Surgery – Specula – Retractor
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-15
2001-05-22
Smith, Jeffrey A. (Department: 3732)
Surgery
Specula
Retractor
C403S122000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234961
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a ball and socket interconnection. More particularly, this invention relates to a ball and socket interconnection that can be easily assembled and separated and when assembled is capable substantial pivotal and rotational movement. The present invention also relates to a surgical retractor assembly employing the ball and socket interconnection.
BACKGROUND ART
Ball and socket joints have many applications and are used for connecting two components in a way that allows for relative movement between the components.
Existing ball and socket joints suffer from a number of problems insofar as they may not permit sufficient movement between the connected components for all applications. Furthermore, prior art joints are not generally separated easily because the ball and socket elements are either permanently held together or held together in such a way that it is difficult to separate them without the use of other tools. Finally and in general prior art joints are not conveniently and releasably lockable.
Surgical retractors are used to hold apart tissues or organs that overlie the organ(s) of interest during surgical procedures. A surgical retractor consists of a rigid frame to which retractor blades are attached. The retractor blades are placed in a desired position and fixed into that position in order to hold open tissue or organ(s) during surgical operations. The rigid frame may consist of different shapes including rings, ovals and independent arms. For greater stability the rigid frame is often fixed to the operating table by a table mounted clamping assembly.
Whilst ball and socket joints have been used to connect components of surgical retractor systems, they currently provide limited movement between components and are complicated to separate. Furthermore, prior art ball and socket joints do not provide a convenient means for releasably locking the components in a fixed position.
The present invention seeks to provide a ball and socket interconnection that is simple to separate and assemble and when assembled allows for substantial relative movement.
The present invention also seeks to provide a lockable ball and socket interconnection that is simple to separate and assemble and when assembled allows for substantial relative movement.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a ball and socket interconnection comprising a ball member and a socket member, the socket member defining an entry and being adapted to releasably receive the ball member such that when the ball member is received in the socket member it is capable of pivotal and rotational movement within the socket, the ball member having two spherical end surfaces between which is located an intermediate section, the spherical end surfaces having a radius of curvature greater than the radius of curvature of the entry and the intermediate section having a radius of curvature less than the radius of curvature of the entry, whereby the intermediate section renders the ball member releasably receivable in the socket member.
The ball member may be varied provided it is receivable in the socket member and capable of pivotal and rotational movement whilst received therein. The relative radii of the end surfaces of the ball member, the intermediate section and the entry of the socket member are important in the functioning of the invention and will be discussed in more detail below.
The intermediate section may vary provided it has a smaller radius of curvature than the end surfaces and the entry. Preferably, the intermediate section comprises an annular ring that defines a rebate on the surface of the ball member. Alternatively, the intermediate section may comprise a cylinder that provides the reduced radius.
The intermediate section may also comprise a cross member with a substantially reduced radius of curvature relative to the end surfaces and the entry. In this form, the intermediate section may be a shaft or spindle extending between the end surfaces. It will be appreciated that the surface profile of the intermediate section is of no importance, its purpose is to allow for the ball member to be receivable in the socket member.
The end surfaces of the ball member may be varied provided they are compatible with the socket member to be rotatable and pivotal when the ball member is received therein. Preferably, the outer surface of the end surfaces is uniform and smooth and the relative radii of the end surfaces and the socket member is such that there is limited lateral movement between them when the ball member is received in the socket member.
The socket member may be varied provided it is compatible with the ball member. Preferably, the entry has a radius that is only slightly reduced relative to that of the socket member. In one particular form the radius of the socket member is adjustable thus allowing the ball member and socket member to be locked in position.
Thus, the present invention also provides a lockable ball and socket interconnection comprising a ball member and an adjustable socket member, the adjustable socket member being adapted to releasably lock the ball and socket interconnection, and defining an entry and being adapted to releasably receive the ball member such that when the ball member is received in the socket member it is capable of pivotal and rotational movement within the socket, the ball member having two spherical end surfaces between which is located an intermediate section, the spherical end surfaces having a radius of curvature greater than the radius of curvature of the entry and the intermediate section having a radius of curvature less than the radius of curvature of the entry, whereby the intermediate section renders the ball member releasably receivable in the socket member.
The adjustable socket member may be varied provided it is adapted to lock the interconnection. Preferably, the adjustable socket member comprises a clamp member within which is defined a socket for receiving the ball member. Preferably, the clamp member is a U clamp comprising an actuating member and the socket is defined within the arms of the U clamp such that operation of the clamp via the actuating member adjusts the size of the socket.
Preferably, the actuating member is a handle operably connected to a bolt member that passes through the arms of the U clamp to mate with an abutments member such as a nut on the side of the clamp opposed to the handle.
In one particular form, the handle is pivotally mounted and further comprises a cam that allows for the adjustment of the U clamp through pivotal movement of the handle. The cam adjustment allows for convenient release and locking of the interconnection.
The ball and socket interconnection of the present invention has particular application in surgical retractor systems.
Thus, the present invention also provides a surgical retractor system comprising a lockable ball and socket interconnection comprising a ball member and an adjustable socket member, the adjustable socket member being adapted to releasably lock the ball and socket interconnection, and defining an entry and being adapted to releasably receive the ball member such that when the ball member is received in the socket member it is capable of pivotal and rotational movement within the socket, the ball member having two spherical end surfaces between which is located an intermediate section, the spherical end surfaces having a radius of curvature greater than the radius of curvature of the entry and the intermediate section having a radius of curvature less than the radius of curvature of the entry, whereby the intermediate section renders the ball member releasably receivable in the socket member.
When used as part of a surgical retractor system either or both of the ball and socket members may be provided integrally with a part of the retractor system. Preferably, the ball member is provided integrally with a ring, wishbone or support arm used in the system and from which other instruments such as retractor blades are supported.
Needle & Rosenberg. P.C.
Pineridge Holding Pty. Ltd.
Smith Jeffrey A.
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