Patent ID: 12226323

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular example embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For illustrative purposes, cross-hatching, dashing or shading in the figures is provided to demonstrate sealed portions and/or integrated regions or devices for the package.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following descriptions, the present invention will be explained with reference to example embodiments thereof. However, these embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention to any specific example, embodiment, environment, applications or particular implementations described in these embodiments. Therefore, description of these embodiments is only for purpose of illustration rather than to limit the present invention. It should be appreciated that, in the following embodiments and the attached drawings, dimensional relationships among individual elements in the attached drawings are illustrated only for ease of understanding, but not to limit the actual scale unless specifically claimed as such.

Referring toFIG.1, a floating surgical clamp100is configured to be joined to a surgical portal tube101. The clamp100includes a spring mechanism102to allow the clamp, and thus the portal tube101, to move upwardly against the spring's bias force.

The floating surgical clamp100of the present invention improves upon the clamp disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 11,065,131 by being spring-loaded to allow in/out movement of the tube, while maintaining the tube's position in A/P and C/C. This is especially helpful in prone cases when the contralateral side of the patient is not supported, which can cause the spine to push away from the tube. The floating clamp100uses the spring-loaded mechanism102to maintain intimate contact between the surgical tube101and patient's anatomy. U.S. Pat. No. 11,065,131 is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Referring toFIGS.1-9, the surgical clamp100generally comprises a clamp body104and a spring mechanism102. The clamp body comprises a base portion106and a pivoting arm108. The pivoting arm108pivots about a pin110securing a proximal end112of the arm108to the base106. An adjustment mechanism114is coupled to the arm108to change its pivot angle. Changing the pivot angle brings the distal end116of the arm108towards or away from a respective distal end118of the base106. The respective distal ends116,118are configured to grasp, interlock or mate with corresponding features on the portal tube101. For example, the distal ends116,118define grooves117that mate with corresponding dovetail features defined in an outer surface of a wall of the surgical portal101.

The adjustment mechanism114comprises a spring119disposed between the arm108and base106. A shaft120is inserted through a thumb nut or wheel122and an aperture124defined through the arm and through the spring. The distal end of the shaft120is secured into the base106. The wheel124is turned on a first direction to tighten or pivot the arm108towards the base106to secure the surgical tube101to the clamp100. The wheel124is turned in the second or opposite direction to release the force securing the surgical tube101to the clamp100.

The clamp100may attach to a table arm, support member126, framework or other mechanism or structure on or in the operating room. For example, the clamp inFIG.1is attached to a support arm126.

The spring mechanism102comprises a cylindrical piston128that is disposed through a coil spring130and an aperture131through a proximal portion of the clamp base portion106. The piston128has a head132with a larger diameter than the inner diameter of the spring130so that the piston does not pass through the spring130from a first direction. A removable cap134is attached to the opposing second end of the piston128to keep the piston from passing through the clamp base106and spring130from a second direction, opposite the first direction.

A slot136or channel is defined laterally through a portion of the longitudinal length of the piston. When the piston128is inserted through the aperture131in the base106, a travel limit pin138is inserted into the base106so that it protrudes into the channel or slot136to limit the extent of vertical travel of the piston128relative to the base106. The travel limit pin138engaging the channel or slot136also prevents the piston from rotating relative to the base106.

The upper surface of the head132can be provided with a series of teeth133to engage a corresponding series of teeth in a fixture or support structure126. The engagement of the teeth prevent the clamp from unintentionally rotating about the longitudinal axis of the piston with respect to the fixture or support structure126.

Referring toFIGS.8-9, the clamp assembly100is first shown inFIG.8at its upper limit of travel. The spring130is the most compressed in this view. The clamp100is then shown in its opposing most-relaxed position for the spring130inFIG.9, which is most downward. However, there is still some force applied in this second position to maintain some downward force for the tubular portal towards the patient's anatomy. The clamp100can float between these two endpoints as needed to accommodate movement of the spine during the surgical procedure. The spring's force can be set according to the surgeon's preferences by changing the spring or by adjusting preload on the spring such as with a preload spacer or adjustable collar. Spacers can be added to either or both ends of the spring shaft to limit travel as desired.

In use, the floating clamp100in certain embodiments allows the portal tube101and fixation pin to move up and down in a piston-like manner with the spine via a spring mechanism102if the spine moves away from the portal tube during the surgical procedure. Otherwise, such movement can result in the fixation pin pulling out and the portal tube migrating. The floating clamp advantageously maintains orientation of the portal tube101in the medial/lateral and cephalad/caudal planes. The clamp100can be adapted to a variety of sizes of portal tubes.

FIG.10illustrates an alternative embodiment of a clamp body204to the base and arm of the clamp body described above. Here, the body204is a single piece without a pivoting arm. The distal end defines an aperture206that is sized and shaped to securely hold a corresponding particular shape and size of surgical portal tube. Changing the portal tube size or configuration requires changing the body204to a different body with the correct corresponding shape and size.

FIG.11illustrates an alternative embodiment of a spring mechanism202. In this embodiment, the spring230is enclosed inside of a hollow tube231. A piston228moves longitudinally within the interior of the tube231against the spring230. A pin238engages an opposing pair of slots236in the tube's sidewall to prevent rotation and to limit the travel of the piston228with respect to the tube231. A bottom post240extends below the tube231to fit into a respective aperture242defined in the body, such as shown inFIG.10. Opposing sets of teeth defined on the bottom collar of the tube233and the top surface surrounding the aperture242on the body204(as well as the teeth on the head232of the piston228) prevent the clamp from unintentionally rotating about the longitudinal axis of the piston with respect to the fixture or support structure.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is, therefore, desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiment described herein which equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto.