FLEXIBLE HOLDING DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a holding device comprising at least one locking unit (2) having at least two sockets (3), wherein the sockets (3) are designed to make it possible for joint heads (5) received in the sockets (3) to each pivot about a pivot axis, as well as to a locking unit, to a tool mount and to an instrument holder for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Claims

1. Holding device (1) comprising at least one locking unit (2) having at least two sockets (3), wherein the sockets (3) are designed to make it possible for joint heads (5) received in the sockets (3) to each pivot about at least one pivot axis.

2. Holding device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the sockets (3) are designed to be rotatable relative to one another such that the orientation of the pivot axes of the sockets (3) relative to one another can be changed.

3. Holding device (1) according to claim 1, comprising at least one connector element (4) having at least two joint heads (5), wherein at least one joint head (5) is received in a socket (3).

4. Holding device (1) according to claim 3, comprising at least two locking units (2) and at least one connector element (4), wherein the joint heads (5) of the connector element (4) are each received in a socket (3) of a locking unit (2).

5. Locking unit (2) comprising at least two sockets (3), wherein the sockets (3) make it possible for joint heads (5) received in the sockets (3) to each pivot about at least one pivot axis, and comprising at least two locking elements (6), wherein the locking elements (6) lock joint heads (5) received in the sockets (3) in a locking position and allow joint heads (5) received in the sockets (3) to move freely about the pivot axes in an open position.

6. Locking unit (2) according to claim 5, wherein the sockets (3) are designed to be rotatable relative to one another in the open position such that the orientation of the pivot axes of the sockets (3) relative to one another can be changed, wherein the locking elements (6) lock the sockets (3) to one another in the locking position such that the position of the pivot axes can be fixed in the locking position.

7. Locking unit (2) according to claim 5, wherein, in the locking position, the locking elements (6) are pressed against joint heads (5) received in the sockets (3) by eccentrically arranged eccentric elements (7) of a locking lever (8).

8. Locking unit (2) according to claim 5, wherein the locking unit (2) is adjustable in length between the sockets (3).

9. Locking unit (2) according to claim 8, comprising a casing (9) made up of at least two casing parts (9a, 9b), wherein the at least two casing parts (9a, 9b) are designed to be adjustable relative to one another for the length adjustment of the locking unit (2).

10. Locking unit (2) according to claim 9, wherein the at least two casing parts (9a, 9b) can be latched into one another by latching elements (10a, 10b).

11. Locking unit (2) according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the locking elements (6) comprises a first and a second locking element part (6a, 6b), wherein the first and the second locking element part (6a, 6b) are designed to be adjustable relative to one another for the length adjustment of the locking unit (2).

12. Locking unit (2) according to claim 11, wherein the first and the second locking element part (6a, 6b) can be latched into one another by latching elements (11a, 11b).

13. Locking unit (2) according to claim 12, wherein the latching elements (10, 11) are designed as form-fitting elements (31) that are formed in part in the circumferential direction.

14. Locking unit (2) according to claim 8, wherein at least one casing part (9a) and one of the locking element parts (6a) can be adjusted together relative to the other casing and locking element parts (9b, 6b).

15. Holding device (1) according to claim 1, comprising a locking unit (2).

16. Tool mount (12) comprising at least one hole (13) for receiving a tool, wherein, in a closed position, at least one locking shaft (14) engages in the hole (13) and the tool can thus be fixed in the hole (13), wherein, in an open position, the locking shaft (14) does not engage in the hole (13) and the tool can thus be removed from the hole (13).

17. Tool mount (12) according to claim 16, wherein the locking shaft (14) can be moved from a closed position into an open position by an unlocking mechanism that can be released by an unlocking element (15).

18. Tool mount (12) according to claim 17, wherein the unlocking mechanism comprises a spring (16), which moves the locking shaft (14) into the closed position by means of spring force.

19. Holding device (1) according to claim 1, comprising a tool mount (12).

20. Instrument holder (17) comprising a housing (18), wherein at least one rotatable flat thread (19) is arranged in the housing (18), wherein a plurality of sliders (20) are arranged on the flat thread (19) and penetrate through the housing (18) through first openings (21) in the housing (18), wherein the sliders (20) can be moved towards one another by rotation of the flat thread (19) in a first rotational direction and can be moved away from one another by rotation of the flat thread (19) in a second rotational direction counter to the first rotational direction.

21. Instrument holder (17) according to claim 20, wherein the flat thread (19) has rotary means (22) that make it possible to rotate the flat thread (19), wherein the rotary means (22) are accessible from the outside via at least one opening (23) in the housing (18).

22. Holding device (1) according to claim 1, comprising an instrument holder (17).

Description

[0037] In the drawings:

[0038] FIG. 1 is a view of a first embodiment of the holding device according to the invention.

[0039] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section through a first embodiment of the locking element comprising a connecting element.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a view of the tool mount according to the invention.

[0041] FIG. 4 is a partial cross section through the tool mount.

[0042] FIG. 5 is a view of a second embodiment of the locking element.

[0043] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section through the second embodiment of the locking element.

[0044] FIG. 7 is a view of a detail of a first casing part.

[0045] FIG. 8 is a view of a detail of a first locking element part.

[0046] FIG. 9 is a view of a detail of a second locking element part.

[0047] FIG. 10 is a view of a preferred embodiment of the instrument holder.

[0048] FIG. 11 is a partial section through the housing of a preferred embodiment of the instrument holder.

[0049] FIG. 12 shows the flat thread of the instrument holder together with two sliders.

[0050] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the holding device 1 according to the invention, comprising a connector element 4, two locking units 2, a tool mount 12, an instrument holder 17 and a fixing unit 24. The fixing unit 24 is suitable for being fastened to a surface by means of a guide and a screw. A person skilled in the art will select suitable means depending on the surface. The fixing unit 24 also has a joint head 5 (FIG. 2), which engages in a socket 3 (FIG. 2) of one locking unit 2. The locking element 2 is connected to a second locking element 2 by a connector element 4. The connector element 4 comprises two joint heads 5 (FIG. 2), which each engage in one socket 3 (FIG. 2) of the two locking units 2. The locking units 2 are each locked by a locking lever 8, with only one being shown in FIG. 1. A tool mount 12 that has already been described and is described in greater detail in the following is received in a socket of one locking unit 2 by its own joint head. An instrument holder 17 that has already been described and is described in greater detail in the following is received in the tool mount 12 shown.

[0051] FIG. 2 is longitudinal section through a first embodiment of the locking unit 2. The substantially rod-shaped locking lever 7 is preferably arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the locking unit 2 at a point between the two sockets 3 of the locking unit 2. The two ends of the locking lever 7 are rotatably mounted in the tubular casing 9 of the locking unit 2, with at least the first end also penetrating through the casing 9 towards the outside. This first end comprises a rotary lever 8 or at least an attachment point for a rotary lever in the region of the outside of the casing. The portion of the locking lever 8 inside the cavity in the casing comprises at least two eccentric projections 7, which are opposite one another based on the axis of the locking element. If the locking lever 8 is then rotated by 90, the eccentric projections 7 can be moved from a locking position into an open position. A movably mounted locking element 6, the external diameter of which preferably substantially corresponds to the internal diameter of the tubular casing 9, is positioned on either side of the locking lever 8 within the tubular casing 9. The length of the locking element 6 is preferably coordinated with the eccentric projections 7 of the locking lever 8 such that the locking elements 6 do not lock the joint heads 5 and pivot axes in the open position and the locking elements 6 lock the joint heads 5 and pivot axes in the locking position of the locking lever 8. The locking is carried out by the locking elements 6 being pushed against the joint heads 5 by the eccentric projections 7 of the locking element 8, as a result of which said joint heads are in turn pushed against the sockets 3 of the locking unit 2 and the projections 27 of the two parts of the locking unit 2 are pushed into the notch 28. Accordingly, by adjusting the locking lever 8 simultaneously using a handle, both locking elements 6 are moved and are thus locked or released.

[0052] FIG. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of the tool mount 12, comprising a square hole 13, a locking shaft 14 and an unlocking element 15.

[0053] FIG. 4 is a partial section through the tool mount 12 according to FIG. 3, comprising a square hole 13, a locking shaft 14, an unlocking element 15 and a spring 16. The locking shaft 14 engages in the hole 13 with one end and thus fixes a tool inserted therein. In order to release the fixing, the locking shaft 14 is moved out of the hole 13 by means of the unlocking element 15. A spring 16 moves the locking shaft 14 into the closed position such that, without pressure on the unlocking element 15, the tool mount 12 remains in the closed position.

[0054] FIG. 5 shows another preferred embodiment of the locking unit 2 having length adjustment. The joint ball 5 (FIG. 2) can be pivoted in at least one axis 29 in the socket 3 (FIG. 2). The joint ball 5 (FIG. 2) can, however, be adjusted in a plurality of pivot axes. The axis 29 defined by the joint ball 5 (FIG. 2) and the socket 3 (FIG. 2) can be rotated for this purpose. In addition, depending on the opening width of a pocket formed in the socket 3 (FIG. 2), the joint ball 5 (FIG. 2) can be rotated relative to the socket 3 (FIG. 2) in all three spatial axes within a certain range. The ability to pivot about the axis 29 is limited by means of the lateral guides in the socket 3 (FIG. 2). By means of a wider opening in the socket 3 (FIG. 2), the joint ball 5 (FIG. 2) and the socket 3 (FIG. 2) can also pivot all the way around. This feature is also implemented in the embodiment described above in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0055] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section through the preferred embodiment of the locking unit 2 having length adjustment. The locking unit 2 comprises a casing made up of two casing portions 30a, 30b, with the casing portion 30a being formed in one piece and the casing portion 30b being formed in at least two pieces. The casing parts 9a, 9b of the casing portion 30b are designed to be adjustable relative to one another for the length adjustment of the locking unit 2 and can be latched into one another by first latching elements 10. In addition, at least one of the locking elements 6 of the locking unit 2 comprises a first and a second locking element part 6a, 6b, wherein the first and the second locking element part 6a, 6b are likewise designed to be adjustable relative to one another for the length adjustment of the locking unit 2 and can be latched into one another by second latching elements 11.

[0056] The latching elements 10, 10a, 10b of the casing parts 9a, 9b and the latching elements 11, 11a, 11b of the locking element parts 6a, 6b are preferably designed as screw threads 31 that are formed in part in the circumferential direction or as teeth that are formed in part. The latching elements 10, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b are arranged on the corresponding casing parts 9a, 9b and locking element parts 6a, 6b such that at least one casing part 9a and one of the locking element parts 6a can be adjusted together relative to the other casing and locking element parts 9b, 6b. By the coupling according to the invention of the length adjustment of casing parts 9a and locking element parts 6a, when adjusting the length of the locking unit 2, locking is also made possible by means of the locking elements 6, since the locking element 6 changes its length analogously to the length adjustment of the casing 9.

[0057] FIG. 7 is a view of a detail of the casing part 9a together with the latching elements 10 in the form of screw threads or teeth 31 that are formed in part. The screw threads 31 are only formed on two opposite sides of the casing part 9a. In the corresponding casing part 9b according to FIG. 6 that is also shown, the screw threads 31 are accordingly likewise only formed on two opposite sides of the casing part 9b. In one casing part 9a, the screw threads 31 form an outer thread, and in the other casing part 9b, the screw threads 31 form an inner thread or inner teeth. In the closed position, the screw threads 31 or teeth of the two casing parts 9a, 9b engage in one another and thus do not allow any length adjustment. For the length adjustment, the position of the casing parts 9a, 9b is rotated by 90, such that the screw threads precisely no longer engage in one another and length adjustment is possible.

[0058] FIG. 8 is a view of a detail of the locking element part 6a together with the latching elements 11a in the form of screw threads or teeth 31 that are formed in part in the circumferential direction as an outer thread/outer teeth.

[0059] FIG. 9 is a view of a detail of the locking element part 6b together with the latching elements 11b in the form of screw threads 31 that are formed in part in the circumferential direction as an inner thread/inner teeth.

[0060] The interaction between the inner and outer threads/teeth 31 of the locking element parts 6a, 6b functions similarly to the interaction of the casing parts 9a, 9b. In a latching position, the screw threads 31 of the two locking element parts 6a, 6b engage in one another and thus do not allow any length adjustment. For the length adjustment, the position of the locking element parts 6a, 6b is rotated by 90, such that the screw threads 31 precisely no longer engage in one another and length adjustment is possible. The rotational movements of the locking element parts 6a, 6b and the casing parts 9a, 9b are coupled via a connection of the casing part 9a and the locking element parts 6a, such that a length adjustment of the locking unit 2 always causes a length adjustment of the casing portion 30b and the corresponding locking element 6a, 6b.

[0061] FIG. 10 is a view of a preferred embodiment of the instrument holder 17 according to the invention, comprising a housing 18 and preferably three sliders 20. In addition, a holder is provided below the housing 18, by means of which the instrument holder 17 can be received in the hole 13 (FIG. 3) in the tool mount 12 (FIG. 3), which has already been described.

[0062] FIG. 11 is a partial section through the housing 18 of the instrument holder 17. The housing 18 comprises first openings 21, which are preferably designed as T-shaped guide rails 21 and extend in the manner of spokes in a straight line from the central cut-out 30 to the edge of the housing 18. The guide rails 21 are preferably arranged at an angle of 120 relative to one another. A substantially cuboid slider 20 runs in each of the T-shaped guide rails 21. Each slider comprises two lateral protrusions 32, which are received by the T-shaped guide rails 21 of the housing 18.

[0063] FIG. 12 shows the flat thread 19, which is arranged so as to be rotatable in the housing 18 of the instrument holder 17. The flat thread 19 has rotary means 22 that make it possible to rotate the flat thread 19. The rotary means 22 are preferably accessible from outside the housing 18 via at least one second opening 23 in the housing 18 of the instrument holder 17.

[0064] The inner end of the slider 20, which is within the housing 18, extends into the flat thread 19 and engages with a protrusion therein. The outer end of the slider 20 extends out of the housing 18. The slider comprises gripping surfaces 33 towards the center of the instrument holder 17, which surfaces can be enlarged in order to provide a larger projecting surface for holding an instrument.

[0065] The sliders 20 can be moved towards one another by rotation of the flat thread 19 in a first rotational direction and can be moved away from one another by rotation of the flat thread 19 in a second rotational direction counter to the first rotational direction.

[0066] Cut-outs 31 may preferably be arranged centrally in the base and cover of the housing 18 and at a corresponding point in the flat thread 19 such that an instrument to be clamped, for example a needle, can extend through this cut-out in the instrument holder 17.

[0067] The holding device 1 according to the invention can be formed by a plurality of locking units 2, both according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment. For this purpose, the locking units 2 can be combined with one another in the form of an assembly to form the holding device 1. A connector element 4 comprising at least two joint heads 5 is arranged between each of the thus combined locking units 2, with one joint head 5 being received in a socket 3 of the combined locking units 2 in each case.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0068] 1 holding device [0069] 2 locking unit [0070] 3 sockets [0071] 4 connector element [0072] 5 joint head [0073] 6 locking element (6a, 6b=locking element parts) [0074] 7 eccentric element [0075] 8 locking lever [0076] 9 casing (9a, 9b=casing parts) [0077] 10 first latching element [0078] 11 second latching element [0079] 12 tool mount [0080] 13 hole [0081] 14 locking shaft [0082] 15 unlocking element [0083] 16 spring [0084] 17 instrument holder [0085] 18 housing [0086] 19 flat thread [0087] 20 slider [0088] 21 first openings [0089] 22 rotary means [0090] 23 second openings [0091] 24 fixing unit [0092] 25 guide [0093] 26 screw [0094] 27 projection [0095] 28 notch [0096] 29 pivot axis [0097] 30 casing portions (a, b) [0098] 31 cut-out (FIG. 11) and thread (FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9) [0099] 32 lateral protrusions [0100] 33 gripping surface