Adjustable Reamer Spindle Handle for Surgical Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing reamer spindles are difficult to clean and sterilize, posing a risk of disease transmission due to crevasses and recesses that are hard to access, and lack adjustable and repositionable handles to accommodate different surgical approaches and hand preferences.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable reamer spindle with a repositionable handle that uses a single spring to lock the handle and housing in place, allowing for easy cleaning and disassembly, reducing the number of components and minimizing the risk of parts being lost, while accommodating different surgical orientations and hand preferences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional reamer spindle design is used, then the structure is simple, but the handle cannot be adjusted for different orientations and hand preferences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle adjustabilityVSAvoidspindle structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is made dynamically repositionable along the shaft, allowing it to be adjusted to different orientations and positions. This enables the surgeon to adapt the instrument for different surgical approaches and hand preferences, transforming a static structure into a dynamic, adaptable one.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The reamer spindle is designed with universal adaptability through the adjustable handle that can accommodate left-handed or right-handed surgeons, different surgical approaches (anterior, lateral, posterior), and various orientations. A single instrument design serves multiple functions and user needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If a traditional reamer spindle design is used, then fewer components are present, but crevasses and recesses are difficult to clean and sterilize

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning and sterilizationVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reamer spindle is divided into separable components including the handle, shaft, and head portions. This segmentation allows each component to be easily removed, cleaned, and sterilized independently, eliminating the cleaning difficulties associated with integrated designs that have hard-to-reach crevasses and recesses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The handle is extracted as a separate, removable component from the shaft and head assembly. This extraction allows the handle to be completely removed for cleaning and sterilization, eliminating the problem of trapped debris in recesses and crevasses that would exist in a permanently integrated design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple components are used for handle adjustment, then adjustability is improved, but the risk of parts being lost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle repositionabilityVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functional components (spring mechanism, locking features, adjustment elements) are merged into the handle assembly itself. The spring-loaded locking mechanism and adjustment features are integrated within the handle, eliminating the need for separate external components that could be lost, while maintaining full adjustability functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The handle incorporates a self-contained spring-loaded locking mechanism that automatically secures the handle in its adjusted position. The system is self-sufficient with no external fasteners, clips, or separate locking components that could be misplaced, as the spring mechanism inherently provides both adjustment and retention functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances surgical control and comfort by allowing the handle axis to be adjusted for various orientations, facilitates easy cleaning and disassembly, and reduces the risk of disease transmission by eliminating blind holes and small radius internal corners.

Implementation Method 1

a spring (486) biased in a locked position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS7785329B2Reamer spindle for minimally invasive joint surgery

Publication Date: 2010.08.31 VIANT AS&O HLDG LLC

AI summary

An adjustable reamer spindle is provided to aid a surgeon in controlling an instrument. The reamer spindle is easily disassembled for cleaning. The spindle has a repositionable handle, a locking ring, and an elastic device. The locking ring aids in holding the reamer spindle together. Removal of the locking ring against an elastic bias of a spring unfastens an end of the assembly in order to facilitate disassembly and/or cleaning. Adjustment of the position of the handle about the spindle enables the palm/grip of each hand to be changed in order to provide maximum control in different orientations.