Surgical arm support locking mechanism and apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for supporting a patient's arm in a desired position during surgery includes a patient support, such as an surgical table or chair, an arm support for supporting the patient's arm, an arm support locking mechanism for securing the arm support in a desired position during surgery, and a bracket for attaching the arm support and the arm support locking mechanism to the patient support.

1 . An apparatus for supporting a patient's arm in a desired position during surgery comprising:
 a support for a patient;   a arm support for supporting the patient's arm;   an arm support locking mechanism including a plate having at least one projection adapted to seat in at least one notch in a locked position and a biasing member positioned adjacent said plate for applying a force against said plate to a locked position wherein the at least one projection is seated in the at least one notch;   a release member for moving said plate against the force of said biasing member to unseat the at least one projection from the at least one notch in an unlocked position; and   a bracket for attaching said arm support and said arm support locking mechanism to said support for a patient.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus for supporting a patient's arm in a desired position during surgery in  claim 1 , wherein said arm support is at least partially curved so as to cradle the patient's arm. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus for supporting a patient's arm in a desired position during surgery in  claim 1 , wherein said arm support is further rotatable about an axis substantially coaxial with the patient's arm when the patient's arm is resting on said arm support in the unlocked position. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus for supporting a patient's arm in a desired position during surgery in  claim 1 , further comprising a base extending longitudinally at least partially along and supporting said aim support, said base having a channel formed therein for slidably receiving said release member. 
   
   
       5 . An apparatus for supporting a patient's arm in a desired position during surgery comprising:
 a support for a patient;   a substantially curved arm support for supporting the patient's arm, said arm support rotatable about an axis substantially coaxial with the patient's arm when the patient's arm is resting on said arm support;   an arm support locking mechanism for securing said arm support in a locked position;   a release member unlocking said arm support locking mechanism; and   a bracket for attaching said aim support and said arm support locking mechanism to said support for a patient.   
   
   
       6 . The apparatus for supporting a patient's arm in a desired position during surgery in  claim 5 , further comprising a base extending at least partially along and supporting said arm support. 
   
   
       7 . The arm support locking mechanism for securing an arm support in a desired position during surgery in  claim 5 , wherein said arm support locking mechanism further comprises a first plate having at least one projection, a second plate having at least one notch adapted to receive said at least one projection of said first plate in the locked position, one of said first and second plates having an angled recess region, a wedge-shaped member positioned between said first and second plates and engaging the angled recess region in the locked position, a retention plate, a spring positioned between said retention plate and the one of said first and second plates having an angled recess region, and a fastener extending at least partially through said retention plate, said first and second plates, and said wedge-shaped member, wherein movement of said wedge-shaped member against a force of said spring unseats said at least one projection from the at least one notch in an unlocked position. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus for supporting a patient's arm in a desired position during surgery in  claim 7 , further comprising a base extending at least partially along and supporting said arm support. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus for supporting a patient's arm in a desired position during surgery in  claim 5 , wherein said arm support locking mechanism further includes a plate having at least one projection adapted to seat in at least one notch in a locked position and a biasing member positioned adjacent said plate for applying a force against said plate to a locked position wherein the at least one projection is seated in the at least one notch. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus for supporting a patient's arm in a desired position during surgery in  claim 9 , further comprising a base extending at least partially along and supporting said arm support.