HK1077620A - Surgical suspension system - Google Patents

Description

Surgical suspension device

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technology of suspension devices. And more particularly to suspension devices for lights (lightheads), monitors, cameras, and similar medical devices used in surgical operating rooms, to which the present invention will be described in detail. However, the invention may find application in other ceiling-mounted devices and in areas outside of the medical industry.

Background

In operating rooms, intensive care units, and other hospital and clinic environments, medical equipment, such as overhead lighting and monitoring equipment, is overhead by hanging devices that extend downward from the ceiling. This arrangement facilitates the installation of the device in a location that does not interfere with busy medical personnel, while being easily accessible when needed. For example, the suspended illumination device can effectively illuminate the surgical site without physically disturbing the surgeon.

Such suspension devices generally comprise: a mounting plate (sometimes referred to as a cheese plate) attached to a rigid roof structure; a hanger tube connected to the mounting plate; a rotatable spindle mounted on the drop tube so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis; and one or more extensions and/or articulated arms that connect to and support medical equipment, such as surgical overhead lights, monitors, cameras, or other devices. The articulated arm is typically multi-articulated so that the device to which it is attached has multiple mechanical degrees of freedom.

The connection of the drop tube to the mounting plate is typically of a tube-in-tube design, wherein the drop tube is mounted in a cylinder which is then secured to the mounting plate by screws or other suitable fasteners. Since the ceiling heights of hospitals and clinics differ from each other and since the suspension device is preferably adapted to fit medical equipment in a position where it is accessible from the floor for medical staff, the suspension device should be easily adaptable to different ceiling heights.

However, existing suspension devices typically employ a drop tube having a fixed length. Height adjustment of the entire apparatus is achieved by selecting a drop tube of an appropriate standard or custom length, or by cutting the drop tube at the installation site and drilling the necessary holes in the tube at the appropriate locations to secure the connection.

Pre-cut at the factory to provide a preselected custom length of drop tube to accommodate the ceiling height introduces supply problems and long preparation times, and the drop tube may not be compatible with the spacing between the ceiling and floor.

Cutting the pipe at the installation site may entail a risk of poor quality cutting and/or drilling of the pipe, possibly leading to damage of the suspension and safety problems. Another disadvantage of cutting the drop tube at the installation site is that it is generally not possible to cleanly machine the end of the tube being cut. The rough cut end can be accommodated by introducing relatively large tolerances in the way the pipe-in-pipe connection is made and may require adjustment screws or other similar components. However, this may create an abnormal gap and cannot always be corrected by adjusting the screw.

Yet another disadvantage of the known suspension devices is that the height of the finished device cannot be adjusted in the vertical direction at a later time. Thus, when moving the suspension to other operating rooms having different ceiling heights, the drop tube should be replaced, or if the ceiling of the new operating room is shorter, the drop tube should be re-cut to accommodate the shorter ceiling.

The present invention is directed to an improved surgical suspension device that overcomes the above-referenced deficiencies and others.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention, a suspension device (system) is provided for suspending one or more overhead lights, monitors, task lights (task lights), cameras, and other medical devices from a roof structure at a selectable height. The suspension device includes a drop tube for supporting the one or more overhead lights, monitors, cameras, and other medical devices. A receiving element receives the drop tube such that the distal end of the drop tube extends below the lower end of the receiving element. The receiver member receives a collar which surrounds a portion of the drop tube and compressively clamps it within the receiver member. Means are also provided for mounting the receiving element to the overhead structure.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method of variably adjusting a distance between a distal end of a drop tube supporting a medical device relative to a fixed surface is provided. The method includes rigidly supporting a receiving element from a fixed surface. The method further includes loosely inserting the collar into the bore of the receiving member, inserting the drop tube into the collar such that an end of the drop tube extends a selected distance below the receiving member, and pulling the collar into the bore of the receiving member such that the drop tube is compressively gripped by the receiving member and the collar.

One advantage of the present invention is that it enables continuous height adjustment over a range of positions for mounting a surgical suspension device.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the height of the suspension device can be adapted to different operating rooms or other variations in ceiling height.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the circumferential installation gap in the pipe-in-pipe manner is eliminated, and in a preferred embodiment of the invention the installation gap is replaced by the use of a compression wedge member that is wrapped around and clamped to the drop tube.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that precise boom pipe cutting and drilling at the installation site is not required. At the installation site, the drop tube can be roughly cut to obtain a desired nominal tube length without the need for precision machining.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the preselected custom length of drop tube does not require precise length specifications.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate numerous additional advantages and benefits from the present invention upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

Drawings

The invention may take form in various components and arrangements of components, and in various steps and arrangements of steps. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating the preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a plurality of medical devices, including lightheads and monitoring equipment, connected to a suspension apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded cross-sectional view of a suspension arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an assembled cross-sectional view of the suspension shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows an exploded perspective view of the suspension shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 with an additional trim cover and attachment member attached; and

fig. 5 illustrates a partial cross-sectional assembly view of the suspension shown in fig. 3 with a safety ring assembly attached to the drop tube.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1, a roof lighting system 10 is mounted on a fixed roof structure 12, in this case a roof rail 12. At a distance d from the underside of the roof structure 12₁In place, a mounting plate or "cheese tray" 14 is secured by a plurality of long rod fasteners 16. In general, d₁Equal to the distance between the operating room ceiling 18 and the roof structure 12.

The drop tube 20 is connected at its proximal end to the mounting plate 14 and extends downwardly at its distal end 22. One or more articulated arms 24 are provided on the distal end 22. A medical device, such as a dome lamp 26, CRT monitor 28, flat panel monitor 30, manual task light 34, or the like, is attached to the distal end 35 of each articulated arm 24. Typically, the proximal end of each articulated arm 24 is connected to the drop tube 20 by a rotatable spindle 32 rotatable about a vertical axis V. Each articulated arm 24 typically includes one or more joints 36 that are adjustable about one or more axes, each of which provides an additional degree of freedom of movement.

The overhead lighting system 10 may optionally include additional components, such as a decorative ceiling cover 38. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the system 10 may be used to install other devices besides overhead lights and monitors, such as cameras, light pipes, and other similar devices. It will also be appreciated that the overhead lighting system 10 is not limited to use in an operating room, or in a medical or clinical setting. Mounting these devices overhead facilitates use in environments where access to the equipment is convenient and does not interfere with the ordinary activities of the person.

An important parameter of the overhead lighting system 10 is the height of the distal end 22 of the drop tube 20 relative to the floor. For example, many surgical lightheads include reflectors for reflecting light around the surgeon's head. Thus, the overhead light should be positioned behind the surgeon's head, with the light reflected around the surgeon's head and reflected to or into the surgical opening. Thus, it is critical that the lighthead be accurately positioned relative to the surgeon's head, and improper positioning may result in illumination being partially blocked by the surgeon's head or cause the surgeon's head to collide with the lighthead. Likewise, the monitors 28, 30 should be positioned in an ergonomically advantageous location so that the surgeon can easily view the monitors during the procedure and can pan back and forth between the surgical opening and the monitors.

Referring to fig. 2 and 3, an adjustably positionable drop tube locking device 40 is depicted. The locking device 40 selectively clamps an intermediate portion 41 between the proximal and distal ends of the drop tube. The locking mechanism comprises a drop tube receiving member which is a cylindrical body 42 having an axially extending bore 43 with an inner wall surface 43a defining an upwardly facing opening 44. Preferably, the inner diameter D of the hole 43 is gradually reduced toward the bottom. Thus, the cylinder is internally shaped as a truncated cone (frustum of a cone) and is rigidly attached within the centrally located opening 45 of the mounting plate 14, for example by welding. The mounting plate 14 together with the welded cylinder 42 form a fixing element 14, 42 for rigidly fixing the drop tube 20 (partially shown in figures 2 and 3). As best shown in the assembled view of fig. 3, the drop tube 20 passes through the opening 44 and the tapered bore 43. The drop tube 20 has a distal end 22 (shown in FIG. 1) extending downwardly below the cylinder 42 and a proximal end 46 extending upwardly adjacent the cylinder 42. The drop tube 20 has an outer diameter less than the diameter of the narrowest portion of the tapered bore 43 and is therefore adjustably positionable within the cylinder 42 with its distal end 22 extending a selected distance below the lower, narrower open end 47 of the bore.

While a separate drop tube receiving member, i.e., cylinder 42, is shown in the illustrated embodiment, it is also contemplated that the mounting plate 14 and cylinder 42 may be formed as a single unitary piece. That is, in contemplated alternative embodiments, the mounting plate includes an opening corresponding to the opening 44. However, as can be seen in fig. 2 and 3, such an alternative embodiment may include a thicker mounting plate.

With continued reference to fig. 2 and 3, a locking sleeve or collar 48 surrounds the drop tube 20. The collar 48 is preferably wedge-shaped with the diameter D of the outer surface 48a tapering towards its lower end. Thus, the collar is essentially a circular truncated cone having the same dimensions as the tapered bore 43 of the same shape in the cylinder. Although it is contemplated that the taper of the outer surface may be slightly greater or less than the taper of the bore, the taper may be the same as the taper of the bore. The collar 48 includes at least one, and preferably a plurality of radially extending slots 50 spaced apart along the outer surface of the collar 48. As shown in fig. 2, some of the slots 50 may extend downwardly from the wider or upper end 51 of the collar, while others extend upwardly from the narrower or lower end 52 of the collar, although it is also contemplated that the slots need not extend all the way to each end 51, 52. Therefore, when the collar 48 is compressed (squeezed) from the outside, the elastic pieces 49 formed between the grooves can be bent inward. With the resilient tab 49 extending entirely towards one or other of the ends 51, 52, the free end of the tab may move into a slightly overlapping relationship when compressed.

The wedge-shaped collar 48 acts as a collet, passing through the cylindrical opening 44 and being wedged into the bore 43 with the lower end 52 of the collar projecting slightly beyond the lower open end 47 of the bore 43. The collar 48 is compressed during wedging and the groove 50 facilitates compression. During compression, the inner diameter of the collar gradually decreases. As the collar 48 is compressed, it compresses the drop tube 20 to compressively grip the drop tube 20 within the cylinder 42. The collar 48 is preferably made of metal having sufficient thickness to allow the resilient tabs 49 to flex inwardly when compressed and return to their original position when released.

To achieve a secure compression lock, a tensioning nut 53 is preferably used. The nut 53 has internal threads 54 and is threadably coupled to external threads 55 provided on the narrow end 52 of the collar 48. As can be seen in fig. 2, the threaded region of the narrow end 52 is not tapered. As the nut 53 is tightened, the collar 48 is drawn into the opening 44 of the cylinder 42 under compression to effect a compressive clamping. Other means of fastening the nut to the collar are contemplated besides threading. Optionally, a lock washer 56 is included to prevent loosening of the nut 53. In addition, while a slotted wedge collar 48 is shown, other wedge members may be suitably substituted as desired. For example, a collet or other form of locking sleeve is also contemplated. In another embodiment, only one of the collar 48 and the cylinder 42 is tapered, for example, the bore 43 of the cylinder has a constant diameter D and the collar diameter is tapered, or the collar has a constant diameter D and the cylinder 42 has a tapered diameter.

FIG. 3 specifically illustrates an assembly view of the subject wedge lock device 40 and selected suspension device components. As can be seen, by tightening the nut 53, the wedge 48 is drawn further into the narrowing bore 43 of the fixing element 14, 42 and clamped in place. The slot 50 in the wedge 48 allows the wedge 48 to compress and tighten around the outer surface of the drop tube 20. The drop tube 20 is thus essentially fixed into the wedge collar 48 and the cylinder 42 by the friction forces generated by the various components. The wedge lock mechanism 40 advantageously provides continuous and repeatable height adjustment by simply loosening the nut 53, sliding the drop tube 20 to a new position relative to the cylinder 42 and, more importantly, to the floor, and then retightening the nut 53.

Thus, the length of the drop tube 20 extending below the cylinder 42 can be varied as desired between an upper position, in which the uppermost spindle 32 contacts the nut 53, and a lower position, in which the upper end of the drop tube 20 is clamped by the collar. Thus, the upper excess portion of the drop tube 20 is "stored" within the cylinder 42 when not needed and may extend upwardly to the space above the ceiling 18, thus increasing or decreasing the length of the portion of the drop tube below the cylinder 42 when needed.

With continuing reference to figures 1-3 and with further reference to figure 4, which shows an exploded perspective view of the suspension 10, the suspension 10 is attached by inserting the fasteners 16 (see figure 1) into a plurality of selected openings 58 in the mounting plate 14. The decorative ceiling cover 38 (see fig. 1 and 4) is secured by a locking semi-circular ring 60 (see fig. 4). Since the decorative ceiling cover 38 is not a load bearing member and the fastening need not be particularly robust, it is contemplated that a different fastening member may be used in place of the half-ring 60.

Preferably, a safety ring assembly 70 is provided to prevent the drop tube 20 from being pulled out of the collar 48 in the unlikely event of a loose suspension device. The safety ring assembly is attached to the drop tube 20 above the collar 48 using suitable fasteners 72, including, for example, screws, bolts or the like (see fig. 5). In that case, if the drop tube 20 were to slide relative to the collar 48, contact between the snap ring of the safety ring and the upper end of the tapered collar would cause the collar to further compress the drop tube and also mechanically prevent the drop tube from being pulled out of the collar.

Claims (20)

1. A suspension device (10) for suspending one or more lightheads (26), monitors (28, 30), task lights (34), cameras, and other medical devices from a roof structure (12) at a selectable height, the suspension device including a drop tube (20) for supporting the one or more lightheads, monitors, cameras, and other medical devices, characterized in that:

a receiving element (42) that receives the drop tube such that a distal end (22) of the drop tube extends below a lower end (47) of the receiving element;

a collar (48) received by the receiving element and surrounding a portion (41) of the drop tube such that the portion of the drop tube is compressively gripped within the receiving element; and

means (14, 16) for mounting the receiving element to the roof structure.

2. The suspension device of claim 1, further characterized by:

the means for mounting includes a mounting plate (14) rigidly connected to the receiving member and mounted to the roof structure, the mounting plate having an opening (45) through which one end of the drop tube passes.

3. The suspension device according to claim 1 or 2, further characterized by:

the inner diameter D of the receiving element decreases gradually towards the lower end.

4. The suspension of claim 3, further characterized by:

the inner diameter of the receiving element is defined by a generally frustoconical bore (43).

5. The suspension device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further characterized by:

the collar has an outer diameter d that decreases towards its lower end (52).

6. The suspension apparatus of claim 5, further characterized by:

the collar has an outer diameter greater than the smallest inner diameter of the receiving element.

7. The suspension device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further characterized by:

a tensioning nut (53) for threaded connection to a portion (55) of the collar to compressively draw the collar into the receiving element.

8. The suspension device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further characterized by:

the collar includes at least one longitudinally extending slot (50).

9. The suspension device of claim 8, further characterized by:

the collar includes a plurality of longitudinally extending slots.

10. A suspension arrangement according to either one of claims 8 or 9, further characterized by:

the at least one groove defines a resilient tab (49) which flexes radially inwardly when an external force having a compressive action is applied to the collar.

11. The suspension device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further characterized by:

the drop tube includes a cylindrical body having a substantially uniform outer diameter.

12. The suspension device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further characterized by:

a rotatable mandrel (32) is disposed at the lower end of the drop tube.

13. The suspension device of claim 12, further characterized by:

an articulated arm (24) connected to the rotatable spindle, the articulated arm having at least one adjustable joint (36) and a connecting end (35) for receiving one of the lightheads, monitors, task lights, cameras, and other medical devices.

14. The suspension device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further characterized by:

the length of the distal end of the drop tube extending below the receiving element may vary infinitely between an upper limit and a lower limit.

15. The suspension device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further characterized by:

the collar has a generally frustoconical outer surface (48a) that engages a generally frustoconical inner surface (43a) of the receiving element.

16. The suspension device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further characterized by:

the collar has a hole for receiving and sliding the drop tube inside when no compressive force is applied to the collar.

17. A suspension arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 16, further characterized by:

the collar includes:

an outer surface of gradually narrowing diameter until reaching a narrow end thereof, said outer surface being at least partially compressively wedged in the axial bore of said receiving element; and

an inner surface, corresponding to the wedging process, compresses the selected location of the drop tube to secure the drop tube to the drop tube aperture at the selected point.

18. A method of variably adjusting the distance of the distal end of a drop tube for supporting a medical device relative to a fixed surface, the method comprising rigidly supporting a receiving element (42) from the fixed surface, the method characterized by:

loosely inserting a collar (48) into a bore (43) of the receiving element;

inserting the drop tube into the collar such that an end (22) of the drop tube extends a selected distance below the receiving element; and

drawing the collar into the bore of the receiving element such that the drop tube is compressively gripped by the receiving element and collar.

19. The method of claim 18, further characterized by:

the step of drawing the collar into the bore includes tightening a nut (53) onto a portion (55) of the collar.

20. The method of one of claims 18 and 19, further characterized by:

the collar includes a plurality of longitudinally extending spaced slots (50), and the step of drawing the collar into the bore includes compressing portions (49) of the collar defined between the slots.