BACKGROUND

[0001] Many medical devices are sensitive to external forces. The medical devices may be easily damaged if they are not properly handled. For example, it is often necessary to clamp the medical devices during medical procedures. As a result, the medical devices may become damaged due to the clamping forces. Moreover, it may be cumbersome to operate the clamp during the medical procedure.

SUMMARY

[0002] Broadly, this writing presents at least the following: a collet comprising a cylindrical body comprising a first end and a second end and an aperture coaxial within the cylindrical body. The aperture is configured for receiving a medical device and for securing the medical device by decreasing in diameter when pressure is applied to at least one of the first end and the second end of the cylindrical body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] Fig. 1 illustrates an exampie of an exploded view of a dovetail clamping system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0004] Fig. 2 illustrates an exampie of a collet holder and collet, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0005] Fig. 3 illustrates an exampie of a dovetail clamping system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0006] The drawings referred to in this description should be understood as not being drawn to sca!e except if specifically noted.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present technology, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the technology will be described in conjunction with various

embodiment(s), if will be understood that they are not intended to limit the present technology to these embodiments. On the contrary, the present technology is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the various embodiments as defined by the appended claims.

[0008] Furthermore, in the following description of embodiments, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present technology. However, the present technology may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to

unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present embodiments.

[0009] Figure 1 depicts a dovetail clamping system 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Dovetail damping system 100 includes clamping structure 110, collet holder 120 and collet 130. [0010] In general, damping structure 110 is configured to secure collet holder 120 (and corresponding collet 130) to a supporting structure (e.g., post, bed railing, etc.). Moreover, medical device 190 is received and secured by the combination of collet holder 120 and collet 130. In various embodiment, medical device 190 can be, but is not limited to, an endoscope, cylindrical instruments and laparoscopic instruments.

[0011] Collet 130 includes cylindricai body 131 having a first end 136 and a second end 137, Collet 130 also includes aperture 132, Aperture 132 is configured for receiving medical device 190 and for securing medical device 190 by decreasing in diameter when pressure is applied to at least one of first end 136 and second end 137 of cylindrical body 131. In one embodiment, aperture 132 is physically configured to receive an endoscope. The pressure applied to collet 130 is provided by collet holder 120 when lid portion 125 is reSeasably attached to base portion 123, which will be described In detail below.

[0012] In particular, collet 130 includes a compression feature disposed on cylindricai body 131 configured to facilitate in compression of cytindrical body 131 when the pressure is applied to one or more of first end 136 and second end 137, In one embodiment, the compression feature is at least one slot (e.g., slot 140), [0013] As depicted in Figure 1 , collet 130 includes slots 140 and 142 protruding from first end 136 towards second end 137. Slots 140 and 142 extend the diameter of cylindrical body 131 and are orthogonal to one another,

[0014] Similarly, collet 130 also includes two slots protruding from second end 137 towards first end 136. One such slot is slot 144. The other slot (not depicted) is orthogonal to slot 144.

[0015] In various embodiments, collet 130 can inciude any number of compression features (e.g., s!ots) in any orientation that facilitates in the compression of cylindrical body 131.

[0016] Coiiet 130 includes first outer chamfer 134 and second outer chamfer 135. First out chamfer 134 and second outer chamfer 135 are configured for facilitating in the decreasing of the diameter of aperture 132 when the pressure is applied to either first out chamfer 134 or second outer chamfer 135. For example, pressure is applied to first out chamfer 134 and second outer chamfer 135 by collet holder 120, when lid portion 125 is attached to base portion 123, which will be described in detail below.

[0017] Figure 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of medical device 190 received and secured by the combination of coiiet holder 120 and collet 130, in

accordance to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to both Figures 1 and 2, collet holder 120 includes base portion 123, lid portion 125 and dovetail interface 124.

[0018] Dovetail interface 124 is configured to be received by first dovetail clamp 112 depicted in Figures 1 and 3, which will foe described in detail below. In various embodiments, dovetail interface 124 is coupled to one of lid portion 125 and base portion 123.

[0019] Lid portion 125 includes lid aperture 126, lid cavity 128 and lid chamfer 129. Similarly, base portion 123 includes base aperture 156, base cavity 155 and base chamfer 159. Lid cavity 128 and base cavity 155 are configured for receiving collet 130. Lid aperture 126 and base aperture 156 are configured for receiving medical device 190.

[0020] Lid portion 125 is releasably coupled to base portion 123. in one embodiment, lid portion 125 Is releasably coupled to base portion 123 via screw threads. In one embodiment, lid portion 125 includes features 127 configured for enhancing the gripping of iid portion 125 for reieasabfy coupling lid portion 125 to base portion 123,

[0021] When iid portion 125 is coupled to base portion 123, pressure is applied to first end 136 and second end 137 of collet 130. As a result, collet 130 is compressed. Thus, medical device 190 is retained within collet 130. [0022] Specifically, when lid portion 125 is coupled to base portion 123, pressure is applied by lid chamfer 129 to first outer chamfer 134, Likewise, pressure is also applied by base chamfer 159 to second outer chamfer 135. As a result, collet 130 is compressed. Thus, medical device 190 is sufficiently retained within collet 130 without damaging medical device 190.

[0023] Collet 130 also includes first inner chamfer 138 and second inner chamfer 158. First inner chamfer 138 and second inner chamfer 158 are configured to reduce stresses at the region of bending of medical device 190.

Figure 3 depicts a dovetail clamping system 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Dovetail clamping system 100 includes clamping structure 110, collet holder 120 and collet 130, as described above.ln one embodiment, clamping structure 110 and collet holder 120 are a single unitary clamping structure (rather than separate structures, as depicted).

[0024] Referring to Figures 1 and 3, clamping structure 110 includes first dovetail clamp 112, second dovetail clamp 113, first actuator 116 and second actuator 117.

[0025] First dovetail clamp 112 is configured for receiving and securing first dovetail interface 124, First dovetail clamp 112 is further configured for single handed operation by a user, which will be described in detail below. First dovetaif clamp 112 includes first rotatable jaw 114, first fixed Jaw 164, first actuator 116, first shelf 162 and second shelf 163.

[0026] Second dovetail clamp 113 is configured to clamp to a corresponding second dovetail interface (not shown), in various embodiments, second dovetaif clamp 113 is configured to clamp to any stable structure such as, but not limited to, a post, bed rail, etc. Second dovetail clamp 113 includes second rotatable jaw 115, second fixed jaw 165 and second actuator 117. Second dovetail clamp 113 faces opposite first dovetail clamp 112.

[0027] It should be appreciated that clamping structure 110 can include any clamping or connection mechanism (other than dovetail clamps), such as but not limited to, a vice. Likewise, first dovetail interface 124 and second dovetail interface can be any clamping or mechanical connection interface,

[0028] in various embodiments, first actuator 116 and second actuator 117 are thumb screws. For example, as a user rotates second actuator 117, second rotatable jaw 115 rotates with respect to hinge 118. In particular, as second actuator 117 is rotated, second nut 161 is drawn closer to thumb screw 117. As a result, second rotatable jaw 115 rotates towards second fixed jaw 165 and a corresponding second dovetail interface is clamped in second dovetail clamp 113. [0029] Similarly, as first actuator 116 is rotated by a single hand of a user, first rotatable jaw 114 rotates with respect to hinge 118, In particular, as first actuator 117 is rotated, first nut 160 is drawn closer to first actuator 118, As a result, first rotatable jaw 114 rotates towards first fixed jaw 164 and corresponding first dovetail interface 124 is clamped in first dovetail clamp 112.

[0030] Moreover, first fixed jaw 164 and second fixed jaw 165 include first shelf

162 and second shelf 163, respectively, to facilitate in the placement of first dovetail interface 124 between first fixed jaw 164 and first rotatable jaw 1 14. For example, first dovetail interface 124 may be placed into position between first rotatable jaw 114 and first fixed jaw 164 and on first shelf 162 and second shelf

163 by a single hand of the user. Once in place, first dovetail interface can be clamped into first dovetail damp 112, as described above.

[0031] Various embodiments of the present invention are thus described.

While the present invention has been described in particular embodiments, it should be appreciated that the present invention should not be construed as limited by such embodiments, but rather construed according to the following claims,

[0032] All elements, parts and steps described herein are preferably included. It is to be understood that any of these elements, parts and steps may be replaced by other elements, parts and steps or deleted altogether as will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

CONCEPTS

[0033] This writing has disclosed at least the following concepts.

Concept 1 , A collet comprising:

a cylindrical body comprising a first end and a second end; and

an aperture coaxial within said cylindrical body, wherein said aperture is configured for receiving a medical device and for securing said medical device by decreasing in diameter when pressure is applied to at least one of said first end and said second end of said cylindrical body.

Concept 2. The collet of Concept 1 , wherein said aperture is physicaily configured to receive a group of devices consisting of: an endoscope or cylindrical device.

Concept 3. The collet of Concept 1 , wherein said collet comprises a first outer chamfer disposed at said first end, wherein said first outer chamfer is configured for facilitating in said decreasing in said diameter of said aperture when said pressure is applied to said first outer chamfer.

Concept 4. The collet of Concept 3, wherein said collet comprises a second outer chamfer disposed at said second end, wherein said second outer chamfer is configured for facilitating in said decreasing in said diameter of said aperture when said pressure is applied to said second outer chamfer.

Concept 5. The collet of Concept 1 , wherein said collet comprises a compression feature disposed on said cylindrical body configured to facilitate in compression of said cylindrical body when said pressure is applied to one or more of said first end and said second end of said cylindrical body. Concept 8. The collet of Concept 1 , wherein said compression feature comprises:

at least one slot longitudinally disposed along said cylindrical body.

Concept 7. An apparatus for securing a medical device comprising: a lid portion comprising a lid cavity for receiving a collet;

a base portion comprising a base cavity for receiving said collet, wherein pressure is appiied to said collet when said iid portion is releasabiy coupled to said base portion, and wherein said collet is configured for receiving said medical device and securing said medical device when said pressure is applied to said collet; and

a clamping interface configured to be received by a clamp, wherein said dovetail interface is coupled to one of said lid portion and said base portion.

Concept 8. The apparatus of Concept 7, wherein said lid portion and said base portion comprise a Sid aperture configured for receiving said medicai device.

Concept 9, The apparatus of Concept 7, wherein said iid portion is said releasabiy coupled to said base portion by corresponding screw threads disposed on said lid portion and said base portion.

Concept 10. The apparatus of Concept 7, wherein said iid portion

comprises a lid chamfer configured to apply said pressure to a

corresponding first chamfer of said coilet to facilitate in compression of said coilet,

Concept 11. The apparatus of Concept 10, wherein said base portion comprises a base chamfer configured to apply said pressure to a corresponding second chamfer of said coiiet to facilitate in compression of said collet.

Concept 12. The apparatus of Concept 7, wherein said collet comprises; a cylindrical body comprising a first end and a second end; and an aperture coaxial within said cylindrical body, wherein said aperture is configured for receiving and securing said medical device by decreasing in diameter when said pressure is applied to at least one of said first end and said second end of said cylindrical body.

Concept 13. A clamping system comprising:

a collet holder comprising:

a ltd portion comprising a lid cavity for receiving a collet;

a base portion comprising a base cavity for receiving said collet, wherein pressure is applied to said collet when said lid portion is releasably coupled to said base portion, and wherein said collet is configured for receiving said medical device and securing said medical device when said pressure is applied to said collet; and

a clamping structure comprising a clamp configured to clamp to a corresponding clamping interface.

Concept 14. The clamping system of Concept 13, wherein said collet holder comprises:

a first clamping interface.

Concept 15. The clamping system of Concept 14, wherein said first

clamping interface is a first dovetail interface.

Concept 18. The damping system of Concept 13, wherein said clamp is a second dovetail clamp. Concept 17. The clamping system of Concept 13, further comprises: a first dovetail ciamp comprising a first rotatable jaw, wherein said first dovetai! clamp is configured for receiving and securing a first dovetail interface, and wherein said first dovetail ciamp is configured for single handed operation by a user.

Concept 18. The dovetail clamping system of Concept 13, wherein a first rotatable jaw and a second rotatable jaw rotate about a single hinge.

Concept 19. The dovetail clamping system of Concept 13, wherein said coiiet holder is configured for receiving and securing an endoscope.

Concept 20. The dovetail clamping system of Concept 13, wherein a collet is disposed within said coiiet holder, said collet comprising:

a cylindrical body comprising a first end and a second end; and

an aperture coaxial within said cylindrical body, wherein said aperture is configured for receiving and securing said medical device by decreasing in diameter when a pressure is applied to at least one of said first end and said second end of said cylindrical body.