| 摘要 |
A device (10) is provided for stabilizing and positioning an otherwise hand-held medical instrument (26), such as a biopsy power driver and probe, to ensure the ability to accurately place the probe into the breast and maintain position relative to a particular tissue site from any desired entry point. The device comprises a main arm (20) having a generally vertical portion (18) and a generally horizontal portion (30). A clamping assembly (14) permits attachment of the apparatus (10) to a stationary object, which is preferably an examination table (11), and includes a locking clamp (22) having a gripping mode and a releasing mode for alternately gripping and releasing the main arm (20), and a lever assembly (23) for actuating the locking clamp (22) between the gripping mode and the releasing mode. A horizontal clamp (32), attached to the generally horizontal portion (30) of the main arm (20), provides support for an articulating arm assembly (16) having a first arm portion, or upper arm (36), and a second arm portion, or forearm (38), wherein the upper arm and forearm are attached together by an elbow joint (40), so that they may be articulated relative to one another about a common axis disposed through the elbow (40). A mounting bracket (44) for securing the biopsy power driver and probe (26) is attached to a distal end of the forearm (38). The elbow joint (40) attaching the upper arm (36) and forearm (38) of the articulating arm assembly (16) comprises a spring loaded counterbalance mechanism (52) which functions to support the weight of the medical instrument (26), thereby giving the instrument a weightless feel during the positioning process, which prevents fatigue on the part of a user and therefore permits more delicate and precise movements of the instrument. |
