Abstract:
Rapid attach and release clamps for attaching to supports include a threaded rod, an arm pivotally attached to the threaded rod, and a knob having an exterior surface and an interior surface. The knob defines a passageway sized to fit the threaded rod. A lock comprises at least one thread and is rotatably attached to the interior surface of the knob. The lock is constructed and arranged to move between a closed position with the thread entering the passageway and engaging the threaded rod and an open position with the thread not entering the passageway. A lever is moveably attached to the clamp and constructed and arranged to rotate the lock about a pivot point.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure is in the general field of clamps for securing objects to supporting poles, and in particular, for supporting medical devices connected to a patient on a supporting structure or pole. 
     One of the more basic tools used in a medical environment is an intravenous (“IV”) stand. The typical IV stand includes an elongated member, or pole, that may be oriented either vertically or horizontally, and may additionally have any one of a variety of cross-sectional geometric shapes, including round, hexagonal or square. The pole is placed upon and supported by a pedestal. Typically, IV devices such as supply bags or bottles of an IV liquid—normally blood, saline solution, or medication—are attached to the IV pole. These liquids are then delivered via a thin tube to a patient who is in a bed adjacent the IV stand. 
     As medical technologies and treatment techniques have advanced, the number of different IV liquids that are delivered to a patient has increased. As such, there are often additional devices that must be attached to the IV stand to manage, control, measure, and monitor the delivery of these various liquids. One such device is an infusion pump. In some situations, there may be more than one infusion pump, and there may be a controller or microcontroller that controls the infusion pumps. These devices are designed to attach to an IV stand, such as an IV pole, and allow for the attachment of numerous other devices in a collective and orderly fashion. 
     To minimize equipment costs and increase flexibility of use, these devices are typically required to be adaptable for use with various types of IV stands and poles. To accomplish this, such devices have typically been mounted on an IV pole by way of a clamping assembly. However, there are several disadvantages inherent in the currently available clamping assemblies. These clamping assemblies are sometimes capable of attachment to the IV stand in only one position. Thus, they may not be used interchangeably between a horizontally disposed IV pole and a vertically disposed IV pole. 
     Some clamping assemblies are limited as to the size or shape, or both, of the IV pole to which they can attach. While a clamp on a clamping assembly may be capable of attaching to a round IV pole, it may not be capable of attaching to a hexagonal or square shaped pole. Some clamps are limited to specific widths or diameters of poles to which they can properly attach. Each of these limitations restricts the adaptability and limits the usefulness of the clamping assembly. 
     An additional drawback is the effort required for positioning the clamp on a pole or repositioning the clamp on the same pole or on a different pole. Some clamps require an extended amount of time and effort to manually attach the medical device to the pole. Quick timing may be important in administering a prescribed medication, and time spent to attach or disattach an infusion pump from a pole could be crucial. In any case, it is desirable to make the movement and attachment of medical equipment for use easier and less time consuming. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides rapid attached and release clamps that can be used to attach a medical device to a suitable support. For example, the clamps can be attached to IV poles, especially poles having a diameter ranging from about 9.5 mm (0.375 in) to about 38 mm (1.50 in), although different embodiments may be used on poles of other diameters. While most IV poles are cylindrical, with a circular cross-section, the clamp may also be used on supports or poles with other outside shapes such as rectangular, square, or elliptical shapes. 
     In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a clamp. The clamp includes a threaded rod and a knob constructed and arranged to interlock with the threaded rod. The knob has an exterior surface and an interior surface and defines a passageway. A lock having a threaded portion is rotatably attached to the interior surface of the knob. The lock is constructed and arranged to move between a closed position with the threaded portion engaged with a threaded rod positioned in the passageway and an open position with the threaded portion not engaged with the threaded rod. A lever is moveably attached to the knob and constructed and arranged to rotate the lock about a pivot point. 
     The passageway of the knob can have a circular diameter. The exterior surface of the knob can comprise a gripping handle and a circular base. The gripping handle can have an S-shape. In addition, the exterior surface of the knob can define one or more gripping grooves. 
     In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a clamp. The clamp includes a threaded rod and a knob constructed and arranged to interlock with the threaded rod. The knob has an exterior surface and an interior surface and defines a passageway. A platform defines a bore and is attached to the interior surface of the knob. A stud is slideably attached to the platform within the bore. A lock having a threaded portion is rotatably attached to the interior surface of the knob. The lock is also attached to one side of the stud. A lever is moveably attached to the knob and constructed and arranged to move the lock by applying force to an opposing side of the stud. The lock is constructed and arranged to move between a closed position with the threaded portion entering the passageway and an open position with the threaded portion not entering the passageway. 
     The knob can further include one or more springs positioned between the lock and the platform. The spring is constructed and arranged to press the threaded portion of the lock into the passageway. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the present disclosure provides a rapid attach and release clamp that includes a knob having an exterior surface and an interior surface. The knob defines a passageway extending from a top portion of the knob to a bottom portion of the knob. A platform defines a bore and is attached to the interior surface of the knob. A stud is slideably attached to the platform within the bore. A lock having a threaded portion is rotatably attached to the interior surface of the knob. The lock is also attached to one side of the stud. A lever is moveably attached within a side aperture of the knob and constructed and arranged to move the lock by applying force to an opposing side of the stud. The lock is constructed and arranged to move between a closed position with the threaded portion entering the passageway and an open position with the threaded portion not entering the passageway. 
     The clamp can further include a rod that is constructed and arranged to be inserted into the passageway of the knob. The rod comprises a threaded portion that releasably interlocks with the threaded portion of the lock. 
     An arm comprises a first limb pivotably attached to a second limb that is attached to the rod. A portion of at least one of the first limb and the second limb can be made of a frictional material. The first limb can be angled towards the threaded portion of the rod, and the second limb can be angled away from the threaded portion of the rod. The second limb can further have an extension for attaching to a medical device. The arm can also have a biasing mechanism that causes the first limb to be pivoted away from the second limb in the absence of any force applied to the first limb. 
     In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of securing a medical device to a support. The method includes providing a clamp according to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure. The medical device is attached to an arm of the clamp. The clamp is attached to the support so that the support is positioned between a first limb and a second limb of the arm and a rod from the clamp. The lever can be pressed so a lock from a knob of the clamp is in the open position and the knob is moved down the rod so that the knob is contacting a first limb of the arm. The lever can be released and the knob then rotated to tighten the clamp around the support. The support can be a pole that is part of an IV stand. 
     It is accordingly an advantage of the present disclosure to provide an improved clamp for attaching medical devices to a structure. 
     It is another advantage of the present disclosure to provide a rapid attach clamp for quickly attaching a medical device to a pole. 
     It is yet another advantage of the present disclosure to provide a rapid release clamp for quickly releasing a medical device from a pole. 
     Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will be apparent from the following Detailed Description and the figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a rapid attach and release clamp of the present disclosure, which is shown securing a medical device to a pole. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a support base of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is side elevation view of one embodiment of a rapid attach and release clamp of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is rear elevation view of one embodiment of a rapid attach and release clamp of the present disclosure with the knob pressing down on the arm. 
         FIG. 5  is front perspective view of one embodiment of a knob and rod of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-section view taken along line VI-VI of the knob and rod shown in  FIG. 5  in a locked position. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-section view taken along line VII-VII of the knob and rod shown in  FIG. 5  in a released position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings and in particular to  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of the rapid attach and release clamp  10  of the present disclosure operating with a medical device system  150  is illustrated. Clamp  10  and the various components of clamp  10  can be made using any suitable materials such as metals, polymers and plastics. Thus, clamp  10  can be designed to have a light weight, high strength, and durability. System  150  includes clamp  10 , support base  200 , a medical device  160 , such as a infusion pump, and an intravenous (“IV”) support pole  170 . Any suitable medical device  160  can be used in system  150 . 
     Clamp  10  enables medical device  160  to be easily clamped and unclamped to support pole  170 , allowing device  160  to be moved up and down as necessary. Clamp  10  also allows medical device  160  to be rotated about pole  170  and clamped at a desired radial position relative to support pole  170 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in an embodiment, support base  200  contains a section defining a channel  202  that is shaped to be positioned on one side of support pole  170 . Support base  200  also contains a section having a first pair of slots  204  and a second pair of slots  206  that are configured to be attached to clamp  10 . Support base  200  further contains a locking plate  210  attached to support base  200  between the first pair of slots  204 . Alternatively, locking plate  210  can be attached to support base  200  between the second pair of slots  206 . Locking plate  210  is removably attached to support base  200  via a suitable method such as one or more screws  212  as illustrated. 
     The backside  208  of support base  200  opposite channel  202  and locking plate  210  is removably or permanently attached to medical device  160 , as seen in  FIG. 1 , using any suitable attachment method. For example, support base  200  can be attached to medical device  160  (or other devices) by one or more screws or fasteners. Alternatively, support base  200  can be attached to medical device  160  (or other devices) using adhesives or welding techniques. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 to 7 , in an embodiment, clamp  10  includes a knob  20 , a rod  30  and an arm  40  that is attached to rod  30 . Rod  30  is constructed and arranged to be inserted into a passageway  50  ( FIG. 5 ) of knob  20 . Rod  30  includes a threaded portion  32  having a plurality of male threads  34  that releasably interlock with the one or more female threads  94  of threaded portion  92  of lock  90  ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ). The threaded portion  34  can extend through the top of knob  20  as knob  20  is rotated clockwise, causing an inward (downward as seen in  FIG. 3 ) translational advancement of knob  20  along threaded portion  34 . The diameter of rod  30  can range from about 0.6 cm (0.25 inches) to about 1.3 cm (0.5 inches). The length of rod  30  can range from about 3.8 cm (1.5 inches) to about 12.7 cm (5 inches). 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in an embodiment, arm  40  includes a first limb  42  pivotably attached to a second limb  44  via a pivot point  46 . Second limb  44  is in turn pivotally attached to rod  30  via pivot point  48 . Pivot point  46  allows first limb  42  to be angled towards threaded portion  32  of rod  30 . Pivot point  48  allows second limb  44  to be angled away from threaded portion  32  of the rod  30 . The length of first limb  42  and second limb  44  can range from about 3.8 cm (1.5 inches) to about 7.6 cm (3 inches). 
     Clamp  10  can be attached to support base  200  to tightly secure medical device  160  to support pole  170 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , second limb  44  contains a release mechanism  112  that allows slotted attachment  110  to be reasonably locked in place with locking plate  210  of support base  200 . Release mechanism  112  may be spring loaded to provide a quick-disconnect type connection. Release mechanism  112  can also be activated by pressing release mechanism  112  towards base plate  200  to unsecure and easily slide slotted attachment  110  out of the first pair of slots  204 . In an alternative embodiment, clamp  10  can also include a biasing mechanism (not shown) that causes first limb  42  to be pivoted towards or away from second limb  44  in the absence of any force applied to first limb  42  with knob  20 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, first limb  42  includes a high friction coefficient material pad  114  such as rubber. First limb  42  can itself be alternatively be made from a high friction coefficient material. Likewise, channel  202  can be provided with a high friction coefficient material. The high friction coefficient material acts to prevent clamp  10  from undesirably moving or sliding along support or IV pole  170  to which clamp  10  is attached. 
     As illustrated in detail in  FIGS. 5 to 7 , knob  20  has an exterior surface  24  and an interior surface  26 . Knob  20  defines passageway  50  that extends from a top portion  60  of the knob  20  to a bottom portion  62  of knob  20 . The outer peripheral border of passageway  50  of knob  20  has a circular diameter in the illustrated embodiment. In an embodiment, the inner diameter of passageway  50  ranges from about 0.6 cm (0.25 inches) to about 1.4 cm (0.55 inches). In alternative embodiments, passageway  50  can have a different cross-sectional shape as long as it is large enough to receive rod  30 . 
     The shape of knob  20  enables a user to be able to readily grasp and rotate knob  20 . For example, exterior surface  24  of knob  20  can have a gripping handle  52  and a circular base  54 . In an embodiment, knob  20  has a height ranging from about 2.5 cm (1 inch) to about 7.6 cm (3 inches), and circular base  54  has a diameter/width ranging from about 2.5 cm (1 inch) to about 7.6 cm (3 inches). In alternative embodiments, base  54  can have rectangular, square, polygonal or elliptical shapes. 
     Gripping handle  52  has an S-shape in the illustrated embodiment so as to receive the user&#39;s thumb and forefinger. In addition, exterior surface  24  of knob  20  can define one or more gripping grooves  56 . Gripping handle  52  and gripping grooves  56  allow a user to easily grasp and twist knob  20  during the operation of clamp  10 . 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  show that knob  20  houses a platform  70 . Platform  70  defines a bore  72  and is attached to interior surface  26  of knob  20 . Platform  70  is alternatively molded with knob  20 . Bore  72  of platform  70  secures a stud  80  that is slideably received within the bore. Stud  80  is constructed and arranged to move back and forth within platform  70  when a user applies a designated amount of pressure to a lever  100  attached to or formed integrally with stud  80 . 
     A lock  90 , having a threaded or toothed portion  92  having one or more threads or teeth  94 , is rotatably attached to interior surface  26  of knob  20  via hinge point  96 . Lock  90  can be metal or plastic and is rigid enough to be placed under stress when interlocked with threads  34  of threaded portion  32  as seen in  FIG. 7 . Because lock  90  is constructed and arranged to rotate about a pivot point  96  as seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a surface  97  is chamfered to allow lock  90  to be in the open position of  FIG. 6 . Lock  90  is attached to or abutted against the stud  80 . Lock  90  has a second chamfered surface  98  that allows lock  90  to be rotated to the position of  FIG. 7 , so that surface  98  remains abutted against stud  80  for a subsequent activation. 
     Lever  100  is slideably attached within an aperture  102  of knob  20  and is shaped at its outside end to be pressed by a user. Lever  100  is confined between lock  90  and tabs  106  formed on lever  100 , which abut inner surface  26  when lock  90  is engaged with rod  30 . 
     Lever  100  is constructed and arranged to move lock  90  via stud  80  when a force is applied to lever  100 . For example, when lever  100  is pushed inward, lever  100  forces stud  80  inward, which forces lock  90  to rotate about pivot point  96 . In this manner, lock  90  moves between a locked or closed position (see  FIG. 7 ) with threads or teeth  94  from threaded portion  92  engaging threads  34  of rod  30  and an open position (see  FIG. 6 ) with threads or teeth  94  from threaded portion  92  disengaging from threads  94 . 
     Knob  20  can include a biasing mechanism  104 , for example a spring, which is positioned between lock  90  and platform  70 . Spring  104  is constructed and arranged to press threads or teeth  94  of threaded portion  92  of lock  90  into engagement with threads  34  or teeth of rod  30  when lever  100  is not pressed. As used herein, the term “biasing mechanism” includes mechanical springs and other compressible biasing elements, such as, compressible rubber or other elastomeric dome elements and solid compressible elastomeric bodies. 
     Although the figures illustrate that teeth  94  of lock  90  are attached to a side of rod  30 , in alternative embodiments, threads  94  of lock  90  can extend around differently sized portions of rod  30 , e.g., ¼ or halfway around rod  30 . 
     Clamp  10  is used in conjunction with support base  200  to tightly secure medical device  160  to support pole  170 , so that a user can readily move medical device  160  up and down. As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , second limb  44  includes a slotted attachment  110 . Slotted attachment  110  of clamp  10  is configured to slide into first pair of slots  204  or second pair of slots  206  of support base  200  (see  FIG. 2 ) and be locked into place on support base  200 . With support base  200  attached to medical device  160  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , one side of support pole  170  fits within groove  202 . The opposite side of support pole  170  is contacted by first limb  42  of arm  40 , which presses support pole  170  against support base  200 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , in one clamping operation, when lock  90  is in the locked position shown in  FIG. 7 , the user can tighten clamp  10  about IV pole  170  by rotating knob  20  towards arm  40  (e.g., clockwise, depending on the design of threaded portion  32 ). Knob  20  can be rotated clockwise and translates, via its threaded engagement with rod  30 , along rod  30  towards arm  40 . As knob  20  is rotated towards arm  40 , teeth or threads  94  of lock  90  wind around threads  34  of rod  30  causing the translational movement. 
     Knob  20  contacts first limb  42  and compresses first limb  42  towards the angled edge of second limb  44 . At this time, support pole  170  is squeezed between support base  200  and first limb  42  of arm  40  as seen in  FIG. 1 . In particular, first limb  42  squeezes support pole  170  into groove  202  of support base  200 . In this manner, support pole  170  is tightly secured between support base  200  and arm  40  of clamp  10 . Support base  200  and arm  40  can be constructed and arranged to accommodate any suitably sized and shaped diameter IV pole  170 . 
     If desired, the user may rapidly move knob  20  by pressing lever  100 , causing lock  90  to be in the open position shown in  FIG. 6 . The user can then extend or translate knob  20  freely (for course adjustment of knob  20  relative to pole  170 ) along rod  30  without the need to rotate knob  20 . This action prevents the user from spending unnecessary time and energy rotating knob  20  to initially engage contact arm  40  or pulling knob  20  away from arm  40 . 
     When knob  20  has reached a desired position or contacts first limb  42  of arm  40 , lever  100  is depressed, allowing lock  90  to assume the locked position of  FIG. 7 . If knob  20  is only lightly engaging or compressing arm  40  onto support pole  170 , the user can further lock clamp  10  onto support pole  170  enough to firmly hold the weight of medical device  160 , by turning knob  20  in the clockwise direction (for fine adjustment of knob  20  relative to pole  170 ). 
     To release clamp  10 , the user can unscrew knob  20 , for example by turning knob  20  counterclockwise, thereby releasing the holding compression on arm  40 . Next, the user can push lever  100  to quickly disengage threads  94  of lock  90  from threads  34  of rod  30 . Accordingly, the user can readily lift knob  20  off of rod  30 , so that the grip of arm  40  around pole  170  is quickly loosened for adjustment of the medical device. The medical device along with clamp  10  can then be rapidly removed from the support. 
     It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.