QUICK-RELEASE CLAMP

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a quick-release clamp for attaching surgical aids such as wound retractors or peripheral surgical equipment to a frame system, comprising two clamping elements provided with a central receptacle for a pull bolt, wherein the first clamping element is rotatably mounted about the axis of the pull bolt and the clamping elements are mechanically and rotatably connected to one another by means of the pull bolt, which is guided through through openings in the clamping elements, wherein furthermore the pull bolt is connected to an eccentric lever via a transverse bolt, the pull bolt is pivotably mounted in a fork-shaped receptacle of the second clamping element and the first clamping element, which can be coupled to the frame system, has two connected legs with a clamping opening according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] A lockable joint for a surgical retraction system is known from US patent 2009 / 2106087 A2. The joint includes, among other things, a clamp for receiving a rod to be clamped. The clamp has a pivot connection that forms a toggle lever.

[0003] Quick-release clamps are known from EP 3 685 758 A1 and US 10238375 B, which have a lever for clamping that is mounted on a fixed pivot point, wherein the pivoting movement of the lever is guided by a longitudinal slot.

[0004] Quick-release clamps that implement the force transmission for clamping by means of a toggle lever are also known from EP 2 385 797 B1, DE 10 2017 100 619 B4 or EP 3 287 088 B1.

[0005] The quick-release clamp according to US 7314331 B1 comprises two clamping elements which can be tightened using a toggle lever with the aid of a pull bolt and an eccentric lever.

[0006] As is well known, a number of surgical procedures must be performed under a highly magnified surgical field. To obtain such a field of view, it is necessary to retract skin flaps and tissue using retractors to give the surgeon a clear view of the opened body cavities. In many cases, these retractors are held by surgical nurses or resident physicians during the operation.

[0007] During long operations, this represents a very heavy physical strain, especially since it cannot be prevented that any minor movements of the surgical staff may be transferred to the wound retractor and thus to the tissue.

[0008] For this purpose, so-called retraction systems have been used for some time. Retraction systems consist of a variably configurable metal frame to which surgical instruments such as wound retractors or peripheral surgical devices are attached. Clamping screws or quick-release clamps are used to attach the surgical instruments to the frame system.

[0009] In the EP 2 151 197 B1, a quick-release clamp creates a variable and secure connection of surgical auxiliary elements to a retraction system throughout the entire operation, while simultaneously reducing the number of mechanical components of the clamping device.

[0010] The previously known quick-release clamp comprises two clamping elements, each with a central receptacle for a pull bolt. The clamping element to be connected to the frame system has two interconnected legs. The clamping elements are mechanically connected to each other by means of a pull bolt that passes through openings incorporated into the clamping elements. An eccentric lever is arranged at the end of the pull bolt opposite the first clamping element.

[0011] The previously known second clamping element is designed as a one-piece leg with a quarter-circle recess in its cross-section, the opposing leg being formed by an outer surface section of one of the legs of the first clamping element. The second clamping element accommodates a surgical device to be connected to the frame system.

[0012] Advantageously, the through-holes are incorporated into the leg base of each clamping element and adapted to the specific geometric shape of the corresponding section of the pull bolt, allowing it to pass through both clamping elements. The use of an eccentric lever enables maximum force to be applied to the quick-release clamp with minimal effort, allowing the device to be operated with just one hand.

[0013] In order to transfer the leverage of the actuated eccentric lever to the second clamping element, a pressure piece is attached between the second clamping element and the eccentric lever, which is pressed into a recess on the top of the second clamping element.

[0014] Furthermore, a spring-loaded O-ring, preferably made of medical-grade silicone, is inserted in a recess between the pressure piece and the second clamping element.

[0015] Although the quick-release clamp described above has proven very effective in practical use, the pressure piece used, in conjunction with the O-ring, causes problems with the necessary disinfection and sterilization of the clamps after use or before reuse. The existing gaps are too small to allow sufficient penetration of disinfectant fluids, yet large enough to allow dirt particles, traces of bodily fluids, or similar substances to penetrate.

[0016] US Patent 2008 / 0312509 A1 discloses a quick-release clamp for attaching surgical instruments such as wound retractors or peripheral surgical equipment to a frame system. Among other things, this document shows a pull bolt pivotally mounted on a fork-shaped receptacle of a second clamping element. The pull bolt is designed in two parts. A first countersunk screw-like part is movably mounted in a recess complementary to the countersunk head in the base of the first clamping element. The countersunk screw-like part is received by a threaded connection by a sleeve-like second part, the end of which is penetrated by a transverse bolt. The pull bolt is connected to an eccentric lever via the transverse bolt.

[0017] A comparable solution for a quick-release clamp is shown in US 2021 / 0330420 A1.

[0018] A surgical clamp with a two-part retaining bolt is disclosed in US 2005 / 0080321 A1.

[0019] A quick-release clamp with a two-part retaining bolt is also known from EP 072491 A1.

[0020] Therefore, the object of the invention is to provide a further developed quick-release clamp for attaching surgical aids, which has a reduced number of parts, is easy and intuitive to handle and is particularly easy to disinfect or sterilize.

[0021] The problem of the invention is solved by a quick-release clamp according to the combination of features according to claim 1, wherein the dependent claims include expedient embodiments and further developments.

[0022] An additional pressure piece, as described in the prior art above, can be omitted here.

[0023] In the relaxed, i.e., in the released state of the quick-release clamp, all surfaces of the components of the quick-release clamp are easily accessible, so that particularly effective, easy and optimal sterilization can take place.

[0024] It is therefore assumed that a quick-release clamp for attaching surgical aids such as wound retractors or other peripheral surgical equipment to a frame system is used, comprising two clamping elements with a central receptacle for a pull bolt.

[0025] The first clamping element is rotatably mounted around the axis of the drawbolt. The clamping elements are mechanically and rotatably connected to each other by means of the drawbolt, which is guided through openings in the clamping elements.

[0026] Furthermore, the drawbolt is connected to a tensioning lever via a transverse bolt.

[0027] The pull bolt is pivotably mounted in a fork-shaped receptacle of the second clamping element.

[0028] The first clamping element, which can be coupled to the frame system, has two connected legs with a clamping opening.

[0029] Furthermore, the drawbolt is designed in two parts.

[0030] A first, countersunk screw-like part of the pull bolt is movably mounted in a recess complementary to the countersunk head in a base area of ​​the first clamping element.

[0031] The countersunk screw-like part is received by means of a threaded connection by a sleeve-like, second part, the end of which is penetrated by the transverse bolt.

[0032] The openings for the pull bolt within the clamping parts have a clear width and corresponding dimensions that allow the pull bolt to pivot freely by means of the clamping lever from a loose position to a toggle lever over-center clamping position.

[0033] The threaded connection of the two-part drawbar is adjustable, such that in the loose position a gap remains between the first and second clamping elements.

[0034] The threaded connection is usually adjusted by the manufacturer and secured against unauthorized modification.

[0035] In one embodiment, the surface of the second clamping element facing the first clamping element has a protruding, circumferential collar which dips into a complementary guide opening in the first clamping element.

[0036] The opposing, touching surface sections of the clamping parts can have a structure, for example in the form of fine teeth, to ensure different rotational positions of the first and second clamping elements relative to each other in the clamped state.

[0037] According to the invention, the drawbolt assumes a negative angular position of up to 7° in the loose position and a substantially positive angular position of 2° in the clamped position. The angular position described above refers to its alignment with a substantially flat reference surface on the first clamping element. This reference surface is located opposite the clamping opening of the first clamping element.

[0038] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment and with the aid of figures.

[0039] This shows: Fig. 1 a front view of the quick-release clamp in the relaxed state; Fig. 2 a representation similar to that shown in Fig. 1 , however, in the state of incipient clamping; Fig. 3 a front view of the quick-release clamp in the clamping state, where here the clamping lever moves from the loose position ( Fig. 1 ) is in or has assumed a toggle lever over-center clamping position; Fig. 4 a sectional view along line NN; Fig. 5 a sectional view along line MM and

[0040] Fig. 6 a sectional view according to line LL (each referring to the indicated sections in the Figs. 1-3 ).

[0041] The quick-release clamp according to the exemplary embodiment consists of a first clamping element 1 and a second clamping element 2.

[0042] A central receptacle serves to guide a drawbolt 3.

[0043] The first clamping element 1 is rotatably mounted about the axis 4 of the drawbolt 3.

[0044] The clamping elements 1; 2 are mechanically and rotatably connected to each other by means of the drawbolt 3, which is guided through the through-holes 5; 6 present in the clamping elements 1; 2.

[0045] The drawbolt 3 is connected to a tension lever 7 via a transverse bolt 8.

[0046] The drawbolt 3 is pivotably mounted in a fork-shaped receptacle 9 of the second clamping element 2.

[0047] The first clamping element 1 has two connected legs 10; 11 and a clamping opening 12 as well as a reference surface 13.

[0048] As can be seen particularly from the Figures 4 to 6 It can be seen that the drawbolt 3 is made in two parts.

[0049] A first, countersunk screw-like part 14 is movably, in particular pivotably, mounted in a recess 16 complementary to the countersunk head 15 in the base area 17 of the first clamping element 1.

[0050] The countersunk screw-like part 14 is received by means of a threaded connection 18 by a sleeve-like, second part 19 of the drawbolt 3, the end of which is penetrated by the aforementioned transverse bolt 8.

[0051] According to the invention, the passage openings 5; 6 for the drawbolt 3 within the clamping elements 1; 2 are designed and have a corresponding clear width that allows the drawbolt 3 to pivot freely by means of the clamping lever from a loose position to a toggle lever over-center clamping position.

[0052] The Figures 1 and 4 show the losing position.

[0053] The Figures 3 and 6 the achieved toggle lever over-center clamping position.

[0054] The threaded connection 18 of the two-part drawbolt 3 is adjustable such that in the loose position a gap remains between the first and the second clamping element 1; 2, so that optimal disinfection and sterilization of the quick-release clamp can take place.

[0055] The surface section of the second clamping element 2 facing the first clamping element 1 has a protruding collar 20.

[0056] This collar dips into a complementary guide opening 21 in the first clamping element 1.

[0057] The opposing surface sections of the clamping parts 1; 2, which touch each other in use, can have a structure, in particular in the form of a toothing or fine toothing (not shown in the figures).

[0058] The Figure 4indicates that the drawbolt 3 in the loose position assumes an angle position of up to 7° negative with respect to the reference surface 13 of the first clamping element.

[0059] In the clamping position, however, the pull bolt assumes an essentially 2° positive angular position, again with regard to the reference surface 13 on the first clamping element 1. Reference symbol list

[0060] 1. First clamping element 2. Second clamping element 3. Drawbar 4. Axis of the drawbar 5; 6. Through openings 7. Tension lever 8. Cross bolt 9. Fork-shaped receptacle 10; 11. Leg of the first clamping element 12. Clamping opening 13. Reference surface on the first clamping element 14. Countersunk screw-like first part 15. Countersunk head 16. Complementary recess 17. Bottom area of ​​the first clamping element 18. Threaded connection 19. Sleeve-like second part 20. Collar 21. Guide opening

Claims

1. Quick-action clamp for attaching surgical aids such as retractors or peripheral operation equipment to a frame system, comprising two clamping elements (1; 2) provided with a central receptacle for a tension bolt (3), wherein the first clamping element (1) is mounted to be rotatable around the axis (4) of the tension bolt (3) and the clamping elements (1; 2) have a mechanical and rotatable operational connection to one another by means of the tension bolt (3), which is guided through passage openings (5; 6) present in the clamping elements (1; 2), wherein furthermore the tension bolt (3) is connected to an eccentric lever (7) via a transverse bolt (8), the tension bolt (3) is mounted to be pivotable in a forked receptacle (9) of the second clamping element (2) and the first clamping element (1), which can be coupled to the frame system, has two connected legs (10; 11) having a clamping opening (12), wherein the tension bolt (3) is formed in two parts and a first part (14) like a countersunk screw is mounted to be movable in a recess (16) complementary to the countersunk head (15) in a base area (17) of the first clamping element (1), the part (14) like a countersunk screw is accommodated by means of a threaded connection (18) by a sleeve-like second part (19), the end of which is penetrated by the transverse bolt (8) and the passage openings (5; 6) for the tension bolt (3) within the clamping parts (1; 2) have a clearance which enables unobstructed pivoting of the tension bolt (3) by means of the eccentric lever (7) from a loose position into a toggle lever top dead center clamping position, characterized in that the tension bolt (3) in the loose position adopts an angle position up to -7° and in the clamping position adopts an essentially +2° angle position in relation to a reference surface (13) parallel to the passage opening (5) of the first clamping element (1).

2. Quick-action clamp as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the threaded connection (18) of the two-part tension bolt (3) is adjustable such that a gap remains in the loose position between first and second clamping element (1; 2).

3. Quick-action clamp as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the surface side of the second clamping element (2) directed toward the first clamping element (1) has a protruding shoulder (20), which dips into a complementary guide opening (21) in the first clamping element (1).

4. Quick-action clamp as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mutually opposing surface sections of the clamping parts (1; 2) which touch one another have a surface structuring.

5. Quick-action clamp as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the structuring is formed as fine teeth.