Abstract
The present invention relates to a surgical skull clamp (1) and a method for the manufacture of a surgical skull clamp (1). In one embodiment of the surgical skull clamp (1) at least a part of the surgical skull clamp (1) has at least two different structures.
Claims
1-12. (canceled)
13. Surgical skull clamp, wherein at least a part of the surgical skull clamp has at least two different structures.
14. Surgical skull clamp according to claim 1, wherein the surgical skull clamp has: a fixation section for the fixation of a skull; and/or an attachment section for attachment to an operating table; and/or one or more adjusting mechanisms; wherein at least a part of the fixation section and/or a part of the attachment section and/or a part of the one or more adjusting mechanisms have at least two different structures at least in sections.
15. Surgical skull clamp according to claim 1, wherein a first structure of the at least two different structures has a first density and a second structure of the at least two different structures has a second density, wherein the first density is smaller than the second density or vice versa.
16. Surgical skull clamp according to claim 1, wherein the part of the surgical skull clamp has a core of a first structure, which is enclosed by a layer of a second structure.
17. Surgical skull clamp according to claim 1, wherein the part of the surgical skull clamp comprises: a honeycomb-like structure and/or a lattice-like structure and/or a pyramid-like structure and/or a sponge-like structure and/or a threadlike structure and/or an open-pored structure and/or a mesh-like structure and/or a spongy structure and/or a textured structure.
18. Surgical skull clamp according to claim 1, wherein the surgical skull clamp is completely or partially X-ray transparent, at least in sections.
19. Surgical skull clamp according to claim 1, wherein the surgical skull clamp is manufactured using an additive method.
20. Surgical skull clamp according to claim 1, wherein the at least two different structures have a linearly increasing and/or a linearly decreasing and/or a stepwise increasing and/or a stepwise decreasing and/or a constant density progression at least in sections in a cross sectional direction.
21. Surgical skull clamp according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least two different structures lies in an area of the surgical skull clamp that is exposed to above-average stress or loading.
22. Surgical skull clamp according to claim 1, wherein one or more metal indicators are arranged on or in the surgical skull clamp.
23. Surgical skull clamp, wherein at least a part of the surgical skull clamp has at least two different densities.
24. Method for the manufacture of a surgical skull clamp, wherein the method comprises: manufacture of at least a part of the surgical skull clamp using an additive method, wherein the part of the surgical skull clamp has at least two different structures.
Description
[0035] The present invention is to be explained further with reference to figures. These figures show schematically:
[0036] FIGS. 1a to 1m various views of a surgical skull clamp according to an embodiment and details of the surgical skull clamp;
[0037] FIGS. 2a and 2b a possible configuration of a part of the surgical skull clamp from FIGS. 1a to 1f;
[0038] FIG. 3 a possible configuration of a part of the surgical skull clamp from FIGS. 1a to 1f;
[0039] FIG. 4 a possible configuration of a part of the surgical skull clamp from FIGS. 1a to 1f;
[0040] FIG. 5 a possible configuration of a part of the surgical skull clamp from FIGS. 1a to 1f;
[0041] FIG. 6 a possible configuration of a part of the surgical skull clamp from FIGS. 1a to 1f;
[0042] FIG. 7 a possible configuration of a part of the surgical skull clamp from FIGS. 1a to 1f with more than two different structures;
[0043] FIG. 8 a possible configuration of a part of the surgical skull clamp from FIGS. 1a to 1f with more than two different structures; and
[0044] FIGS. 9a to 9e possible density progressions in a part of the surgical skull clamp from FIGS. 1a to 1f.
[0045] In the following, without being restricted to these, specific details are presented in order to provide a complete understanding of the present disclosure. However, it is clear to a person skilled in the art that the present disclosure can be used in other embodiments, which can deviate from the details set out below.
[0046] FIGS. 1a to 1f show various views of a surgical skull clamp according to an embodiment. FIG. 1a shows an isometric view of the skull clamp 1. FIG. 1b shows a front view of the skull clamp 1. FIG. 1c shows a side view of the skull clamp 1. FIG. 1d shows a rear view of the skull clamp 1. FIG. 1e shows a top view of the skull clamp 1. FIG. 1f shows a bottom view of the skull clamp 1. All representations of the skull clamp are only exemplary, i.e. all elements of the skull clamp 1, such as e.g. handles, articulations etc. can deviate from the representation shown by way of example.
[0047] The skull clamp 1 has various sections, components and elements, of which three are mentioned here as an example. As is best recognised in FIG. 1a, the skull clamp 1 has several adjusting mechanisms, of which two are designated below with the reference signs 2a, 2b. If reference is made in the following to the adjusting mechanisms 2a, 2b, a reference to all adjusting mechanisms of the skull clamp can be understood by this, i.e. also to the adjusting mechanisms that are not provided with a reference sign in the figures.
[0048] The adjusting mechanisms 2a, 2b are used partly to adjust the skull clamp to individual patient and skull sizes and/or shapes. Thus an exact fixation of a skull is achieved. The skull clamp 1 further has a fixation section 4 for fixation of the skull. Adjusting mechanisms can also be present on the fixation section 4. In addition, the skull clamp 1 has an attachment section 6 for attaching the skull clamp 1 to an operating table (not shown).
[0049] In FIGS. 1g to 1m, examples are shown of details and elements of the skull clamp 1. FIG. 1g shows details of the fixation section 4 as an example. In the configuration according to FIG. 1g, the fixation section 4 has a 2-fold fixation 4a and a 1-fold fixation 4b for the fixation of a head. The fixation section 4 also has an adaptation option 4c for accessories. These accessories can comprise a navigation star, retractor systems, a clamp adapter, stereotactic systems and other accessories.
[0050] FIG. 1h shows by way of example a latching system of the adaptation option 4c of the skull clamp 1.
[0051] FIG. 1i shows a latching fixing of the adjusting mechanism 2a. Gear rings 2a1, 2a2 are provided for adjustment. FIG. 1j shows a rotating head with the adjusting mechanisms 2a, 2b. FIG. 1k shows a support rail of the fixation section 4.
[0052] FIG. 1l shows a synchro tensioner, which is provided on the attachment section 6. Finally, FIG. 1m shows a table adapter of the attachment section 6.
[0053] At least a part of the skull clamp 1 can have at least two different structures, as described below in relation to FIGS. 2a to 8. Furthermore, the at least two different structures can lead to at least two different densities in the skull clamp 1, as described below in reference to FIGS. 2a to 9e. With reference to FIGS. 2a to 9e, sections of the skull clamp 1 are always spoken of below. However, these sections can also be components or elements of the skull clamp 1. For example, the sections described in relation to FIGS. 2a to 9e can be parts or sections of the elements of the skull clamp 1 shown in FIGS. 1g to 1m or the elements of the skull clamp 1 shown in FIGS. 1g to 1m.
[0054] In the following, two different structures and if applicable two different densities are always described with reference to FIGS. 2a and 6. However, each of the sections of the skull clamp 1 shown in FIGS. 2a to 6 can have even more than two different structures and if applicable more than two different densities, as described by way of example in relation to FIGS. 7 and 8. Furthermore, a first structure and if applicable a first density as well as a second structure and if applicable a second density are always spoken of below in relation to FIGS. 2a to 6. These structures and if applicable densities can differ from figure to figure. It is only important that at least two different structures and if applicable two different densities are present in the section illustrated in each figure.
[0055] In FIGS. 2a to 8, the section shown in each case is continuously designated by the reference sign 8, in order to illustrate that each section of the skull clamp 1 can be formed correspondingly in principle. The sections from FIGS. 2a to 8 can be one or more of the adjusting mechanisms 2a, 2b, for example, or a part of the one or more adjusting mechanisms 2a, 2b. In addition or alternatively, the sections from FIGS. 2a to 8 can be one or more components of the fixation section 4 or sections of the one or more components of the fixation section 4. In addition or alternatively to this, the sections from FIGS. 2a to 8 can be one or more components of the attachment section 6 or sections of the one or more components of the attachment section 6. In FIGS. 2a to 8, reference is not made below to a specific component of the skull clamp. The details presented below are applicable accordingly to all sections, parts, components or elements of the skull clamp 1. In one embodiment, the entire surgical skull clamp consists of two or more structures and if applicable of two or more densities, i.e. the entire surgical skull clamp is constructed as described in relation to FIGS. 2a to 8. In connection with the last-named embodiment, it is important that different structures, such as described by way of example in relation to FIGS. 2a to 8, can be combined with one another in the skull clamp. The densities of the different structures described below can differ from one another at least partially.
[0056] As is to be recognised in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the section 8 having two different structures has a core 10 and an outer layer (external layer) 12 surrounding the core 10. The core 10 is shown with a lattice structure as an example in FIG. 2a. The core 10 has a first density. The outer layer (external layer) 12 has a different type of structure. The outer layer 12 has a second density. The lattice-like structure of the core 10 gives the core a first density distinct from the second density of the external layer 12. This means that the core 10 has a first density, which is different from the density of the outer layer 12.
[0057] According to FIGS. 2a and 2b, the section 8 having the two different structures consists of a core 10 and an outer layer (external layer) 12 surrounding the core 10. No other layers or structures are present. Accordingly the section 8 in the configuration shown as an example has no density deviating from the densities of the core 10 and the external layer 12.
[0058] FIGS. 3 to 6 illustrate schematically that other structures are conceivable for the core 10. For the external layer 12, the same structure is always assumed by way of example for each of the sections 8. However, even the structure of the external layer 12 of the sections 8 can vary.
[0059] The respective structures of the core 10 give the core 10 a density deviating from the first density of the outer layer 12. As an example, a structure of the core 10 is to be recognised in FIG. 3 that can be described as a spongy/sponge-like structure. The density of the core 10 with the spongy/sponge-like structure differs from the density of the external layer 12.
[0060] As another example, a lattice-like or wall-like structure is shown for the core 10 in FIG. 4. The density of the core 10 with a lattice-like or wall-like structure also differs from the density of the external layer 12.
[0061] As another example, a honeycomb-like structure for the core 10 is shown in FIG. 5. The density of the core 10 with a honeycomb-like structure also differs from the density of the external layer 12.
[0062] In FIG. 6 a thread-like structure is shown for the core 10. The density of the core 10 with a thread-like structure also differs from the density of the external layer 12.
[0063] All of the examples represented in FIGS. 2a to 6 illustrate that a density for the core 10 deviating from the outer layer 12 can be achieved in a different way, i.e. with different types of structures. As an example, the core 10 according to the embodiments from FIGS. 2a to 6 can have a lower density than the density of the outer layer 12. Alternatively, the core 10 according to the embodiments from FIGS. 2a to 6 can have a higher density than the density of the outer layer 12.
[0064] FIG. 7 illustrates schematically that more than two other structures are conceivable for the core 10 and the external layer 12. Purely by way of example, the section 8 from FIG. 7 has three different structures in the external layer 12. These three different structures lead to three different densities in the external layer 12. Purely by way of example, the section 8 from FIG. 7 has four different structures in the core 10. These four different structures lead to four different densities in the core 10.
[0065] FIG. 8 illustrates schematically how a certain area (here: a critical area) of the section 8 can be provided with a structure other than other areas of the section 8.
[0066] Purely by way of example and without being restricted to this, this section is a curved section in the core 10 of the section 8. This curved section in the core 10 has a structure with a higher density than the other structures of the core 10 and the external layer 12. This increases the stability/stiffness in the curved and thus critical section.
[0067] In FIGS. 2a to 8, the section 8 was described in each case by way of example in such a way that it has a core and an external layer, e.g. consists of a core and an external layer. However, the realisations from FIGS. 2a to 8 are not restricted to this, as is illustrated as an example in relation to the density progressions shown schematically in FIGS. 9a to 9e.
[0068] FIGS. 9a to 9e show possible progressions of the density in the respective sections of the skull clamp 1 or in the skull clamp 1 as a whole from FIGS. 1a to 1f.
[0069] It is possible, for example, that the density increases linearly along a cross section through a corresponding section 8, as shown in FIG. 9a. It is also possible that the density decreases linearly along a cross section through a corresponding section 8, as is shown in FIG. 9b. The density progressions of FIGS. 9a and 9b can also be combined. The density can accordingly increase linearly initially along a cross section through a corresponding section 8, according to FIG. 9a, before then, according to FIG. 9b, decreasing again linearly along a cross section through a corresponding section 8. Conversely, the density can decrease linearly initially along a cross section through a corresponding section 8, according to FIG. 9b, before then, according to FIG. 9a, increasing again linearly along a cross section through a corresponding section 8.
[0070] It is further possible that the density increases stepwise along a cross section through a corresponding section 8, as shown in FIG. 9c. It is also possible for the density to decrease stepwise along a cross section through a corresponding section 8, as shown in FIG. 9d. The density progressions of FIGS. 9c and 9d can also be combined. The density can accordingly increase stepwise initially along a cross section through a corresponding section 8, according to FIG. 9c, before then, according to FIG. 9d, decreasing again stepwise along a cross section through a corresponding section 8. Conversely, the density can decrease stepwise initially along a cross section through a corresponding section 8, according to FIG. 9d, before then, according to FIG. 9c, increasing again stepwise along a cross section through a corresponding section 8.
[0071] The density progressions of FIGS. 9a to 9d can be combined with one another in any way. Even non-rising/non-falling, i.e. constant density progressions are possible and can be combined in any way with the progressions from FIGS. 9a to 9d. Thus FIG. 9e shows purely by way of example a density profile along a cross section of the section 8.
