relative to second portion (218) when connecting first portion (216) to second portion (218) or removing first portion (216) from second portion (218). To achieve no or limited free movement in the Z-direction, tight tolerances are used when fabricating bores (240, 242) of connector (204) relative to the position of groove (226) of adapter (206). For example, in some versions bores (240, 242) are positioned such that when connector (204) is attached to adapter (206), bores (240, 242) are centered over groove (226).
Furthermore, the width of groove (226) and the diameter of sphere portions (252) of pressure pins (248, 250) are such that when sphere portions (252) reside within groove (226), sphere portions (252) fill the width of groove (226) such that on one side sphere portions (252) contacts first sloped ridge (228) and on an opposite side sphere portions (252) contacts sidewall (231) of flange (232). In some versions, such as the illustrated version shown in
In the illustrated version, the structures for preventing play or free movement rotationally are separate or independent from the structures for preventing play or free movement laterally and vertically. In other words, the structures that limit rotational movement are separate and independent from the structures that limit non-rotational movement such as movement laterally and vertically. Therefore, when making pin holder assembly (200) it is possible to fabricate the structures that limit the motion rotationally with very tight tolerances, and at the same time fabricate the structures that limit the motion laterally and vertically with very tight tolerances. But at the same time, it is not necessary or required to have very tight tolerances between these two structures that limit motion in different directions. Again, in other words, at the same time it is not necessary or required to have tight tolerances between the structures used to limit rotational movement and the structures used to limit non-rotational movement (i.e. movement laterally and/or vertically or in any direction along a plane parallel with proximal surface (246) of connector (204)). For example, while tight tolerances would exist between the widths of protruding member (220) and recess (270), and similarly tight tolerances would exist between the diameter of extension (224) and third opening (244), tight tolerances would not be necessary for the distance or spacing between, e.g., extension (224) and recess (270), or e.g., third opening (244) and protruding member (220). Of course tight tolerances may still be used for the relative dimensions between these components nonetheless if desired.
In this respect, tolerance refers to controlling the relative spacing between components, with a tight tolerance meaning that the spacing is precise or important with very little to no variance permitted during fabrication. A tolerance that is not a tight tolerance, on the contrary, would allow the spacing between the components to be imprecise or not important and some amount of variance would be permitted during fabrication. Furthermore, the use of tight tolerances between certain components described herein controls restrictions to movement in certain directions. Similarly a lack of tight tolerances between certain components described herein would not be considered controlling as to the restrictions on movement. By way of example and not limitation, while there are tight tolerances used between recess (270) and protruding member (220), and separately between extension (224) and third opening (244), it is not required to have a tight tolerance between protruding member (220) and opening (244). In other words, the distance or spacing between protruding member (220) and opening (244) is not important when fabricating first portion (216) and controlling restrictions on movement between first portion (216) and second portion (218). Similarly, it is not required to have a tight tolerance between recess (270) and extension (224). In other words, the distance or spacing between recess (270) and extension (224) is not important when fabricating second portion (218) and controlling restrictions on movement between first portion (216) and second portion (218).
Also, in some versions the structures for preventing play or free movement in the Z-direction are separate or independent from the structures for preventing play or free movement rotationally. For instance, in versions where sphere portions (252) fill the width of groove (226) and where the width of protruding member (220) match the width of recess (270), the structures that prevent play or free movement in the Z-direction and rotationally are separate or independent from one another. In such versions, tight tolerances are used for each structure as mentioned above, but at the same time tight tolerances between these structures themselves are not required as they are independent in their structure and the functions each accomplish. In view of the teachings herein, other ways, structures, and configurations to prevent play or free movement between first portion (216) and second portion (218) when connecting these components will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.
As mentioned already, in some circumstances it is desirable to replace first portion (216) of pin holder assembly (200) with another similar first portion of pin holder assembly having a different size. For example, when using skull clamp (10) on an adult patient first and then later switching to use skull clamp (10) on a pediatric patient, it may be desired to replace first portion (216) to another similar first portion having a smaller arch member (202), in particular one that is configured with a greater curvature to better align with what would be a smaller circumference of a pediatric patient's head. In such instances, first portion (216) can have all the same component parts with the exception of the different sized arch member (202).
To replace or interchange first portion (216), first portion (216) is grasped and pulled in the distal direction such that force is applied on first portion (216) in the distal direction. In one example a user can grasp first portion (216) around arch member (202). With sufficient force exerted on first portion (216) in the distal direction, resilient sphere portions (252) contact first sloped ridge (228), and due to the distal force applied by the user, first sloped ridge (228) effectively exerts force on resilient sphere portions (252) to partially displace them within cavities (276). In this example, the force effectively exerted by first sloped ridge (228) is generally perpendicular to the force applied on first portion (216) in the distal direction. With resilient sphere portions (252) at least partially displaced within cavities by first sloped ridge (228), connector (204) is then able to separate from adapter (208) such that first portion (216) is separated from second portion (218) of pin holder assembly (200). With this detaching movement, protruding member (220) of connector (204) is moved in the distal direction away from and out of recess (270) of adapter (206).
To install a replacement first portion (216) after the prior first portion (216) has been removed, the process is generally reversed. A user grasps the replacement first portion (216) and aligns third opening (244) with extension (224) of adapter (206). Next the user pushes first portion (216) in the proximal direction toward the adapter (206). Extension (224) aligns with and fits within third opening (244) of connector (204). Before extension (224) is positioned within third opening (244), resilient sphere portions (252) are protruding slightly into the space defined by third opening (244). As extension (224) is positioned within third opening (244), second sloped ridge (230) contacts resilient sphere portions (252) effectively exerting force on resilient sphere portions (252) to partially displace them within cavities (276). This allows extension (224) to fully be positioned within third opening (244) such that first and second pressure pins (248, 250) ultimately seat within groove (226) of extension (224). At or about the same time, protruding member (220) is aligned with recess (270) and is seated within recess (270). Because of the cylindrical shape of extension (224), first portion (216) can be rotated to align protruding member (220) with recess (270) while extension (224) is positioned at least partially within third opening (244). With protruding member (220) fully seated within recess (270) and with first and second pressure pins (248, 250) full seated within groove (226), first portion (216) is securely yet selectively attached with second portion (218) of pin holder assembly (200).
Another feature of pin holder assembly (200) includes an audible snap, click, or similar sound when first portion (216) is fully and securely attached with second portion (218) via the connection between connector (204) and adapter (206). This connection also provides for a tactile indication that first portion (216) is fully and securely attached with second portion (218). This tactile indication is at least in part due to the movement of resilient sphere portions (252) when seating within groove (226) of adapter (206).
As shown in the illustrated version, first and second pressure pins (248, 250) comprise resilient sphere portions (252). In some other versions resilient sphere portions (252), and/or first and second pressure pins (248, 250) partially or entirely, can be replaced with other similarly functioning structures as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein.
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As mentioned earlier, in use rotation of disc (280) of actuator (208) causes starburst member (not shown) of actuator (208) to translate within opening of second arm (14) such that starburst member (not shown) of actuator (208) moves from an engaged position with starburst member (272) of adapter (206) to a disengaged position with starburst member (272) of adapter (206) and vice versa. This translation is caused by pushing members (not shown) associated with disc (280) impinging a greater amount or a lesser amount on starburst member (not shown) of actuator (208) when disc (280) is rotated. The degree of impingement causes spring (not shown) to compress or expand accordingly. When starbursts of adapter (206) and actuator (208) are disengaged, connected first portion (216) and adapter (206) of pin holder assembly (200) are rotatable in unison about an axis defined by threaded rod (268). Once oriented in the desired position, starburst members of adapter (206) and actuator (208) can then be engaged to prevent rotation of pin holder assembly (200). Independent of this rotation functionality, first portion (216) of pin holder assembly (200) is separable from second portion (218) of pin holder assembly to allow for interchangeability of arch member (202) as shown and described above.
Having shown and described various embodiments of the present invention, further adaptations of the methods and systems described herein may be accomplished by appropriate modifications by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. Several of such potential modifications have been mentioned, and others will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For instance, the examples, embodiments, geometries, materials, dimensions, ratios, steps, and the like discussed above are illustrative and are not required. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be considered in terms of the following claims and is understood not to be limited to the details of structure and operation shown and described in the specification and drawings.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/778,321, filed Mar. 12, 2013, entitled “Interchangeable Pin Holder System and Method,” the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61778321 | Mar 2013 | US |
