FIXTURE FOR SPATIAL POSITIONING OF A DEVICE

• US 20090014607A1
• Filed: 10/25/2007
• Published: 01/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AST GmbH (Jena Med Tech GmbH)
• Original Assignee: AST GmbH (Jena Med Tech GmbH)
• Inventors: Martin, Andreas, Schwarze, Werner, Stephan, Hugo
• Granted Patent: US 7,871,047 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/176.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2255 Means for positioning patient, shock wave apparatus or locating means, e.g. mechanical aspects, patient beds, support arms, aiming means positioning of patients for radiation diagnosis A61B6/04; positioning of locating means inside shock wave apparatus A61B17/2256
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0069 with universal joint, cardan joint
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/508 with releasable brake mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/50 Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms

Abstract

In a fixture (1) for spatial positioning of a device (2), in particular a device for medical application, that is supported in a pivoting arrangement on a holding device (5) or the like by means of an arm (6), quick and easy alignment of the device (2) in relation to a person'"'"'s treatment area should be guaranteed. This is achieved in that a ring-shaped holding body (11) is attached to the free end of the arm (6), that a spherical cup-shaped outer jacket surface (13) is provided on the device (2) with the surface enclosed wholly or in part by the holding body (11) and that the outer jacket surface (13) of the device (2) is held in the holding body (11) and can be pivoted relative to the holding body (11).

Claims

1. A fixture (1) for spatial positioning of a device (2), specifically a device with a medical application, that is supported in a pivoting arrangement on a holding device (5) or the like by means of an arm (6),

characterised in that,

a ring-shaped holding body (11) is attached to the free end of the arm (6), that a spherical cup-shaped outer jacket surface (13) is provided on the device (2) and the surface is enclosed in whole or in part by the holding body (11) and that the outer jacket surface (13) of the device (2) is held in the holding body (11) and can be swivelled relative to the holding body.

2. The fixture in accordance with claim 1,

characterised in that,

the inside (12) of the holding body (11) is arranged at a distance from the outer jacket surface (13), that the inside (12) runs concentrically to the outer jacket surface (13) and that at least one plain or anti-friction bearing (13, 15, 16) is provided between the holding body (11) and supported against it, with the bearing acting against the outer jacket surface (13).

3. The fixture in accordance with claim 2,

characterised in that,

the anti-friction bearing consists of two rings (14, 15) that are permanently attached inside the holding body (11) and aligned with spaces in between them, that the two rings (14, 15) run parallel to one another and perpendicular to the lengthways axis of the device (2), that a plurality of roller bodies are inserted in both rings (14, 15), project from the rings, are preferably shaped as balls (16) and are in contact with the outer jacket surface (13) of the device (2), and that the roller bodies (16) are mounted in a rotating arrangement in the ring (14, 15) in question.

4. The fixture in accordance claim 3,

characterised in that,

both rings (14, 15) are arranged in the area of both ends of the holding body (11) and that the curvature of the rings (14, 15) runs concentrically to the outer jacket surface (13).

5. The fixture in accordance with claim 4,

characterised in that,

each of the roller bodies (16) contacts the outer jacket surface (13) of the device (2) vertically.

6. The fixture in accordance with one or more of the aforementioned claims,

characterised in that,

a swivel joint (21) is arranged between the holding body (11) and the arm (6) by means of which the device (2) can be movably aligned perpendicular to the axis (10) formed by the arm (6).

7. The fixture in accordance with claim 6,

characterised in that,

the swivel joint (21) consists of two guide elements (22, 23) rotatably arranged one inside the other, which are preferably connected together in the form of a dovetail guide (22).

8. The fixture in accordance with claim 7,

characterised in that,

the openings in the dovetail guide (22) are closed by a cover (23) or the like in the direction of the lengthways axis (10) of the arm (6).

9. The fixture in accordance with one or more of the aforementioned claims,

characterised in that,

an externally operated brake (17) is provided in the inside of the holding body (11) and the brake contacts the outer jacket surface (13) and has an adjustable effect on it.

10. The fixture in accordance with claim 9,

characterised in that,

the brake (17) consists of a two-part ring that completely encloses the outer jacket surface (13) and the two free ends of which can be pressed apart from the outside by means of an actuator (18), and that the two free ends of the brake (17) are pressed together by a return spring (19).

11. The fixture in accordance with claim 9 or 10,

characterised in that,

the brake (17) is in the central plane of the holding body (11).

12. The fixture in accordance with one or more of the aforementioned claims,

characterised in that,

that the arm (6) is formed by two support struts (8) that can be telescoped one inside the other.

13. The fixture in accordance with one or more of the aforementioned claims,

characterised in that,

in order to align the device (2) manually, one or more handles (25) is/are provided on the device.

14. The fixture in accordance with one or more of the aforementioned claims,

characterised in that,

the surface of the device (2) that runs parallel to the lengthways axis (9) of the device and in the area of the outer jacket surface (13) serves as the stop (28) for the freedom of movement of the device (2).

15. The fixture in accordance with one or more of the aforementioned claims,

characterised in that,

the outer jacket surface (13) is configured in such a way that the roller bodies (16) roll along the surface with as little friction as possible.

16. The fixture in accordance with one or more of the aforementioned claims,

characterised in that,

the device (2) can be moved in a first plane that runs perpendicular to the lengthways axis (9) of the device within an adjusting angle (a) of +/−

26° and

in a second plane that runs perpendicular to the first plane within an adjusting angle (β

) of +/−

45°

.

17. The fixture in accordance with claim 16,

characterised in that,

the adjusting angle (β

) is divided into two different adjustment sections.