Towing Tower Assembly

Abstract

To provide an extension tower that enables adjustability and flexibility of appropriate size setting for each of individual patients.SOLUTION: An extension tower assembly is a tower assembly including a first tower 2 having a first side surface, and a second tower 3' having a second side surface positioned adjacently to the first side surface. The second tower includes a tower assembly movable in a first direction and a second direction with respect to the first tower, and an elongated arm assembly attached to and extending from the tower assembly.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 799,318, entitled "Wrist Traction Tower," filed January 31, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 930,115, entitled "Traction Tower Scale," filed November 4, 2019, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] FIELD OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates to orthopedic surgical procedure positioning devices / systems, and more particularly to wrist traction towers and associated traction tower scales. [Background technology]

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art During arthroscopic surgery on the wrist, for example, surgeons use traction to create sufficient space in the wrist joint for proper and efficient use of the arthroscope and other related instruments. Conventional traction towers are commonly used to create such traction necessary for wrist arthroscopic surgery procedures, radiographic procedures, and other related medical procedures. However, conventional traction towers are limited in their ability to accommodate a wide variety of individual patient sizes.

[0004] Therefore, a need exists for a traction tower structural design that allows for adjustability and flexibility to be properly sized for each individual patient.

[0005] Related Art Description Section Disclaimer: To the extent that specific patents / publications / products are described in this Related Art Description Section or elsewhere in this disclosure, those descriptions should not be construed as an admission that the described patents / publications / products are prior art under patent law. For example, some or all of the described patents / publications / products may not be early enough in time, may not reflect subject matter developed early enough in time, and / or may not be sufficiently effective to amount to prior art for patent law purposes. To the extent that a specific patent / publication / product is discussed above in this Related Art Description Section and / or throughout the application, that description / disclosure is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The embodiments of the present invention are directed to a wrist traction tower and associated traction tower scale. The wrist traction tower embodiments are directed to a system having multiple parts, one or more of which are configured, mounted, positioned, and / or structured to move (e.g., slide, telescope, rotate, twist, turn) relative to one or more of the other parts of the system. Such adjustability, maneuverability, and flexibility provide an improved and enhanced orthopedic medical procedure positioning system (compared to conventional devices / systems) that can accommodate a wide range of patient lengths and sizes while providing ample space for the physician and their respective equipment to perform surgical procedures, x-rays, and other related medical procedures. Elements of the embodiment traction tower system can be made from aluminum, stainless steel, brass, and plastic (PEEK).

[0007] According to one aspect, the present invention is a towing tower assembly. The towing tower assembly includes a first tower having a first side and a second side positioned adjacent to the first side. a first tower having a first axis and a second tower having a second axis, the second tower being movable in a first direction and a second direction relative to the first tower, and an elongated arm assembly attached to and extending from the tower assembly. Tow tower scales may also be part of embodiments of the present invention.

[0008] The present invention takes into consideration that, in one preferred embodiment, when positioning the height of the upper tower and connected arm assembly relative to the lower tower, the wrist joint of an individual patient should be approximately one inch above the rotational joint (specified below). This allows a physician, for example, to x-ray the wrist while still attached to the traction tower. If metal is too close to the wrist joint, it may affect the x-ray image.

[0009] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated from a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: The accompanying drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosed subject matter, to which other equally effective embodiments may be permissible. Reference will now be made briefly to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a towing tower, according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic assembly perspective view of the towing tower shown in FIG. 1 according to one embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic assembly perspective view of the towing tower shown in FIG. 1 according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective schematic diagram of the lower portion of the towing tower shown in FIG. 1 according to one embodiment. [Diagram 5]FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective schematic diagram of the lower portion of the towing tower shown in FIG. 1 according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic assembly perspective view of the towing tower shown in FIG. 1 according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a top view schematic of the towing tower shown in FIG. 1 according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of the towing tower shown in FIG. 1 according to one embodiment. [Figure 9] 9 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional perspective view of the lower portion of the towing tower shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the towing tower shown in FIG. 1 according to one embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of the towing tower shown in FIG. 1 according to one embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of the towing tower shown in FIG. 1 according to one embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective photograph of a towing tower having a towing tower scale, according to one embodiment. [Figure 14A] FIG. 14A is a schematic perspective view of a towing tower scale, according to one embodiment. [Figure 14B] FIG. 14B is a perspective schematic diagram of the towing tower scale shown in FIG. 14A according to one embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a towing tower according to an alternative embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a schematic assembly perspective view of the towing tower shown in FIG. 15 according to an alternative embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a schematic assembly perspective view of the towing tower shown in FIG. 15 according to an alternative embodiment. [Figure 18A] 18A is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional perspective view of the lower portion of the towing tower shown in FIG. 15 according to an alternative embodiment. [Figure 18B] FIG. 18B is an enlarged perspective view of the lower portion of the towing tower shown in FIG. 15 according to an alternative embodiment. [Figure 18C] FIG. 18C is an enlarged solid line view of the lower portion of the towing tower shown in FIG. 15 according to an alternative embodiment. [Figure 18D] FIG. 18D is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional perspective view of the lower portion of the towing tower shown in FIG. 15 according to an alternative embodiment. [Figure 18E] FIG. 18E is an enlarged bottom perspective view of the rotary joint of the towing tower shown in FIG. 15 according to an alternative embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is an enlarged perspective schematic view of the lower portion of the towing tower shown in FIG. 15 according to an alternative embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is an enlarged perspective schematic view of the lower portion of the towing tower shown in FIG. 15 according to an alternative embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view of the towing tower shown in FIG. 15 according to an alternative embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a perspective schematic diagram of the towing tower shown in FIG. 15 according to an alternative embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a top view schematic of the towing tower shown in FIG. 15 according to an alternative embodiment. [Figure 24] 24 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional perspective view of the lower portion of the towing tower shown in FIG. 15 in accordance with one embodiment. [Diagram 25] FIG. 25 is a schematic perspective view of the towing tower shown in FIG. 15 according to an alternative embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a perspective schematic diagram of the towing tower shown in FIG. 15 according to an alternative embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a perspective photograph of a towing tower according to an alternative embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Aspects of the present invention and its specific features, advantages, and details are described more fully below with reference to non-limiting examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Descriptions of well-known structures are omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the details of the invention. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific non-limiting examples, while illustrating aspects of the present invention, are given by way of illustration only and not by way of limitation. Various substitutions, modifications, additions, and / or arrangements within the spirit and / or scope of the underlying inventive concept will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

[0013] Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numbers refer to like parts throughout, FIG. 1 shows a schematic exploded perspective view of a towing tower 100, according to one embodiment. FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic assembled perspective views of the towing tower 100 shown in FIG. 1, according to one embodiment. As shown, the towing tower 100 includes a base plate 1, a tower assembly, and an arm assembly. The tower assembly has multiple mated parts of a lower tower 2 and an upper tower 3, showing that the upper tower 3 is movable relative to the lower tower 2 (as will be further discussed below). The lower tower 2 is removably securable (via any attachment means 15, including clips, keyed sliding and locking mechanisms, nuts and bolts, etc., as should be understood by those skilled in the art in conjunction with this disclosure) on the base plate 1. In addition, the lower tower 2 may include a peg 2-2 that is biased in a downward direction (protruding from the bottom surface of the lower tower 2) via a spring (not shown) located on the lower tower 2. The peg 2-2 is lifted by a sliding button 2-1 and fully positioned within the lower tower 2. The peg 2-2 can fit into holes (not shown) formed in base plate 1 and can rotate the lower tower (clockwise or counterclockwise) to assist in locking the lower tower 2 to the base plate 1. According to one embodiment, all other elements / components of towing tower 100 are movable relative to at least one other element / component of towing tower 100, but need not be movable.

[0014] 1-3, the lower tower 2 is L-shaped and configured to fit snugly into the upper tower 3 as shown. The tower assembly may include additional components and may include multiple shapes as long as the components fit together in a snug arrangement and the overall movement and locking functions remain similar or the same as described herein. The tower assembly components (here the lower tower 2 and the upper tower 3) can be secured / locked by a locking knob 4. The stem 4-1 of the locking knob 4 can be placed through a lateral opening located in each of the lower tower 2 and the upper tower 3, and the knob end can be rotated to secure each tower component (as should be understood by those skilled in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure). The opening in the upper tower 3 is a hole (not shown) shaped to snugly fit, engage, and secure the stem of the locking knob 4 when the knob end is rotated in the appropriate direction (and disengage and release from the opening in the upper tower when the knob is rotated in the opposite direction). The openings 2-3 in the lower tower 2 extend up and down (partially shown in FIG. 9 ) to allow the upper tower 3 to move up and down relative to the lower tower 2, which can be re-locked to the lower tower 2 per use of a locking knob 4 (described herein and to be understood by those skilled in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure). According to additional embodiments, the lower tower 2 can include different or additional elongated openings that allow relative movement of the upper tower 3 to the lower tower 2 diagonally, horizontally, or in other directions at an angle to the vertical direction BB when assembled. According to an alternative embodiment, the types of openings can be reversed between the upper tower 3 and the lower tower 2. The upper tower 3 can also include openings or through-holes 14 (vertical or other shapes) that can accommodate straps for holding the patient's forearm to the traction tower 100. The upper tower 3 also includes alignment pegs 3-3 configured to fit into corresponding elongated holes (top and bottom, not shown) in the lower tower 2.This alignment peg 3-3 acts in conjunction with the stem 4-1 to assist in aligning the upper tower 3 with respect to the lower tower 2 and prevent undesired movement / rotation of the upper tower 3 with respect to the lower tower 2 when the relative height of the upper tower 3 is adjusted with respect to the lower tower 2.

[0015] With continued reference to FIGS. 1-3, the revolute joint 5 connects the tower assembly to the arm assembly. The stem 13 of the revolute joint 5 is positioned and rotatable at the upper tower 3 (as shown, and as discussed further below). The upper tower's upper surface 3-1 is configured to extend along a plane at an angle to the plane AA of the bottom surface 3-2 and / or base plate 1 when assembled. Alternatively, the upper surface 3-1 may extend along a plane parallel to the plane AA of the base plate 1. A first end of the lower arm 6 includes a slotted base end 12 that is removably positioned, rotatable, and lockable within the head 5-1 of the revolute joint 5 (as discussed further below). The lower arm 6 extends from the slotted base end 12 and the elongated lower end 6-1 to a curved portion 11 of the lower arm 6 that extends to an elongated upper end 6-2 of the lower arm 6. The upper end 6-2 of the lower arm 6 extends at an angle to the axis of the elongated lower end 6-1 (which may be any angle, including 45 degrees, substantially perpendicular to the vertical). The elongated lower end 7-1 of the upper arm 7 fits within and is telescopically movable within the elongated upper end 6-2 of the lower arm 6, which may or may not be solid and is formed as a tube. A lever 8 is connected to the elongated upper end 6-2 of the lower arm 6. The lever 8 includes a protrusion or tooth on an end located within the elongated upper end 6-2 of the lower arm 6, which is supported by a ridge 7-4 formed on at least one side of the elongated lower end 7-1 of the upper arm 7. The upper arm 7 may be positioned and fitted between the pair of ridges 7-4 (which face the protrusion or tooth of the lever 8 when the elongated lower end 7-1 of the upper arm 7 is positioned within the elongated upper end 6-2 of the lower arm 6). When the lever 8 is actuated in a first direction that positions the protrusion or tooth between one of the pair of ridges 7-4, the upper arm 7 is fixed / clamped / locked relative to the lower arm 6. When the lever 8 is actuated in a second direction, the upper arm 7 is released from its fixed / clamped / locked position and is free to move relative to the lower arm 6 (e.g., further into or out of the lower arm 6). According to an alternative embodiment, the upper arm 7 may be tubular in construction and the lower arm 6 may be (but need not be) solid / non-tubular and includes ridges (essentially the opposite configuration shown in FIG. 1). The lever arm 8 may be any type of actuator including a linear slider, a circular actuator, or a switch, etc. (as should be understood by those skilled in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure).

[0016] The elongated lower end 7-1 of the upper arm 7 extends from the lower arm to a curved portion 7-2 of the upper arm 7 that extends to an elongated upper end 7-3 of the upper arm 7. The upper end 7-3 of the upper arm 7 extends at an angle (which can be any angle including 45 degrees, and is substantially perpendicular to the vertical) to an axis of the elongated lower end 7-1 and essentially the same distance as the elongated lower end 6-1 of the lower arm 6 (which can be, but need not be, in a plane that is parallel or substantially parallel, and as shown, the elongated lower end 6-1 of the lower arm 6 is slightly more oriented in a relatively downward direction compared to the elongated upper end 7-3 of the upper arm 7 and extends in a plane that is parallel or substantially parallel to the plane AA). The elongated upper end 7-3 of the upper arm 7 includes a through hole 7-5 configured to assist in securing a towing tower scale thereto (embodiments of a towing tower scale and its attachment to a towing tower are discussed further below).

[0017] As mentioned above, there are several structural features and configurations that allow the entire traction tower 100 to be properly sized for an individual patient. In addition, when the height of the upper tower 3 is adjusted (as described below with respect to Figures 4-5), the forearm strap location 14 moves with it, always relatively close to the patient's wrist (the closer to the wrist the strap has better control). If the straps were in one fixed location they would not work well with different patient sizes.

[0018] 4-5, enlarged perspective schematic views of the lower portion of the towing tower 100 shown in FIG. 1 are provided, according to one embodiment. FIG. 4-5 are provided to illustrate the movement of the upper tower 3 relative to the lower tower 2 to accommodate various individual patient forearm sizes, and the structural features that enable such movement. FIG. 4 illustrates the upper tower 3 in its relatively lowest position relative to the lower tower 2, and FIG. 5 illustrates the upper tower 3 in its relatively highest position relative to the lower tower 2.

[0019] 4, it is shown that the upper tower 3 fits snugly within the contour of the lower tower 2 at the upper tower 3's lowest point. As shown, the upper tower 3 and the lower tower 2 are held together by a locking knob 4 (discussed above). To aid in locking the upper tower 3 and the lower tower 2, an interlockable wave / sawtooth pattern 16 may also be provided on each of the laterally facing surfaces of the upper tower 3 and the lower tower 2. The wave / sawtooth pattern 16 may cover the entirety of each of the laterally facing surfaces of the upper tower 3 and the lower tower 2, or less than the entirety of each surface. Also, as described above, the upward adjustment of the upper tower 3 involves (1) loosening the locking knob 4 and the connection between the upper tower 3 and the lower tower 2, (2) moving the knob 4 and the upper tower 3 in the elongated opening 2-1 (not shown) upward from the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 5, and then tightening the locking knob 4 and the upper tower 3 in the new position, and (3) adjusting the upper tower 3 upward for the patient's arm as a result of the movement of the upper tower 3 upward along the arrow C. This is accomplished by upward movement of several other elements relative to the lower tower 2, including a strap (not shown) for fastening the upper tower 3, the positionable through opening 14, the rotating joint 5 and the arm assembly. To move the upper tower 3 in the opposite direction, the same actions can be performed (i.e., start by loosening the locking knob 4, move the locking knob 4 and the upper tower 3 in the opposite direction, etc.).

[0020] As mentioned above, the top surface 3-1 of the upper tower is configured to extend along a plane that is positioned at an angle relative to the plane AA of the base plate 1 when assembled (see FIG. 1). The revolute joint 5 attached to the top of the upper tower 3 includes a rotation axis A1 that extends at an angle relative to a straight up-down vertical axis (see FIG. 1, BB). By having the revolute joint 5 house a portion of the lower arm 6 and positioned at an angle with the angled rotation axis A1 (see FIG. 6 which shows the rotation axis A1 created by angling the revolute joint 5 and its stem 13 positioned on the upper tower 3), rotation of the revolute joint 5 and the arm assembly (discussed further below) does not displace the point at which traction is produced (as should be understood by those skilled in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure). This means that the arm assembly can be moved without losing traction on the patient's arm or its position, as shown in FIGS. 7-8.

[0021] 7 and 8, there are top and perspective schematic diagrams showing the range of rotation of the revolute joint 5 (and therefore the arm assembly) of the towing tower 100 about the axis of rotation A1. The rotation D (see, for example, FIG. 6) of the revolute joint 5 / arm assembly about the axis of rotation A1 can be incremental, locked / unlocked via slot / tooth embodiments, as discussed with respect to the additional rotation features (see those discussed with respect to FIGS. 18D-E), non-incremental when locked / unlocked via frictional engagement, or locked / unlocked via other known locking / unlocking mechanisms (as should be understood by those skilled in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure). The range of rotation is indicated by the shadowed (transparent) arm assembly structure 20 positioned around a start or zero position indicated by the solid arm assembly structure 30. The position of the screw (not shown) that holds the towing scale at 7-5 is consistent regardless of the rotation of the other parts of the arm assembly. As shown in FIG. 8, the majority of the arm assembly is offset from the patient's arm in use, regardless of the rotational position of the arm assembly, to create sufficient space for surgical instruments. In other words, this structural configuration and associated features allow the physician to move the arm assembly around the patient's hand without affecting the position or traction of the hand itself. The ability to rotate the arm assembly can be important if the physician needs more space around the outside of the wrist joint for medical instruments, as the physician can simply rotate the arm assembly behind the arm. Another use of this structural feature includes allowing the physician to manipulate the arm assembly while the wrist is in traction in order to put a c-arm (x-ray machine) in position to take an x-ray.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 9, an enlarged partial cross-sectional perspective view of the lower portion of the traction tower 100 is shown, according to one embodiment. The interface between the slotted base end 12 of the elongated lower end 6-1 of the lower arm 6 and the revolute joint 5 is shown. In particular, the slot / teeth formed on the slotted base end 12 allow incremental rotation of the arm assembly about the second axis of rotation EE, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The primary purpose of the rotation of the elongated lower end 6-1 of the lower arm 6 about the second axis of rotation EE is to allow the practitioner to control the angle of the patient's wrist during use by keeping the patient's forearm vertical and pulling traction to the hand at an angle (or perpendicular) from the elongated axis positioned through the patient's forearm, as should be understood by those skilled in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure. To allow rotation of the arm assembly about the second axis of rotation EE, the button 5-2 is pressed (force acting against the button 5-2 opposite the spring bias force) to pull the button housing 5-3 downward in the direction of the button 5-2. When the desired position of the arm assembly is reached, the force applied by the user against the button 5-2 may be removed (the biasing force applied by the spring presses the locking teeth 5-4 between another two slots / teeth of the slotted base end 12) and the arm assembly may be locked in the desired position via the interlocking mechanism described.

[0023] 10 and 11, there are shown perspective schematic diagrams illustrating the range of rotation of the elongated lower end 6-1 (and therefore the arm assembly) of the lower arm 6 of the towing tower 100 about the rotation axis EE. The rotation F of the elongated lower end 6-1 of the lower arm 6 about the rotation axis EE may be incremental and locked / unlocked via a slot / tooth embodiment as shown and described with respect to FIG. 9, or may be non-incremental when locked / unlocked via frictional engagement or locked / unlocked via other known locking / unlocking mechanisms (as should be understood by those skilled in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure). An example of the range of rotation for the control of the wrist angle is shown by the shadowed (transparent) arm assembly structure 20 positioned around a start or zero position indicated by the solid arm assembly structure 30.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 12, a perspective schematic of a towing tower 100 with the lever 8 and ridge 7-4 engagement structure and resulting functionality according to one embodiment is shown in a partially transparent view. Briefly, a height adjustment mechanism is formed between the upper arm 7 and the lower arm 6. This interface between the upper arm 7 and the lower arm 6 allows for separate adjustment points to accommodate a wide variety of individual patient arm sizes. The adjustment mechanism illustrated in FIG. 12 includes a latch mechanism for quick height adjustment by actuating the lever 8 to position end 8-1 within a selected / specific notch formed in the upper arm 7 at 7-4.

[0025] 13-14B show a towing tower scale 200 according to one embodiment. Referring to FIG. 13, a perspective view of the towing tower 100 is shown along with the towing tower scale 200. The towing tower 200 includes a tubular body 211 attached to a distal end of the upper end 7-3 of the upper arm 7, including, but not limited to, via welding, screws, nuts and bolts, or other known attachment means, which should be understood by those skilled in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure. The tubular body 211 includes a knob 209 and is configured to be attached to a spring (not shown) that is then positioned through the top of the tubular body 211. A rod / screw 213 attached to the lower end of the spring is positioned partially within the tubular body 211 and a portion of it protrudes outside the lower end of the tubular body 211. The lower end of the rod / screw 213 includes a hole that receives the clip 207 therethrough. The other end of the clip 207 is attached to a hole formed in or on the rack 203. The rack is shown with two finger traps 201 (although it may include one or more) for immobilizing the patient's fingers and applying traction.

[0026] 14A-B show a perspective schematic of a towing tower scale 200, according to one embodiment. The rack 203 (to which the finger trap 201 is attached) is directly connected to the knob 209 through a rod / screw 213 (which can be any type of connecting element capable of performing the functions of the rod / screw 213 described herein, not necessarily a rod or screw). In a pre-use "rest state" (not attached to a patient's finger, or at least not receiving force from the patient's finger), the knob 209 is biased upwards by a spring located within the tubular body (which can be any type of spring, including a coil spring with a known biasing force, as should be understood by those skilled in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure). A force is applied downwards (see arrow B) to the spring by the weight of the patient's hand / arm (from the finger trap, to the rod / screw 213, to the spring, and to the knob 209), which pulls the knob 209 (including its stem) further downwards into the tubular body 211 of the scale. The stem of knob 209 may include a visual indicator (e.g., a line or other marking) that may be used to indicate the estimated amount of traction used. This may be done by displaying where the visual indicator is in display window 211-2, and its location may be aligned with a groove indicating traction amount number 211-1. The traction force is in pounds. However, preferred embodiments use the traction amount number as a relative reference traction number (e.g., the relative amount of traction applied to the patient's arm / wrist) rather than as a specific measurement device.

[0027] 15-26 collectively illustrate a towing tower 100' according to an alternative embodiment. This alternative embodiment of the towing tower 100' is similar in many respects to the towing tower 100 (including structurally and functionally) described above with respect to FIGS. 1-12. Accordingly, the following description of the elements / components of the towing tower 100' is primarily limited to the alternative / different aspects (such as the upper tower 3' and the revolute 5'). Although structural elements and their resulting (single or collective) functionality are not described, the structure and associated functionality, if and / or described above, are the same as those described above with respect to FIGS. 1-12 and apply in this section (similarly, the discussion of the towing tower scale 200 provided in FIGS. 13-14B applies hereinafter to the towing tower 200 shown as part of the towing tower 100').

[0028] Referring now to Fig. 15, there is shown an exploded perspective schematic view of a towing tower 100 according to an alternative embodiment. Fig. 15 is similar to Fig. 1, except for the addition of towing tower 200 (described with respect to Figs. 13-14B) and an alternative embodiment of upper tower 3' and rotating joint 5'. Figs. 16 and 17 are assembled perspective schematic views of towing tower 100 shown in Fig. 15, according to an alternative embodiment, similar to Figs. 2 and 3, respectively.

[0029] FIG. 18A is an enlarged partial cross-sectional perspective view of the lower part of the towing tower 100 according to an alternative embodiment. As previously described with respect to FIG. 1, the upper tower 3' includes an alignment peg 3-3 configured to fit into a corresponding elongated hole / slot 2-3 in the lower tower 2. The alignment peg 3-3 helps the user to easily position the upper tower 3' on the lower tower 2 before installing the tower lock knob 4. The upper tower 3' also ensures that it remains vertical if / when the user adjusts the height of the upper tower 3' because there are two pins / stems in the slot 2-3 of the lower tower (the pin 3-3 from the upper tower 3' and the threaded rod / stem 4-1 from the tower lock knob 4). In this way, if the height of the upper tower 3' is adjusted after the entire tower is assembled, there is no risk of the entire upper part of the tower 100' (the arm assembly) rotating and swinging down when the tower lock knob 4 is loosened. In this embodiment, height adjustment can be achieved by loosening the tower lock knob 4 without completely removing it from the lower tower / upper tower.

[0030] 18B-C, there are shown enlarged transparent perspective views and solid line views, respectively, of the lower portion of the towing tower 100' according to an alternative embodiment. The lower tower 2 includes a sliding button 2-1 attached to a locking peg 2-2. A spring 2-4 biases the sliding button 2-1 and the peg 2-2 in a downward direction, which can be overcome by the user sliding button 2-1 moving the peg 2-2 upward within the tubular body of the lower tower 2. The purpose of the peg 2-2 and the attachment means 15 (here a key lock mechanism) is to ensure that the lower tower 2 locks to the base plate 1 when it is attached and does not move until the tower 100' is ready to be disassembled. Also, when assembling the tower 100', the user can quickly assemble the tower and passively lock it (the peg 2-2 is spring-loaded in the downward position so that the sliding button 2-1 does not need to be activated during assembly; the lower tower 2 is simply pushed into the base 1 and twisted so that the peg 2-2 is in the right-rotated position). A key lock mechanism 15 is simultaneously placed on the base key hole 1-1 to assist in locking the lower tower 2 to the base 1 after the twisting action.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 18D, an enlarged partial cross-sectional perspective view of the lower part of the towing tower 100 is shown according to an alternative embodiment. The sliding button 5-7 is shown connected to a locking peg 5-8 that is biased upwards into a hole 5-10 formed in the tubular body of the revolute joint 5 via a spring 5-6. To release the revolute joint about the rotation axis A1 and allow it to rotate freely, the user can press the sliding button 5-7 downwards and remove the locking peg from the hole 5-10 until the desired rotation position is reached. The button can then be released and the spring 5-6 can move the locking peg 5-8 to another hole 5-10 (see FIG. 18E).

[0032] 19-20, an enlarged perspective schematic view of the lower portion of the towing tower 100 shown in FIG. 15 is provided according to an alternative embodiment. FIGS. 19 and 20 are similar to FIGS. 4-5, except for the structural differences discussed herein and above regarding the rotating joint 5' and the upper tower 3'. However, structural features are provided in the upper tower 3' that allow movement of the upper tower 3 relative to the lower tower 2 to accommodate various individual patient forearm sizes, and such movement. FIG. 19 shows the upper tower 3' at its relatively lowest position relative to the lower tower 2, and FIG. 20 shows the upper tower 3' at its relatively highest position relative to the lower tower 2. The illustrated openings, other than opening 14, show where metal has been removed for weight reduction and thermal management purposes.

[0033] Referring to Figure 21, a perspective schematic view of the lower portion of the towing tower 100 shown in Figure 15 is provided according to an alternative embodiment. Similar to Figure 6, Figure 21 shows a rotation axis A1 formed by aligning a revolute joint 5' located on the upper tower 3' with its stem 13 located therein.

[0034] 22 and 23, perspective and top schematic views are provided showing the range of rotation of the revolute 5 (and thus the arm assembly) of the towing tower 100 about the axis of rotation A1. FIGS. 22 and 23 are similar to FIGS. 22 and 23, respectively.

[0035] Referring to Figure 24, an enlarged partial cross-sectional perspective view of the lower portion of the towing tower 100' is shown, according to one embodiment. Figure 24 is similar to Figure 9, and the elements function in a similar manner, albeit with some structural differences with respect to the revolute joint 5' and upper tower 3' discussed above.

[0036] Referring to Figure 25, a perspective schematic diagram showing the range of rotation of the elongated lower end 6-1 of the lower arm 6 (and therefore the arm assembly) of the towing tower 100 about the axis of rotation EE. Figure 25 is similar to Figures 10 and 11.

[0037] 26, a perspective schematic of a towing tower 100 is shown in partial transparency with a height adjustment mechanism including the lever 8 and ridge 7-4 engagement structure and resulting functionality according to an alternative embodiment. FIG. 26 is similar to FIG.

[0038] Referring to Figure 27, a perspective view of a towing tower 100' is shown according to an alternative embodiment. Figure 27 shows the placement of a patient's arms relative to the towing tower assembly 100'.

[0039] It should be understood that the above values ​​are merely representative values ​​and that other values ​​may be used in accordance with the spirit and intent of the present disclosure.

[0040] Several inventive embodiments are described herein with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. Although the embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those skilled in the art will readily envision various other means and / or structures for performing the functions and / or obtaining one or more of the results and / or advantages described herein, and each such variation and / or modification is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein (and will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims which may be supported by the written description and drawings). More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are exemplary, and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend on the particular application or applications in which the teachings of the invention are used. Those skilled in the art will be able to recognize or ascertain using no more than routine experimentation numerous equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. Thus, the foregoing embodiments have been presented merely as examples, and it will be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, the inventive embodiments may be practiced in other ways than as specifically described and claimed. Additionally, when an example embodiment is described with reference to a particular number of elements, it will be understood that the example embodiment may be implemented utilizing any less than the particular number of elements.

[0041] All references cited in this specification, including publications, patent applications, and patents, are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference was individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and was set forth in its entirety herein.

[0042] All definitions defined and used herein should be understood to control for any dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0043] Use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar reference words in the context of describing the present invention (particularly in the context of the claims which follow) should be construed to include both the singular and the plural unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Unless otherwise indicated, the terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to"). The term "connected" is to be construed as partially or completely encompassed, attached, or connected to something, even if not directly attached to an intervening location.

[0044] As used herein in the specification and claims, the phrase "at least one," in connection with a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed in the list of elements, and not necessarily including the exclusion of any combination of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows for elements, whether related to or unrelated to the specifically identified elements, that may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified in the list of elements to which the phrase "at least one" refers. Thus, as a non-limiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or, equivalently, "at least one of A or B" or, equivalently, "at least one of A and / or B") can refer to, in one embodiment, at least one, optionally multiple, A (and optionally including elements other than B) with no B; in another embodiment, at least one, optionally multiple, B (and optionally including elements other than A) with no A; in yet another embodiment, at least one, optionally multiple, A, and at least one, optionally multiple, B. (and optionally other elements).

[0045] It is also to be understood that, unless expressly stated to the contrary, in any method claimed herein which includes one or more steps or actions, the order of the method steps or actions is not necessarily limited to the order in which the method steps or actions are recited.

[0046] As used herein throughout the specification and claims, approximations of language can be applied to modify any quantitative expression that may be permissibly changed without causing a change in the basic function to which it relates. Thus, for example, values ​​modified by a single or multiple terms such as "about" and "substantially" are not limited to the exact values ​​specified. In at least some instances, approximation language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. Throughout the specification and claims, range limitations can be combined and / or exchanged, and such ranges include all subranges specified and contained therein, unless the context or language indicates otherwise.

[0047] Recitation of ranges of values ​​herein, unless otherwise stated herein, is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, and each separate value is incorporated herein as if it were individually recited herein.

[0048] All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise asserted.

[0049] No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

[0050] In the claims, as well as in the above specification, all transitional phrases, such as "comprising," "including," "carrying," "having," "containing," "involving," "holding," "composed of," and the like, are to be understood to mean open-ended, i.e., including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of," respectively, shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases as defined in Section 2111.03 of the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedure.

[0051] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. There is no intention to limit the present invention to one or more specific forms disclosed, but rather to cover all modifications, alternative configurations, and equivalents that are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims. Thus, to the extent that the modifications and variations of the present invention are within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, the present invention is intended to cover them.

Claims

1. 1. A traction tower assembly for facilitating arthroscopic surgical procedures, radiographic procedures, and other related medical procedures on a patient's wrist, comprising: a traction tower including a first tower having a bottom surface and a second tower coupled to the first tower, the traction tower adapted to hold a patient's forearm in a predetermined position and orientation; a base plate having a key hole formed therethrough, the base plate being configured to stand the towing tower on a stand surface; a bottom surface of the first tower comprising a key lock mechanism configured to fit into the key hole to lock the first tower to the base plate; A towing tower assembly, wherein the key lock mechanism and the key hole are configured to lock the first tower to the base plate by twisting the first tower about an axis perpendicular to the stand surface.

2. A tow tower assembly for facilitating arthroscopic surgical procedures, radiographic procedures, and other related medical procedures on a patient's wrist, comprising: a traction tower including a first tower having a bottom surface and a second tower coupled to the first tower, the traction tower adapted to hold a patient's forearm in a predetermined position and orientation; a base plate having a key hole formed therethrough, the base plate being configured to stand the towing tower on a stand surface; a bottom surface of the first tower comprising a key lock mechanism configured to fit into the key hole to lock the first tower to the base plate; the key lock mechanism and the key hole are configured to lock the first tower against movement in a direction along an axis perpendicular to the stand surface; Further comprising a movable locking peg guided by the first tower; a towing tower assembly, wherein the base plate includes a base hole into which the locking peg engages to prevent rotation of the first tower relative to the base plate about an axis perpendicular to the stand surface when the first tower is secured to the base plate by the key lock mechanism.

3. The towing tower assembly of claim 2 , wherein the locking peg is spring biased to resiliently protrude from the bottom surface.

4. 4. The towing tower assembly of claim 2 or 3, further comprising a sliding button guided to the first tower and associated with the locking peg for manually moving the locking peg vertically from an engaged position in the base hole of the base plate.

5. 5. The towing tower assembly of claim 1, wherein the base plate is rectangular, has a first side and a second side that are parallel to each other, and further comprises a first notch positioned to penetrate the base plate in a thickness direction and open to the first side, and a second notch positioned to penetrate the base plate in a thickness direction and open to the second side and opposite to the first notch.

6. A tow tower assembly for facilitating arthroscopic surgical procedures, radiographic procedures, and other related medical procedures on a patient's wrist, comprising: a traction tower including a first tower having a bottom surface and a second tower coupled to the first tower, the traction tower adapted to hold a patient's forearm in a predetermined position and orientation; a base plate having a key hole formed therethrough, the base plate being configured to stand the towing tower on a stand surface; a bottom surface of the first tower comprising a key lock mechanism configured to fit into the key hole to lock the first tower to the base plate; The second tower is movable relative to the first tower in a direction perpendicular to an axis perpendicular to the stand surface, The towing tower assembly further comprising an actuatable locking mechanism configured to releasably lock the second tower in position relative to the first tower.

7. 7. The towing tower assembly of claim 1, further comprising an elongated arm assembly attached to and extending upwardly from said towing tower.

8. the elongated arm assembly is carried by the second tower; the elongate arm assembly includes a first arm having a first end and a second end, and a second arm having a first end and a second end; the first end of the first arm is connected to the second tower; the second end of the first arm is connected to the first end of the second arm; The towing tower assembly of claim 7 , wherein the first end of the second arm is movable relative to the second end of the first arm.

9. a portion of the second end of the first arm is tubular; 9. The towing tower assembly of claim 8, wherein said first end of said second arm is movable within said second end of said first arm in a first direction and a second direction.

10. 10. The towing tower assembly of claim 8 or 9, further comprising an actuatable locking mechanism configured to releasably lock the second arm in position relative to the first arm.

11. A tow tower assembly for facilitating arthroscopic surgical procedures, radiographic procedures, and other related medical procedures on a patient's wrist, comprising: a traction tower including a first tower having a bottom surface and a second tower coupled to the first tower, the traction tower adapted to hold a patient's forearm in a predetermined position and orientation; a base plate having a key hole formed therethrough, the base plate being configured to stand the towing tower on a stand surface; a bottom surface of the first tower comprising a key lock mechanism configured to fit into the key hole to lock the first tower to the base plate; an elongated arm assembly attached to the towing tower and extending upwardly from the towing tower; the elongated arm assembly is carried by the second tower; the elongate arm assembly includes a first arm having a first end and a second end, and a second arm having a first end and a second end; the first end of the first arm is connected to the second tower; the second end of the first arm is connected to the first end of the second arm; the first end of the second arm is movable relative to the second end of the first arm; a towing tower assembly further comprising a revolute joint having a bottom surface, a top surface and a side surface, the bottom surface being disposed on a top surface of the second tower and the first end of the first arm being disposed through the side surface of the revolute joint.

12. the revolute joint includes a first axis disposed through a center of the top surface of the revolute joint and through a center of the bottom surface of the revolute joint; The towing tower assembly of claim 11 , wherein the revolute joint and the first end of the first arm are configured to rotate about the first axis relative to the second tower.

13. 13. The towing tower assembly of claim 12, wherein the top and bottom surfaces of the revolute joint are disposed in respective planes that are disposed at an angle relative to a plane of the bottom surface of the first tower.

14. the revolute joint includes a first axis positioned through a center of the side of the revolute joint and through a center of the first end of the first arm; The towing tower assembly of claim 11 , wherein the first end of the first arm is configured to rotate about the first axis relative to the revolute joint.

15. a towing scale attached to the second end of the second arm; The towing tower assembly of any one of claims 8 to 14, wherein the towing scale is configured to indicate the relative amount of towing applied to a patient's arm / wrist in use.

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