IP Library Granted Patent US 8,939,995
Granted Patent B2
US 8,939,995 · App. 12/175,035 · Granted Jan 27, 2015

Radiolucent reference for computer-assisted surgery

Inventors: Christian Lechner (Jesenwang, DE); Rupert Heigl (München, DE)
Assignee: Brainlab AG
A61L31/126A61B19/54A61B2017/00915A61B2017/0092A61B2019/5483
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,939,995
App. No.
12/175,035
Granted
Jan 27, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A radiolucent fastening device for fastening a reference device to a body for computer-assisted surgery, wherein a part of the fastening device is made from an unsubstituted carbon fiber reinforced polyether compound, a monosubstituted carbon fiber reinforced polyether compound or a multisubstituted carbon fiber reinforced polyether compound.

Claims (57)

1. A fastening device for fastening a reference device to a part of a body for use in computer-assisted operations, comprising:

a component that is at least partly made from an:

unsubstituted carbon fiber reinforced polyether compound,

a monosubstituted carbon fiber reinforced polyether compound, or

a multisubstituted carbon fiber reinforced polyether compound, wherein the fastening device further comprises carbon fiber reinforcement comprising long fibers or continuous fibers,

wherein the fastening device has the form of a clamp configured for balanced tension attachment to a bone, the clamp comprising

a first arm having a distal end and a second arm having a second distal end, the first and second arms movable relative to each other, wherein the combination of the first distal end and the second distal end define a clamping region, wherein the first arm and the second arm are mounted such that they can rotate about a pin that is respectively guided through the bearing portion, and

a carrier region that includes a wedge-shaped transfer portion and a bearing portion, wherein the transfer portion symmetrically interacts with the first arm and the second arm simultaneously and thus causes a rotation of the arms about their rotational axes, of the same magnitude but in opposite rotational directions, such that the clamp can be attached to the bone with balanced tensions, and

an activating portion comprising a turning wheel which, when turned, is translated along a main axis of the bearing portion and which moves the wedge-shaped transfer portion along the main axis of the bearing portion,

wherein the bearing portion comprises a main axis and the fastening device is configured such that movement of the wedge-shaped transfer portion along the main axis of the bearing portion causes corresponding movement of at least one of the first arm and the second arm so as to alter a spacing between the first distal end and the second distal end,

wherein the clamping region and the transfer portion contact each other, and wherein the clamping region is configured for fastening the clamp to a bone, and wherein during a clamping process, the interaction between the transfer portion and the clamping region is tension-balanced.

2. A fastening device according to claim 1 , wherein

the unsubstituted carbon fiber reinforced polyether compound,

a monosubstituted carbon fiber reinforced polyether compound, or

a multisubstituted carbon fiber reinforced polyether compound comprises;

an aromatic unsubstituted carbon fiber reinforced polyether compound,

an aromatic monosubstituted carbon fiber reinforced polyether compound, or

an aromatic multisubstituted carbon fiber reinforced polyether compound.

3. A fastening device according to claim 1 , wherein the unsubstituted carbon fiber reinforced polyether compound, a monosubstituted carbon fiber reinforced polyether compound, or

a multisubstituted carbon fiber reinforced polyether compound comprises:

unsubstituted carbon fiber reinforced (PEEK),

monosubstituted carbon fiber reinforced (PEEK), or

multisubstituted carbon fiber reinforced poly (ether ether ketone) (PEEK):

4. A fastening device according to claim 1 , wherein

the unsubstituted carbon fiber reinforced polyether compound,

a monosubstituted carbon fiber reinforced polyether compound, or

a multisubstituted carbon fiber reinforced polyether compound comprises:

unsubstituted carbon fiber reinforced (PEK),

monosubstituted carbon fiber reinforced (PEK) or multisubstituted carbon fiber reinforced poly(ether ketone) (PEK):

5. A fastening device according to claim 1 , wherein

the unsubstituted carbon fiber reinforced polyether compound,

a monosubstituted carbon fiber reinforced polyether compound, or a multisubstituted carbon fiber reinforced polyether compound comprises:

unsubstituted carbon fiber reinforced (PEKK),

monosubstituted carbon fiber reinforced (PEKK) or

multisubstituted carbon fiber reinforced poly (ether ketone ketone) (PEKK):

6. A fastening device according to claim 1 , wherein

the unsubstituted carbon fiber reinforced polyether compound,

a monosubstituted carbon fiber reinforced polyether compound, or a multisubstituted carbon fiber reinforced polyether compound comprises:

unsubstituted carbon fiber reinforced (PEI),

monosubstituted carbon fiber reinforced (PEI) or

multisubstituted carbon fiber reinforced polyether imide (PEI).

7. The fastening device according to claim 1 , wherein the carbon fiber reinforcement content of at least one component of the fastening device comprises 50 to 65 percent by volume (% vol).

8. The fastening device according to claim 7 , wherein the carbon fiber reinforcement content of at least one component of the fastening device comprises 55 to 60 percent by volume (% vol).

9. The fastening device according to claim 1 , wherein the fastening device further comprises carbon fiber reinforcement comprising short fibers.

10. The fastening device according to claim 9 , wherein the carbon fiber reinforcement content of at least one component of the fastening device comprises 25 to 35 percent by volume (% vol).

11. The fastening device according to claim 10 , wherein the carbon fiber reinforcement content of at least one component of the fastening device comprises about 30 percent by volume (% vol).

12. The fastening device according to claim 1 , wherein at least one component of the fastening device is made from an unsubstituted, monosubstituted or multisubstituted polyether compound that is not carbon fiber reinforced.

13. The fastening device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one component of the fastening device is made from an unsubstituted, monosubstituted or multisubstituted polyether compound that is not carbon fiber reinforced comprises unsubstituted, monosubstituted or multisubstituted PEEK, PEK, PEKK or PEI.

14. The fastening device according to claim 1 , wherein the wedge-shaped transfer portion comprises a guide for the end of each arm.

15. The fastening device according to claim 1 , comprising at least one penetrating body that comprises a silicon nitride ceramic.

16. The fastening device according to claim 15 , wherein the at least one penetrating body comprises a β silicon nitride ceramic.

17. The fastening device according to claim 1 , comprising at least one penetrating body that is attached to the fastening device via an anti-loss safety device.

18. The fastening device according to claim 17 , wherein the anti-loss safety device comprises

a small plate which the at least one penetrating body partly protrudes through, and wherein

the small plate clamps a part of the penetrating body, and

wherein the part of the penetrating body does not protrude through the small plate.

19. The fastening device according to claim 17 , wherein the anti-loss safety device is fastened to the fastening device via a snap lock.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 21, 2008
From: LECHNER, CHRISTIAN; HEIGL, RUPERT
To: BRAINLAB AG
Reel/Frame 021421/0720 →
Priority Claims (1)
EP 07112624 · Jul 17, 2007 · regional
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 60951489 · Jul 24, 2007
Related Publication 20090024127A1 · Jan 22, 2009