Surgical instrument support device and method

Abstract

A surgical instrument support device and method for positioning a surgical instrument relative to a surface of a surgical support platform are disclosed. The support device includes a base member, an elongated support member, an extender bar, and a securing mechanism. The base member is fixably mountable to the surgical support platform. The elongated support member has one end mounted to the base member for pivotal movement of the elongated support member relative to the base member within a pivot plane that is nonparallel to the surface of the surgical support platform. The extender bar is adapted for mounting a surgical instrument with respect thereto and is disposed at the other end of the elongated support member. The extender bar projects from the elongated support member such that the pivotal movement of the elongated support member raises or lowers the extender bar and the surgical instrument mounted with respect thereto with respect to the surface of the surgical support platform. The securing mechanism selectively locks and unlocks the elongated support member relative to the base member to respectively prevent and allow the pivotal movement.

1 - 47 . (canceled)  
   
   
       48 . A method of supporting a surgical instrument relative to a surface of a surgical support platform, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a first extender bar disposed above the surface of the surgical support platform;    mounting an extension device with respect to the first extender bar, the extension device including a clamped portion, a second extender bar, and a securing mechanism, the second extender bar being mounted to the clamped portion for pivotable movement relative to the clamped portion, the securing mechanism being operative to selectively lock and unlock the second extender bar relative to the clamp portion to respectively prevent and allow the pivotable movement;    mounting a surgical instrument with respect to the second extender bar;    pivoting the second extender bar relative to the clamp portion to position the second extender bar with respect to the surface of the surgical support platform; and    using the securing mechanism to lock and prevent pivotable movement of the second extender bar relative to the clamped portion.    
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the step of mounting the surgical instrument with respect to the second extender bar occurs before the step of mounting the extension device with respect to the first extender bar.  
   
   
       50 . A method as set forth in  claim 48 , wherein the using step includes moving a first or a second engaging member relative to the other against a spring bias into relative disengagement to unlock the securing mechanism.  
   
   
       51 . A method as set forth in  claim 48 , comprising the step of pivoting an elongated support member, to which the first extender bar is connected, over a predetermined limited angular range.  
   
   
       52 . A method as set forth in  claim 51 , wherein the step of pivoting the second extender bar occurs automatically as the elongated support member pivots.  
   
   
       53 . A method as set forth in  claim 51 , including the step of axially sliding engaging members toward one another to lock the position of the first extender bar relative to the support member.  
   
   
       54 . A method as set forth in  claim 48 , comprising the step of clamping the first extender bar relative to the surgical support platform.  
   
   
       55 . A method as set forth in  claim 48 , comprising the step of angularly displacing the extender bar the same amount as the elongated support if pivoted relative to the base.