Aiming Device Cam Lock Mechanism for Bone Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aiming devices for guiding bone fixation elements into intramedullary nails lack a reliable mechanism to securely lock protective sleeves or drilling tools in place, which can lead to misalignment and instability during bone fixation procedures.
Innovation Solution
An aiming device with a pivotally movable lock mechanism that transitions between unlocked and locked configurations, using a pin to couple the lock to the body, allowing for secure engagement of devices within the body opening and alignment with the intramedullary nail openings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a resilient lock biased into the opening is used to secure a device, then the device can be locked in position, but the lock mechanism becomes complex and difficult to operate reliably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the resilient lock mechanism from the aiming device body and replaces it with a simple pin that couples the lock to the body. The lock itself is a separate component that can be manually positioned between unlocked and locked configurations, eliminating the need for complex resilient biasing mechanisms while maintaining reliable device securing.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin acts as an intermediary element that couples the lock to the body, enabling the lock to be pivotally movable between configurations. This simple intermediary component replaces complex resilient mechanisms and provides reliable mechanical coupling while maintaining ease of operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a lock mechanism is added to secure devices in the opening, then device stability improves, but the overall device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex resilient lock mechanism from the aiming device and replaces it with a simple pin-coupled lock system. The lock is a separate, simple component that provides stable device securing without adding significant complexity to the overall aiming device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the lock automatically engage through resilient biasing, the patent uses a manual lock mechanism that requires user action to position between unlocked and locked configurations. This inversion of the automatic engagement approach simplifies the mechanism while providing reliable device stability.
3Ease of operation
If a resilient lock is used to automatically secure the device, then ease of operation improves, but reliability decreases due to potential failure of the resilient mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the resilient mechanism entirely and replaces it with a simple pin-coupled lock system. The lock is manually positioned between unlocked and locked configurations, eliminating potential failures associated with resilient mechanisms while maintaining ease of operation through simple manual engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin-coupled lock mechanism allows the user to directly control the locking and unlocking actions through simple manual movement. The system serves itself through direct user manipulation without requiring complex automated resilient mechanisms, improving both reliability and ease of operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
An aiming device includes a body extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end and including a first body opening extending laterally therethrough along a first axis, the first body opening being sized and shaped to receive a device therein, the first end of the body including a coupling for coupling the body to an implantable device in an aiming configuration in which the first body opening is aligned with a corresponding first implant opening extending through the implantable device so that a device inserted through the first body opening in the body will pass along an axis of the first implant opening and a lock releasably coupled to the body and movable relative thereto between an unlocked and a locked configuration, the lock including an engaging portion extending into the first body opening in the locked configuration to engage an outer surface of a device received therein to lock the device in a desired position within the first body opening.