CA2230402A1 - Overhead articulated support for the human arm - Google Patents
Overhead articulated support for the human arm Download PDFInfo
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- CA2230402A1 CA2230402A1 CA002230402A CA2230402A CA2230402A1 CA 2230402 A1 CA2230402 A1 CA 2230402A1 CA 002230402 A CA002230402 A CA 002230402A CA 2230402 A CA2230402 A CA 2230402A CA 2230402 A1 CA2230402 A1 CA 2230402A1
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- arm
- assembly
- support
- rod
- counterbalancing
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B90/00—Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups A61B1/00 - A61B50/00, e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges
- A61B90/60—Supports for surgeons, e.g. chairs or hand supports
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Surgery (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Medical Informatics (AREA)
- Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (AREA)
- Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Dentistry (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Molecular Biology (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Ultra Sonic Daignosis Equipment (AREA)
Description
OVERHEAD ARTICULATED SUPPORT FOR THE HUMAN ARM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVEDdTION
The ~>resent invention relates to ergonomic apparatus for supporting the human arm during manual operations so to counterbalance its weight and reduce the strain on supporting muscles and tendons. More specifically, the invention is particularly intended for ultrasonic diagnostic operations and aims at providing a simple, esthetical and practical solution to the increasing problem of fatigue and pain caused to operators by the repetitive manipulation of the ultrasonic probe in a position where the operator's arm is usually extended far from his body, thus causing a high solicitation at the biceps and shoulder level. Effectively, many current medical applications of ultrasonic diagnostic,, such as in obstetrics, require intensive manipulation of the probe around the patient's tissues and obstacles to obtain images as good as possible or track moving targets. Therefor, operators arms are much solicited causing pain, disease, low productivity, absenteeism, that induce both human and economic costs.
Although the invention will be described in detail with respect to the latter field of application, it shall be understood that it might be used in many other fields such as assembly, physiotherapy and assistance to persons affected a restriction of arm mobility.
Few solutions to the problem of holding an ultrasonic probe have been proposed in the past but they all suffer from major drawbacks. Namely, all of them are designed to hold the probe itself and ~>rovide no assistance to the operator for supporting the weight of his own arm acting in cantilever and causing an important torque to be
BACKGROUND OF THE INVEDdTION
The ~>resent invention relates to ergonomic apparatus for supporting the human arm during manual operations so to counterbalance its weight and reduce the strain on supporting muscles and tendons. More specifically, the invention is particularly intended for ultrasonic diagnostic operations and aims at providing a simple, esthetical and practical solution to the increasing problem of fatigue and pain caused to operators by the repetitive manipulation of the ultrasonic probe in a position where the operator's arm is usually extended far from his body, thus causing a high solicitation at the biceps and shoulder level. Effectively, many current medical applications of ultrasonic diagnostic,, such as in obstetrics, require intensive manipulation of the probe around the patient's tissues and obstacles to obtain images as good as possible or track moving targets. Therefor, operators arms are much solicited causing pain, disease, low productivity, absenteeism, that induce both human and economic costs.
Although the invention will be described in detail with respect to the latter field of application, it shall be understood that it might be used in many other fields such as assembly, physiotherapy and assistance to persons affected a restriction of arm mobility.
Few solutions to the problem of holding an ultrasonic probe have been proposed in the past but they all suffer from major drawbacks. Namely, all of them are designed to hold the probe itself and ~>rovide no assistance to the operator for supporting the weight of his own arm acting in cantilever and causing an important torque to be
2 counterbalanced by the effort of the arm and shoulder muscles and tendons . Such a mechanism is disclosed in U. S .
patent 5,348,014 which describes an overhead arm mechanism provided with a constant force spring counterbalanced wire to which the probe is suspended. Considering that most contemporary probes are much lighter than the operator's arm, supporting the probe alone provides very limited relief of the physical stress to be supported by the operator. Even if the winding force of the wire was increased to account for the arm weight, the point of application of the compensating force would not be adequate and added stress in the wrist and no significant comfort improvement if any would yield. Moreover, that support is limited in mobility and positioning flexibility since it is fixed to the ultrasonic apparatus body and does not provide operator adjustable counterbalancing force.
Us patent 5,279,486 discloses a medical support using an horizontal arm to support a wire through two pulleys. One end of the wire supports a medical apparatus while a counterweight is attached to the other end of the wire and counterbalances the weight of the apparatus. That concept with limited number of degrees of freedom is only appropriate for static support of an apparatus and do not feature practical counterweight adjustment as required for supporting the arm and providing optimal comfort to different operators.
US patents 4,548,374 and 4,241,891 provide even worst solutions for supporting the probe, since the weight of the most part of the articulated supporting arm is balanced by a counterweight located near the base. These concepts result in sturdy and heavy structures which present a high level of friction and inertia that would prevent utilisation as a human arm support since freedom of movement would be too much affected.
patent 5,348,014 which describes an overhead arm mechanism provided with a constant force spring counterbalanced wire to which the probe is suspended. Considering that most contemporary probes are much lighter than the operator's arm, supporting the probe alone provides very limited relief of the physical stress to be supported by the operator. Even if the winding force of the wire was increased to account for the arm weight, the point of application of the compensating force would not be adequate and added stress in the wrist and no significant comfort improvement if any would yield. Moreover, that support is limited in mobility and positioning flexibility since it is fixed to the ultrasonic apparatus body and does not provide operator adjustable counterbalancing force.
Us patent 5,279,486 discloses a medical support using an horizontal arm to support a wire through two pulleys. One end of the wire supports a medical apparatus while a counterweight is attached to the other end of the wire and counterbalances the weight of the apparatus. That concept with limited number of degrees of freedom is only appropriate for static support of an apparatus and do not feature practical counterweight adjustment as required for supporting the arm and providing optimal comfort to different operators.
US patents 4,548,374 and 4,241,891 provide even worst solutions for supporting the probe, since the weight of the most part of the articulated supporting arm is balanced by a counterweight located near the base. These concepts result in sturdy and heavy structures which present a high level of friction and inertia that would prevent utilisation as a human arm support since freedom of movement would be too much affected.
3 Many arm supports are referenced in the prior art, but they are all intended to relief stress and pain experienced by keyboard operators. 'These systems such as US patent 5,074,,501, support the operator's arm from underneath and provide no supported or balanced mobility over a vertical stroke, and therefor would not comply with an application requiring such a level of freedom as for ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus operators, assembly tasks, restrained mobility persons or like applications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an overhead articulated support for the human arm which overcomes the limitations and drawbacks of the above mentioned solutions of the prior art, and more specifically:
it is a first object of the instant invention to provide an arm support that counterbalances at least a part of the weight of the arm of a person and follows its movement rather than guiding it within a 3-dimensional working envelope, thus causing a minimal restriction to the movements, preserving the full mobility of the hand and wrist of the user and giving a general impression of flotation;
it is a further object of the present invention to provide a discrete and safe support for the human arm in which the arm is supported from overhead to avoid the presence of obstacles within the working envelope or the line of sight of the user and eventual patient, collaborator or other persons, and to prevent people from running into a part of the support and get injured;
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an overhead articulated support for the human arm which overcomes the limitations and drawbacks of the above mentioned solutions of the prior art, and more specifically:
it is a first object of the instant invention to provide an arm support that counterbalances at least a part of the weight of the arm of a person and follows its movement rather than guiding it within a 3-dimensional working envelope, thus causing a minimal restriction to the movements, preserving the full mobility of the hand and wrist of the user and giving a general impression of flotation;
it is a further object of the present invention to provide a discrete and safe support for the human arm in which the arm is supported from overhead to avoid the presence of obstacles within the working envelope or the line of sight of the user and eventual patient, collaborator or other persons, and to prevent people from running into a part of the support and get injured;
4 it is another object of the present invention to provide a support which features fast and simple user settable adjustments over a wide range of values for the counterbalancing force and the position of the arm rest to match the personal physical characteristics of any user;
it is a still further object of the present invention to provide an arm support in which the counterbalancing force is substantially linear over the entire vertical stroke;
it is a further object of the present invention to provide an arm support that :is mobile, compact, collapsible and requires very low space for storage when not in use;
it is another object of the present invention to provide an arm support featuring an adjustable friction coupling to lock the position of the vertical axis or reduce the effect of the relief force in one or both directions;
it is a further object of the instant invention to provide an arm support incorporating a fixed supporting ring to hold the probe cable from a vertical point and thus relief the ~>tress its weight normally causes on the operator's wrist;
it is a still further object of the present invention to provide an arm support: that comprises a minimum number of parts, requires almost no maintenance, is esthetical and is economical to produce.
These objects and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent through the following description that will be carried out by reference to the appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
it is a still further object of the present invention to provide an arm support in which the counterbalancing force is substantially linear over the entire vertical stroke;
it is a further object of the present invention to provide an arm support that :is mobile, compact, collapsible and requires very low space for storage when not in use;
it is another object of the present invention to provide an arm support featuring an adjustable friction coupling to lock the position of the vertical axis or reduce the effect of the relief force in one or both directions;
it is a further object of the instant invention to provide an arm support incorporating a fixed supporting ring to hold the probe cable from a vertical point and thus relief the ~>tress its weight normally causes on the operator's wrist;
it is a still further object of the present invention to provide an arm support: that comprises a minimum number of parts, requires almost no maintenance, is esthetical and is economical to produce.
These objects and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent through the following description that will be carried out by reference to the appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
5 FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the overhead articulated arm support of the present invention, with an ultrasonic probe and cable.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cut-away isometric view of the sliding arm members of the support of FIG. 1.
FIG.3 is an enlarged isometric view of the fore-end of the support of FIG.1, showing the operator's arm, the probe and its cable in a typical position.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged assembly drawing of the friction coupling assembly of FIG.3.
FIG. 5 a) and b) show alternate embodiments of the arm rest assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment of the safety apparatus of the present invention will now be described in detail referring to the appended drawings.
Referring to FIG.1, there is provided an overhead articulated support for the human arm comprising a base assembly 1 provided with locking rollers 2 and a height adjustment knob 3. A graduated post 4 with reference numerals is inserted in base 1 and locked at the desired height using knob 3. A main arm member 6 has one end pivotally mounted on a rotary joint 5 assembled to the top of post 4. In the operating position, the main arm member 6 is moving on an horizontal plane over 360 %, ~.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cut-away isometric view of the sliding arm members of the support of FIG. 1.
FIG.3 is an enlarged isometric view of the fore-end of the support of FIG.1, showing the operator's arm, the probe and its cable in a typical position.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged assembly drawing of the friction coupling assembly of FIG.3.
FIG. 5 a) and b) show alternate embodiments of the arm rest assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment of the safety apparatus of the present invention will now be described in detail referring to the appended drawings.
Referring to FIG.1, there is provided an overhead articulated support for the human arm comprising a base assembly 1 provided with locking rollers 2 and a height adjustment knob 3. A graduated post 4 with reference numerals is inserted in base 1 and locked at the desired height using knob 3. A main arm member 6 has one end pivotally mounted on a rotary joint 5 assembled to the top of post 4. In the operating position, the main arm member 6 is moving on an horizontal plane over 360 %, ~.
6 degrees, and it can be unfolded 90 degrees upright to take less space for storage. During storage, the post 4 can also be lowered to hide almost completely in the base assembly 1. A sliding arm assembly 7 slides in a self lubricated bushing inside a generally horizontal bore provided in a ~~T" connector 8 which is rotatably mounted on the other end of main arm member 6, permitting rotation of the sliding arm assembly over 360 degrees in an horizontal plane. The sliding arm assembly 7 is also free to rotate in the bore around its longitudinal axis.
A vertical arm assembly 9 is rotatably suspended to one end of the sliding arm assembly 7, said vertical arm comprising a tube 10 in which a rod 11 is sliding, said rod being provided at its lower end with a universal joint 12 holding an arm rest 13. The upper end of said rod is attached to a wire 14 guided by a pulley 15 to a counterbalancing unit incorporated in the sliding arm assembly 7, as shown in detail in FIG. 2. A stop member 24 on the rod 11 limits the penetration of the rod within the tube 10.
A friction coupling assembly 29 is assembled between the tube 10 and the rod 11 to adjust the friction force acting against rod movement, between a free sliding position and a locked position. This feature allows the user to reduce or eliminate the counterbalancing force to maintain a fixed position for a certain time or apply downward pressure as a function of the operations to be carried out.
Referring to FIG. 2, the counterbalancing unit located in the tube 16 of the sliding arm assembly 7 comprises a force adjustment device 17, a coil spring 18 and two pulley assemblies 19, 20, the pulley assembly 20 being
A vertical arm assembly 9 is rotatably suspended to one end of the sliding arm assembly 7, said vertical arm comprising a tube 10 in which a rod 11 is sliding, said rod being provided at its lower end with a universal joint 12 holding an arm rest 13. The upper end of said rod is attached to a wire 14 guided by a pulley 15 to a counterbalancing unit incorporated in the sliding arm assembly 7, as shown in detail in FIG. 2. A stop member 24 on the rod 11 limits the penetration of the rod within the tube 10.
A friction coupling assembly 29 is assembled between the tube 10 and the rod 11 to adjust the friction force acting against rod movement, between a free sliding position and a locked position. This feature allows the user to reduce or eliminate the counterbalancing force to maintain a fixed position for a certain time or apply downward pressure as a function of the operations to be carried out.
Referring to FIG. 2, the counterbalancing unit located in the tube 16 of the sliding arm assembly 7 comprises a force adjustment device 17, a coil spring 18 and two pulley assemblies 19, 20, the pulley assembly 20 being
7 rotatably mounted on an axle assembled across one end of the tube 16 near the pulley 15. The wire 14 guided by the pulley 15 successively passes through each pulley of assemblies 19 and 20 and is finally connects to one end of th.e coil spring 18. Since the pulley assembly 19 is free to move along the longitudinal axis of the tube 16.
the pulleys act as a stroke divider. The stroke of the rod is transmitted to one end of the wire 14 and the pulled length splits equally in each loop between the two pulley assemblies. Hence, the spring 18 is only extended by a length equal to the stroke of the rod divided by the number of loops between the pulley assemblies 19. 20. For example, if the initial counterbalancing force is determined by an initial elongation of the spring that is in the range of 15 cm, a stroke of 15 cm of the rod 11 and 5 pulleys per assembly would yield an additional spring elongation of 3 cm representing a difference of 20% in the counterbalancing force between the two extreme positions of the rod. A force adjustment device 17 comprising a lever 21 and a pulley 22 is connected to the second end of the coil spring 18 through a wire 23.
Moving the lever winds or unwinds the wire on the pulley and extends the spring by a maximum additional length of about 6 cm, providing an adjustment up to about +40o with respect to the initial counterbalancing force. The force adjustment device 17 is so assembled to the tube 16 to have a high level o.f static friction to maintain the lever at the set position despite the reaction force exerted by the spring through the wire 23.
In operation, the user first adjusts the height of the graduated post 4 so that his arm lying on the rest member 13 is floating at the desired average working height.
Moving the arm up or down within a range of 15 cm will only change the counterbalancing force by ~l0o according
the pulleys act as a stroke divider. The stroke of the rod is transmitted to one end of the wire 14 and the pulled length splits equally in each loop between the two pulley assemblies. Hence, the spring 18 is only extended by a length equal to the stroke of the rod divided by the number of loops between the pulley assemblies 19. 20. For example, if the initial counterbalancing force is determined by an initial elongation of the spring that is in the range of 15 cm, a stroke of 15 cm of the rod 11 and 5 pulleys per assembly would yield an additional spring elongation of 3 cm representing a difference of 20% in the counterbalancing force between the two extreme positions of the rod. A force adjustment device 17 comprising a lever 21 and a pulley 22 is connected to the second end of the coil spring 18 through a wire 23.
Moving the lever winds or unwinds the wire on the pulley and extends the spring by a maximum additional length of about 6 cm, providing an adjustment up to about +40o with respect to the initial counterbalancing force. The force adjustment device 17 is so assembled to the tube 16 to have a high level o.f static friction to maintain the lever at the set position despite the reaction force exerted by the spring through the wire 23.
In operation, the user first adjusts the height of the graduated post 4 so that his arm lying on the rest member 13 is floating at the desired average working height.
Moving the arm up or down within a range of 15 cm will only change the counterbalancing force by ~l0o according
8 to the previous example. Fine adjustment of the neutral position is accomplished by moving the lever 21 up or down.
The above described counterbalancing mechanism represents a simple, compact, reliable and low cost solution to produce a relatively constant counterbalancing force.
Nevertheless, other types of known adjustable counterbalancing mechanisms such as spiral springs could be used to generate a relatively constant counterbalancing force over the stroke of the rod 11 without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
In FIG.3 an operator's arm is shown in a working position, holding an ultrasonic probe 26 having a cable 27 supported by a cable supporting ring 28 to counterbalance its weight. The arm is directly supported on a rest member 13 usually under the forearm between the wrist and the elbow for maximum comfort and mobility. The rest assembly is removably connected to the lower part of the rod 11 by a quick connect fastener 25. A "C" shaped open type rest is represented in that figure. However, alternate embodiments of the rest of the closed type and having one or more point of support as respectively shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, r_an be used according to the preference of the user.
FIG. 4 shows the details of the friction coupling 29. A
threaded connector 30 is fixed to the lower end of the tube 10, a frustoconical friction ring 31 made of a resilient material is sled on the rod 11 and is more or less compressed by screwing the torque knob 32 on the threaded part of the connector 30. It is also contemplated that asymmetrical friction devices providing /J ~-rotatably mounted on an axle assembled across one end of the tube 16 near the pulley 15. The wire 14 guided by the pulley 15 successively passes through each pulley of assemblies 19 and 20 and is finally connects to one end of the coil spring 18. Since the pulley assembly 19 is free to move along the longitudinal axis of the tube 16, the pulleys act as a stroke divider. The stroke of the rod is transmitted to one end of the wire 14 and the pulled length splits equally in each loop between the two pulley assemblies. Hence, the spring 18 is only extended by a length equal to the stroke of the rod divided by the number of loops between the pulley assemblies 19, 20. For example, if the initial counterbalancing force is determined by an initial elongation of the spring that is in the range of 15 cm, a stroke of 15 cm of the rod 11 and 5 pulleys per assembly would yield an additional spring elongation of 3 cm representing a difference of 20o in the counterbalancing force between the two extreme positions of the rod. A. force adjustment device 17 comprising a lever 21 and a pulley 22 is connected to the second end of the coil spring 18 through a wire 23.
Moving the lever winds or unwinds the wire on the pulley and extends the spring by a maximum additional length of about 6 cm, providing an adjustment up to about +40o with respect to the initial counterbalancing force. The force adjustment device 17 is so assembled to the tube 16 to have a high level of static friction to maintain the lever at the set position despite the reaction force exerted by the spring through the wire 23.
In operation, the user first adjusts the lateral position and the height of the graduated post 4 so that his arm lying on the rest member 13 is floating at the desired average working height within the work envelope. Moving f the arm up or down within a range of 15 cm will only change the counterbalancing force by ~l0o according to the previous example. Fine adjustment of the neutral vertical position is accomplished by moving the lever 21 up or down. The nominal horizontal distance between the base 1 and the centre of the work envelope is adjusted by manually sliding the sliding member 7 in or out.
The above described counterbalancing mechanism represents a simple, compact, reliable and low cost solution to produce a relatively constant counterbalancing force.
Nevertheless, other types of known adjustable counterbalancing mechanisms such as spiral springs could be used to generate a relatively constant counterbalancing force over the stroke of the rod 11 without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
In FIG.3 an operator's arm is shown in a working position, holding an ultrasonic probe 26 having a cable 27 supported by a cable supporting ring 28 to counterbalance its weight. The arm is directly supported on a rest member 13 usually under the forearm between the wrist and the elbow for maximum comfort and mobility. The rest assembly is removably connected to the lower part of the rod 11 by a quick connect fastener 25. A "C" shaped open type rest is represented in that figure. However, alternate embodiments of the rest of the closed type and having one or more point of support as respectively shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, can be used according to the preference of the user.
FIG. 4 shows the details of the friction coupling 29. A
threaded connector 30 is fixed to the lower end of the
The above described counterbalancing mechanism represents a simple, compact, reliable and low cost solution to produce a relatively constant counterbalancing force.
Nevertheless, other types of known adjustable counterbalancing mechanisms such as spiral springs could be used to generate a relatively constant counterbalancing force over the stroke of the rod 11 without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
In FIG.3 an operator's arm is shown in a working position, holding an ultrasonic probe 26 having a cable 27 supported by a cable supporting ring 28 to counterbalance its weight. The arm is directly supported on a rest member 13 usually under the forearm between the wrist and the elbow for maximum comfort and mobility. The rest assembly is removably connected to the lower part of the rod 11 by a quick connect fastener 25. A "C" shaped open type rest is represented in that figure. However, alternate embodiments of the rest of the closed type and having one or more point of support as respectively shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, r_an be used according to the preference of the user.
FIG. 4 shows the details of the friction coupling 29. A
threaded connector 30 is fixed to the lower end of the tube 10, a frustoconical friction ring 31 made of a resilient material is sled on the rod 11 and is more or less compressed by screwing the torque knob 32 on the threaded part of the connector 30. It is also contemplated that asymmetrical friction devices providing /J ~-rotatably mounted on an axle assembled across one end of the tube 16 near the pulley 15. The wire 14 guided by the pulley 15 successively passes through each pulley of assemblies 19 and 20 and is finally connects to one end of the coil spring 18. Since the pulley assembly 19 is free to move along the longitudinal axis of the tube 16, the pulleys act as a stroke divider. The stroke of the rod is transmitted to one end of the wire 14 and the pulled length splits equally in each loop between the two pulley assemblies. Hence, the spring 18 is only extended by a length equal to the stroke of the rod divided by the number of loops between the pulley assemblies 19, 20. For example, if the initial counterbalancing force is determined by an initial elongation of the spring that is in the range of 15 cm, a stroke of 15 cm of the rod 11 and 5 pulleys per assembly would yield an additional spring elongation of 3 cm representing a difference of 20o in the counterbalancing force between the two extreme positions of the rod. A. force adjustment device 17 comprising a lever 21 and a pulley 22 is connected to the second end of the coil spring 18 through a wire 23.
Moving the lever winds or unwinds the wire on the pulley and extends the spring by a maximum additional length of about 6 cm, providing an adjustment up to about +40o with respect to the initial counterbalancing force. The force adjustment device 17 is so assembled to the tube 16 to have a high level of static friction to maintain the lever at the set position despite the reaction force exerted by the spring through the wire 23.
In operation, the user first adjusts the lateral position and the height of the graduated post 4 so that his arm lying on the rest member 13 is floating at the desired average working height within the work envelope. Moving f the arm up or down within a range of 15 cm will only change the counterbalancing force by ~l0o according to the previous example. Fine adjustment of the neutral vertical position is accomplished by moving the lever 21 up or down. The nominal horizontal distance between the base 1 and the centre of the work envelope is adjusted by manually sliding the sliding member 7 in or out.
The above described counterbalancing mechanism represents a simple, compact, reliable and low cost solution to produce a relatively constant counterbalancing force.
Nevertheless, other types of known adjustable counterbalancing mechanisms such as spiral springs could be used to generate a relatively constant counterbalancing force over the stroke of the rod 11 without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
In FIG.3 an operator's arm is shown in a working position, holding an ultrasonic probe 26 having a cable 27 supported by a cable supporting ring 28 to counterbalance its weight. The arm is directly supported on a rest member 13 usually under the forearm between the wrist and the elbow for maximum comfort and mobility. The rest assembly is removably connected to the lower part of the rod 11 by a quick connect fastener 25. A "C" shaped open type rest is represented in that figure. However, alternate embodiments of the rest of the closed type and having one or more point of support as respectively shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, can be used according to the preference of the user.
FIG. 4 shows the details of the friction coupling 29. A
threaded connector 30 is fixed to the lower end of the
9 tube 10. a frustoconical friction ring 31 made of a resilient material is sled on the rod 11 and is more or less compressed by screwing the torque knob 32 on the threaded part of the connector 30. It is also contemplated that asymmetrical friction devices providing resistance to the movement in only one direction could also be used, depending on the requirements of the envisaged application of the arm support.
Although the present invention has been described by means of preferred embodiments thereof, it is contemplated that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Accordingly, it is intended that the embodiments described be considered only as illustrative of the present invention and that the scope thereof should not be limited thereto but be determined by reference to the claims hereinafter provided and their equivalents.
For instance, it is contemplated that a version of the support without the base could be mounted on a workbench or wheelchair to accommodate usage for assembly operations or by a person with restrained mobility.
Although the present invention has been described by means of preferred embodiments thereof, it is contemplated that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Accordingly, it is intended that the embodiments described be considered only as illustrative of the present invention and that the scope thereof should not be limited thereto but be determined by reference to the claims hereinafter provided and their equivalents.
For instance, it is contemplated that a version of the support without the base could be mounted on a workbench or wheelchair to accommodate usage for assembly operations or by a person with restrained mobility.
Claims
1. An overhead articulated support for the human arm comprising:
(a) a base member;
(b) a generally vertical post member cooperating with said base member to provide height adjustment;
(c) a first arm pivotally mounted on said post member and moving in a generally horizontal plane;
(d) an articulated arm assembly rotatably mounted on said first arm and moving in a generally horizontal plane;
(e) a generally vertical assembly connecting an armrest member to said articulated arm assembly; and (f) a counterbalancing device connected to the generally vertical assembly and providing a manually adjustable counterbalancing force allowing a counterbalanced vertical displacement of the armrest member supporting the arm of a user.
(a) a base member;
(b) a generally vertical post member cooperating with said base member to provide height adjustment;
(c) a first arm pivotally mounted on said post member and moving in a generally horizontal plane;
(d) an articulated arm assembly rotatably mounted on said first arm and moving in a generally horizontal plane;
(e) a generally vertical assembly connecting an armrest member to said articulated arm assembly; and (f) a counterbalancing device connected to the generally vertical assembly and providing a manually adjustable counterbalancing force allowing a counterbalanced vertical displacement of the armrest member supporting the arm of a user.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002230402A CA2230402A1 (en) | 1998-05-05 | 1998-05-05 | Overhead articulated support for the human arm |
| CA002270855A CA2270855A1 (en) | 1998-05-05 | 1999-05-05 | Overhead articulated support the the human arm |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002230402A CA2230402A1 (en) | 1998-05-05 | 1998-05-05 | Overhead articulated support for the human arm |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2230402A1 true CA2230402A1 (en) | 1999-11-05 |
Family
ID=29409337
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002230402A Abandoned CA2230402A1 (en) | 1998-05-05 | 1998-05-05 | Overhead articulated support for the human arm |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2230402A1 (en) |
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| CN106137663A (en) * | 2016-08-04 | 2016-11-23 | 朱明阳 | A kind of device of surgical operation regulation limb angle |
| CN106361526A (en) * | 2016-08-26 | 2017-02-01 | 章建全 | Multifunctional intensive interventional ultrasonic surgical bed |
| CN108514453A (en) * | 2018-03-29 | 2018-09-11 | 东莞市联洲知识产权运营管理有限公司 | A kind of medical robot operation support platform of assembling adjustable type |
| CN111821042A (en) * | 2020-07-21 | 2020-10-27 | 西安交通大学医学院第一附属医院 | Device for vascular surgery |
| CN112656522A (en) * | 2020-12-25 | 2021-04-16 | 江苏集萃复合材料装备研究所有限公司 | Special auxiliary assembly of surgery operation |
-
1998
- 1998-05-05 CA CA002230402A patent/CA2230402A1/en not_active Abandoned
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| CN105640648A (en) * | 2016-03-16 | 2016-06-08 | 北京理工大学 | Pose mechanical-adjusting movable platform |
| CN105640648B (en) * | 2016-03-16 | 2018-06-29 | 北京理工大学 | A kind of pose mechanical conditioning type moveable platform |
| CN106137663A (en) * | 2016-08-04 | 2016-11-23 | 朱明阳 | A kind of device of surgical operation regulation limb angle |
| CN106361526A (en) * | 2016-08-26 | 2017-02-01 | 章建全 | Multifunctional intensive interventional ultrasonic surgical bed |
| CN108514453A (en) * | 2018-03-29 | 2018-09-11 | 东莞市联洲知识产权运营管理有限公司 | A kind of medical robot operation support platform of assembling adjustable type |
| CN111821042A (en) * | 2020-07-21 | 2020-10-27 | 西安交通大学医学院第一附属医院 | Device for vascular surgery |
| CN112656522A (en) * | 2020-12-25 | 2021-04-16 | 江苏集萃复合材料装备研究所有限公司 | Special auxiliary assembly of surgery operation |
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