Patent ID: 7770855
Filing Date: 2010-08-10
Classification: A61H,A61M,A61N,F16M,G01F

Abstract:
1. A medical device hanging apparatus for facilitating the removable attachment of a medical instrument alternately to a vertical or a horizontal longitudinal support structure, the hanging apparatus comprising: a clamp shaft, the clamp shaft rotatable about a central longitudinal axis and comprising a cylindrical tube fixed with a clamp arm extending orthogonally from the clamp shaft; an internal shaft, the internal shaft comprising a longitudinal hollow structure positioned in telescoping fashion within the cylindrical tube of the clamp shaft; a clamp knob, the knob fixed to a first end of the internal shaft, as the internal shaft extends through the clamp shaft, in a manner that positions the clamp arm generally between the knob and the balance of the longitudinal clamp shaft; a tension spring, the spring positioned within and generally extending the length of the internal shaft, the spring fixed at a first end thereof to the first end of the internal shaft; a clamp housing, the housing comprising a longitudinal enclosure generally surrounding the clamp shaft and providing an aperture through which the clamp shaft extends, the clamp arm and the knob positioned external to the housing, a second end of the tension spring fixed to a point on the housing distal to the aperture such that telescoping withdrawal of the clamp shaft through the aperture is resisted by the tension spring, the clamp housing fixed in association with the medical instrument; and a rotational cam mechanism, the cam mechanism positioned between the clamp housing and the internal shaft wherein rotation of the internal shaft, as effected by rotation of the knob, directs a longitudinal movement of the internal shaft, the attached knob, and therefore the clamp arm, in a manner that tends to close the hanging apparatus.