Patent Application
20080098524
1. Section I—Field of Invention
The present invention pertains to a mechanical device that is adapted to fit as an attachment for suspending auxiliary articles from variety of substrates. In particular, the invention relates to a kind of hook or hanger device that can be attached to a variety of different kinds of equipment in order to suspend them from an operating from table or a patient's hospital bed.
2. Section II—Background
Operating theater tables currently in use generally conform to two major designs. The first design has the bed of the table supported from underneath with a pedestal-like structure located near the center of the table. This first configuration is more common in operating theaters; hence, it is often referred to as either the standard or conventional table design. The table has a rectilinear side rail on either side that extends from a side of the bed of the table a short distance (e.g., up to 2 inches). The second design, often referred as a Jackson operating table (U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,106, incorporated herein by reference), has no central, pedestal-like support structure underneath. Rather, the table bed is supported or cantilevered from each end of the table structure. This permits the curved C-arm of some radiological machines to easily fit beneath the bed of the table and around a patient lying on the bed. The Jackson table is typically used in spinal surgery procedures, or other surgeries that may involve radiological detection, internal visualization, or other indirect visual imaging visual techniques, such as NMRI transmitter, endoscopic surgery, etc. No side rail is present on either side of the Jackson table, which may complicate imaging or access to the patient. Instead, a rounded rail of up to about 2-inch diameter is situated underneath the bed at either the head or foot ends or both of the table.
Since the configuration of the Jackson table, unlike the more common first design, does not have a conventional rectangular-shaped side rail or bar from which operating room equipment often can be suspended during a medical procedure, operating room (OR) staff can encounter difficulties in securing medical instruments, monitors, or other equipment to this type of table. A need exists for a suspension hook that is adaptable to both rectilinear and rounded forms of rails on different types of operating room tables and can be used with either conformation interchangeably.
While most operating room tables have conventional side rails with rectangular cross-sections for attaching auxiliary supports and equipment, there are other types of tables, for example Jackson tables, which have no such side rails, but instead have support bars of circular cross-section. Hangers designed to mirror the rectangular side rail dimensions do not always accommodate such circular cross-section support bars. Appropriately designed hangers - those that partially retain the rectangular shape but combine an arc-shaped lower element with some degree of flex- can be used on both rectangular cross-section side rails and round support bars. Such a hanger allows easy attachment to both rectangular and circular cross-sections in order to facilitate line control of tubes & cords and quick placement of instrumentation. An application for such a universal hanger is to attach and support gas or liquid delivery lines, such as temperature controlled fluid delivery lines for a patient temperature management system.
The invention pertains in part to a device for suspending equipment or things from a bar. The invention may take the form of a universal surgical table hook comprising: a first extension with a length A, a second extension with a length B, and a third extension with a length C, such that the first, second and third extensions are oriented in a largely perpendicular fashion relative to each other in a substantially C- or U-like shape; a protuberance extending from either said first or third extensions, or both; and the first, second, and third extensions together are configured to engage with bars of multiple geometric profiles. The second and third extensions are resilient and flex relative to said first extension when subjected to lateral forces. The hook can have a large hair-pin-like conformation with at least two protrusions, notches or ridges of either similar or varying sizes, arranged along the third extension. In some embodiments, the protrusions may also run along the first extension, mirroring the geometries and sizes of the protrusions on the third extension. This configuration is to adapt the hook to engage and fit well with a bar having a profile that is triangular, rectangular, circular, curvilinear, or polygonal. The first, second and third extensions each has a width that is sufficient for it to securely engage with either a rectilinear or curved or circular bar.
The device has a planar element with a first end and a second end. The planar component that extends from the first end a distance A along a first major section A, bends in a substantially orthogonal turn (between about 80 degrees to about 100 degrees), extends for a distance B along section B, and bends again in a substantially orthogonal turn back to substantially parallel the first major section, and proceeds a distance C along section C to the second end, which in come embodiment may flare outward away from the first major section. Between the two substantially orthogonal turns, section B can be straight and level or it can be slightly arched or curved, concave or convex, preferably concave in come embodiments. The radius of curvature for the curved areas of the hook can be rather shallow (i.e., having a large radius), or deep (i.e., having a short radius), depending on the desired configuration or the attachment area of the operating table.
In another iteration, the invention provides a surgical table fastener that comprises a first panel with a first distance (A), a second panel with a second distance (B), and a third panel with a third distance (C), the first, second and third panels are bent relative to each other such that the first and second panels are substantially parallel with each other and separated from each other by a distance Y, and the third panel is flexible relative to the first panel. The third panel has at least one protrusion adapted to engage with bars of multiple geometric profiles. The first panel in some designs may also incorporate at least one protrusion. The distance Y is less than or equal to the second distance (B), and the third panel has a terminal end that is oriented away from the first panel, extending outward for a distance D, which does not exceed 113 the length of the second distance (B). The third panel can be deformed (i.e., flexed or slightly bent) to accommodate a bar of either round or polygonal profile, when said bar has a cross-sectional dimension that is greater than said distance Y between the first and second panels.
The invention may include a surgical table having an auxiliary fastening hook configured to securely engage with bars of multiple geometric profiles such as described herein.
Additional features and advantages of the present invention will be revealed in the following detailed description. Both the foregoing summary and the following detailed description and examples are merely representative of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview for understanding the invention as claimed.
During the course of a surgery in an operating theater, often times auxiliary medical equipment is needed to be close at hand to the surgical table for access by either surgeons or their assistants. Conventional operating tables in general use, according to a standard design, have side rails with rectangular cross-sections situated along the length of each table. Auxiliary support hooks, such as a hanger for suspending fluid delivery line interface junction, such as used in temperature management systems, typically have a squarish or rectangular cross-section that enables the hanger to fit and engage with these side rails. This problem is evident from the accompanying Figures, such as illustrated in
In contrast to the current hanger of the junction interface that is designed to fit only a rectangular side rail present on conventional operating room tables, the present invention provides a universally adapted hanger device that can engage a surgical table having attachment points of various geometries. The hanger device can be used to secure, support, and organize auxiliary medical equipment or treatment systems can help organize, streamline, and simplify technical support procedures in the operating theater. The peripheral equipment may include monitors and hoses or feedlines for fluids (both liquids and gases) or vacuum, in the immediate area around the surgical table. For instance, a “universal hanger” may be part of the reusable portion of a temperature management system solves a problem encountered when only round bar support elements are available to mount the junction interface of fluid delivery lines. The solution of the invention retains the durable aspect of a current metal hanger and a matching fit to rectangular side rails in its top-most part, but fits round bars via an arced portion below the top part and that can be reversibly flexed—“out” to fit over the round bar and “in” to fit through the gap between the side rail and table proper on a convention table.
While the present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings for purposes of illustration, it is understood that the invention is not limited to this package embodiment, and other iterations are included within the scope of the description.
According to a general conception, the invention embodies an adaptable operating table suspension device configured to securely engage with bars of multiple geometric profiles. As depicted in the accompanying
The device has a substantially rigid or semi-rigid body, which can flex when the third element 14 is compressed laterally towards the first element 10. Typically, a primary inflective stress point 16 is situated at the intersection of the plane of the second and third element or somewhere along the length of the third-element distance (B), like a hinge joint. Other times the primary inflection point may be located at the where the first and second elements meet. A secondary or tertiary inflection point may be located also along the length of the third element, or the second element, or both.
Either the first or third element or both (12, 14) has at least one protrusive section along their respective first and third distances (A or C), which can accommodate a curved or polygonal form in the space Y between the first and third elements. The distance (A) is greater than third distance (C) for the first, second and third elements, respectively. Typically, first distance A has a length of at least about 2 inches, typically about 2.5 inches to about 8 inches in length. Third distance C may ranges from-about 1 inch to about 4 inches in length. Second distance B does not exceed a width of a gap of distance X between the bed of an operating room table and a sidebar in a conventional operating table. The second distance B can range from about 0.5 inch, up to about 2.5 inches.
The material from which the inventive device is constructed should be moderately pliable or flexible, yet sufficiently resilient and strong to withstand repeated bending or flexing over many times of use. The hanger should be a durable product designed to absorb the stresses associate with flexing over multiple incidences of use. For instance, the device can be made from either a durable polymer or plastic material (e.g., polystyrene, polyolefins (polyethylene, polyethylene) polyurethane, or an acrylic polymer), or a metal or metallic alloy material (e.g., aluminum, copper, stainless steel, or titanium).
The present device has a simple design is distinguished from a conventional screw clamp. Unlike, vise-like clainps that have moving screws, the present hanger has an advantage of having no major mechanical moving parts or crevices or surfaces that may harbor microbes or other dirt, which is an advantage and convenience, since it can be cleaned with a good disinfecting wash or wipe down and can be easier to keep clean. The materials, nonetheless, should be able to withstand either high-temperature environments such as found in autoclaves or the stringency of chemical washes used in sanitizing a sterile field environment. A desirable trait of the present hanger device is the absence of sharp edges or points that can catches against and/or tears protective garments, supply lines or other items. Hence, the device's surfaces and edges, in particular those that are exposed to the user or an article or product that may be used during surgery, should be relatively smooth and rounded, so that they do not cut either plastic or fabric materials, or mammalian skin. The lines of the device preferably are also clean and smooth.
The device has a body that permits the third element 14 to flex towards the first element 12 when compressed laterally at the end of the third element 15. The first, second and third elements each can have an aggregate, accumulated width dimension that ranges from about ¼ inch (˜½ cm) to about 2.5 inches (˜7 cm), inclusive. As part of either the first or third elements running along first or third distances (A or C), or both, the device may have a hair-pin like configuration, with at least two protrusive sections that mirror each side, as reflected along a cross-sectional, longitudinal mid-line of the device when viewed on its side. Each protrusive section has a cross-sectional profile that may be individually triangular, rectangular, circular or curvilinear, or a combination of these forms together in series, such as depicted in
As part of the function of the suspension device, the first element 10 has a means for engaging with or supporting a part of an auxiliary surgical equipment or apparatus. Examples of such means for attaching or supporting may include an aperture, protrusion, hook, or cradle for receiving a fastening element to secure the device to an auxiliary surgical equipment or apparatus. The aperture is sufficiently large for a user to adjust the length of said first element to a desired or predetermined dimension. The aperture may be a grommet slot. The device is configured to hold equipment from a bar, or be an interface between disposable and reusable components. This equipment may include a temperature warming junction box, tubes and hoses, suction line, irrigation line, electrical cable, compressed air or oxygen lines.
The first distance A can have a length of at least about 2 inches or greater. Typically, first distance A is about 2.5 to about 5, 7, or 8 inches, and any length therein between inclusive. The length of third distance B can range from about 1 inch to about 3 or 4 inches, or any length therein between inclusive, typically between about 1.5 to 2.5 inches. The dimension length of distance X can ranged from between 0.5 inches up to about 2.5 inches, typically about 1 inch or less, preferably between about ¾ inches up to about 1 inch. X represents the outer length, while distance C represents the gap length between the first and third elements A and B.
In certain embodiments, the suspension device or hook can have a hair-pin like configuration, with at least two sections that protrude out from the plane of either the first or third elements along the first or third distances (A or B), or both. Each protrusion can have either a triangular, rectangular (squarish), curvilinear (curved convex or concave) or circular (rounded) cross-sectional profile. Desirably, multiple notches or ridges of either similar or a combination of varying shapes or sizes are used to fit and engage with bar rails of different profiles of varying cross-sectional dimensions or diameters. The curvilinear or circular sections may each have a different radius of curvature to engage with rails of rounded profiles of varying diameters.
For example, the first element 10 or panel A can have an aperture or grommet slot for receiving a fastening element such as a tightening screw to secure the hanger to a part or portion of an auxiliary surgical equipment or apparatus. This opening can be formed sufficiently large to enable a user to adjust the length of the hanger to the user's desired dimensions. The hanger has a width that is sufficient for it to securely engage with either a rectilinear or curved or circular railing. For example, the width dimension can range from about ¼ inch (˜ 1/2 cm) to about 2.5 inches (˜7 cm), inclusive. More typically, the width is about 1-1.8 inches.
Distance B is the distance in between the first and third elements or panels of the present device. Distance B is less than or equal to the gap distance X between the side rail and the bed of the operating table. The terminal end of the third panel can extend slightly outward away from the first element, by as much as an additional distance D, which should not exceed about ⅓ the total length of distance X. The third section or panel of the device, in some embodiments, may be subjected to deformation by flexing in part to accommodate a bar of either round or polygonal profile, in particular if the cross-sectional dimension of the bar is greater than the distance Y between the first and second panels.
According to another embodiment, the present hanger device may be bifurcated with a gap. The portion of the device that hooks on to a horizontally oriented railing (i.e., elements A, B and C) is divided by the gap into two sections or twines, such as illustrated in
The present invention has been described generally and by way of examples. Those skilled in the art will understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments specifically disclosed, and that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, unless changes otherwise depart from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims, they should be construed as included herein.
