Positioning apparatus of a patient's limb

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2024423858-A1
Application number	US-202418812153-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 22, 2024
Priority date	May 16, 2018
Publication date	Dec 26, 2024
Grant date	—

Abstract

A patient limb positioning apparatus comprises a movement assembly operating on a coupling bracket which can be engaged with the patient's limb, to move the limb according to a plurality of axes of movement. The movement assembly comprises, for at least one of said axes of movement, a drive unit which can be activated to move the coupling bracket according to a predetermined direction of movement. A load transducer detects a load transmitted between the coupling bracket and the drive unit in the respective direction of movement, to emit a signal representative of a detected load value. An electronic control unit is selectively switchable to a load control command mode and is suitable to cyclically compare the measured load value with a pre-set load value, to control activation of the drive when the detected load value differs from the pre-set load value.

First claim

1 . A patient limb positioning apparatus comprising:
a coupling bracket detachably engageable with the patient's limb; a movement assembly operating on the coupling bracket to move the coupling bracket according to a plurality of axes of movement; wherein the movement assembly comprises, for at least one of said axes of movement: a drive unit activatable to move the coupling bracket according to a predetermined direction of movement; a load transducer configured to detect a load transmitted between the coupling bracket and the drive unit in the respective direction of movement, and to emit a signal representative of a detected load value; an electronic control unit operationally connected with said drive unit and with the load transducer; wherein, in a load control command mode, the electronic control unit is configured to compare the detected load value with a pre-set load value, and to command activation of the drive unit when the detected load value differs from the pre-set load value; wherein at least one of said drive units comprises a brake selectively activatable to lock the position of the respective slider or coupling bracket.

2 . (canceled)

3 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein in the load control command mode the electronic control unit is configured to reduce the difference between the detected load value and the pre-set load value.

4 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein in the load control command mode the electronic control unit is configured to command activation of the drive unit so as to move the coupling bracket in the direction of movement.

5 . The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the electronic control unit is switchable to a load setting operating mode in which the electronic control unit is configured to store the pre-set load value.

6 . The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the electronic control unit is switchable to a load setting operating mode in conjunction with a command disabling the position control command mode.

7 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the pre-set load value corresponds to the load value measured by the load transducer while the drive unit holds the coupling bracket in a stationary position in the direction of movement.

8 . (canceled)

9 . (canceled)

10 . The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein in the load setting operating mode the electronic control unit is configured to store the load value measured by the load transducer while the drive unit holds the coupling bracket in a stationary position in the direction of movement.

11 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said drive unit comprises a motor and a torque limiter operationally interposed between the motor and the coupling bracket.

12 . The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the load transducer is operationally interposed between the torque limiter and said coupling bracket.

13 . (canceled)

14 . (canceled)

15 . (canceled)

16 . (canceled)

17 . (canceled)

18 . (canceled)

19 . (canceled)

20 . (canceled)

21 . (canceled)

22 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the drive unit comprises a traction drive unit, a rotation drive unit, and an extension drive unit, and the movement assembly comprises:
a traction arm having a proximal end constrainable to an operating table; a traction slider movable along the traction arm upon command by the traction drive unit; wherein the rotation drive unit is borne by the traction slider, and operates on said coupling bracket to rotate the coupling bracket around a rotation axis that is substantially coplanar to a traction axis of the traction arm; a guide column rising from a base; and an extension slider constrained to a distal end of the traction arm and movable along the guide column upon command of the extension drive unit.

23 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the load transducer comprises a torsional load cell operationally associated with the rotation drive unit.

24 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the load transducer comprises an axial load cell operationally associated with the traction drive unit.

25 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the electronic control unit is configured to operate in load control command mode at least on the traction axis and/or rotation axis, during the movement of the extension slider upon activation of the extension drive unit.

26 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the electronic control unit is switchable to the load control command mode on at least the traction axis and/or rotation axis, in response to the activation of the extension drive unit.

27 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the electronic control unit is configured to operate in the load control command mode on at least the traction axis and/or rotation axis, during an adduction movement wherein the base and the guide column translate concentrically to the proximal end of the traction arm.

28 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , comprising at least one position transducer for each of said traction, rotation and extension drive units.

29 . (canceled)

30 . (canceled)

31 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of said drive units comprises an electric motor, wherein said brake operates between the electric motor and the respective slider or coupling bracket.

32 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of said drive units comprises an electric motor, wherein said brake is normally active and is electrically deactivatable in conjunction with activation of the respective electric motor, to enable sliding of the respective slider or rotation of the coupling bracket.

33 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of said drive units comprises an electric motor, wherein said brake operates between the electric motor and the load transducer.

34 . A surgery method for a patient limb, comprising positioning the patient limb by the apparatus as claimed in claim 1 .

Assignees

• Medacta Int Sa

Inventors

• Siccardi Francesco
• Bernardoni Massimiliano
• Rossi Ermete
• Laude Frederic
• Righettini Paolo

Classifications

• A61G2203/42

  for inclination · CPC title

• A61G2203/32

  for force · CPC title

• A61G2203/10

  characterised by specific control means, e.g. for adjustment or steering · CPC title

• A61G13/0081 Primary

  specially adapted for hip surgeries · CPC title

• A61G2203/20

  Displays or monitors · CPC title