Patent Description:
The present application relates generally to systems and devices used in surgical procedure, and more specifically to systems and devices for providing lift assistance for hip-related surgeries or lower limb orthopedic procedures.

<CIT> discloses a modular device for positioning and immobilization of a patient's body and a corresponding operating table for carrying out minimally invasive surgical interventions on the pelvis and/or limbs of a patient, such as hip joint operations.

The invention is defined by the appended claims and relates to systems and devices that do not impede the radiolucency of a spar or an articulating limb support below the patient's hip, trochanter, or femur, and provide lift assistance to such spar or the articulating limb support.

Exemplary embodiments described herein have innovative features, no single one of which is indispensable or solely responsible for their desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of the claims, some of the advantageous features will now be summarized.

The inventive concepts disclosed herein offer superior control and access to the operative site that provide assisted movement of the anatomy for numerous orthopedic surgical procedures, for example, including but not limited to Anterior Approach Total Hip Arthroplasty (AATHA), fracture reduction, hip fracture; tibial fracture; acetabular & pelvic fracture; femur fracture; thoracic & lumbar spine; hip arthroscopy & resurfacing. The systems and device provide improved imaging area with unobstructed views and facilitate positioning requirements for a range of patients, while providing intuitive and ergonomic controls that are designed for both patient and staff safety that aid in simple and assisted articulation.

The systems and devices disclosed herein are oriented in a compact manner such that components are distal to the spar, which is proximal to the patient's hip. One skilled in the art may appreciate that reference to spar herein may equivalently be referred to, or correspond to, for instance, an articulating limb support or an articulating lower limb support. Such compact design does not impede the radiolucency of the spar below the patient's hip, trochanter, or femur. Additionally, the compact design includes a swing arm that further aids in articulation of the spar and the accompanying limb.

These and other objects, features, and characteristics of the present disclosure, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the disclosure. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Various aspects of the novel systems, apparatuses, and methods disclosed herein are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. This disclosure can, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to any specific structure or function presented throughout this disclosure. Rather, these aspects are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

Although particular aspects are described herein, many variations and permutations of these aspects fall within the scope of the disclosure. Although some benefits and advantages of the preferred aspects are mentioned, the scope of the disclosure is not intended to be limited to particular benefits, uses, and/or objectives. The detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the disclosure rather than limiting, the scope of the disclosure being defined by the appended claims.

It will be recognized that while certain aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of a specific sequence of steps of a method, these descriptions are only illustrative of the broader methods of the disclosure, and may be modified as required by the particular application. Certain steps may be rendered unnecessary or optional under certain circumstances.

While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. The disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Variations to the disclosed embodiments and/or implementations may be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed disclosure, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.

<FIG> illustrate an embodiment of a system including a surgery table with at least one spar coupled thereto. One skilled in the art may appreciate that reference to spar herein may equivalently be referred to, or correspond to, for instance, an articulating limb support or an articulating lower limb support. As illustrated, in <FIG>, a patient undergoing a particular surgery will have his or her leg positioned in a traction boot <NUM>, <NUM> that is coupled to a respective spar. Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, the system includes brake handles <NUM>, <NUM>; user grips <NUM>, <NUM>; and articulation joints <NUM>, <NUM> that are coupled to the respective spar. As illustrated, at least two spars extending from the surgery table are shown, wherein each respective spar includes its own respective brake handle, user grip and articulation joint. The open boot design provides sustained traction during the procedure for a range of foot sizes. A conveniently located ratchet provides quick, secure positioning with additional heel strap support. The quick release ratchets enable easy removal of the patient's foot from the traction boot <NUM>, <NUM>, and a screw lock makes the traction boot <NUM>, <NUM> easy to attach and remove from the traction device, thereby providing a system that provides simple articulation. This system enables one person to have control of the slide, traction and rotation of the traction boot <NUM>, <NUM> with one hand and fluid movement of the leg spar with the other. It allows for complete focus on the patient, and a full range of motion without interference from the equipment. The articulation joints <NUM>, <NUM> may be tubular structures that provide fine traction and rotation to the traction boot <NUM>, <NUM> about the patient's tibia.

The systems and devices illustrated in <FIG> provide almost limitless positioning options, to create the optimum vantage point for surgeons, all with the confidence of two hands. The systems and devices include safety locks that engage in order to prevent and avoid uncontrolled or unintended movements as the spar brake handles <NUM>, <NUM> are engaged. Stated differently, the user may engage or actuate the brake handles <NUM>, <NUM> to lock a respective spar <NUM> in position with respect to the surgery table. Likewise, the rotation axis may be unlocked to rotate, and thereafter relocked via a knob, which is on top side of the traction joints <NUM>, <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the fine traction automatically locks in place as the user adjusts it by rotating a non-back drivable lead screw using the handle at the extreme distal end of the traction assembly. One skilled in the art will appreciate that actuation of brake handles <NUM>, <NUM> to lock spar in position may be either done manually or automatically.

Next, referring to <FIG>, an embodiment of a lift assistance device <NUM> is discussed in detail. The lift assistance device <NUM> may be used with the system <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> above such that the lift assistance device <NUM> may be employed with the surgery table and the spars shown in <FIG>. The lift assistance device <NUM> provides assisted movement to a user or an operating technician as he/she lifts the spar <NUM> with or without the limb of the patient attached thereto. <FIG> illustrates a perspective view of the device <NUM> that may be employed with a surgery table illustrated in <FIG> for purposes of providing lift assistance to a spar supporting a patient's limb during a surgical procedure. The device <NUM> includes a spring device <NUM>, a swing arm <NUM>, a joint mount <NUM>, a joint housing <NUM>, and a mount connector <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) that engages or is received within an opening or cavity in a spar mount assembly <NUM>.

One skilled in the art would appreciate that spring device <NUM> may be a flexible, elastic device, or alternatively a rigid device that may include reciprocating pumps, gas or air compressors and pneumatic cylinders, magnetic pumps, tension/extension spring, compression spring, torsional spring, wire/coil spring, flat spring, among other similar mechanisms. The spring device <NUM> may transfer force from expending gas or air in cylinder via a piston rod; connecting rod; helical, spring, coiled, non-coiled, or flat springs, or other cylindrically shaped devices such that stored mechanical energy may be transferred between components. Alternatively, the spring device <NUM> may include hydraulics mechanism that operates through the force of liquid pressure such that via the hydraulics mechanism, mechanical movement is produced by contained, pumped liquid, through cylinders moving pistons.

In certain embodiments, the spring device <NUM> is preloaded with at least <NUM> pounds (lbs) (<NUM> Newton - N) of force when in the extended position (illustrated in <FIG>). In other embodiments, the spring device <NUM> may be preloaded with a force between <NUM> and <NUM> pounds (lbs) (between <NUM> and <NUM> N) as it transitions between fully extended to fully compressed positions. As the spring device <NUM> is compressed the force increases by at least <NUM> times, to a max of <NUM> lbs (<NUM> N). In still other embodiments, the spring device <NUM> may be preloaded with a force between <NUM> and <NUM> pounds (lbs) (between <NUM> and <NUM> N). By nature of the spring device <NUM> providing force, the spring device <NUM> reduces the effort needed to lift a spar <NUM> supporting a patient's leg by at least <NUM>%. In other embodiments, the spring device <NUM> reduces the effort needed to lift a spar <NUM> supporting a patient's leg in a range of from <NUM>% to <NUM>%. In still further embodiments, the spring device <NUM> reduces the effort needed to lift a spar <NUM> supporting a patient's leg in a range of from <NUM>% to over <NUM>%.

Still referring to <FIG>, the first joint illustrated by the joint housing <NUM> and ball member <NUM> and the second joint illustrated by ball member <NUM>-<NUM> and spring joint housing <NUM> are shown as ball and socket joints. For example, the joint housing <NUM> comprises a cavity, illustrated in <FIG>, wherein the cavity is configured to receive a ball member <NUM> that is extending from the joint mount <NUM>. One skilled in the art may appreciate that the second joint coupling the spring device <NUM> and the joint housing <NUM> includes the same degree of freedom as the first joint and/or spar <NUM>. However, the first joint and the second joint may be other types of joints as well, including planar joint, hinge j oint, pivot joint, condyloid joint, saddle joint or ball-and-sock joint. The joints may include combinations of any of the aforementioned joints in order to achieve one or two or more degrees of freedom.

In certain embodiments, the device <NUM> includes a proximal end 100A and a distal end 100B (with respect to the spar <NUM>). As illustrated in <FIG>, the joint housing <NUM> is on the proximal end 100A of the device <NUM> (connects to the spar <NUM>) and the joint mount <NUM> is on the distal end 100B of the device <NUM>. The joint mount <NUM> further includes a mount connector <NUM> (illustrated in <FIG>) distally extending away from the joint mount <NUM>. The joint mount <NUM> is coupled to the joint housing <NUM> comprising a first joint. In addition to these features, the device <NUM> includes spring device <NUM> that is positioned below and extends from the joint mount <NUM> to the joint housing <NUM>. That is, the spring device <NUM> extends from about the proximal end 100A of the device <NUM> to the distal end 100B of the device <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the mount connector <NUM> being configured to couple with a spar mount assembly <NUM>, and maintain alignment of the joint mount <NUM> and the spring device <NUM> with the spar mount assembly <NUM> while the joint housing <NUM> transitions between the first and second positions, and as the spar <NUM> moves in at least two degrees of freedom.

The spring device <NUM> having a first end and a second end. The first end of the spring device <NUM> connected to the joint housing <NUM> by a second joint, comprised of the spring joint housing <NUM> and the ball member <NUM>-<NUM>. And, wherein the second end of the spring device <NUM> is connected to the joint mount <NUM>. Further, the spring device <NUM> is configured to actuate the joint housing <NUM> between a first position (shown in <FIG>) and a second position (shown in <FIG>). As illustrated, the first position corresponds to a compressed position of the spring device <NUM> and the second position corresponds to an extended position of the spring device <NUM>. In one embodiment, the first and second joints comprise ball joints, or alternatively a rotary joint of at least one degree, and the joint housing <NUM> provides at least two degrees of freedom to the spar <NUM>.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in <FIG>, the spring device <NUM> is connected to a swing arm <NUM> on the distal end 100B of the device <NUM> and to a spring joint housing <NUM> at the proximal end 100A of the device <NUM>. The spring joint housing <NUM> is coupled to and extending from the joint housing <NUM>. Whereas, the swing arm <NUM> is coupled to an arm <NUM>, which in-turn is coupled to the joint mount <NUM>, as further discussed below in relation to <FIG>. In certain embodiments, the swing arm <NUM> includes a first end and a second end, the first end of the swing arm <NUM> attached to the second end of the spring device <NUM>, and the second end of the swing arm <NUM> attached to the joint mount <NUM> via an arm, the swing arm <NUM> capable of actuating from a non-extended position when the joint housing <NUM> is between its first and second positions, to an extended position upon the joint housing <NUM> reaching the third position, wherein the joint housing <NUM> reaches a third position upon the swing arm <NUM> reaching the extended position and the spring device <NUM> reaching the extended position.

Next, referring to <FIG> another perspective view of the lift assistance device <NUM> coupled to a spar mount assembly <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, is shown. Further details illustrated in <FIG> include a ball member <NUM>, a latch <NUM> and a lever <NUM> (further discussed with respect to <FIG>). As noted above, the joint mount <NUM> is coupled to or mates with the joint housing <NUM>. Specifically, as illustrated in <FIG>, the joint housing <NUM> includes a cavity therein that receives a ball member <NUM> extending from the joint mount <NUM>. Such ball member <NUM> rides against a fixed cup (not shown), is received in the cavity of the joint housing <NUM> and allows the joint housing <NUM> to pivot vertically as shown in <FIG>, which in-turn allows spar <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) to achieve vertical displacement from a ground surface to a certain height above the ground, in addition to allowing the spar <NUM> to pivot horizontally. Stated differently, the spherical ball member <NUM> rides against a fixed cup on the proximal end of the joint housing <NUM>. The joint housing <NUM> also includes a floating brake cup (not shown) that is proximal to the spar <NUM>. The floating brake cup is linearly adjustable. The spherical ball member <NUM> is connected to the joint mount <NUM>, which in-turn mates with the spar mount assembly <NUM>. The joint housing <NUM> configured to be coupled to a distal end of the spar <NUM>. The spar <NUM> being capable of supporting at least one limb of a patient during the surgical procedure. The spring device <NUM> and the joint mount <NUM> being distal to the joint housing <NUM> relative to the spar <NUM>.

The vertical movement of the joint housing <NUM> results in providing lift assistance to the user by applying a vertical force to the spar <NUM>. Such functionality is achieved by having the spring device <NUM>, attached to the joint mount <NUM>, act against the joint housing <NUM>, thereby resulting in lifting the spar <NUM> upwards as the joint housing <NUM> rotates or pivots about the ball member <NUM> positioned in the cavity formed in the joint housing <NUM>. This lift creates a countering force that at least partially neutralizes the applied moment load of the spar <NUM> itself with or without the additional weight of the patient.

In one embodiment further illustrated in <FIG>, the spring joint housing <NUM> extends from the joint housing <NUM> and is coupled with the spring device <NUM>, wherein a ball member <NUM>-<NUM> extending from the spring device <NUM> mates with the spring joint housing <NUM>. Such mating configuration allows for the joint housing <NUM> to move between different positions as the spring device <NUM> is actuated from a compressed position (i.e., first position), to an intermediate position (i.e., second position), and finally to a fully extended position (i.e., a third position), as shown in <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the ball member <NUM>-<NUM> is received within a cavity formed in the spring joint housing <NUM>, which permits the spring joint housing <NUM> to pivot and in-turn have the joint housing <NUM> pivot with respect to the ball member <NUM> received in the cavity therein. <FIG> further illustrates a latch <NUM> coupled to an arm <NUM>, which in-turn is coupled to the joint mount <NUM>. These features will be further discussed below in reference to <FIG>.

Next referring to <FIG>, another perspective view of an embodiment of the device <NUM> coupled to the spar mount assembly <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, is illustrated. This view illustrates the orientation of the swing arm <NUM> with the arm <NUM>, which thereon includes a latch <NUM>. The latch <NUM> rests on top of the arm <NUM>. In order to disengage the spar mount assembly <NUM> from the mount connector <NUM>, and in-turn disconnect the device <NUM> from the spar mount assembly <NUM>, which is connected to the surgery table, a user may either actuate a lever <NUM> coupled to the spar mount assembly <NUM>, or alternatively actuate the latch <NUM> by pushing up on the latch <NUM> that in turn will engage with lever <NUM> in order to unlock or disengage the device <NUM> from the spar mount assembly <NUM>. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the lever <NUM> includes an internal mechanism (not shown) that provides a locking mechanism such that the mount connector <NUM> may snap fit into the spar mount assembly <NUM>. The actuation of the lever <NUM> causes the mount connector <NUM> to be pulled away, or alternatively disconnect, disengage, or dismount from the spar mount assembly <NUM>.

Next, embodiments shown in <FIG> will be discussed which illustrate different actuation positions of the device <NUM> between first, second and third positions. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the spring device <NUM> acts between the joint mount <NUM>, and the joint housing <NUM>. In one embodiment, the spring device <NUM>, is preloaded to approximately at least <NUM> pounds when fully extended (shown in <FIG> and <FIG>), which may be the nominal force for a fully extended spring device <NUM>. The force increases as the spring device <NUM> is compressed from an intermediate position (<FIG>), or alternatively fully extended position (<FIG>), to a fully compressed position (<FIG>). The entire mechanism of the spring device <NUM> and first joint being distal to the spar <NUM> itself, and thus such configuration of the device <NUM> has no effect upon the x-ray imaging zone. In other words, the spar <NUM> includes a flange coupled to the joint housing <NUM>, wherein the joint housing <NUM>, joint mount <NUM>, the first joint and the spring device <NUM> are distal to the metal flange relative to the spar. The positioning of the joint mount <NUM>, the joint housing <NUM> and the spring device <NUM> with respect to the flange and the spar itself causes no effect on x-ray imaging and does not impede radiolucency of the spar <NUM>. Because all these features are distal to the flange in relation to the spar <NUM>, these features are not in the field of view when imaging e.g. the leg of the patient adjacent to the spar <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the spar <NUM> itself is made of carbon fiber or another material that does not impede radiolucency and allows images to be taken of the patient's leg while on the table, e.g. from an x-ray device.

In certain embodiments, the spring device <NUM> provides positive lift for a user as the spar <NUM> is raised and/or lowered through the clinically applicable range of motion (approximately +<NUM> degrees to approximately -<NUM> degrees). If the spar <NUM> needs to be raised higher (up to approximately +<NUM> degrees), the mechanism may include a swing arm <NUM> that enables the joint housing <NUM> to be raised further past the second position that corresponds to full extension of the spring device <NUM>. That is, the first portion of the joint housing <NUM> corresponds to a spar angle of about -<NUM> degrees and the second position of the joint housing <NUM> corresponds to a spar angle of about <NUM> degrees, and the third position of the joint housing <NUM> corresponds to a spar angle of about <NUM> degrees. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the aforementioned angle measurements are with respect to an x-axis in the same plane as the surface of the surgery table such that the x-axis runs parallel to the surface of the surgery table.

In certain embodiments, the movement between the second and third position by movement of the swing arm <NUM> is not assisted, and in other embodiments, it is assisted. As illustrated in <FIG>, swing arm <NUM> includes two bolts, which in certain embodiments are shoulder bolts which are clevis pins that assist in their rotation. Swing arm <NUM> rotates with respect to the spring device <NUM> and with respect to the arm <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the swing arm moves with one degree of freedom such that the spring device <NUM> remains parallel to e.g. the mount connector <NUM> throughout the movement of the spring device <NUM> and swing arm <NUM>. The swing arm <NUM> allows the joint housing <NUM> to be raised vertically to the third position while having a spring device <NUM> of a shorter length than would otherwise be necessary. Stated differently, in <FIG>, the spring device <NUM> is fully compressed while the swing arm <NUM> is fixed or in a non-extended position. In this configuration, the spar <NUM> is down at approximately -<NUM> degrees with respect to the plane of the surgery table. With respect to <FIG>, in the intermediate position (the second position of the joint housing <NUM>), the spring device <NUM> is fully extended while the swing arm <NUM> is fixed or in a non-extended configuration. In this configuration, the spar <NUM> is about <NUM> degrees with respect to plane of the surgery table. And, finally, in <FIG>, the spring device <NUM> is in a fully extended position while the swing arm <NUM> is also in an extended position. Such extended position of the swing arm <NUM> is achieved by having the swing arm <NUM> rotate about a joint with respect to arm <NUM>. The swing arm <NUM> is coupled to the arm <NUM> via a clevis pin or other joint that allows the swing arm <NUM> to rotate from a fixed position to a non-fixed or an extended position. In this configuration the spar <NUM> is about <NUM> degrees with respect to the plane of the surgery table. The actuation of the swing arm <NUM> is unassisted, or alternatively the actuation of the swing arm <NUM> is assisted, for example, by a pivoting joint using a link mechanism, cam mechanism, gears, springs and other similar mechanisms. The link mechanisms may include two or more moving links, slider-crank mechanism, or crank and piston mechanism. The cam mechanism may include rotating cam coupled with a translating or rotating following. Gears may include rack and pinion mechanism, ordinary gear trains, and planetary gear train. For certain embodiments where the swing arm <NUM> is unassisted, once the user lifts the spar <NUM> beyond the second position, the spring device <NUM> provides no additional lift assistance to the user, requiring the user to provide any force necessary to move the joint housing <NUM> and attached spar <NUM> from second position to third position. In certain embodiments, the spring device <NUM> is still preloaded to ~<NUM> pounds (<NUM> N) (approximately); however, when fully extended, the spring device <NUM> contacts its internal hard stop.

Stated another way, the swing arm <NUM> includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the swing arm <NUM> being attached to the second end of the spring device <NUM>, and the second end of the swing arm <NUM> being attached to the joint mount <NUM> via an arm <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the connection of the swing arm <NUM> is a rotational joint with respect to the spring device <NUM> and the arm <NUM>. The swing arm <NUM> being capable of actuating from a non-extended position (illustrated in <FIG>) to an extended position (illustrated in <FIG>) upon the joint housing <NUM> reaching the second position (illustrated in <FIG>). The joint housing <NUM> reaches a third position (illustrated in <FIG>) upon the swing arm <NUM> and the spring device <NUM> reaching their respective extended positions. Stated in another way, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the joint housing <NUM> in the first position corresponds to the spring device <NUM> being fully compressed; the joint housing <NUM> in its second position corresponds to the spring device <NUM> in its fully extended position; and the joint housing <NUM> in the third position corresponds to the spring device <NUM> in the fully extended position and the swing arm <NUM> in an extended position as shown in <FIG>. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the joint housing is operable in a range of positions from first to second position, and from second to third position. In certain embodiments, the joint housing may be maintained at a position in the range between such positions, for example, by use of brake, for example, the floating brake cup discussed herein.

Still referring to <FIG>, one skilled in the art would appreciate that as the spring device <NUM> goes from a fully compressed configuration (<FIG>) to a fully extended configuration (<FIG>), and thereby the joint housing <NUM> pivots about the ball member <NUM> and the spring joint housing <NUM> pivots about the ball member <NUM>-<NUM>, the mount connector <NUM> and the joint mount <NUM> maintain their alignment with respect to each other, and potentially the spar mount assembly <NUM> if the same is coupled and engaged with the mount connector <NUM>. That is, joint mount <NUM> maintains alignment with the spar mount assembly <NUM> while the joint housing <NUM> pivots between the first and second positions. In certain embodiments, the first and second joint comprise ball joints, or alternatively a rotary joint of at least one degree, wherein the second joint couples the spring device <NUM> and the joint housing <NUM> includes a cavity therein, as discussed above with respect to <FIG>. The joint housing <NUM> capable of pivoting with respect to the ball member <NUM> positioned in the cavity of the joint housing <NUM>. The pivoting of the joint housing <NUM> between the first and second positions is caused by actuating the proximal end of the spar <NUM>, the distal end of the spar <NUM> capable of being maneuvered by a user from proximal end of the spar <NUM>. In addition to the vertical movement of the spar <NUM> that is assisted by the spring device <NUM>, the user is also able to move the spar horizontally through movement of the joint housing <NUM> with respect to the ball member <NUM> and the ball member <NUM>-<NUM>, allowing the spar <NUM> to move in at least two degrees of freedom.

In certain embodiments, the spar <NUM> connected to the joint housing <NUM> moves in at least two degrees of freedom from a single axis defined by the first joint, which in certain embodiments includes a ball joint, or alternatively a rotary joint of at least one degree. The spar <NUM> and connected device <NUM> does not require multiple axes defined by multiple joints in order to achieve at least two degrees of freedom of the spar <NUM>.

Next referring to <FIG>, perspective views of an embodiment of the device <NUM> coupled to the surgery table according to an example embodiment are illustrated. <FIG> is a closer view of <FIG> which illustrates the device <NUM>, with accompanying different components (i.e., joint housing <NUM>, joint mount <NUM>, spring device <NUM>, and mount connector <NUM> (not shown)) being engaged or coupled with the spar mount assembly <NUM>. Additionally, <FIG> illustrates a locking or tightening knob <NUM> coupled to the surgery table and the device <NUM>; and annotation "A" representing a fitting end of the spar <NUM>. This fitting end "A" defines the distal end of the x-ray imaging zone that does not have any metal present.

<FIG> illustrates perspective views of engaging an embodiment of a spar <NUM>, to a spar mount assembly <NUM> and locking the same in place. <FIG> illustrate similar views of a spar <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the spars <NUM> are designed to be removable from the surgery table to make storage and table transportation easier. An assembly of the spar <NUM> and the spar mount assembly <NUM> may be achieved by first having the spar <NUM> engage with the spar mount assembly <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the spar mount connector <NUM> is positioned to be placed into the spar mount assembly <NUM>. The spar mount assembly <NUM> is affixed to the surgery table and includes a cavity therein to receive the mount connector <NUM>. The mount connector <NUM> engages and mates with the spar mount assembly <NUM> in order to hold the spar <NUM> in place relative to the surgery table. Further illustrated in <FIG>, the spar mount assembly <NUM> includes a lever <NUM> disposed underneath, which may be actuated by a user to release the spar <NUM>, if needed.

Once the spar <NUM> is in place and locked into the spar mount assembly <NUM>, a locking knob <NUM> may be actuated by turning the locking knob <NUM> clockwise until tight. The spar <NUM> may be maneuvered up and down while tightening the locking knob <NUM> to ensure the spar <NUM> is securely and firmly positioned. Additionally, the user may rotate the respective brake handle <NUM>, <NUM> in order to have a floating brake cup (not illustrated) to be driven linearly into a spherical ball, thereby creating sufficient holding torque to support the spar <NUM> from dropping to the ground. When the respective brake handle <NUM>, <NUM> is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the floating brake cup releases and the spar <NUM> is free to be adjusted up or down or outwards/inwards (abduction/adduction).

<FIG> illustrates perspective views of another example embodiment of the device <NUM> is shown. According to this example embodiment, unlike the latch <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, the latch <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is embedded in arm <NUM> in a slot mechanism fashion. That is, instead of being on top of the arm <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, the latch <NUM> is in a slot mechanism form that is built inside or incorporated in the arm <NUM> itself. Further, as illustrated, annotation "A" represents a fitting end of the spar <NUM>. This fitting end "A" defines the distal end of the x-ray imaging zone that does not have any metal present. <FIG> illustrate an embodiment of the device <NUM> similar to the embodiment of the device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, wherein mechanism, structural configuration and orientation of the device <NUM> are consistent between the two embodiments, with one difference being with respect to latch <NUM> feature as noted above.

<FIG> illustrate the method of securing an embodiment of the device <NUM> along with a spar <NUM> coupled thereto to a surgery table. In particular, these figures are similar to what is discussed above with respect to <FIG> and the accompanying disclosure in regards to mounting a spar <NUM> to a spar mount assembly <NUM> coupled to the surgery table. However, unlike <FIG>, the spar <NUM> being mounted to the spar mount assembly <NUM> in <FIG> includes an embodiment of the device <NUM> coupled thereto. This device <NUM> may be either device illustrated in <FIG> or alternatively device illustrated in <FIG>. With the attachment or coupling of the device <NUM> to the spar <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, provides the user with assisted articulation in maneuvering the spar <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate different perspective views of an embodiment of the device <NUM> coupled to a respective brake handle <NUM>, <NUM>, a user grip <NUM>, <NUM>, and a respective articulation joint <NUM>, <NUM> that are coupled to a respective spar <NUM>, in a similar fashion as illustrated in <FIG> above. In particular, the brake handle <NUM>, <NUM>, a user grip <NUM>, <NUM>, and a respective articulation joint <NUM>, <NUM> being coupled to the respective spar <NUM> as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C, now include and embodiment of the device <NUM> at distal end of the respective spar <NUM>. The device <NUM> may be either device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> or alternatively device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrate different perspective views of an embodiment of the system as shown in <FIG> above with the addition of an embodiment of the device <NUM>, wherein the device <NUM> may be either device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> or alternatively device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. In other words, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the system comprising the surgery table, the leg support spar device, and components thereof, shown in <FIG> correspond to representations illustrated <FIG> particularly highlight the inventive concepts disclosed herein pertaining to inter alia, the brake handles <NUM>, <NUM>; user grips <NUM>, <NUM>; and articulation joints <NUM>, <NUM>. Moreover, <FIG> incorporate features illustrated in <FIG> such as, foot pedal, a support member extending perpendicular to the floor, and a hook-shaped engagement member extending from the support member to engage with in support of a user's thigh, for instance. As illustrated, two different spars <NUM> are illustrated that assist in lifting a patient's respective limb (i.e., right leg or left leg) in order to perform surgery, such as hip related surgeries or lower limb orthopedic procedures. Each of the respective spars are independent of each other such that their movement can be controlled independently by a user or technician. One spar may be in a downward position whereas the other spar may be in an upward position. The respective spar <NUM> is connected to a respective spar mount assembly <NUM> positioned below the surgery table such that each respective spar <NUM> has its own respective spar mount assembly <NUM>. This allows independent movement and control of each one of the respective spars <NUM>. One skilled in the art would appreciate that although two spars <NUM> are illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C and <FIG>, additional spars may be mounted to the surgery table for example; to support other limbs such as arms or patients head.

It should be noted that in certain embodiments the downward moment load of the spar varies substantially with the linear position of the traction assembly, and the weight of the patient's leg. Therefore, it is possible that a spring device will not provide neutral compensation in all cases, however, the effort from the user to raise and lower the spar will be reduced. In certain embodiments, the force of the gas spring can be preset to provide as much lift as desired.

It should be noted that the use of particular terminology when describing certain features or aspects of the disclosure should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being re-defined herein to be restricted to include any specific characteristics of the features or aspects of the disclosure with which that terminology is associated. Terms and phrases used in this application, and variations thereof, especially in the appended claims, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open-ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing, the term "including" should be read to mean "including, without limitation," "including but not limited to," or the like; the term "comprising" as used herein is synonymous with "including," "containing," or "characterized by," and is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps; the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least"; the term "such as" should be interpreted as "such as, without limitation"; the term 'includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to"; the term "example" is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof, and should be interpreted as "example, but without limitation"; adjectives such as "known," "normal," "standard," and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass known, normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in the future; and use of terms like "preferably," "preferred," "desired," or "desirable," and words of similar meaning should not be understood as implying that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the present disclosure, but instead as merely intended to highlight alternative or additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment.

Claim 1:
A device (<NUM>) for providing lift assistance for an articulating limb support of a surgery table, comprising:
a joint mount (<NUM>) coupled with a joint housing (<NUM>) comprising a first joint;
a spring device (<NUM>) having a first end and a second end, the first end of the spring device connected to the joint housing by a second joint, the second end of the spring device connected to the joint mount, the spring device configured to actuate the joint housing in a range between a first position and a second position, the first position corresponding to a compressed position of the spring device, the second position corresponding to an extended position of the spring device; and
a spar (<NUM>) including a proximal end and a distal end,
the spar being capable of supporting at least one limb of a patient for a surgical procedure, characterized in that the joint housing (<NUM>) is configured to be connected to the distal end of the spar (<NUM>), and
the spring device and the joint mount are distal to the joint housing relative to the spar.