Pivotable Assistant Module Retaining System for Surgical Microscopes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pivotable optical assemblies for surgical microscopes, particularly 0°-assistant devices, require complex and dangerous disassembly for the assistant to change sides during operations, leading to impracticality and risk of collision or damage, with existing solutions needing separate equipment and being time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A retaining system with a hand-operable control element allows unrestricted pivoting of the assistant's module without disassembly, using a locking bolt and biasing mechanism to ensure safe and quick side changes without separate equipment, incorporating a double safety mechanism of tilting the tube carrier and actuating the retaining system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the assistant's module is made pivotable to allow side changes, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining element is designed to be manually operable by the user without requiring separate tools or equipment. The hand-operable control element allows the user to directly actuate the retaining element to move between locking and release positions, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for additional equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The function of changing the assistant's position is extracted from the fixed structure by introducing a pivotable assistant's module. This module can be rotated about a pivot axis between different positions (e.g., left and right sides), allowing the assistant to change sides while maintaining a compact overall design without requiring large distances between tubes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a captive screw system is used to allow pivoting, then the adaptability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to time-consuming unscrewing and requirement of special equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining element is designed to be manually operable by the user without requiring separate tools or equipment. The hand-operable control element allows the user to directly actuate the retaining element to move between locking and release positions, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for additional equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining element is designed to be movable between a locking position (where it blocks pivoting) and a release position (where it allows pivoting). This dynamic design allows the system to transition from a fixed state to a movable state as needed, enabling quick position changes without permanent fixation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the assistant's tube is made rotatable to change sides, then the adaptability is improved, but the length of the microscope increases due to required collision-free rotation space
Solution Approach 1:
The function of changing the assistant's position is extracted from the fixed structure by introducing a pivotable assistant's module. This module can be rotated about a pivot axis between different positions (e.g., left and right sides), allowing the assistant to change sides while maintaining a compact overall design without requiring large distances between tubes.
Solution Approach 2:
The assistant's module is integrated into the microscope body interface in a space-efficient manner. The module shares the same mounting interface as the tube carrier, and its pivotable design allows it to occupy the same general space at different angles, effectively nesting the rotation function within the existing structure rather than requiring additional external space.
4Adaptability or versatility
If disassembly is required to change assistant position, then the adaptability is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to risk of collision or damage during disassembly and reinstallation
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining element is designed to be movable between a locking position (where it blocks pivoting) and a release position (where it allows pivoting). This dynamic design allows the system to transition from a fixed state to a movable state as needed, enabling quick position changes without permanent fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The function of changing the assistant's position is extracted from the fixed structure by introducing a pivotable assistant's module. This module can be rotated about a pivot axis between different positions (e.g., left and right sides), allowing the assistant to change sides while maintaining a compact overall design without requiring large distances between tubes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the assistant to change sides quickly and safely without disassembling accessories or using separate equipment, reducing the risk of collision and damage, while maintaining the microscope's compact design and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member forcing the retaining element into the locking position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a pivotable optical assembly (1) for a surgical microscope, in particular a zero-degree assistant's device (2), the assembly comprising: a microscope body interface (3) for mounting the assembly (1) on a microscope body; an assistant's module (5) including an interface (6) for an assistant's tube, the assistant's module (5) being pivotable about a pivot axis (11) relative to the microscope body (3); and a retaining system (7) that blocks pivoting the assistant's module (5) about the pivot axis (11). The present invention furhter relates to a retaining system (7) for such pivotable optical assembly (1) of a surgical microscope. In order to provide a pivotable optical assembly for a surgical microscope and a retaining system therefor, that allows the assistant to change sides quickly, easily and without the requirement of separate equipment, the invention provides a retaining system (7) comprising a retaining element (12) being moveable from a locking position (L) into a release position (R), a biasing member (13) forcing the retaining element (12) into the locking position (L), and a hand-operable control element (14) acting on the retaining element (12) for moving it from the locking position (L) into the release position (R), as well as a pivotable optical assembly (1) comprising said retaining system (7) according to the invention, whose retaining element (12), in its blocking position (L), blocks pivoting the assistant's module (5) about the pivot axis (11).