Patent Publication Number: US-2015071412-A1

Title: C-arm retention locks, systems containing the same, and methods for using the same

Description:
FIELD 
     This application relates generally to X-ray equipment. More specifically, this application relates to C-arm retention locks that allow users to easily secure and unsecure a C-arm positioning device of an X-ray machine, systems containing such locks, and methods of using such locks. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A typical X-ray imaging system comprises an X-ray source and an X-ray detector. X-rays emitted from the X-ray source can impinge on the X-ray detector and provide an X-ray image of an object or subject that is placed between the X-ray source and the detector. In one type of X-ray imaging system, a fluoroscopic imaging system, the X-ray detector is often an image intensifier or a flat panel digital detector. 
     Fluoroscopic imaging systems can be either fixed or mobile. For instance, fixed fluoroscopic imaging systems often include a gantry that is secured to a floor, wall, or ceiling. Additionally, mobile fluoroscopic imaging systems are movable so that they can be used in a variety of clinical environments, such as radiology and surgery departments of a medical facility. The mobile fluoroscopic imaging systems may include a C-arm, G-arm, O-arm, L-arm, or another imaging arm or gantry assembly. A mobile fluoroscopic imaging system may also be configured as a mini C-arm. 
     In some configurations, a C-arm assembly of a fluoroscopic imaging system moves relative to the subject in order to acquire images from multiple angles. In some arrangements, the C-arm assembly is manually repositioned to generate images from different angles. In some configurations, the C-arms are connected to one end of a movable arm so the C-arm can often be raised and lowered, be moved from side to side, and/or be rotated about one or more axes of rotation. Accordingly, such C-arms can be moved and reoriented to allow X-ray images to be taken from several different positions and angles and of one or more portions of a patient, without requiring the patient to be frequently repositioned. Retention systems are often used to restrain C-arms when the X-ray machine is not in use or during transport of the X-ray machine. 
     SUMMARY 
     This application generally describes C-arm retention locks that allow users to easily secure and unsecure a C-arm positioning device of an X-ray machine, systems containing such locks, and methods of using such locks. This application specifically describes a C-arm retention lock, comprising a latch bail and a latching assembly, wherein the latching assembly comprises: a latch base having an ear and a generally flat engagement surface at an end of the latch base proximate the one ear; a latch having an arm, the latch being pivotally connected to the latch base so that the latch is rotatable between a closed and open position; and a tensioning device engaging the latch and the latch base such that the tensioning device pulls the latch toward either of the closed or open positions, where the latching assembly or the latch bail is configured to be connected to a C-arm, and the latching assembly retains the latch bail between the ear and the arm when the latch is in the closed position. Thus, the C-arm retention lock can allow a user to easily secure and release the C-arm to a mobile or fixed X-ray machine. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following description can be better understood in light of the Figures, in which: 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  show a front perspective view of some embodiments of a C-arm retention lock device; 
         FIG. 2  shows an exploded side perspective view of some embodiments of a latching assembly of the C-arm retention lock device; 
         FIG. 3  shows a bottom view of some embodiments of a latching assembly; 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of some embodiments of a latch; 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of some embodiments of a tensioning device retainer; 
         FIG. 6  shows some embodiments of a latch bail; 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of some embodiments of a latching assembly; 
         FIG. 8  shows a cross-sectional side view of some embodiments of a latch bail and a latching assembly in an open position; 
         FIG. 9  shows a cross-sectional side view of some embodiments of a latch bail and A latching assembly in a closed position; 
         FIGS. 10-11  show some embodiments of a different configuration of a latching assembly and latch. 
     
    
    
     The Figures illustrate specific aspects of the described C-arm retention lock devices and methods for making and using such devices. Together with the following description, the Figures demonstrate and explain the principles of the methods and structures produced through these methods. In the drawings, the thickness of layers and regions are exaggerated for clarity. The same reference numerals in different drawings represent the same element, and thus their descriptions will not be repeated. As the terms on, attached to, or coupled to are used herein, one object (e.g., a material, a layer, a substrate, etc.) can be on, attached to, or coupled to another object regardless of whether the one object is directly on, attached, or coupled to the other object or there are one or more intervening objects between the one object and the other object. Also, directions (e.g., above, below, top, bottom, side, up, down, under, over, upper, lower, horizontal, vertical, “x,” “y,” “z,” etc.), if provided, are relative and provided solely by way of example and for ease of illustration and discussion and not by way of limitation. In addition, where reference is made to a list of elements (e.g., elements a, b, c), such reference is intended to include any one of the listed elements by itself, any combination of less than all of the listed elements, and/or a combination of all of the listed elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description supplies specific details in order to provide a thorough understanding. Nevertheless, the skilled artisan will understand that the described C-arm retention lock devices and associated methods of making and using the devices can be implemented and used without employing these specific details. Indeed, the C-arm retention lock devices and associated methods can be placed into practice by modifying the described devices and methods and can be used in conjunction with any other apparatus and techniques conventionally used in the industry. For example, while the description below focuses on methods for making and using the C-arm retention lock devices for mini C-arms, they can be used with virtually any other type of X-ray equipment, including C-arms, G-arms, O-arms, and L-arms. 
     The C-arm retention locks (or just locks) can comprise any suitable component to easily secure and unsecure a C-arm positioning device of an X-ray machine.  FIGS. 1A and 1B  show some embodiments in which the C-arm lock  12  can be mounted on an X-ray machine  10 . In the illustrated embodiments, the C-arm positioning device  14  may be a sliding counterbalanced C-arm positioning device that is part of the mobile x-ray machine  10 . 
     The C-arm lock  12  comprises a latch bail  34  and a docking (or latching) assembly  42  that are used for the C-arm positioning device (or C-arm)  14 . In some embodiments, the latch bail  34  can mounted to the C-arm and the docking or latching assembly  42  can be mounted to a housing  18  of the X-ray machine. In other embodiments, the latch bail  34  can be mounted to the housing body  18  and the docking or latching assembly  42  can be mounted to the C-arm  14 . 
     Some embodiments of the C-arm  14 , latch bail  34 , and latching assembly  42  are illustrated in  FIG. 1B . In these embodiments, the latch bail  34  can be mounted to and extend downwards from an inner surface of the C-arm  14  and oriented to be substantially parallel to a surface of the housing  18  of the x-ray machine  10 . The latch bail  34  contains a rod  38  that is oriented generally horizontal and parallel with the side of the housing  18 . 
     As show in  FIG. 1B , the latching assembly  42  can comprise a latch base  46  connected to a latch  50 . The latch base  46  may be connected by any number of different methods to the housing  18  or may be integral to the housing  18 . In some configurations, the latch base  46  may be connected to any other grounded or secured mounting surface proximate to the C-arm  14 . Since the latch bail  34  can be received within the latching assembly  42  between the latch base  46  and the latch  50  such that the movement of the C-arm  14  is limited in any direction, the latching assembly  42  may be opened such that the latch bail  34  is released and the C-arm  14  may be moved. 
       FIGS. 2 to 5  show some embodiments of components and arrangements of the latching assembly  42 . In these embodiments, the latching assembly  42  comprises three components: a latch base  46 ; a latch  50 ; and a tensioning device assembly  132 . These components of the latching assembly  42  may comprise plastic or metal or any number or combination of materials. By way of example, the latching assembly  42  can be made from any substantially rigid material, including aluminum or plastic. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates some embodiments of components and arrangements of the first component of the latching assembly  42 , the latch base  46 . In these embodiments, the latch base  46  comprises a base plate  54  extending from one end and a latching section  62  extending from the opposite end. The latching section  62  includes pairs of rounded ears  70  extending out at opposite sides of the latching section  62 . A cutout  72  defined by a stop surface  78  that extends between the ears  70  along the latching section  62 . The latching section  62  can contain a limiting surface  74  that extends downward and perpendicular from the stop surface  78  away from the ears  70 . The stop surface  78  includes a spring aperture  82  extending therethrough. The stop surface  78  keeps the latch  50  from continuing to rotate. The ears  70  include pinholes  96  extending therethrough to the cutout  72 . The ears  70  can have a wear-impact surface  86  extending along the surfaces thereof. The base plate  54  further includes apertures  66  through which screws or other fasteners may be inserted to connect the latch base  46  to the housing body  18 . The latch base  46  includes a stop surface  90  proximate the latching section  62 . During operation, the latching assembly  42  receives the latch bail  34  of the C-arm  14  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) along the latching section  62  between the pairs of rounded ears  70 . The wear impact surfaces  86  on the ears  70  operate to protect both the latch base  46  and handle shaped latch bail  34  from wear. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a bottom view of the latch base  46 . On one end of the latch base  46 , the base plate  54  abuts the housing body  18  and connects the latch base  46  to the housing body  18 . The latching section  62  is located on the opposite end of the latch base  46  from the base plate  54 . The underside of the latching section  62  includes a thin gap  186  along a bottom surface  190  thereof. The thin gap  186  perpendicularly traverses the spring aperture  82 . The gap  186  is partly defined by ledges  194  on opposite sides thereof such that the gap  186  can receive and retain a pin  142  ( FIG. 2 ) therein against the ledges  194 . The pin  142  extends through a hook  150  of a spring  134  that extends through the spring aperture  82 . 
     The second component of the latching assembly  42  is the latch  50 . Some embodiments of the latch  50  are shown in  FIG. 2 . In these embodiments, the latch  50  comprises a base  94  with curved arms  98 . The arms  98  project from opposite sides thereof to define gaps  102  between the arms  98  and the base  94 . In some configurations, the arms  98  have wear-impact surfaces  106  extending along contact surfaces thereof. The base  94  includes a curved handle  114  extending therefrom proximate to the arms  98 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates further details of the latch  50  of  FIG. 2 . The base  94  of the latch  50  has a square hole  128 . The base  94  also has a bottom side  130  from which extends a rounded pivot section  118 . The pivot section  118  includes an aperture  122  extending therethrough. A stop bar  126  also extends from the bottom side  130  of the base  94 . 
     The third component of the latching assembly  42  is the latch tensioning device assembly  132 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the tensioning device assembly  132  comprises a spring  134  with hooks  150  and a tensioning device retainer  138 . One hook  150  of the spring  134  extends through the spring aperture  82  of the latch base  46 . The other hook  150  of the spring  134  is retained by the tensioning device retainer  138 .  FIG. 5  illustrates a bottom isometric view of the tensioning device retainer  138  of  FIG. 2 . The tensioning device retainer is configured to selectably couple with the square hole  128  of the latch  50 . The cap-shaped tensioning device retainer  138  has a base  154  from which extends a square-shaped wall  158  defining a hollow interior section  156 . The wall  158  has apertures  162  extending through parallel sections thereof. The apertures  162  are configured to receive a pin  144  ( FIG. 2 ) to retain one hook  150  of the spring  134 . By way of example only, the tensioning device retainer  138  can be made of aluminum. 
     These three main components of the latching assembly  42  can arranged and assembled as shown in  FIG. 2 . The latch  50  is selectably coupled to the latch base  46  such that the aperture  122  of the latch  50  aligns with the pin holes  96  of the latch base. Pins  146  are inserted into pin holes  96  and enter aperture  122  to secure the latch  50  to the latch base. Next, a hook  150  of the spring  134  is inserted into the spring aperture  82 . Pin  142  is extended through the hook  150  and the pin  142  is received in the gap  186 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Then, the other hook  150  of the spring  134  is inserted into the interior section  156 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , of the tensioning device retainer  138 . The pin  144  is then inserted through the apertures  162  in the tensioning device retainer  138  and the hook  150  to hold the spring  134  to the tensioning device retainer  138 . Finally, the tensioning device retainer  138  is then positioned in latch  50  such that the wall  158  is received into the square hole  128  of the latch  50  and the base  154  of the tensioning device retainer  138  engages the base  94  of the latch  50 . The spring  134  is in tension between the latch base  46  and the tensioning device retainer  138  and maintains tension between the latch  50  and the latch base  46 . 
     As noted above, the latching assembly  42  works with the latch bail  34  with to secure (and release) the C-arm  14 .  FIG. 6  illustrates an isometric view of some embodiments of the latch bail  34 . In these embodiments, the latch bail  34  is mounted to the C-arm  14  at mounting points  174 . The handle-shaped rod  38  extends from an inside surface of the C-arm  14  to define a gap  178 . In other embodiments, the latch bail  34  may be connected to the C-arm  14  by any number of methods or may be integral with the C-arm  14 . The latch bail  34  may comprise plastic, metal, or composite materials such as carbon fiber or fiberglass. By way of example only, the latch bail  34  may be made of aluminum or stainless steel. The skilled artisan will understand that the latch bail  34  may have any number of different shapes and orientations, for example, the rod  38  of the latch bail  34  may extend horizontally sideways towards the housing body  18 . 
     Returning to the latching assembly  42 ,  FIG. 7  illustrates an isometric view of some embodiments of the assembled latching assembly  42  from  FIGS. 1-5 . In these embodiments, the latching assembly  42  can be assembled such that the latch  50  is in the closed position where the stop bar  126  of the latch  50  engages the stop surface  90  on the latch base  46  and the arms  98  and ears  70  define an enclosed region  198 . The spring  134  holds the latch  50  in the closed position. In operation, the latch  50  can rotate about the pins  146  in the direction of arrow A to an open position where the limiting surface  74  of the latch base  46  resistibly engages the handle  114  of the latch  50 . When the latch  50  is in the open position, it can be rotated about the pins  146  in the direction of arrow B from the open position back to the closed position. When the latch  50  has been rotated a certain distance from the closed position toward the open position, the spring  134  automatically shifts from pulling the latch  50  toward the closed position and applies a tension to the latch  50  to pull the latch  50  toward the open position. The spring  134  holds the latch  50  in the open position, but as the latch  50  is rotated a certain distance from the open position toward the closed position, the spring  134  automatically shifts from pulling the latch  50  toward the open position and applies a tension to the latch  50  to pull the latch  50  toward the closed position. In this operation, the spring  134  serves as a toggle device that can pull and hold the latch  50  in either position. 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  show some embodiments of the open and closed positions of the latching assembly  42  to retain and release the latch bail  34 .  FIG. 8  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the latch bail  34  and the latching assembly  42  in the open position. When the latching assembly  42  is in the open position, the base  94  of the latch  50  engages the limiting surface  74  of the latch base  46  and the pivot section  118  of the latch  50  engages the engagement surface  78  of the latch base  46 . The base  94  of the latch  50  extends out beyond the ears  70  of the latch base  46  between the ears  70  and the arms  98  of the latch  50 . The orientation of pivot section  118  on the engagement surface  78  with respect to the orientation of the spring  134  allows for the spring  134  to be in tension to hold the latch  50  in the open position. 
     In operation, to dock the latch bail  34  within the latching assembly  42 , the C-arm  14  can be moved towards the latching assembly  42  such that the rod  38  of the latch bail  34  is received into the gap between the ears  70  and the rod  38  engages the base  94  of the latch  50 . Next, as the rod  38  pushes against the base  94  in the direction of arrow C, the latch  50  is pushed to rotate in the direction of arrow B against the tension of the spring  134 . After the latch  50  has rotated a certain distance in the direction of arrow B, the orientation of the pivot section  118  on the engagement surface  78  with respect to the orientation of the spring  134  allows for the spring  134  in tension to pull the latch  50  toward the closed position. The latch  50  then moves to the closed position where the stop bar  126  engages the stop surface  90  of the latch base  46 , the gaps  102  of the latch  50  engage the rod  38 , and the arms  98  of the latch  50  are received into the gap  178 . Therefore, in this operation, the spring  134  serves as a toggle device that can shift from automatically pulling the latch  50  to the open position to pulling the latch  50  to the closed position after the latch  50  has been rotated a certain distance to the closed position. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the latching assembly  42  receiving the latch bail  34  in the closed position. The latch  50  is in the closed position and the rod  38  of the latch bail  34  is received within the enclosed region  198  between the ears  70  of the latch base  46  and the arms  98  of the latch  50 . The spring  134  is in tension to hold the latch  50  in the closed position about the latch bail  34 . In this manner, the latching assembly  42  generally retains or restrains the C-arm  14  from moving. Specifically, the ears  70  prevent the latch bail  34  from moving in the direction of arrow E or the direction of arrow F by engaging the rod  38 . Also, the latch  50  prevents the latch bail  34  from moving in the direction of arrow D because as the rod  38  moves in the direction of arrow D, the rod  38  engages the arm  98  at a pivot point such that the arm  98  does not rotate. 
     To release the latch bail  34  from the latching assembly  42  so that the C-arm  14  can move, the operator simply depresses the handle  114  of the latch  50  in the direction of arrow A. After the latch  50  has been rotated a certain distance in the direction of arrow A, the orientation of the pivot section  118  on the engagement surface  78  with respect to the orientation of the spring  134  allows for the spring  134  to be in tension to pull the latch  50  toward the open position. The latch  50  then rotates to the open position where the base  94  of the latch  50  engages the limiting surface  74  of the latch base  46 . The tension load on the latch  50  as it is rotated toward the open position assists to eject the latch bail  34  during undocking. The operator may then pull the latch bail  34  away from the latching assembly  42 . 
     Alternatively, an operator can secure the latch bail  34  into the latching assembly  42  when the latching assembly  42  in already in the closed position. When the latching assembly  42  is in the closed position as shown in  FIG. 9 , the C-arm  14  is moved toward the latching assembly  42  such that the rod  38  engages the curved ears  70  at an inside surface or ramp  200  and the curved arms  98  at a top surface or ramp  204  in the general direction of Arrow C. Because the wear impact surfaces  86  and  106  of the ears  70  and arms  98 , respectively, are smooth and create a minimal amount of friction, the arms  98  and the ears  70  are able to slidingly guide the rod  38  of the latch bail  34  therebetween such that the latch bail  34  pushes the arms  98 , and thus the entire latch  50 , in the direction of arrow A toward the open position. After the rod  38  slides past the top surface  204  of the arms  98  and against the base  94  of the latch  50  between the arms  98  and the ears  70 , the latch  50  is pulled back into the closed position by the spring  134  to secure the latch bail  34  in the latching assembly  42 . Thus, the operator can secure the latch bail  34  even when the latching assembly  42  is already in the closed position. And the operator need not even touch the latch  50  to secure the latch bail  34  into the latching assembly  42 . 
     In alternate embodiments, the latch bail  34  may have any number of other shapes and/or orientations that allow for it to be restrained between the arms  98  and ears  70  of the latching assembly  42 . And the latching assembly  42  may be structured and oriented such that it can receive the latch bail  34  from any number of different directions and orientations besides from above in the downward direction of Arrow C. For example, the latching base  46  and the latch  50  may be structured to extend outward in the direction opposite of the C-arm  14  and receive the latch bail  34  from the direction of Arrow E. 
     In other embodiments, the ears  70  of the latch base  46  and the arms  98  of the latch  50  may overlap each other or contact each other or one may be received within the other when the latch  50  in the closed position. Alternatively, the latch base  46  may include only one ear  70  or more than two ears  70  and the latch  50  may include only one arm  98  or more than two arms  98 . Alternatively, the latch base  46  may include the curved arms  98  and the latch  50  may include the rounded ears  70 . In yet other embodiments, the latching assembly  42  may be connected to the C-arm  14  and the latch bail  34  may be connected to a mounting surface such that the latching assembly  42  on the C-arm  14  is operated to secure the latching assembly  42  to the latch bail  34  connected to the mounting surface. 
     In yet other embodiments, the tensioning device assembly  132  and latch  50  can be configured differently as illustrated in  FIGS. 10-11 . In these embodiments, the tensioning device retainer  138  and the pin  144  have been eliminated as shown in  FIG. 10 . The spring  134  continues to be used in these configurations. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the latch  50  can be modified so that instead of tensioning device retainer  138 , the bottom of the base  94  of the latch  50  contains a pin  95  on which the hook  150  is retained. The pin  95  is connected to the base  94  using anchoring elements  97  located on the each end of the pin  95 . Thus, rather than being connected through the latch  50 , the spring  134  is connected on the bottom of the latch  50 . 
     The C-arm lock  12  can comprise any other component or characteristic that allows it to be secured and released. For example, the C-arm lock  12  can comprise one or more support structure covers, handles, power supplies (e.g., internal and/or external), control devices, actuators, and/or brake systems. 
     The described C-arm lock  12  can be made in any manner that forms the structures described. In some embodiments, a latch bail  34  and a latching assembly  42  can be manufactured with the structures described herein and then one of them is attached to the C-arm  14  and the other attached to the x-ray machine. 
     The C-arm lock  12  can also be used to then secure or release the C-arm  14  to the x-ray machine  10 . By way of example, an operator can secure the C-arm lock  12  by moving the C-arm  14  such that the latch bail  34  is aligned over the latching assembly  42  and applying downward force to engage the C-arm lock  12 . With the C-arm lock  12  engaged, the operator can transport or store the X-ray machine  10  with the C-arm  14  secured. Likewise, the operator can unsecure the C-arm lock  12  by applying downward force on the handle  114  of the latch  50  to disengage the C-arm lock. With the C-arm lock disengaged, the operator can position the C-arm  14  as required. By way of further example, the operator can secure the C-arm lock  12  with the latch  50  already in the closed position by aligning the latch bail  34  over the latching assembly  42  and applying downward force to move the latch  50  into the open position to accept the latch bail thereby engaging the C-arm  14  and subsequently moving the latch  50  into the closed position. 
     The C-arm lock  12  may have several useful features. First, because the latch bail  34  is restrained from moving in the direction of arrows C, D, E, and F, the C-arm lock  12  adequately secures C-arm  14  for transport or storage of X-ray machine  10 . Accordingly, the C-arm lock  12  sufficiently immobilizes C-arm  14  to protect the C-arm  14  and the X-ray machine  10  during transport or storage of the X-ray machine  10 . The C-arm lock  12  also secures the C-arm  14  during transport or storage to prevent injury to the operator or patients. The C-arm lock  12  also allows for the C-arm to be secured to ease transport of the X-ray machine. With the C-arm  14  secured by the C-arm lock  12 , an operator can freely move the X-ray machine  10  without the C-arm swinging free and causing damage or injury. Also, the C-arm lock  12  secures the C-arm  14  to allow for a single operator to move the X-ray machine  10  without needing additional operators to secure or guide the C-arm  14 . 
     Second, the C-arm lock  12  is easy and intuitive to use. The operator can operate the C-arm lock  12  to secure and unsecure the C-arm  14  with only a minimum of training. The C-arm lock  12  is intuitive in that the C-arm  14  is easily secured by applying downward pressure to secure the C-arm lock  12  in the motion most intuitive for securing the C-arm  14 . Also, to secure the C-arm lock  12 , an operator does not even need to touch the latch or latching assembly. To secure the C-arm lock  12 , the operator only needs to align the latch bail  34  with the latching assembly  42  and exert a downward pressure to secure the C-arm lock  12 . Additionally, in some embodiments, the operator only needs to use one hand to secure and unsecure the C-arm lock  12 . In some procedures in which the operator must maintain sterility of at least one of the operator&#39;s hands, the operator can secure and unsecure the C-arm lock  12  with one hand while maintaining sterility of the other hand. Further, the C-arm lock  12  can be secured even when the latch  50  is in the closed position, thereby eliminating a separate step to open the latch  50  before securing the C-arm lock  12 . 
     Third, the wear surfaces of the C-arm lock  12  are not painted thereby preventing damage or scratching to the painted or finished surfaces of the X-ray machine  10  when the C-arm lock is secured or unsecured. To prevent damage to the painted or finished surfaces of the X-ray machine, the latch bail  34  and the wear surfaces of the latching assembly  42  are not painted. As these are the only components that come into contact when the C-arm lock  12  is secured or unsecured, damage or scratching of the painted or finished surfaces of the remaining components of the X-ray machine  10  are prevented. Also, since there is no damage or scratching of the painted or finished surfaces of the X-ray machine  10 , paint debris or finish debris is eliminated, thereby reducing potential contamination from these sources. Further, in addition to preventing damage to the paint or finish, the C-arm lock  12  lends an aesthetically pleasing look to the X-ray machine  10 . 
     Fourth, the C-arm lock  12  allows for flexibility in placement of latching assembly  42  and the latch bail  34 . In some embodiments, the latching assembly  42  can be attached directly to the housing body  18  or to a cover or another component of the X-ray machine  10 . Likewise the latch bail  34  can be attached to the C-arm  14  in various configurations. By way of example only, the latch bail  34  can be attached to the inner surface of the C-arm  14  and oriented either horizontally or vertically, or the latch bail  34  can be attached to an outer circumference of the C-arm  14 , or the latch bail  34  can be attached to a side of the C-arm  14 . In some embodiments, the latch bail  34  can be attached to the X-ray machine  10  and the latching assembly  42  can be attached to the C-arm  14 . Furthermore the flexibility in placement of the latching assembly  42  and the latch bail  34 , allows for on to be placed on the C-arm  14  and for one to be placed on a structure proximate to the X-ray machine  10 . In short, the C-arm lock  12  allows for great flexibility in the placement and arrangement of the latching assembly  42  and the latch bail  34 . 
     Fifth, in some embodiments, the C-arm lock  12  is unobtrusive to the operator. The C-arm lock  12  has no features or protrusions that can catch or snag clothing, exam gloves, linens, electrical cords or cables, sterile drapes, or other materials. This unobtrusiveness prevents injury or inconvenience to the operator, other medical staff and/or patients. This feature also prevents interfering with sterility procedures by reducing or eliminating the possibility of entangling a sterile drape or other sterile measure with any component of the C-arm lock  12 . Also, the latch bail  34  is smooth in some embodiments and eliminates the chance of injury to the operator or a patient. Further, since the C-arm lock  12  can be secured with the latch  50  in either the open or closed position, there is no need for the operator to place the operator&#39;s hand or other part of the operator&#39;s body in the area of the latching assembly  42  or the latch bail  34  as the C-arm lock  12  is secured. Therefore, the possibility of injury to operator is greatly reduced by the unobtrusiveness of the C-arm lock  12 . 
     In addition to any previously indicated modification, numerous other variations and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this description, and appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the information has been described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred aspects, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, form, function, manner of operation and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein. Also, as used herein, the examples and embodiments, in all respects, are meant to be illustrative only and should not be construed to be limiting in any manner.