CN-114828772-B - Head stabilization device with removable torque applicator

Abstract

A head stabilization device includes a stabilization assembly and an applicator to control the amount of force applied by a stabilization feature to a patient's head. The applicator includes a torque control feature that ensures that the desired torque setting is not exceeded during use. The applicator may be decoupled from the rest of the system so that the head stabilization device may be used without an attached torque control feature or structure. In one variation, the applicator controls torque by adjusting the bending length of a pair of arms extending within the applicator.

Inventors

• FOSTER PETER
• David devran koolha
• Mark Stephen willersch
• Matthias Edgar Shure
• Mathias Ethel
• Jane Heiko Mertens

Assignees

• 普罗梅德仪器股份有限公司

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20201119

Priority Date

20191122

Claims (20)

1. 1. An apparatus for stabilizing a patient's head during a medical procedure, wherein the apparatus comprises: (a) A head fixing device; (b) A stabilization assembly connected with the head fixation device, wherein the stabilization assembly is configured to receive a stabilization feature configured to contact the head of the patient, wherein the stabilization assembly comprises: (i) A rotary member, and (Ii) A translation member, and (C) An applicator configured to rotate the rotating member of the stabilizing assembly, wherein the translating member is configured to translate in response to rotation of the rotating member, wherein the applicator is configured to transmit torque to the stabilizing assembly without exceeding a predetermined amount of torque, wherein the applicator comprises: (i) The first member is arranged to be positioned in contact with the first surface, (Ii) A second member, wherein under a first condition, an interaction between the first member and the second member imparts a bending stress on the first member, and (Iii) A third member configured to adjustably set the predetermined amount of torque, wherein the third member contacts the first member at different locations longitudinally along the first member based on the set predetermined amount of torque, wherein contact between the third member and the first member determines a bending length of the first member, wherein the bending length corresponds to the predetermined amount of torque.
2. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein there is a form fit between the rotating member and the translating member such that longitudinal translation is the only degree of freedom of movement of the translating member.
3. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the translating member is threadably engaged with the rotating member.
4. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the applicator is detachable from the stabilizing assembly, wherein the rotating member and the translating member remain with the stabilizing assembly when the applicator is detached from the stabilizing assembly.
5. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the translating member is configured to receive the stabilizing feature, wherein translation of the translating member results in corresponding translation of the stabilizing feature without resulting in rotation of the stabilizing feature.
6. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein in the second condition the first member is in a relaxed state, the first member being free of bending stresses thereon.
7. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interaction between the first member and the second member imparts a bending stress on the first member under a second condition, wherein the bending stress under the second condition is different in extent than the bending stress under the first condition.
8. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first member comprises at least one arm extending longitudinally relative to the applicator.
9. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first member comprises a pair of arms extending longitudinally relative to the applicator, wherein the second member is positioned between the pair of arms, and wherein the pair of arms are configured to selectively contact an outer surface of the second member.
10. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second member comprises a pair of hook-like features, wherein the first member is configured to selectively contact the hook-like features.
11. 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first member is operable to abut against an outer surface of the second member when the torque applied to the stabilizing assembly is less than the predetermined torque such that rotation of the applicator results in corresponding rotation of the second member, wherein the first member is operable to slide over the second member when the torque applied to the stabilizing assembly is equal to or greater than the predetermined torque such that the second member remains stationary as the applicator is rotated to further tighten the stabilizing assembly.
12. 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the applicator further comprises a drill bit configured to engage with the stabilizing assembly, wherein the second member is connected with the drill bit, and wherein the second member and the drill bit are configured to rotate in unison.
13. 13. An apparatus for stabilizing a patient's head during a medical procedure, wherein the apparatus comprises: (a) A head fixing device; (b) A stabilization assembly coupled to the head fixation device, wherein the stabilization assembly is configured to receive a stabilization feature configured to contact the patient's head, and (C) An applicator connectable with the stabilizing assembly, wherein the applicator is configured to transmit torque to the stabilizing assembly without exceeding a predetermined amount of torque, wherein the applicator comprises: (i) The first member is arranged to be positioned in contact with the first surface, (Ii) A second member, wherein under a first condition, an interaction between the first member and the second member imparts a bending stress on the first member, and (Iii) A third member configured to adjustably set the predetermined amount of torque, wherein the third member contacts the first member at different locations longitudinally along the first member based on the set predetermined amount of torque, wherein contact between the third member and the first member determines a bending length of the first member, wherein the bending length corresponds to the predetermined amount of torque.
14. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein in a second condition the first member is in a relaxed state, the first member being devoid of the bending stress thereon.
15. 15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the interaction between the first member and the second member imparts a bending stress on the first member under a second condition, wherein the bending stress under the second condition is different in extent than the bending stress under the first condition.
16. 16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first member comprises at least one arm extending longitudinally relative to the applicator.
17. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first member comprises a pair of arms extending longitudinally relative to the applicator.
18. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the second member is positioned between the pair of arms, and wherein the pair of arms are configured to selectively contact an outer surface of the second member.
19. 19. The apparatus of any one of claims 13-18, wherein the second member comprises a pair of hook features, wherein the first member is configured to selectively contact the hook features.
20. 20. The apparatus of any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the first member is operable to abut against an outer surface of the second member when the torque applied to the stabilizing assembly is less than the predetermined torque, such that rotation of the applicator results in corresponding rotation of the second member.

Description

Head stabilization device with removable torque applicator Priority The present application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/939,053 entitled "Head Stabilization DEVICE WITH Detachable Torque Applicator," filed on 11/22, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Background The disclosed devices and methods relate to the field of stabilizing patients, and in particular to stabilizing the head and neck using a stabilization device known as a head stabilization device, also known as a head fixation device (hereinafter referred to as "HFDs" or "HFD" in the singular). HFDs are sometimes used during various surgical and other medical procedures, such as during a surgical or inspection procedure in which it may be desirable to securely hold a patient's head in a particular position or neck. Techniques include invasive and non-invasive settings when stabilizing the patient's head. Invasive settings may contact the patient's head, and in particular the skull, using a stabilizing feature in the form of a pin. The non-invasive arrangement may use a stabilization feature in the form of a pad or other structure configured to contact the patient's head but not penetrate the skin. HFDs for use with invasive and non-invasive settings include structures or components configured to hold and position one or more stabilization features. HFDs are also configured to have the ability to adjust their size to accommodate patients with different head sizes. When stabilizing a patient with an HFD, one or more stabilization features may be tightened in a controlled manner to apply a desired amount of force to the patient's head to achieve acceptable stabilization. The devices and methods herein also relate to adjusting the force applied by one or more stabilization features. While various head stabilization devices have been manufactured and used, it is believed that no one prior to the inventors has manufactured or used the invention as described herein. Brief Description of Drawings While the specification concludes with claims distinctly pointing out and distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed the present invention will be better understood from the following description of certain examples taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements and wherein: fig. 1 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary patient head support system showing a skull clamp with a stabilization assembly having a detachable torque applicator. Fig. 2 depicts a perspective view of the patient head support system of fig. 1, showing the torque applicator detached from the stabilizing assembly. Fig. 3 depicts a perspective view of the torque applicator of fig. 1. Fig. 4 depicts another perspective view of the torque applicator of fig. 1. Fig. 5 depicts a side view of the torque applicator of fig. 1. FIG. 6A depicts a cross-sectional view of the torque applicator of FIG. 1, taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5, showing the applicator in a first torque setting. FIG. 6B depicts a cross-sectional view of the torque applicator of FIG. 1, taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5, showing the applicator in a second torque setting. Fig. 7 depicts another side view of the torque applicator of fig. 1 rotated 90 degrees about its longitudinal axis from the side view of fig. 5. FIG. 8A depicts a cross-sectional view of the torque applicator of FIG. 1, taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7, showing the applicator in a first torque setting. FIG. 8B depicts a cross-sectional view of the torque applicator of FIG. 1, taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7, showing the applicator in a second torque setting. Fig. 9 depicts a cross-sectional view of the torque applicator of fig. 1 taken along line 9-9 of fig. 5. 10A-10C depict a series of cross-sectional views of the torque applicator of FIG. 1 taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 5, showing the position of components of the torque applicator in use. FIG. 11 depicts a cross-sectional view of the torque applicator of FIG. 1 taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 5. FIG. 12 depicts a partial perspective view of an exemplary coupling sleeve of the torque applicator of FIG. 1. Fig. 13 depicts a cross-sectional view of a portion of the stabilization assembly of the skull clamp of fig. 1, showing a coupling sleeve connected with the stabilization assembly. Fig. 14 depicts a front view of the stabilization assembly within the arm of the skull clamp, showing the stabilization feature removed. Fig. 15 depicts a perspective view of another exemplary patient head support system showing the skull clamp of fig. 1 and another stabilization assembly with another removable torque applicator. FIG. 16 depicts a cross-sectional view of the stabilizing assembly and detachable torque applicator of FIG. 15, taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 15. FIG. 17 depicts a cross-sectional view of the stabilizing assembly and detachable torque applicator of FIG. 15, taken along li