Surgical Arm Support Assembly with Ball Joint

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical limb support and positioning devices are often specialized for single procedures, lack adjustability, and may obstruct access to the patient's elbow, limiting their versatility and sterility during surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

A surgical arm support assembly with a vertical member, engagement member, and horizontal member featuring a ball joint assembly and quick release fitting, allowing for adjustable angular and transverse positioning, and integration with a surgical table clamp assembly for enhanced flexibility and sterility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a prior art supporting rod with articulated joint is used to support the patient's limb, then the limb can be positioned and supported, but the primary support bar obstructs access to the patient's elbow and limits total extension when the elbow is extended

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to patient's elbowVSAvoidsupport bar structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The arm support assembly is divided into separate functional components: a vertical member for mounting, a horizontal member for positioning, and an engagement member for securing the arm. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates unobstructed access to the elbow joint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure transitions from a single vertical bar to a two-dimensional L-shaped configuration with vertical and horizontal members. This dimensional change positions the support away from the elbow area, providing unobstructed access while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If prior art devices are designed for single procedure positioning, then they provide specialized support for specific surgeries, but they lack adjustability and cannot be used in other contexts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure-specific positioningVSAvoidadjustability mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The arm support assembly incorporates adjustable mechanisms including the horizontal member that can be positioned at various distances from the vertical member, and the engagement member that can be adjusted along the horizontal member. This dynamic adjustability allows the same device to accommodate different surgical procedures and patient anatomies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The arm support assembly is designed as a universal device that can be adapted to various surgical procedures through its adjustable features. The vertical member mounts to the surgical table, the horizontal member provides customizable positioning, and the engagement member secures the arm in procedure-specific orientations, making it versatile for multiple surgical contexts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If rope weight design is used for positioning the patient's arm, then the device is simple to apply, but it cannot be fully sterilized and limits intraoperative adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of applicationVSAvoidsterility and intraoperative adjustability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the rope and weight mechanical system with a rigid arm support assembly that can be sterilized. The assembly uses mechanical adjustment mechanisms (movable horizontal member and engagement member) instead of rope positioning, providing both sterility compliance and intraoperative adjustability while maintaining ease of application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If prior art devices provide limited angular adjustment, then they are simpler in structure, but they cannot achieve varied angular positioning for different surgical needs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangular positioning capabilityVSAvoidadjustment mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement member is designed to move along the horizontal member, enabling dynamic angular adjustment of the arm support. This allows the arm to be positioned at various angles relative to the patient's body, accommodating different surgical approaches and patient anatomies while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8028702B2Arm positioning and suspension assembly

Publication Date: 2011.10.04 DASILVA MANUEL F

AI summary

An arm support and positioning assembly is provided that includes a vertical member, an engagement member and a horizontal member having one end engaged with the vertical member through a ball joint assembly and the other end affixed with the engagement member through a wedge lock. The engagement member receives and retains a patient's arm support during the surgical or medical procedures. The vertical member is attached to the clamp support assembly affixed with the operating table. The ball joint assembly includes a first hinge plate, a second hinge plate, and a ball joint having an elongated ball neck on one end and a spherical ball on other end. The ball shape end allows the horizontal member to rotate at a varied angular position with respect to the vertical member thereby providing a greater degree of adjustability to the surgeon.