Patent ID: 7556616
Filing Date: 2009-07-07
Classification: A61M,F16B,H05K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A clamp mechanism for mounting a medical device to a support member, comprising: a clamp body defining a first jaw, a second jaw and an opening therebetween adapted to receive a support member; a clamp shaft including a forward end for extending into the opening, a rearward end, and an intermediate portion having a longitudinal axis and being mounted for axial movement on the first jaw of the clamp body; ratchet and pawl means operatively interposed between the intermediate portion of the clamp shaft and the clamp body, the ratchet and pawl means comprising ratchet teeth and a pawl; biasing means for yieldingly urging the pawl and ratchet teeth into engagement with a biasing force; and the biasing means, the ratchet teeth, and the pawl being configured and arranged to normally resist axial movement of the clamp shaft in a direction away from the opening and, upon application of an axial force to the clamp shaft sufficient to overcome the biasing force of the biasing means, to permit slide-ratcheting axial movement of the clamp shaft in a direction toward the opening.