Beds – Support means for discrete portion of user – useable with bed... – For lower body portions
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-28
2001-07-24
Trettel, Michael F. (Department: 3628)
Beds
Support means for discrete portion of user, useable with bed...
For lower body portions
C005S624000, C128S882000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06263531
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to adjustable supports for holding in place the limb of a person during surgery and, more specifically, to such adjustable supports having a locking cylinder.
Numerous adjustable supports for holding in place the limb of a person are known in the prior art. Some adjustable limb supports incorporate various ratcheting mechanisms. These adjustable limb supports, however, have a limited number of positions which can be obtained. Other adjustable supports incorporate various ball joints. These adjustable supports, however, can expose the patient to a relatively large risk of positioning the patient in a manner which could injure the patient. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved adjustable support for holding in place the limb of a person which has infinite adjustability over a range with reduced patient risk.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an adjustable support arm for supporting a limb of a person during surgery which overcomes at least some of the above-noted problems of the related art. According to the present invention, the adjustable support arm includes an attachment, a support arm having an end pivotally attached to the attachment, and an extendable and retractable locking cylinder. The locking cylinder has a first end pivotally attached to the attachment and a second end pivotally attached to the support arm. The locking cylinder is unlockable to allow the support arm to pivot to a desired position and lockable to retain the support arm in the desired position. According to a preferred embodiment of the adjustable support arm, the locking cylinder is a gas-type cylinder which dampens movement of the support arm. The fluid-type locking cylinder can include an integral gas spring to provide an extension force which, for example, assists in lifting the support arm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
These and further features of the present invention will be apparent with reference to the following description and drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of a surgical boot assembly according to the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a perspective view of an adjustable support arm of the surgical boot assembly of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
is an exploded perspective view of the adjustable support arm of
FIG. 2
;
FIG. 4
is a side elevational view, in cross-section, of a rod assembly of the adjustable support arm of
FIG. 3
;
FIG. 5
is a side elevational view, in cross-section, of a locking cylinder of the adjustable support arm of
FIG. 3
;
FIG. 6
a
is a side elevational view, in cross-section, of an alternative embodiment of the locking cylinder of
FIG. 5
;
FIG. 6
b
is a side elevational view, in cross-section, of another alternative embodiment of the locking cylinder of
FIG. 5
;
FIG. 6
c
is a side elevational view, in cross-section, of yet another alternative embodiment of the locking cylinder of
FIG. 5
;
FIG. 7
is a side elevational view, in cross-section, of an actuator head of the adjustable support arm of
FIG. 3
;
FIG. 8
is a side elevational view of an actuator lever of the adjustable support arm of
FIG. 3
;
FIG. 9
is a side elevational view of a handle assembly of the adjustable support arm of
FIG. 3
; and
FIG. 10
is an enlarged, fragmented elevational view, partially in cross-section, of a remote actuator assembly of the adjustable support arm of
FIG. 2
with a protective cover removed for clarity.
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Keselman Yury
Navarro Richard
Hewitt James M
Pearne & Gordon LLP
The OR Group, Inc.
Trettel Michael F.
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