Universal suspension device for operating theater tables

Abstract

A surgical table suspension device for holding or carrying auxiliary equipment is described. The suspension device can be reusable and adapted to have a universal fit to rails that have a multitude of different cross-sectional geometries or sizes.

1 . An adaptable operating table suspension device configured to securely engage with bars of multiple geometric profiles, said suspension device comprising: a first element that extends a first distance (A), a second element that extends at a largely orthogonal angle from an end of said first element a second distance (B), and a third element that extends from a largely orthogonal angle from an end of said second element a third distance (C), and which is substantially parallel to said first element, forming a substantially rectilinear shape among said first, second and third elements, and either said first or said third element or both having at least one protrusive section along said first and third distances (A or C), which accommodates a curved or polygonal form between said first and third elements. 
   
   
       2 . The suspension device according to  claim 1 , wherein first distance (A) is greater than third distance (C) for said first and second elements, respectively. 
   
   
       3 . The suspension device according to  claim 1 , wherein first distance (A) has a length of at least about 2 inches or greater. 
   
   
       4 . The suspension device according to  claim 3 , wherein first distance (A) ranges from about 2.5 inches to about 8 inches in length. 
   
   
       5 . The suspension device according to  claim 1 , wherein third distance (C) ranges from about 1 inch to about 4 inches. 
   
   
       6 . The suspension device according to  claim 1 , wherein said distance B does not exceed a width of a gap of distance X between the bed of an operating room table and a sidebar. 
   
   
       7 . The suspension device according to  claim 6 , wherein second distance (B) ranges from about 0.5 inch up to about 2.5 inches. 
   
   
       8 . The suspension device according to  claim 1 , wherein said material is sufficiently resilient to withstand repeated bending or flexing over many times of use. 
   
   
       9 . The suspension device according to  claim 1 , wherein said first, second and third elements each has an aggregate, accumulated width dimension that ranges from about ¼ inch (˜½ cm) to about 2.5 inches (˜7 cm), inclusive. 
   
   
       10 . The suspension device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device has a hair-pin like configuration, with at least two protrusive sections as part of either said first or said third elements along first or third distances (A or C), or both. 
   
   
       11 . The suspension device according to  claim 1 , wherein said protrusive section has a cross-sectional profile that is triangular, rectangular, curvilinear or circular. 
   
   
       12 . The suspension device according to  claim 11 , wherein said curvilinear or circular sections each has a different radius of curvature to engage with rails of rounded profiles of varying diameters. 
   
   
       13 . The suspension device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device has a body that permits said third element to flex towards said first element when compressed laterally. 
   
   
       14 . The suspension device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device is formed from either a durable polymer or plastic material, or a metal or metallic alloy material. 
   
   
       15 . The suspension device according to  claim 14 , wherein said metal or metallic alloy material is aluminum, stainless steel, or titanium. 
   
   
       16 . The suspension device according to  claim 14 , wherein said durable polymer or plastic material is a polystyrene, polyethylene, polyurethane, or an acrylic polymer. 
   
   
       17 . The suspension device according to  claim 14 , wherein said material is able to withstand either high-temperature environments such as found in autoclaves or the stringency of chemical washes used in sanitizing for a sterile field environment. 
   
   
       18 . The suspension device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device has no major mechanical moving parts. 
   
   
       19 . The suspension device according to  claim 1 , wherein said first element has a means for supporting a part or portion of an auxiliary surgical equipment or apparatus. 
   
   
       20 . The suspension device according to  claim 19 , wherein said means for supporting is an aperture, protrusion, hook, or cradle for receiving a fastening element to secure the device to an auxiliary surgical equipment or apparatus. 
   
   
       21 . The suspension device according to  claim 20 , wherein said aperture is sufficiently large for a user to adjust the length of said first element to a desired or predetermined dimension. 
   
   
       22 . The suspension device according to  claim 20 , wherein said aperture is a grommet slot. 
   
   
       23 . The suspension device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device is configured to hold equipment from a bar, or be an interface between disposable and reusable components. 
   
   
       24 . The suspension device according to  claim 23 , wherein said equipment includes temperature warming junction box, tubes and hoses, suction line, irrigation line, electrical cable, compressed air or oxygen lines. 
   
   
       25 . A universal surgical table hook comprising: a first extension with a length A, a second extension with a length B, and a third extension with a length C, such that said first, second and third extensions are oriented in a largely perpendicular fashion relative to each other in a substantially C- or U-like shape;
 a protuberance extending from either said first or third extensions, or both; and said first, second, and third extensions together are configured to engage with bars of multiple geometric profiles.   
   
   
       26 . The hook according to  claim 25 , wherein said second and third extensions are resilient and flex relative to said first extension when subjected to lateral stress forces. 
   
   
       27 . The hook according to  claim 25 , wherein said hook has a hair-pin-like conformation with at least two notches or ridges of either similar or varying sizes. 
   
   
       28 . The hook according to  claim 25 , wherein said bar has a profile that is triangular, rectangular, circular, curvilinear, or polygonal. 
   
   
       29 . The hook according to  claim 25 , wherein said first, second and third extensions each has a width that is sufficient for it to securely engage with either a rectilinear or curved or circular bar. 
   
   
       30 . A surgical table fastener comprising a first panel with a first distance (A), a second panel with a second distance (B), and a third panel with a third distance (C), said first, second and third panels are bent relative to each other such that said first and second panels are substantially parallel with each other and separated from each other by a distance T, and said third panel is flexible relative to said first panel. 
   
   
       31 . The surgical table fastener according to  claim 30 , wherein said first panel or said third panel has at least one protusion adapted to engage with bars of multiple geometric profiles. 
   
   
       32 . The surgical table fastener according to  claim 30 , wherein said distance T is less than or equal to second distance (B). 
   
   
       33 . The surgical table fastener according to  claim 30 , wherein said third panel has a terminal end that is oriented away from said first panel, extending outward for a distance D, which does not exceed ⅓ the length of second distance (B). 
   
   
       34 . The surgical table fastener according to  claim 30 , where said third panel is deformable to accommodate a bar of either round or polygonal profile, when said bar has a cross-sectional dimension that is greater than said distance T between the first and second panels. 
   
   
       35 . A surgical table having an auxiliary fastening hook configured to securely engage with bars of multiple geometric profiles according to  claim 25 .