Rotary jointed arm for a surgical tray

• US 6,736,360 B1
• Filed: 04/10/2003
• Issued: 05/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Inventors: Buczek, Mark J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan, Korie
• Application Number:
  US10/411,517
• Time in Patent Office: 404 Days
• Field of Search: 248/276.1, 248/278.1, 248/282.1, 248/283.1, 248/584, 606/171, 606/167, 606/4, 606/5, 606/6, 606/10, 606/19, 312/209, 312/223.1, 312/223.2
• US Class Current: 248/276.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/10 Furniture specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/13 Trolleys, e.g. carts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/15 Mayo stands; Tables
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/20 Holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments drapes with means to hold surgical instruments A61B46/23; for catheters A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/33 Trays
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 12/001 Trolleys for transport of medicaments, food, linen, nursing supplies carts specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis A61B50/13; hand carts B62B3/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/08 around a vertical axis , e.g. panoramic heads F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/42 with arrangement for propelling the support stands on wheels
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/044 for balancing rotational movement of the undercarriage
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/068 being part of the undercarriage

Abstract

A movable arm for a surgical tray that is connected to the surgical console, is adjustable for height and allows for full, unlimited 360° rotation of the tray. The arm mechanism includes a movable wedge plate containing a sloped or ramped depression that cooperates with one end of a motion transfer pin. Horizontal movement of the wedge plate causes vertical movement of the pin. The other end of the pin, opposite the wedge plate, actuates a release mechanism that allows the arm on which the tray is mounted to be raised and lowered via a pressurized gas cylinder. Such a construction allows the tray to be rotated a full 360° without affecting the arm release mechanism.

Claims

1. An arm mechanism for a surgical tray, comprising:

a) a rotatable lower arm;

b) an upper arm pivotally and rotatably mounted to the lower arm;

c) a tray mount rotatably mounted to the upper arm opposite the lower arm so as to allow the tray mount to be raised or lowered relative to the lower arm;

d) an extendable, position lockable gas spring connected to the tray mount so as to assist in the raising of the tray mount and the holding of a vertical position of the tray mount relative to the lower arm;

e) an actuation lever on the gas spring to hold the gas spring in a plurality of extended positions; and

f) a means for moving the actuation lever.

2. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the means for moving the actuation lever includes a sliding wedge plate operating to depress a motion transfer pin.

3. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the means for moving the actuation lever includes a cable connected to the actuation lever on one end, and to a multi-lever mechanism actuated by depressing a motion transfer pin on the other end.

4. An arm mechanism for a surgical tray, comprising:

a) a lower arm;

b) an upper arm pivotally and rotatably mounted to the lower arm;

c) a pivoting tray mount rotatably mounted to the upper arm opposite the lower arm so that the pivoting tray mount can be raised or lowered relative to the lower arm;

d) a position lockable gas spring connected to the pivoting tray mount so as to assist in the raising of the pivoting assembly relative to the lower arm;

e) an actuation lever on the gas spring to hold the gas spring in a plurality of extended positions; and

f) a means for moving the actuation lever, the means including a sliding wedge plate operating to depress a motion transfer pin and a cable connected to the actuation lever on one end and to a multi-lever mechanism actuated by depressing the motion transfer pin on the other end.