Omni-directional precision instrument platform

• US 5,961,527 A
• Filed: 10/21/1997
• Issued: 10/05/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: CIVCO Medical Instruments Company Incorporated (Roper Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Barzell Whitmore Maroon Bells, Inc. (Roper Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wilson, Roger, Whitmore, Willet F. III, Barzell, Winston E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bui, Vy Q.
• Application Number:
  US08/955,321
• Time in Patent Office: 714 Days
• Field of Search: 606/1, 606/130, 606/54, 606/58, 606/61
• US Class Current: 606/130
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00149 using articulated arms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00274 Prostate operation, e.g. prostatectomy, turp, bhp treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00547 Prostate
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4405 Device being mounted on a trolley
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/50 Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1012 Templates or grids for guiding the introduction of sources
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1007 Arrangements or means for the introduction of sources into the body

Abstract

An apparatus for supporting and facilitating accurate positioning, both linearly and angularly of a medical device such as an ultrasound probe, a medical instrument or an imaging device. The apparatus is capable of both gross and precise omni-directional movements with the medical device attached, while remaining connected to stationary objects such as a portable floor stand and/or operating table. After gross manual placement and approximate positioning, the fine tune mechanism of the attached medical device is locked in positioned and secured to two fixed points. Exact positioning is then achieved by the precision movements which are available in all three linear directions and rotational axes. By this arrangement which allows preattachment of the medical device or instrument (i.e., an ultrasound probe) to the apparatus prior to positioning in the patient, quicker, more accurate and more reproducible medical device positioning and placement are achieved.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use during a medical procedure comprising:

an upper mounting plate having an upper surface adapted for mounting a medical device;

a lockable support assembly connected to said upper mounting plate and also selectively connected to an object for allowing free omni-directional manual manipulation of a medical device into a selected initial in-use placement of the medical device with respect to a patient and for thereafter lockable securing the initial in-use placement with respect to the object without substantially altering the initial in-use placement; and

wherein the lockable support assembly comprises a pair of articulating lockable arm members associate with a lower support plated; and

an adjusting assembly positioned between said upper mounting plate and said lockable support assembly for effecting controlled omni-directional adjustment of the initial in-use placement after said lockable support assembly has bcen lockably secured with respect to the object.

2. An apparatus for use during a medical procedure comprising;

a mounting plate;

a lockable support assembly connected to said upper mounting plate and also selectively connected to an object for allowing free omni-directional manual manipulation of a medical device into a selected initial in-use placement of the medical device with respect to a patient and for thereafter lockably securing the initial in-use placement with respect to the object without substantially altering the initial in-use placement; and

an adjusting assembly positioned between said upper mounting plate and said lockable support assembly for effecting controlled omni-directional adjustment of the initial in-use placement after said lockable support assembly has been lockably secured with respect to the object,

wherein said apparatus further comprises a base plate and the adjusting assembly comprises a first intermediate support connected to the upper mounting plate by cross members and support blocks, where one support block is connected to the upper mounting plate, another support block is connected to the base plate, one cross-member is connected to each support block and the cross members are connected to each other to provide a pivotable connection between the upper mounting plate and the base plate.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the adjustment assembly further comprises two compression springs positioned between the upper mounting plate and the first intermediate support plate to retain the plates in spaced relation, the springs being mounted to allow separate tilting of the plates in either a first direction, a second direction oriented 90°

to the first direction, or in both directions to allow the upper mounting plate to be mounted at an angular orientation to properly position the medical device.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the adjustment assembly further comprises first and second adjustment members for varying the distance between the plates, each adjustment member including means for minimizing frictional contact upon the upper mounting plate.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein each adjustment member includes a body rotatably mounted upon a rod to allow movement thereupon, and a ball positioned between the body and the upper plate to minimize frictional contact therewith.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a second intermediate support plate associated with the first intermediate support plate, and including an assembly for linearly advancing or retracting the first intermediate support plate.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the linear advancing and retracting assembly comprises an end block connected to each of the first and second intermediate plates and operatively associated with shaft members, with the blocks and shafts configured so that the plate can be advanced or retracted in either a first direction, a second direction oriented at 90°

to the first direction, or in both directions.

8. An apparatus for use during a medical procedure comprising:

an upper mounting plate;

a lockable support assembly connected to said upper mounting plate and also selectively connected to an object for allowing free omni-directional manual manipulation of a medical device into a selected initial in-use placement of the medical device with respect to a patient and for thereafter lockably securing the initial in-use placement with respect to the object without substantially altering the initial in-use placement; and

an adjusting assembly positioned between said upper mounting plate and said lockable support assembly for effecting controlled omni-directional adjustment of the initial in-use placement after said lockable support assembly has been lockably secured with respect to the object,

further comprising a portable floor stand adapted for rolling movement over a floor surface, said floor stand including means for stationary positioning thereof atop a floor during positioning and use of the instrument; and

an articulable arm member releasably connected between an upper portion of said floor stand and said adjustment assembly for allowing free omni-directional manual movement and placement of the medical device for use with respect to the patient when said articulable arm member is unlocked and for rigid immobilization of the medical device by locking said articulable arm member immediately after an initial orientation and positioning of the medical device is manually achieved, whereby the selected positioning and orientation of the medical device is substantially undisturbed and unaltered after said articulable arm member is locked.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said adjustment assembly can make finely controlled adjustments of the initial orientation and positioning of the medical device about three substantially orthogonal axes of rotation and about three substantially orthogonal linear directions after rigid immobilization of the medical device in the initial orientation and position is achieved and secured by said articulable arm member.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a second articulable arm member releasibly connected at each end thereof between another fixed object and said medical device support and adjustment assembly for providing additional stability of the medical device during use.

11. An apparatus for supporting and securely achieving a precisely selected in-use position and angular orientation of a medical device during a medical procedure comprising:

first, second, third and fourth spaced apart and substantially parallel and coextensive plates, said first plate adapted to supportively receive the medical device secured thereatop;

a first adjustment assembly connected and positioned substantially between said first and second plates for making controlled angular movements between said first and second plates about rotational axes which are each substantially independent one to another and substantially parallel and laterally orthogonal to a length of the medical device;

a second adjustment assembly connected and positioned substantially between said second and third plates for making controlled linear movements between said second and third plates which linear movements are each substantially independent one to another and substantially longitudinal and linear to the medical device; and

a third adjustment assembly connected and positioned substantially between said third and fourth plates for making controlled vertical movements between said third and fourth plates and controlled rotation of said first and second and third plates relative to said fourth plate, which movements are substantially independent one to another; and

a first articulable arm means releasably connected between said fourth plate and an object relative to the patient for allowing free omni-directional manual movement and placement of the medical device into an initial position and orientation with respect to a patient when said first articulable arm member is unlocked and for rigid immobilization of the medical device by locking said first articulable arm member after the initial positioning and orientation of the medical device is manually achieved whereby the initial selected positioning and orientation of the medical device is substantially undisturbed and unaltered as said first articulable arm member is locked.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, where in the a third adjustment assembly is connected between third and fourth plates for making independent, controlled rotational movements between said third and fourth plates about an upright axis and for making independent controlled linear movements between said third and fourth plates substantially along said upright axis.

13. An apparatus for supporting and securely achieving a precisely selected in-use position and angular orientation of a medical device during a medical procedure comprising:

first, second, third and fourth spaced apart and substantially parallel and coextensive plates, said first plate adapted to supportively receive the medical device secured thereatop;

a first adjustment assembly connected and positioned substantially between said first and second plates for making controlled annular movements between said first and second plates about rotational axes which are each substantially independent one to another and substantially parallel and laterally orthogonal to a length of the medical device;

a second adjustment assembly connected and positioned substantially between said second and third plates for making controlled linear movements between said second and third plates which linear movements are each substantially independent one to another and substantially longitudinal and linear to the medical device; and

a third adjustment assembly connected and positioned substantially between said third and fourth plates for making controlled vertical movements between said third and fourth plates and controlled rotation of said first, second and third plates relative to said fourth plate, which movements are substantially independent one to another; and

a first articulable arm means releasably connected between said fourth plate and an object stationary relative to a patient for allowing free omni-directional manual movement and placement of the medical device into an initial position and orientation with respect to the patient when said first articulable arm member is unlocked and for rigid immobilization of the medical device by locking said first articulable arm member after the initial positioning and orientation of the medical device is manually achieved whereby the initial selected positioning and orientation of the medical device is substantially undisturbed and unaltered as said first articulable arm member is locked;

further comprising a second articulable arm member releasably connected at each end thereof between an upper portion of a floor stand and said fourth plate for providing additional stability of the medical device during use.

14. An apparatus for supporting and securely achieving a precisely selected in-use position and angular orientation of a medical device during a medical procedure comprising:

first, second, third and fourth spaced apart and substantially parallel and coextensive plates, said first plate adapted to supportively receive the medical device secured thereatop;

a first adjustment assembly connected and positioned substantially between said first and second plates for making controlled angular movements between said first and second plates about rotational axes which are each substantially independent one to another and substantially parallel and laterally orthogonal to a length of the medical device;

a second adjustment assembly connected and positioned substantially between said second and third plates for making controlled linear movements between said second and third plates which linear movements are each substantially independent one to another and substantially longitudinal and linear to the medical device; and

a third adjustment assembly connected and positioned substantially between said third and fourth plates for making controlled vertical movements between said third and fourth plates and controlled rotation of said first, second and third plates relative to said fourth plate, which movements are substantially independent one to another; and

a first articulable arm means releasably connected between said fourth plate and an object stationary relative to a patient for allowing free omni-directional manual movement and placement of the medical device into an initial position and orientation with respect to the patient when said first articulable arm member is unlocked and for rigid immobilization of the medical instrument by locking said first articulable arm member after the initial positioning and orientation of the medical device is manually achieved whereby the initial selected positioning and orientation of the medical device is substantially undisturbed and unaltered as said first articulable arm member is locked;

further comprising a portable floor stand adapted for rolling movement over a floor surface, said floor stand including a device for stationary positioning thereof atop a floor during positioning and use of the instrument, and said first articulable arm means being releasably connected to said floor stand.

15. A method of supporting and positioning a medical device during a medical procedure comprising:

a. providing an apparatus comprising;

(1) a mounting plate;

(2) a lockable support assembly connected to said mounting plate and also selectively connected to an object;

(3) an adjusting assembly positioned between said mounting plate and said lockable support assembly; and

(4) base plate and the adjusting assembly comprises a first intermediate support connected to the mounting plate by cross members and support blocks, where one support block is connected to the mounting plate, another support block is connected to the base plate, one cross-member is connected to each support block and the cross members are connected to each other to provide a pivotable connection between the mounting plate and the base plate;

b. connecting said lockable support assembly to an object;

c. manipulating said mounting plate into a selected initial in-use placement;

d. lockably securing said initial in-use placement with respect to the object without substantially altering the initial in-use placement; and

e. selectively operating said adjusting assembly for effecting controlled omni-directional adjustment of the initial in-use placement.

16. A method of supporting and securely achieving a precisely selected in-use position and angular orientation of a medical device during a medical procedure comprising:

a. Providing an apparatus comprising;

(1) first, second, third and fourth spaced apart and substantially parallel and coextensive plates, said first plate adapted to supportively receive the medical device secured thereatop;

(2) a first adjustment assembly connected and positioned substantially between said first and second plates;

(3) a second adjustment assembly connected and positioned substantially between said second and third plates;

(4) a third adjustment assembly connected and positioned substantially between said third and fourth plates;

(5) a first articulable arm means releasably connected between said fourth plate and an object stationary relative to a patient for allowing free omni-directional manual movement and placement of the medical device into an initial position and orientation with respect to the patient when said first articulable arm member is unlocked and for rigid immobilization of the medical device by locking said first articulable arm member after the initial positioning and orientation of the medical device is manually achieved whereby the initial selected positioning and orientation of the medical device is substantially undisturbed and unaltered as said first articulable arm member is locked;

b. connecting said first articulable arm means to a stationary object;

c. manipulating said plates into a selected initial position and orientation with respect to a patient;

d. lockably securing said initial position and orientation with respect to the stationary object without substantially altering the initial in-use placement; and

e. selectively operating said first adjustment assembly for making controlled angular movements between said first and second plates about rotational axes which are each substantially independent one to another and substantially parallel and laterally orthogonal to a length of the medical device, and selectively operating said second adjustment assembly for making controlled linear movements between said second and third plates which linear movements are each substantially independent one to another and substantially longitudinal and linear to the medical device, and selectively operating said third adjustment assembly for making controlled vertical movements between third and fourth plates and controlled rotation of said first, second and third plates relative to said fourth plate which movements are substantially independent one to another.