Flexible Medical Clamp Mounting for Multi-Angle Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical device mounting apparatuses, such as pole clamps, restrict the movement of medical devices like enteral feeding pumps to one degree of freedom, limiting their positioning flexibility and usability on various support structures, and are not adaptable for use outside hospital settings where vertical IV poles are unavailable.

Innovation Solution

A clamping apparatus with a flexible shaft allowing six degrees of freedom of motion, enabling the medical device to be mounted on various support structures, including vertical and horizontal surfaces, and facilitating easy repositioning and secure attachment using a C-shaped clamping member and quick-release connector.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed pole clamp design is used to securely attach the medical device to the support member, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the positioning flexibility and degrees of freedom of motion are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidpositioning flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the static, fixed pole clamp into a dynamic system with a flexible shaft that allows six degrees of freedom of motion. The flexible shaft enables the medical device to be positioned in multiple orientations while maintaining secure attachment, thus resolving the contradiction between attachment reliability and positioning flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pole clamp is segmented into distinct functional components: a clamping mechanism for secure attachment, a flexible shaft for positioning, and a mounting interface. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function - the clamping mechanism provides reliable attachment while the flexible shaft provides positioning flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If the pump is mounted directly on the housing in close proximity to the IV pole, then the attachment stability is improved, but the vertical space consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoidvertical space consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible shaft extends the mounting system into additional spatial dimensions, allowing the medical device to be positioned away from the vertical axis of the IV pole. This dimensional extension reduces vertical space consumption while maintaining attachment stability through the flexible connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If a conventional pole clamp design is used, then the secure attachment to vertical cylindrical support structures is achieved, but the adaptability to horizontal or alternative support structures is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoidsupport structure compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pole clamp is designed with universal adaptability through its flexible shaft and adjustable clamping mechanism that can accommodate various support structures including vertical IV poles, horizontal table tops, and bed rails. The clamping mechanism can be oriented in different directions, making the device multi-functional and suitable for diverse mounting environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of manufacture

If the medical device is mounted with fixed orientation, then the manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the ease of operation and viewing is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting simplicityVSAvoidviewing and operation convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible shaft provides dynamic positioning capability that allows the medical device to be oriented for optimal viewing and operation while maintaining a simple, standardized clamping mechanism. The flexibility accommodates various orientations without requiring complex mounting hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20060278785A1Flexible clamping apparatus for medical devices

Publication Date: 2006.12.14 CARDINAL HEALTH IRELAND UNLIMITED CO

AI summary

A mounting apparatus (3) of the present invention is used in a medical environment to releasably secure a device (5) to a support member (S; R; PS). The mounting apparatus (3) has a flexible shaft (43; 125; 139; 279) with a first end (45; -; -; 275) for releasable attachment to the support member (S; R; PS) and a second end (47; 131; -; -) for releasable attachment to the device (5). A generally C-shaped clamping member (41; 217; 273) at the first end (45; -; -; 275) releasably attaches the apparatus (3) to the support member (S; R; PS). The clamping member (41; 217; 273) has an inner surface (161; -; 317), an outer surface (165; 225; 301), and at least two apertures including a first aperture (177, 199; -; -) through which a securing rod (51) passes and a second aperture (179; -; 315) for releasable attachment of the flexible shaft (43; 125; 139; 279). The present invention is also directed to a powered medical device assembly (1) having a medical device (5) and a flexible shaft (43; 125; 139; 279) capable of selective mounting of the medical device (5) on a support (S; R; PS).