Ancillary Handle Locking Mechanism Reducing Part Count
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ancillary handles for surgical instruments are expensive, complex, and fragile due to the use of numerous small parts in their locking mechanisms, making them costly and prone to failure.
Innovation Solution
A simplified ancillary handle design featuring a locking device with a displaceable locking part that translates between locking and unlocking configurations, secured to the receiving part, eliminating the need for balls or other movable parts, and incorporating an immobilization part for single-use assurance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a locking device with balls and springs is used to rapidly lock the rod in the elongate housing, then the surgical instrument can be quickly attached to the ancillary handle, but the ancillary handle becomes expensive, complex and fragile due to numerous small parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the balls and springs from the locking mechanism, extracting the problematic small parts that cause complexity and fragility. The locking function is achieved through a different mechanism that does not rely on these extracted components, thereby reducing part count while maintaining rapid locking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking part is integrated directly with the receiving part in a unified structure, eliminating the need for separate balls and springs. This merging of functions into a single integrated component reduces the number of parts while preserving the rapid locking function.
2Reliability
If a locking device with numerous small parts is used, then rapid locking is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The ancillary handle is designed as a disposable single-use device, eliminating the need for complex, expensive locking mechanisms with multiple small parts. The simplified locking structure reduces manufacturing cost while maintaining sufficient reliability for single-use surgical applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking part and receiving part are combined into an integrated structure, reducing the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This integration simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces costs while maintaining reliable locking function.
3Ease of operation
If the locking part is displaceable between locking and unlocking configurations, then the surgical instrument can be securely attached and released, but the design becomes more complex compared to fixed locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct locking and unlocking configurations of the locking part, allowing secure attachment when locked and easy release when unlocked. This segmentation of functional states provides ease of operation without requiring complex additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using active components like springs to maintain locking, the design uses a passive approach where the locking part can be displaced to locking or unlocking positions. The locking configuration is maintained by the geometry of the groove and locking part interaction, inverting the traditional approach of using active mechanical elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A ancillary handle includes: a gripping part of the ancillary handle, a receiving part having an elongate seat for the shank, and a locking device for locking the shank and fixing the surgical instrument to the ancillary handle. A locking part engages in a groove on the outer surface of the shank. The locking part translates between: iii) a locking configuration, in which the locking part engages in the groove and blocks the surgical instrument, and iv) an unlocking configuration, in which the locking part frees the shank. The locking device includes an actuation part for moving the locking part between the locking and unlocking configurations.