US 12,029,618 B2
Surgical tool holding and positioning device
Philip Cormier, Newburyport, MA (US)
Assigned to Smith & Nephew, Inc, Memphis, TN (US); Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics AG, Zug (CH); and Smith & Nephew Asia Pacific Pte. Limited, Singapore (SG)
Filed by Smith & Nephew, Inc., Memphis, TN (US); Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics AG, Zug (CH); and Smith & Nephew Asia Pacific Pte. Limited, Singapore (SG)
Filed on Aug. 13, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/402,193.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/066,630, filed on Aug. 17, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0047351 A1, Feb. 17, 2022
Int. Cl. A61B 90/50 (2016.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 90/50 (2016.02) [A61B 17/00234 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device for positioning and holding a surgical tool during arthroscopic surgery comprising:
a docking station configured to operatively couple to the surgical tool; and
an adjustable-friction ball and socket joint coupled to the docking station and configured to provide three degrees of rotational freedom during positioning of the surgical tool, the adjustable-friction ball and socket joint comprising:
a ball member having a spherical outer surface;
a socket configured to nest the ball member, the socket defined in a first end of a housing;
a friction inducing member disposed within the housing and in contact with the spherical outer surface of the ball member, the friction inducing member configured to apply a first friction force on the spherical outer surface, the first friction force configured to be overcome when an external positioning force is applied to move the surgical tool while assembled to the docking station to a target orientation, while also configured to resist unintended movement when the external positioning force is released; and
a locking member having a concave shaped end for receive a portion of the ball member therein, the locking member configured to move relative to the ball member and apply a variable friction force on the ball member that is supplemental to the first friction force to selectively lock the surgical tool while assembled to the docking station in position.