Device holding apparatus

US7846086B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Carl Zeiss AG · DE

Inventors

• Roland Brenner · Wallhausen, DE
• Joachim Steffen · Lauchheim, DE
• Ottmar Rothaupt · Aalen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 18, 2005
• Grant date: Dec 7, 2010
• Expiry date: Jun 24, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B90/40
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A holding apparatus is provided for holding a device to be used under sterile conditions. The apparatus includes a holder unit (1) to which the device (3) is to be fixed. The holder unit (1) has a holder portion for fixing a drape (9) so that a held device (3) and the holder portion are substantially air-tightly enclosed. A cavity (2) in the holder unit (1) has a cavity portion (10) for communicating with an intermediate space between a fixed drape (9) and the device (3). A pumping-out device (15) is in the cavity (2) for pumping air out of the cavity portion and the intermediate space. The cavity portion (10) is sealed in the pumping-out operation to prevent the make-up flow of air out of other regions than the intermediate space between a fixed drape (9) and the device (3) or the holder portion.