Operating room table mate
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a surgical assistance device used by a member of a surgical team. The device may be used as an arm support for the surgical assistant, a hand rest for steadying the surgeon&#39;s hand, an utility apparatus to hold instruments, or as a drape to hold sterile cloths at elevated heights over the patient. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The prior art consists of surgical attachments used to support an extremity of the patient&#39;s body. For instance, apparatuses have been patented that attach to the surgical bed which are used to support a patient&#39;s arm or a leg during cleansing and/or the surgical operations, or while taking x-rays of a patient&#39;s extremity while the patient is resting on a conventional surgical table. 
     A distinguishing factor of this invention is that the present invention is not used to support an extremity of the patient&#39;s body, rather is used to support the surgeon&#39;s or assistant&#39;s hands or arms, or used by the surgical staff as a utility apparatus to hold tools or drape sheets over the patient. No invention is known which provides features for use by the surgical staff for support of their extremities. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The surgical assistance device may be used at the foot, the head, or along the sides of the surgical table. When placed at the head of the surgical table, it is primarily used for surgeries involving the chest, such as open heart surgery, lung surgery, or any other surgeries involving the chest and back. 
     Because of its unique shape and adjustment capabilities, the surgical assistance device may be used by the surgeon to steady his hand during surgery by providing an arm rest, by a member of the surgical team as an arm support when holding medical instruments which are attached to the patient&#39;s body, by the anesthesiologist or anesthetist to elevate drapes above the patient&#39;s face to allow vacillation of the face and endotracheal tube to assure proper administration of anesthesia, and as an apparatus to hold instruments while not in use. 
     It is, therefore, an object of the preset invention to provide a surgical assistance device that can be placed at any position on the surgical table. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a surgical assistance device wherein the angle of support can be adjusted. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a surgical assistance device that can be vertically adjusted. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a surgical assistance device the surgeon can use as an armrest to steady his hand during surgery. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an arm support for a member of the surgical support staff when holding engaged surgical instruments. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide the anesthesiologist or the anesthetist a means to elevate drapes above the patient&#39;s face for proper vacillation of the face and endotracheal tube to assure proper administration of the anesthesia. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a means wherein instruments may be held while not in use. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a support surface that can be sterilized or cleaned easily. 
     In accordance with the above objectives, applicant&#39;s invention is a surgical assistance device that provides a means of support to the surgeon or surgical staff as well as a utility apparatus to hold instruments to or to drape sterile cloths at elevated heights over the patient. 
     Further advantages of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the annexed sheet of drawings on which is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of the surgical assistance device. 
     FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the preferred embodiment of the surgical assistance device. 
     FIG. 3 is a side plan view of the preferred embodiment of the surgical assistance device. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the surgical assistance device mounted on top of the surgical table. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the surgical assistance device (10) apart from the surgical table (56) (See FIG. 4) onto which the surgical assistance device (10) is normally mounted. As is customary for surgical tables, they are provided with at least one longitudinal support surface (54) extending the length of one side of the surgical table (56) at a level below, but parallel to the patient support surface (58) of the surgical table (56). 
     In its preferred embodiment, surgical assistance device (10) is comprised of a pair of mounting shafts (44) and a pair of legs (40) attached to hinges (42). Each hinge (42) is attached to the bottom surface of the frame (20) of the parallel platform (28) of the surgical assistance device (10). A non-sterile covering (22) covers the top surface of both the angled platform (26) and the parallel platform (28). The non-sterile covering (22) is interspersed with passages (24) in a regular pattern. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of surgical assistance device (10) firmly mounted on the longitudinally support surface (54) by a pair of C-shaped clamps (50) which encircle the longitudinal support surface (54) and are each provided with a vertically extending slot (48) for receiving therein the mounting shaft (44). A manually operable clamping bolt (52) effects the rigid interengagement of the clamps (50), the longitudinally support surface (54), and the mounting shaft (44). 
     Although the preferred embodiment of the surgical assistance device (10) as described above, is attached to one end of the surgical table (56), surgical assistance device (10) alternatively may be attached at any position on the longitudinal support surface (54). The vertical position of the surgical assistance device (10) can also be adjusted by the positioning of the mounting shafts (44) in the vertically extending slot (48) of the C-shaped clamps (50). 
     The surgical assistance device (10) is constructed of a light-weight material that gives both strength and durability. In its preferred embodiment, the surgical assistance device (10) is constructed of honeycomb steel. The non-sterile covering (22) of the surgical assistance device (10) is also constructed of a light-weight yet durable and strong material capable of being cleaned and sterilized such as chrome, silver nitrate or plastics. In its preferred embodiment, the non-sterile covering (22) is made of a plastic coating capable of sterilization. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limited sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternatives apparent to persons skilled in the art will become apparent upon reference to the description of the invention. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.