US 12,285,369 B2
Head stabilization device with detachable torque applicator
Peter Forst, Emmendingen (DE); David Devran Culha, Eschbach (DE); Marco Stephan Willesch, Eichstetten (DE); Matthias Edgar Schuele, Freiburg (DE); Matthias Esser, Freiburg (DE); and Jan Heiko Mertens, Freiburg (DE)
Assigned to pro med instruments, GmbH, Freiburg im Breisgau (DE)
Filed by pro med instruments GmbH, Freiburg im Breisgau (DE)
Filed on Nov. 19, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/952,504.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/939,053, filed on Nov. 22, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0154076 A1, May 27, 2021
Int. Cl. A61G 13/00 (2006.01); A61B 90/14 (2016.01); A61G 13/12 (2006.01)
CPC A61G 13/121 (2013.01) [A61B 90/14 (2016.02)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for stabilizing a head of a patient during a medical procedure, the apparatus comprising:
(a) a head fixation device configured to receive the head of the patient;
(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 rotational member, and
(ii) a translational member; and
(c) an applicator configured to rotate the rotational member of the stabilization assembly, wherein the translational member is configured to translate in response to rotation of the rotational member, wherein the applicator is configured to transfer torque to the stabilization assembly while not exceeding a predetermined amount of torque with continued actuation of the applicator once the predetermined amount of torque has been reached, wherein the applicator comprises
(i) a first member,
(ii) a second member, wherein under a first condition an interaction between the first and second members imparts a bending stress on the first member, wherein under the first condition actuation of the second member is configured to cause the applicator to rotate the rotational member of the stabilization assembly,
(iii) a third member configured to adjustably set the predetermined amount of torque, wherein the third member contacts the first member at different positions longitudinally along the first member based on the set predetermined amount of torque, wherein contact between the third member and the first member dictates a bending length of the first member, wherein the bending length corresponds to the predetermined amount of torque, and
(iv) one or more slidable members that connect with the third member to translationally adjust the position of the third member relative to the first member to adjust the bending length of the first member and thereby set the amount of torque.