Attachment clamp
Various apparatuses to attach a first medical device to a second medical device are described that allow the physician to grasp only a single device while the other device remains securely attached to the one being grasped. The apparatuses, once they are attached to the first medical device, are designed to be easily and quickly attached and detached to a second medical device, normally only requiring the use of one hand. Furthermore, the apparatuses oftentimes include a base that can easily couple and decouple from the portion that is attached to the second medical device so that if the need arises to separately use the second medical device, it can be decoupled from the first medical device without completely removing the apparatus from the second medical device.
1. A medical instrument, comprising:
a shaft configured for insertion into a subject; and
a handle coupled to the shaft, wherein the handle is configured to be held by a user, and wherein the handle comprises:
a distal section coupled to the shaft,
a proximal section, and
an attachment device configured to secure the handle to an auxiliary medical instrument, wherein a first one of the attachment device or the auxiliary medical instrument includes an opening, and wherein a second one of the attachment device or the auxiliary medical instrument, other than the first one, includes a stud configured to be received within the opening to secure the auxiliary medical instrument to the handle.
2. The medical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the opening has a shape that is keyed to the post and the flange.
3. The medical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the opening includes a catch for retaining the stud within the opening.
4. The medical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the stud and the opening are configured such that the auxiliary device is releasably secured to the handle.
5. The medical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the stud includes:
a post extending radially outward from a surface of the handle or a surface of the auxiliary medical instrument; and
a flange disposed radially outward of the post, wherein the flange has a larger diameter than the post.
6. The medical instrument of claim 5 , wherein the one of the attachment device or the auxiliary medical instrument that includes the stud includes at least two studs.
7. The medical instrument of claim 6 , wherein the one of the attachment device or the auxiliary medical instrument includes at least three studs, and wherein the three studs are linearly aligned with one another.
8. The medical instrument of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the attachment device or the auxiliary medical instrument includes a strap.
9. The medical instrument of claim 8 , wherein the strap includes ratcheting features.
10. The medical instrument of claim 1 , further comprising the auxiliary instrument.
11. The medical instrument of claim 10 , wherein at least one of the attachment device or the auxiliary medical instrument includes a strap.
12. A medical instrument, comprising:
a handle configured to be held by a user, wherein the handle comprises an attachment device configured to secure the handle to an auxiliary medical instrument;
wherein a first one of the attachment device or the auxiliary medical instrument includes an opening; and
wherein a second one of the attachment device or the auxiliary medical instrument, other than the first one, includes a stud configured to be received within the opening to secure the auxiliary medical instrument to the handle, wherein the stud includes (a) a post extending radially outward from a surface of the handle or a surface of the auxiliary medical instrument; and (b) a flange disposed radially outward of the post, wherein the flange has a larger diameter than the post.
13. The medical instrument of claim 12 , wherein the opening has a shape that is keyed to the post and the flange.
14. The medical instrument of claim 12 , wherein the opening includes a catch for retaining the stud within the opening.
15. The medical instrument of claim 12 , wherein the one of the attachment device or the auxiliary medical instrument that includes the stud includes at least two studs.
16. The medical instrument of claim 15 , wherein the one of the attachment device or the auxiliary medical instrument includes at least three studs, and wherein the three studs are linearly aligned with one another.
17. A medical instrument, comprising:
a handle configured to be held by a user, wherein the handle comprises an attachment device configured to secure the handle to an auxiliary medical instrument;
wherein a first one of the attachment device or the auxiliary medical instrument includes a plurality of openings; and
wherein a second one of the attachment device or the auxiliary medical instrument, other than the first one, includes a plurality of studs linearly aligned with one another, wherein each of the studs is configured to be received within a respective one of the plurality of openings.
18. The medical instrument of claim 17 , wherein each of the openings includes a catch for retaining the stud within the opening.
19. The medical instrument of claim 17 , wherein each of the plurality of studs includes:
a post extending radially outward from a surface of the handle or a surface of the auxiliary medical instrument; and
a flange disposed radially outward of the post, wherein the flange has a larger diameter than the post.
20. The medical instrument of claim 19 , wherein each of the plurality of openings has a shape that is keyed to the post and the flange.