Patent Description:
A medical device, such as for example an infusion device for administering a medical fluid to a patient, such as a medication or a nutritional solution for enterally feeding a patient, may for example be arranged on a support such as a stand to place the medical device at the bedside of a patient in order to for example perform an infusion. For this, the medical device, if it is not placed on a rack for forming an organized stack of medical devices, may be fixed to a pole of the stand by using a clamping device for forming a clamping connection to the pole.

A clamping device of this kind comprises a body having a first jaw, an adjustment element connected to a second jaw and being adjustable with respect to the body along a longitudinal axis to establish a clamping connection with a support, such as pole, in between the first jaw and the second jaw, and a locking mechanism for locking the adjustment element with respect to the body in a longitudinal position.

Such clamping device generally shall form a secure and reliable connection to the support such that a medical device by means of the clamping device may be securely fastened to the support. At the same time, the clamping device shall be easy to handle, such that a clamping connection can be established in a fast and intuitive manner.

Herein, for forming the clamping connection, the adjustment element is adjusted with respect to the body of the clamping device, such that the second jaw arranged on the adjustment element is approached towards the first jaw formed on the body to clamp a support, such as a pole, in between the first jaw and the second jaw for forming a clamping connection. In this respect the handling of the adjustment element shall be easy and comfortable, hence avoiding that a user has to spend much effort to form the clamping connection.

It is an object of the instant invention to provide a clamping device for fixing a medical device on a support and a medical device having such clamping device, which allow to easily and comfortably form a reliable clamping connection to a support for fastening the medical device to the support.

This object is achieved by means of a clamping device comprising the features of claim <NUM>.

Accordingly, the locking mechanism comprises a coupling element coupled to the adjustment element and a locking element coupled to the coupling element, wherein the adjustment element is rotatable about the longitudinal axis to thereby move the coupling element and, by moving the coupling element, shift the locking element with respect to the adjustment element in order to engage the locking element with the adjustment element for locking the adjustment element in its current longitudinal position or to disengage the locking element from the adjustment element in order to unlock the adjustment element to allow a moving of the adjustment element along the longitudinal axis.

The clamping device comprises an adjustment element which generally is movable along a longitudinal axis in order to approach the second jaw arranged on the adjustment element towards the first jaw formed on the body of the clamping device. Once the clamping connection is established, the adjustment element may be locked in its currently assumed longitudinal position with respect to the body by means of the locking mechanism. For this, the locking mechanism comprises a locking element, which may be brought into engagement with the adjustment element such that, in a locked position, the locking element holds the adjustment element in place and prevents a longitudinal movement of the adjustment element with respect to the body. The locking element can be disengaged from the adjustment element such that a longitudinal movement of the adjustment element becomes possible, hence allowing for a fast adjustment of the adjustment element for establishing the clamping connection with the support or for releasing the clamping device from the support.

The locking element is brought into engagement with the adjustment element or out of engagement from the adjustment element by rotating the adjustment element. Hence, a user may actuate the clamping device solely by acting onto the adjustment element, wherein, while the locking element is in its unlocked position, the adjustment element may be longitudinally moved with respect to the body in order to for example approach the second jaw arranged on the adjustment element towards the first jaw formed on the body for establishing the clamping connection and may then be rotated, once the clamping connection has been established, in order to lock the adjustment element in place such that the clamping connection is secured and the clamping device is securely fastened to the support.

Hence, an adjustment of the adjustment element becomes intuitive, easy and fast.

For longitudinally adjusting the adjustment element with respect to the body a user may simply move the adjustment element longitudinally with respect to the body while the locking element is in its unlocked position. To establish a locking of the adjustment element in a currently assumed longitudinal position, the user may rotate the adjustment element such that the locking element comes into engagement with the adjustment element. The locking herein may take place by rotating the adjustment element in a first rotation direction about the longitudinal axis for engaging the locking element with the adjustment element.

In contrast, for unlocking the adjustment element, the adjustment element may be rotated in a second rotation direction about the longitudinal axis opposite the first rotation direction to disengage the locking element from the adjustment element and to in this way unlock the adjustment element. Hence, for unlocking the adjustment element an opposite rotational movement (in comparison to the locking operation) is required, which comes intuitive to the user and allows, upon unlocking the adjustment element, to again freely slide the adjustment element along the longitudinal axis.

In one embodiment, the rotation of the adjustment element causes a movement of the coupling element, which causes the locking element to be shifted to engage with the adjustment element or to disengage from the adjustment element. The movement of the locking element herein may be substantially radial with respect to the longitudinal axis along which the adjustment element extends. The locking element hence is moved in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and, in a substantially radial direction, is brought into engagement with or out of engagement from the adjustment element.

In one embodiment, the adjustment element comprises an external thread for engaging with the locking element. The locking element, in turn, comprises a thread such that, when the locking element is engaged with the adjustment element, a thread connection is formed in between the adjustment element and the locking element such that a longitudinal movement of the adjustment element is blocked. The adjustment element herein may have the shape of a spindle extending along the longitudinal axis, the external thread extending substantially along the length of the adjustment element such that a locking of the adjustment element may be established over a substantial portion of the adjustment element, for example substantially over the entire length of the adjustment element.

In one embodiment, the coupling element is arranged on the adjustment element and is in friction connection with the adjustment element. The friction connection in between the coupling element and the adjustment element causes the coupling element to be carried along with the adjustment element when the adjustment element is rotated about the longitudinal axis. Hence, when the adjustment element is rotated, the coupling element is moved along about the longitudinal axis, which causes a shifting of the locking element due to the coupling of the coupling element to the locking element.

The friction connection herein may be such that a rotation of the adjustment element in the first rotation direction towards the locking position of the locking element causes the coupling element to be carried along until the locking element engages with the adjustment element and hence locks a longitudinal movement of the adjustment element. Once the locking element engages with the adjustment element, the coupling element may be held in place such that a further movement in the first direction of the adjustment element takes place under friction in between the clamping element and the adjustment element. In turn, when being rotated in the second rotation direction the adjustment element carries the coupling element along until the locking element has reached a fully disengaged position and hence the adjustment element is unlocked. A further rotation of the adjustment element in the second direction then takes place under friction in between the coupling element and the adjustment element, the coupling element being held in place and no longer being carried along with the adjustment element upon further rotation.

In one embodiment, the coupling element has the shape of a ring extending about the adjustment element. The ring is fitted on the adjustment element such that it is in frictional contact with the adjustment element. By the fitting of the ring on the adjustment element, the friction in between the adjustment element and the coupling element herein may be dimensioned such that the coupling element is reliably carried along when rotating the adjustment element in between the locked position and the unlocked position of the locking element.

In one embodiment, the locking element is pivotably connected to the coupling element about a pivot axis. Whereas the coupling element is for example arranged on the adjustment element, the locking element can be pivoted with respect to the coupling element, the pivot axis being radially displaced with respect to the longitudinal axis and hence being eccentric to the longitudinal axis. When moving the coupling element, the locking element is shifted with respect to the longitudinal axis by pivoting the locking element about the pivot axis in order to engage the locking element with the adjustment element or to disengage the locking element from the adjustment element.

In one embodiment, one or both of the coupling element and the locking element are axially fixed with respect to the body along the longitudinal axis. For example, the coupling element and the locking element may both be received within a cavity of the body, such that the coupling element of the locking element are axially held in place within the cavity, such that a longitudinal movement of the adjustment element along the longitudinal axis is not translated to the coupling element and the locking element, but the coupling element and the locking element remain in place when longitudinally moving the adjustment element with respect to the body.

In one embodiment, the adjustment element may be slidably movable with respect to the coupling element along the longitudinal axis when the locking element is disengaged from the adjustment element. When the locking mechanism is unlocked, hence, the adjustment element may be freely movable with respect to the coupling element such that, for establishing the clamping connection, the adjustment element with the second jaw arranged thereon may be approached towards the first jaw formed on the body or, for releasing the clamping connection, the adjustment element may be moved apart from the first jaw of the body.

In one embodiment, the locking element is operatively connected to a cam element arranged on the body. The cam element serves to guide the locking element with respect to the adjustment element when rotating the adjustment element about the longitudinal axis. The cam element is fixedly arranged on the body and is in operative connection with the locking element, such that the locking element upon a movement of the coupling element is caused to be shifted in between its unlocked position and its locked position.

For example, the cam element engages with a recess formed on the locking element. The recess may for example be bound by faces along which the cam element slides when the coupling element is moved when rotating the adjustment element. Dependent on the rotation direction of the adjustment element, the locking element hence is caused to be shifted radially inwards to engage with the adjustment element or radially outwards to disengage from the adjustment element.

In one embodiment, the coupling element is biased with respect to the body towards a rest position, the rest position corresponding to the unlocked position of the locking element (i.e., a position of the locking element in which the locking element is disengaged from the adjustment element). The spring element, in particular may serve to hold the coupling element and the locking element securely in the unlocked position. In the locked state, the spring element however generally may have a limited function in that the adjustment element is fastened in its locked position with respect to the coupling element and the locking element due to friction in between the different components.

A clamping device of this kind may be used for example on a medical device serving to administer a medical fluid to a patient, such as an infusion device in the shape of a volumetric (peristaltic) infusion pump or a syringe infusion pump. The medical device may however also be a rack serving to hold multiple infusion devices, the rack having to be fastened to a support of a stand for placing the rack at the bedside of a patient. Generally, a clamping device of the kind described herein may be used on any medical device which may need to be arranged on a support of a stand or the like, for example within a healthcare environment, such as a hospital.

The idea underlying the invention shall subsequently be described in more detail with respect to the embodiments shown in the figures.

Referring to <FIG>, a medical device <NUM> may have the shape of an infusion device serving to administer a medical fluid such as a medication or a nutritional solution to a patient. The medical device <NUM> may have to be fastened to a stand having a support in the shape of a pole <NUM> such that the medical device <NUM> may be arranged for example at the bedside of a patient for performing an infusion operation.

The medical device <NUM>, generally, comprises a housing <NUM> enclosing, for example, a pumping mechanism for performing a pumping action to deliver a medical fluid towards a patient. A clamping device <NUM> may be fixed to a backside <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, the clamping device <NUM> being configured to establish a clamping connection to the pole <NUM> in order to fasten the medical device <NUM> to the pole <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG> and <FIG>, a clamping device <NUM>, in one embodiment, comprises an adjustment element <NUM> arranged on a body <NUM> of the clamping device <NUM>, the adjustment element <NUM> carrying a jaw <NUM> arranged on an end <NUM> of the adjustment element <NUM> for establishing a clamping connection to a pole <NUM> in between the jaw <NUM> and another jaw <NUM> formed on the body <NUM>, as visible from <FIG>.

The body <NUM> may be fixed to the backside <NUM> of the housing <NUM> of an associated medical device <NUM> by means of fixing elements <NUM> in the shape of screws.

The clamping device <NUM> shall serve to establish a clamping connection in between the jaws <NUM>, <NUM> and the pole <NUM> by approaching the jaw <NUM> arranged on the adjustment element <NUM> along a longitudinal axis L towards the jaw <NUM>. Herein, the clamping device <NUM> shall allow for a fast establishing of the clamping connection and for a comfortable, intuitive handling by a user.

The adjustment element <NUM>, in the embodiment of <FIG>, has the shape of a spindle and comprises an external thread <NUM>. The jaw <NUM> is rotatably arranged on the end <NUM> of the adjustment element <NUM>. A head <NUM> at an end opposite the end <NUM> serves as a handle of the adjustment element <NUM>, allowing a user to act onto the adjustment element <NUM> for moving the adjustment element <NUM> with respect to the body <NUM>.

The adjustment element <NUM>, as visible from <FIG>, is slidably arranged in bearing openings <NUM> formed on the body <NUM> of the clamping device <NUM>. The adjustment element <NUM> hence may be moved along the longitudinal axis L through the bearing openings <NUM> to approach the jaw <NUM> towards the jaw <NUM> formed on the body <NUM>, or to move the jaw <NUM> apart from the jaw <NUM>.

The clamping device <NUM> comprises a locking mechanism <NUM>, which substantially is formed by a coupling element <NUM> and a locking element <NUM> received in a cavity <NUM> of the body <NUM> such that the coupling element <NUM> and the locking element <NUM> are axially held in place with respect to the body <NUM>.

As visible from <FIG>, the coupling element <NUM> has the shape of a ring arranged on the adjustment element <NUM> and extending about the adjustment element <NUM>, wherein the coupling element <NUM> is in frictional connection with the adjustment element <NUM>, as shall be further explained below.

The locking element <NUM> has the shape of a so-called half nut, the locking element <NUM> being coupled to the coupling element <NUM> by means of a pivot axis <NUM>, the pivot axis <NUM> allowing for a pivoting movement of the locking element <NUM> with respect to the coupling element <NUM>.

At a side pointing radially inwards towards the adjustment element <NUM>, the locking element <NUM>, in one embodiment, is formed to have an internal thread suitable to engage with the external thread <NUM> of the adjustment element <NUM>. By means of the locking element <NUM> a locking of the adjustment element <NUM> in a currently assumed longitudinal position may be established, wherein the locking element <NUM> may be unlocked from the adjustment element <NUM> in order to allow for a free sliding movement of the adjustment element <NUM> along the longitudinal axis L to approach the jaw <NUM> towards the jaw <NUM> or to move the jaw <NUM> apart from the jaw <NUM>.

As is visible from <FIG>, the coupling element <NUM> comprises a bearing section <NUM> coupled to the pivot axis <NUM>. A spring element <NUM> acts onto the bearing section <NUM> in order to bias the coupling element <NUM> towards the position shown in <FIG>.

As visible from <FIG>, the locking element <NUM> comprises a recess <NUM> in which a cam element <NUM> fixedly arranged on the body <NUM> is received. The locking element <NUM> is coupled to the coupling element <NUM> by means of the pivot axis <NUM>, wherein the locking element <NUM> is axially displaced with respect to the coupling element <NUM>, as it is visible from <FIG> and <FIG>. The cam element <NUM> serves to guide the locking element <NUM> to assume an unlocked position, corresponding to the position of <FIG>, or a locked position, depending on a movement of the coupling element <NUM>.

The coupling element <NUM> - having the shape of a ring and being fitted on the adjustment element <NUM> such that the coupling element <NUM> is frictionally connected to the adjustment element <NUM> - serves to transfer a motion of the adjustment element <NUM> to the locking element <NUM> for shifting the locking element <NUM> with respect to the adjustment element <NUM> for locking or unlocking the locking mechanism <NUM>. The frictional connection in between the coupling element <NUM> and the adjustment element <NUM> herein is such that the adjustment element <NUM> in principle is freely movable (under friction) with respect to the coupling element <NUM> along the longitudinal axis L, wherein - when the adjustment element <NUM> is longitudinally moved along the longitudinal axis L - the coupling element <NUM> remains axially in place within the cavity <NUM> of the body <NUM>.

This allows, as shown in <FIG>, to slidably move the adjustment element <NUM> in a longitudinal movement direction A1 to approach the jaw <NUM> towards the jaw <NUM> in order to establish a clamping connection of the jaws <NUM>, <NUM> to a pole <NUM> received in between the jaws <NUM>, <NUM>.

As visible from <FIG>, during the sliding movement of the adjustment element <NUM> the locking element <NUM> is in its unlocked position. Hence, the locking element <NUM> is disengaged from the adjustment element <NUM> and hence does not block a longitudinal movement of the adjustment element <NUM>.

As also visible from <FIG>, in the unlocked position the cam element <NUM> rests at an end <NUM> of the recess <NUM> formed on the locking element <NUM>.

The spring element <NUM>, as visible from <FIG>, herein serves to bias the coupling element <NUM> towards the unlocked position and holds the coupling element <NUM> in place in a stable fashion.

Once a desired position of the adjustment element <NUM> for establishing a clamping connection is reached, the adjustment element <NUM> may be rotated in a first rotation direction A2, as visible from <FIG>, in order to cause a locking of the adjustment element <NUM> in its currently assumed longitudinal position. When rotating the adjustment element <NUM> in the first rotation direction A2 the coupling element <NUM> is moved along in the rotation direction A2, as visible from <FIG>, causing also the locking element <NUM> to be moved along. The moving of the locking element <NUM> is due to the coupling with the coupling element <NUM> via the pivot axis <NUM> and causes the cam element <NUM> to slide in the recess <NUM>. The cam element <NUM> in this way acts onto the locking element <NUM> via a lock face <NUM> formed on the recess <NUM>, as visible from <FIG>. The locking element <NUM> hence is shifted radially inwards with respect to the longitudinal axis L in order to engage with the adjustment element <NUM>, such that the adjustment element <NUM> is locked in its current longitudinal position.

Hence, a user may lock the adjustment element <NUM> in place by acting onto the head <NUM> of the adjustment element <NUM>. This may be carried out in a fast and intuitive manner, the longitudinal movement of the adjustment element <NUM> and the rotation of the adjustment element <NUM> being possible in a single and intuitive handling action by a user.

Once the locking element <NUM> is in threaded engagement with the adjustment element <NUM>, a further movement of the adjustment element <NUM> in the rotation direction A2 does not cause the coupling element <NUM> to be further carried along. This may allow for a tightening of the clamping connection by screwing the adjustment element <NUM> further into clamping engagement with the pole <NUM>.

For carrying the coupling element <NUM> along in the rotation direction A2, the frictional force in between the coupling element <NUM> and the adjustment element <NUM> is larger than the biasing force of the spring element <NUM>.

In order to release the clamping connection, a user may act, as visible from <FIG> and <FIG>, onto the head <NUM> and rotate the adjustment element <NUM> in a second rotation direction A3 opposite to the first rotation direction A2. In this way, the coupling element <NUM> again is carried along, but now in the opposite direction with respect to the locking operation, causing the locking element <NUM> also to be moved in the rotation direction A3, as visible from <FIG>. This causes the locking element <NUM> to be moved with respect to the cam element <NUM> (which is stationary on the body <NUM>), such that the cam element <NUM> comes into abutment with a guide face <NUM> opposite the lock face <NUM> of the recess <NUM> and is guided towards the end <NUM> of the recess <NUM>, as it is visible from the transition from <FIG>. This causes the locking element <NUM> to be shifted radially outwards, such that the locking element <NUM> comes out of engagement from the adjustment element <NUM>. The adjustment element <NUM> hence is unlocked.

The adjustment element <NUM> hence may be longitudinally moved along the longitudinal axis L to for example move the jaws <NUM>, <NUM> apart from one another, as this is visible from <FIG>, in order to release a clamping connection.

Because a shifting motion of the locking element <NUM> may be exerted by acting onto the adjustment element <NUM> itself, the handling of the clamping device <NUM> both for establishing a clamping connection and for releasing a clamping connection is easy and intuitive, while allowing for a fast adjustment of the adjustment element.

In a locked position the adjustment element <NUM> herein is securely held in place, hence allowing for a fixed and reliable connection to a pole <NUM>.

The idea underlying the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but may be implemented in an entirely different fashion.

Claim 1:
Clamping device (<NUM>) for fixing a medical device (<NUM>) on a support (<NUM>), comprising:
a body (<NUM>) having a first jaw (<NUM>),
an adjustment element (<NUM>) connected to a second jaw (<NUM>) and being adjustable with respect to the body (<NUM>) along a longitudinal axis (L) to establish a clamping connection with a support (<NUM>) in between the first jaw (<NUM>) and the second jaw (<NUM>), and
a locking mechanism (<NUM>) for locking the adjustment element (<NUM>) with respect to the body (<NUM>) in a longitudinal position,
characterized in
that the locking mechanism (<NUM>) comprises a coupling element (<NUM>) coupled to the adjustment element (<NUM>) and a locking element (<NUM>) coupled to the coupling element (<NUM>), wherein the adjustment element (<NUM>) is rotatable about the longitudinal axis (L) to thereby move the coupling element (<NUM>) and, by moving the coupling element (<NUM>), shift the locking element (<NUM>) with respect to the adjustment element (<NUM>) in order to engage the locking element (<NUM>) with the adjustment element (<NUM>) for locking the adjustment element (<NUM>) in its current longitudinal position or to disengage the locking element (<NUM>) from the adjustment element (<NUM>) in order to unlock the adjustment element (<NUM>) to allow a moving of the adjustment element (<NUM>) along the longitudinal axis (L).