Clamp for straightening and bending malleable tools

Abstract

In one embodiment, a clamping device for bending an extendable tool includes a block having an upper surface and containing a conical groove extending through the upper surface of the block into the block, the conical groove being defined by an elliptical directrix on the upper surface, a vertex within the block, and a generatrix extending from the vertex to the directrix and arranged around the central axis of the conical groove, and an elongated cylindrical hole sized to fit the extendable tool therein and having a longitudinal axis extending from the conical groove into the block at an oblique angle relative to the central axis of the conical groove; and angle markings arranged on the upper surface and around the circumference of the elliptical directrix.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to medical devices and particularly, but not exclusively, to devices and methods for bending tools. Background Art

[0002] Some medical tools are malleable to allow the physician to shape the tool before inserting it into a body part. Several bending tools are described in the art to help physicians perform this task. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,591,141, granted to Nettekoven, describes a combined suction condenser and a special bending tool for customizing the working surface of a suction condenser instrument. The working extension of the condenser is provided with an improved insulating coating and is suitable for custom bending using a special tool, which has a groove at one end of the tool with a centrally located mandrel pin for inserting into the hollow interior of the condenser extension. A curved channel associated with the groove and the mandrel pin is provided to limit the radius of any bend that can be made by the user. That is, the combination with the shape-matching mandrel pin provides a ready-made way to bend the distal end of the condenser extension while maintaining its internal geometric integrity. The tool also includes a custom stylet for cleaning accumulated debris from the interior of the working extension.

[0003] International Patent Publication No. WO 2012 / 144651 of Permelec Electrode Ltd. describes providing an edge bending jig of a mesh electrode, an edge bending method of a mesh electrode substrate, a hanging jig of a mesh electrode substrate, and a hanging method of a mesh electrode substrate, which do not locally bind the electrode substrate of the mesh electrode, can disperse the hanging load, prevent the inner surface of the electrode from wrinkling during baking, and mount the electrode substrate on a hanging jig with good working performance. The bending jig and the bending method are bent by bending the outer surfaces of the upper end and the lower end, and the convex and concave parts of the upper end and the lower end, so as to alternately form a zigzag configuration relative to the front and back of the flat plate part; and a hanging jig and a hanging method of a mesh electrode substrate, wherein the electrode substrate is suspended by an electrode holding member without bonding to the electrode substrate, and a weight member is suspended on the bottom end of the electrode substrate without bonding to the electrode substrate.

[0004] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011 / 0004290 to Bales et al. describes a stent having a high degree of flexibility. The stent may include a continuous spiral winding having interconnected struts joined at a vertex and having bridges connecting portions of the spiral winding to each other. An annular ring may be provided at one or both ends of the spiral winding, and the annular ring may have five extensions extending to connect to the spiral winding. One of the extensions may be connected to the bridge and another extension may be connected to the vertex. The struts at the ends of the spiral winding may have a strut length that is different from the strut length of the struts in the central portion of the winding between the ends of the winding.

[0005] International Patent Publication No. WO 2018 / 008020 describes a device for treating and / or diagnosing sinus or ear conditions, the device comprising a housing comprising or functionally connected to: a hollow cannula defining a lumen extending at least partially along its length, the cannula being configured to be at least partially inserted into a sinus cavity / ear of a subject through an opening. And a flexible abrasive wire capable of moving within the lumen of the cannula and configured to be inserted into and removed from the sinus cavity through the lumen of the cannula and rotated along its longitudinal axis and thereby grinding, chopping and / or agitating material present in the sinus cavity and / or inside the hollow cannula, wherein the cannula is in fluid flow communication with an irrigation / suction source; and a wire handle functionally connected to the wire, allowing a user to advance and retrieve the wire within the cannula and into and out of the cannula lumen, wherein the device is hand-held by a grip handle. Summary of the invention

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a clamping device for bending an extendable tool is provided, the device comprising a block having an upper surface and containing a conical groove extending through the upper surface of the block into the block, the conical groove being defined by an elliptical directrix on the upper surface, a vertex in the block and a generatrix extending from the vertex to the directrix and arranged around the central axis of the conical groove, and an elongated cylindrical hole sized to fit the extendable tool therein and having a longitudinal axis extending from the conical groove into the block at an oblique angle relative to the central axis of the conical groove; and angle marks arranged on the upper surface and around the circumference of the elliptical directrix.

[0007] Further according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the corresponding angle between the longitudinal axis and the corresponding busbar in the busbars is within an angle range from X degrees to Y degrees, Y minus X is greater than 40, and the corresponding angle mark in the angle mark is provided on the upper surface to indicate the corresponding angle between the longitudinal axis and the corresponding busbar.

[0008] Still further in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, Y minus X is greater than or equal to 90.

[0009] Additionally, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, X is equal to zero and Y is greater than or equal to 45.

[0010] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, X is equal to zero and Y is greater than or equal to 90.

[0011] According further to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the diameter of the cylindrical hole is in the range of 2 mm to 4 mm.

[0012] According still further to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the length of the cylindrical hole ranges from 10 cm to 20 cm.

[0013] Additionally, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the block includes a lower surface inclined with respect to the upper surface.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for bending a stretchable tool is also provided, the method comprising inserting the stretchable tool into an elongated cylindrical hole in a block of a fixture, the hole being sized to fit the stretchable tool therein and having a longitudinal axis, adjusting the stretchable tool in the hole so that the portion of the stretchable tool to be bent is adjacent to the apex of a conical groove, the conical groove extending into the block through the upper surface of the block, the conical groove being defined by an elliptical directrix on the upper surface, an apex in the block, and a generatrix extending from the apex to the directrix and arranged around the central axis of the conical groove, the longitudinal axis of the hole extending from the conical groove into the block at an oblique angle relative to the central axis of the conical groove, and bending the stretchable tool in the direction of one of a plurality of angular marks arranged on the upper surface and around the circumference of the elliptical directrix.

[0015] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method includes repeatedly at least partially inserting the malleable tool into the elongated cylindrical hole and at least partially removing the malleable tool from the elongated cylindrical hole to straighten the malleable tool.

[0016] Further according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the corresponding angle between the longitudinal axis and the corresponding one of the busbars is within an angle range from X degrees to Y degrees, Y minus X is greater than 40, and the corresponding one of the angle marks is provided on the upper surface to indicate the corresponding angle between the longitudinal axis and the corresponding busbar.

[0017] Still further in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, Y minus X is greater than or equal to 90.

[0018] Additionally, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, X is equal to zero and Y is greater than or equal to 45.

[0019] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, X is equal to zero and Y is greater than or equal to 90.

[0020] According further to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the diameter of the cylindrical hole is in the range of 2 mm to 4 mm.

[0021] According still further to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the length of the cylindrical hole ranges from 10 cm to 20 cm.

[0022] Additionally, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the block includes a lower surface inclined with respect to the upper surface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The present invention will be understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a fixture apparatus for straightening and bending a ductile tool constructed and operated according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A plan view of the fixture equipment;

[0026] Figure 3A For along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the fixture device taken along line AA;

[0027] Figure 3B For along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the fixture device taken along line BB;

[0028] Figure 4A is a schematic diagram of a malleable tool having multiple curled edges;

[0029] Figure 4B It is shown that the use Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a clamping device for straightening a malleable tool;

[0030] Figure 4C For after straightening Figure 4A Schematic diagram of the malleable tool;

[0031] Figure 5A-Figure 5B To illustrate the use Figure 1 Fixture equipment bending Figure 4C Schematic diagram of the malleable tool;

[0032] Figure 5C is a schematic diagram of the ductile tool after bending; and

[0033] Figure 6 To include Figure 1 A flow chart of the steps in a method of using a clamping device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Overview

[0035] A malleable tool, such as the ENT tool, by way of example only, has the shape of an elongated cylinder, which in theory enables the physician to shape the tool as desired by bending it. The bent tool is sufficiently rigid that it will not generally bend further during use. However, in practice, it is difficult for the physician to bend an initially straight tool into a desired shape, and it is very difficult to correct an improperly bent tool, which may contain one or more curled edges.

[0036] Embodiments of the present invention provide a clamping device to allow a physician to straighten a bent malleable tool and / or bend the tool to a desired angle at a desired point on the tool.

[0037] The fixture device includes a block having a tapered recess extending into the block through an upper surface of the block. The tapered recess is defined by an ellipse directrix on the upper surface of the block, an apex within the block, and a generatrix extending from the apex to the directrix and disposed about a central axis of the tapered recess. The block also contains an elongated cylindrical hole sized to fit a ductile tool therein and having a longitudinal axis extending from the tapered recess (in the region of the apex) into the block at an oblique angle relative to the central axis of the tapered recess. Angular markings are disposed on the upper surface and around the circumference of the ellipse directrix, indicating the angle between the longitudinal axis and the generatrix at which the ductile tool can be bent.

[0038] The shape and orientation of the tapered grooves define the angular range over which the ductile tool can be bent. In some embodiments, the angular range can be between zero and 90 degrees, in other embodiments, the range can be different, such as but not limited to zero to 45 degrees, zero to greater than 90 degrees, or greater than zero to another value greater than zero. Typically, the angular range can be X degrees to Y degrees, where X and Y are any suitable values. By way of example only, Y minus X can be equal to any suitable value, such as 40, greater than 40, 90, or greater.

[0039] As described above, the cylindrical hole is sized to fit the distal end of the malleable tool therein. Depending on the outer diameter of the malleable tool that the clamp is designed to straighten and / or bend, the cylindrical hole may have any suitable diameter, such as but not limited to in the range of 2mm to 4mm.

[0040] The cylindrical hole is typically sized to accommodate the entire length of the distal end of the ductile tool therein. By way of example only, the length of the cylindrical hole may be in the range of 10 cm to 20 cm, depending on the length of the distal end of the longest ductile tool that the clamp is designed to straighten and / or bend. In some embodiments, the length of the cylindrical hole may be less than the length of the distal end of the ductile tool.

[0041] The block of the clamp generally includes a flat lower surface that is inclined with respect to the upper surface so that the clamp rests stably on a supporting work surface. Additionally or alternatively, the clamp may include other suitable features, such as legs, so that the clamp rests stably on a supporting work surface.

[0042] To straighten a bent tool including one or more curled edges, the physician repeatedly inserts the malleable tool into the elongated cylindrical hole and removes the malleable tool from the elongated cylindrical hole to straighten the malleable tool.

[0043] To bend the ductile tool, the physician inserts the ductile tool into the elongated cylindrical hole and adjusts the ductile tool in the hole so that the portion of the ductile tool to be bent is adjacent to the apex of the conical recess. The physician then identifies an angle mark associated with the angle at which the physician wants to bend the tool. The physician then bends the ductile tool in the direction of the identified angle mark and then removes the tool from the fixture.

[0044] System Description

[0045] See now Figure 1 and Figure 2 . Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a clamp apparatus 10 constructed and operative for straightening and bending a malleable tool in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 for Figure 1 1. A plan view of a clamping device 10 is shown. The clamping device 10 includes a block 12 having an upper surface 14 and a tapered recess 16 extending through the upper surface 14 of the block 12 and into the block 12.

[0046] The tapered recess 16 is defined by an elliptical directrix 18 (which may be circular or non-circular) on the upper surface 14 , an apex 20 within the block 12 , and generatrixes 22 extending from the apex 20 to the directrix 18 and disposed about a central axis 24 of the tapered recess 16 .

[0047] The block 12 contains an elongated cylindrical bore 26 sized to fit a ductile tool therein and having a longitudinal axis 28 extending from the tapered recess 16 (in the region of the apex 20) into the block at an oblique angle relative to the central axis 24 of the tapered recess 16. Figure 3A The oblique angle of the longitudinal axis 28 to the central axis 24 is more clearly shown in FIG.

[0048] The clamping device 10 includes angle markings 30 (only some are marked for simplicity) disposed on the upper surface 14 and around the circumference of the ellipse directrix 18 corresponding to the angles at which the ductile tool can be bent. Respective angle markings 30 are disposed on the upper surface 14 to indicate respective angles between the longitudinal axis 28 and respective generatrix 22, as shown in FIG. Figure 3A and Figure 3B For example, the mark 30-1 corresponds to the angle between the busbar 22-1 and the longitudinal axis 28 (e.g., zero degrees), the mark 30-2 corresponds to the angle between the busbar 22-2 and the longitudinal axis 28 (e.g., 90 degrees), and the mark 30-3 corresponds to the angle between the busbar 22-1 and the longitudinal axis 28 (e.g., 20 degrees). The angle mark 30 may include linear or similar marks, and optionally include a numerical value associated with the angle corresponding to each mark 30 (e.g., 0, 20, 90).

[0049] The block 12 of the clamp device 10 generally includes a flat lower surface 32 that is inclined from the upper surface 14 so that the clamp device 10 rests stably on a supporting work surface. Additionally or alternatively, the clamp device 10 may include other suitable features, such as legs, so that the clamp device 10 rests stably on a supporting work surface.

[0050] Reference now Figure 3A and Figure 3B . Figure 3A For along Figure 2 2 is a cross-sectional view of the clamp device 10 taken along line AA. Figure 3B For along Figure 2 2 is a cross-sectional view of the clamp device 10 taken along line BB.

[0051] The shape and orientation of the tapered groove 16 define the angular range over which the ductile tool can be bent. Typically, the respective angles between the longitudinal axis 28 and the respective generatrix 22 are within an angular range of from X degrees to Y degrees, where X and Y are any suitable values. Y minus X can be equal to any suitable number, such as, but not limited to, 40, 90, or greater than 90. In some embodiments, X is equal to zero and Y is greater than or equal to 45. In other embodiments, X is equal to zero and Y is greater than or equal to 90. Figure 3A The angle defined by the tapered recess 16 is shown to range from zero to 90 degrees, corresponding to the angle between the longitudinal axis 28 and the generatrix 22 - 1 and the generatrix 22 - 2 , respectively. Figure 3B The angle between the longitudinal axis 28 and the generatrix 22 - 3 is shown to be 20 degrees.

[0052] As described above, cylindrical hole 26 is sized to fit the distal end of a malleable tool therein. Depending on the outer diameter of the distal end of a malleable tool that the clamp device 10 is designed to straighten and / or bend, cylindrical hole 26 may have any suitable diameter, such as but not limited to within the range of 2 mm to 4 mm.

[0053] The cylindrical hole 26 is generally sized to accommodate the entire length of the distal end of the ductile tool therein. By way of example only, the length of the cylindrical hole 26 may be in the range of 10 cm to 20 cm, depending on the length of the distal end of the ductile tool that the clamp apparatus 10 is designed to straighten and / or bend. In some embodiments, the length of the cylindrical hole 26 may be less than the length of the distal end of the ductile tool.

[0054] Reference now Figure 4A , which is a schematic diagram of a malleable tool 34 having a plurality of curled edges 36. The malleable tool 34 can be any suitable tool, such as, but not limited to, an ENT suction tool. The malleable tool 34 includes a proximal end 38, which includes a suction attachment, and a distal end 40, which is a malleable suction tube formed of any suitable material, such as aluminum. Due to one or more attempts to bend the tool 34 to a desired configuration, the malleable tool 34 may be bent with one or more curled edges 36. It may be very difficult for a physician to correctly straighten the tool 34 by hand.

[0055] See now Figure 4B , which is used to illustrate the use Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a clamp device 10 for straightening a malleable tool 34. Before the malleable tool 34 is bent back to a desired angle, the malleable tool 34 is first straightened using the clamp device 10. The distal end 40 of the malleable tool 34 is repeatedly inserted into and removed from the elongated cylindrical hole 26 to straighten the malleable tool 34. When the distal end 40 of the malleable tool 34 is inserted into the cylindrical hole 26, the entire distal end 40 is usually inserted into the cylindrical hole 26. If the entire distal end 40 is not bent, only the bent portion having the curled edge 36 needs to be inserted into the cylindrical hole 26. Although for convenience, even in this case, the entire distal end 40 may be inserted into the cylindrical hole 26. When the malleable tool 34 is removed from the cylindrical hole 26, the distal end 40 of the malleable tool 34 is completely or partially removed from the cylindrical hole 26. Figure 4C The straight distal end 40 is shown after straightening. Figure 4A The extendable tool 34.

[0056] Reference now Figure 5A-Figure 5B , which is shown using Figure 1 The fixture device 10 is bent Figure 4C Schematic diagram of the extendable tool 34. Figure 5A The ductile tool 34 is shown inserted into the cylindrical hole 26 in the clamp device 10. The physician adjusts the ductile tool 34 in the hole 26 so that the portion 42 of the ductile tool 34 to be bent is adjacent to the apex 20 of the tapered recess 16. The physician then selects one of the angle markings 30 ( Figure 1 and Figure 2) (eg, angle mark 30 - 3 ), the ductile tool 34 will be bent to the angle mark. The physician bends the ductile tool 34 in the direction of the selected angle mark 30 (eg, angle mark 30 - 3 ).

[0057] Figure 5B The malleable tool 34 is shown bent at portion 42 while still disposed in the clamp device 10. The malleable tool 34 is bent toward a selected angle marker 30 (e.g., angle marker 30-3) until a proximal portion of the distal end 40 of the malleable tool 34 is parallel to the generatrix 22 (e.g., generatrix 22-3) associated with the selected angle marker 30 (e.g., angle marker 30-3). After the malleable tool 34 is bent, the malleable tool 34 is removed from the clamp device 10 by the physician. Figure 5C The ductile tool 34 is shown after being removed from the clamp apparatus 10 . Figure 5C The distal end 40 of the malleable tool 34 is shown bent at portion 42 to a selected angle (eg, 20 degrees).

[0058] See now Figure 6 , which contains Figure 1 60 of the steps in the method of using the clamp device 10 of the present invention. The physician repeatedly at least partially inserts the ductile tool 34 into the elongated cylindrical hole 26 and at least partially removes the ductile tool 34 from the elongated cylindrical hole to straighten the ductile tool 34 (frame 62). After the ductile tool 34 has been straightened, if the ductile tool 34 has been removed from the clamp device 10, the physician inserts the ductile tool 34 into the cylindrical hole 26 in the block 12 of the clamp device 10 (frame 64). The physician adjusts the ductile tool 34 in the hole 26 so that the portion 42 of the ductile tool 34 to be bent is adjacent to the apex 20 of the conical recess 16 (frame 66). The physician then selects the angle mark 30 to which the ductile tool 34 is to be bent, and then bends the ductile tool 34 in the direction of the selected angle mark 30 (frame 68).

[0059] For the sake of clarity, various features of the present invention described in the context of independent embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, for the sake of simplicity, various features of the present invention are described in the context of a single embodiment and may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0060] The above embodiments are cited by way of example, and the present invention is not limited by what is specifically shown and described above. On the contrary, the scope of the present invention includes combinations and sub-combinations of the various features described above, as well as variations and modifications thereof, which should occur to those skilled in the art when reading the above description, and which are not disclosed in the prior art.

Claims

1. A clamping device for bending a ductile tool, the device comprising: A block having an upper surface and comprising: a conical recess extending through the upper surface of the block into the block, the conical recess being defined by an ellipse directrix on the upper surface, an apex within the block, and a generatrix extending from the apex to the directrix disposed about a central axis of the conical recess; as well as an elongated cylindrical bore sized to fit the malleable tool therein and having a longitudinal axis extending from the tapered recess into the block at an oblique angle relative to the central axis of the tapered recess; as well as Angular markings are disposed on the upper surface and around the circumference of the ellipse directrix.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The respective angles between the longitudinal axis and respective ones of the generatrixes are within an angular range from X degrees to Y degrees; Y minus X is greater than 40; and Respective ones of the angle markings are disposed on the upper surface to indicate the respective angles between the longitudinal axis and the respective generatrix.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein: Y minus X is greater than or equal to 90.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein: X is equal to zero and Y is greater than or equal to 45.

5. The device according to claim 2, wherein: X is equal to zero and Y is greater than or equal to 90.

6. The device according to claim 2, wherein: The elongated cylindrical hole has a diameter in the range of 2 mm to 4 mm.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein: The elongated cylindrical hole has a length ranging from 10 cm to 20 cm.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The block includes a lower surface that is inclined with respect to the upper surface.

9. A method for bending a ductile tool, comprising: inserting the malleable tool into an elongated cylindrical hole in a block of a fixture, the elongated cylindrical hole being sized to fit the malleable tool therein and having a longitudinal axis; adjusting the ductile tool in the elongated cylindrical hole so that the portion of the ductile tool to be bent is adjacent to an apex of a tapered recess extending through an upper surface of the block into the block, the tapered recess being defined by an ellipse directrix on the upper surface, an apex within the block, and a generatrix extending from the apex to the directrix disposed about a central axis of the tapered recess, the longitudinal axis of the elongated cylindrical hole extending from the tapered recess into the block at an oblique angle relative to the central axis of the tapered recess; and The malleable tool is bent in the direction of one of a plurality of angle marks disposed on the upper surface and around a circumference of the ellipse directrix.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising repeatedly inserting the malleable tool at least partially into the elongated cylindrical bore and at least partially removing the malleable tool from the elongated cylindrical bore to straighten the malleable tool.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein: The respective angles between the longitudinal axis and respective ones of the generatrixes are within an angular range from X degrees to Y degrees; Y minus X is greater than 40; and Respective ones of the angle markings are disposed on the upper surface to indicate the respective angles between the longitudinal axis and the respective generatrix.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein: Y minus X is greater than or equal to 90.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein: X is equal to zero and Y is greater than or equal to 45.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein: X is equal to zero and Y is greater than or equal to 90.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The elongated cylindrical hole has a diameter in the range of 2 mm to 4 mm.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein: The elongated cylindrical hole has a length ranging from 10 cm to 20 cm.

17. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The block includes a lower surface that is inclined with respect to the upper surface.

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