Spring-Loaded Pole Clamp for Secure, Low-Vibration Medical Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hospital pole clamps require equal force to remove as was applied to attach, posing difficulties for staff with less strength and causing equipment wear, and they transfer vibrational energy to the pole, which can be detrimental.
Innovation Solution
A medical instrument device with a quick attach/release pole clamp system featuring biasing apparatuses and clamping members that secure the pole without a knob or handwheel, using a trench system to absorb vibrational energy and provide greater attachment force than the device's weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a threaded shaft with knob or handwheel is used to secure the clamp to the pole, then the clamp provides a firm friction connection, but an equal amount of force is required to remove the clamp as was applied to attach it, making removal difficult for staff with less strength
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp transitions from a static threaded connection to a dynamic spring-loaded system where the spring continuously applies clamping force. The spring mechanism allows easy release by simply lifting the device, as the spring automatically disengages from the pole, eliminating the need to overcome the full attachment force during removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded mechanism provides self-adjusting clamping force and automatic engagement. When the device is placed on the pole, the spring automatically compresses and secures the clamp without requiring manual tightening, and similarly automatically releases during removal, reducing the operational effort required.
2Strength
If a threaded shaft with knob or handwheel is used to secure the clamp to the pole, then the clamp provides a firm friction connection, but excessive torque applied to the knob causes additional wear on the equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the threaded mechanical system (knob or handwheel requiring torque) with a spring-loaded cam or lever mechanism. This substitution eliminates the need for high-torque operations, as the spring provides continuous clamping force passively, and release is achieved through simple mechanical disengagement rather than reverse-threading, thereby reducing wear on components.
3Strength
If conventional clamps are used to attach medical instruments to hospital poles, then the instruments can be securely mounted, but vibrational energy from the medical devices is transferred to the hospital pole, which can be detrimental
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded clamp acts as an intermediary between the medical device and the hospital pole. The spring mechanism provides a compliant connection that absorbs and isolates vibrational energy, preventing direct transmission to the pole while maintaining secure mounting through continuous spring pressure.
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 secure attachment and easy removal without excessive force, minimizing vibration transfer to the hospital pole, thus improving staff efficiency and reducing equipment wear and potential adverse effects on medical devices.
Implementation Method 1
Each clamping member has a preferred position, an attachment position and a maximum tension position. In the preferred position the respective biasing members position the respective clamping member's distal end as close to each other as possible
Data Source
AI summary
A medical instrument device interconnection system decreases the vibrational effects on a hospital pole. The medical device is contained in a case and the case has a first clamping member, a first biasing apparatus, a second clamping member, a second biasing apparatus, and a pole receiving trench. Each clamping member has a preferred position, an attachment position and a maximum tension position. In the preferred position the respective biasing members position the respective clamping member's distal end as close to each other as possible which inhibits a conventional hospital pole from entering the pole receiving trench. To obtain the maximum tension position, the person positioning the medical instrument device on the hospital pole aligns the pole receiving trench with the hospital pole so the hospital pole contacts the clamping members' exterior surface in the preferred position. The person raises the device in relation to the pole which causes the clamping members to rotate and expose the pole receiving trench. Once the hospital pole enters the pole receiving trench the respective biasing apparatus on each clamping member has the respective clamping members revert toward the preferred position. The preferred position cannot be obtained because the hospital pole in the pole receiving trench inhibits the clamping members from reverting to that position. Instead the clamping members are in the attachment position after the medical instrument device is lowered a little in relation to the hospital pole to obtain the maximum force in the attachment position. Collectively the biasing apparatuses through the clamping members in the attachment position provide more force to the hospital pole than the weight of the medical instrument device. That way the medical instrument device remains attached to the hospital pole and due to the flexible biasing apparatuses the device's vibration is suppressed while attached to the hospital pole.