Bearing Assembly With Ball-Lock Coupling for Surgical Handles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical instruments lack a self-aligning modular handle that can be passively assembled in-situ, provide axial retention to prevent accidental disassembly, and deliver torque to instruments while avoiding tissue and boney anatomy without the need for frequent repositioning or disassembly.
Innovation Solution
The use of a combined one-way axial and radial bearing mechanism with ball bearings captured within dedicated pockets of an inner race, allowing for easy assembly and repositioning of a modular handle relative to an alignment guide, with the ball bearings wedged between the guide and an outer race to prevent accidental removal, and a mechanism to release the alignment guide for complete disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a modular handle is designed with traditional keyed flats and interference fit mechanisms, then torque delivery and axial retention are achieved, but the device complexity increases and ease of operation decreases due to alignment requirements and assembly difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs ball bearings (spherical elements) within a bearing assembly to replace traditional keyed flats and interference fit mechanisms. The spherical ball bearings allow for self-alignment between the modular handle and alignment guide, eliminating the need for precise angular alignment while maintaining secure coupling and torque delivery capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing assembly with ball bearings provides self-aligning functionality, where the spherical elements automatically orient themselves to accommodate misalignment between components. This self-adjusting mechanism eliminates the need for complex alignment procedures or additional alignment features, simplifying both the coupling mechanism and user operation
2Stability of the object's composition
If a modular handle uses fixed positioning mechanisms, then stability is improved, but adaptability decreases as the handle cannot be easily repositioned without disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic coupling system using ball bearings that can transition between locked and movable states. When the modular handle is pushed onto the alignment guide, the ball bearings compress springs and engage with grooves to lock the position. To reposition, the user pulls the handle to disengage the balls from grooves, allowing free movement along the alignment guide before pushing again to lock at the new position. This dynamic mechanism provides both stability during use and adaptability for repositioning
3Measurement precision
If a modular handle requires active actuation for assembly, then control over positioning is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to additional steps and potential for error
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly incorporates self-aligning ball bearings that automatically find their correct position within the grooves of the alignment guide when the modular handle is pushed onto it. The spherical balls self-orient to engage with the grooves without requiring the user to manually align specific features or perform precise positioning actions, thereby maintaining positioning accuracy while simplifying the assembly operation to a simple push motion
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
Enables secure coupling and easy repositioning of surgical instruments, preventing accidental disassembly and allowing for torque application while minimizing interference with anatomical structures, facilitating efficient and precise surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
an alignment guide is passed through the inner race which compresses a spring allowing the ball bearings to move radially outward as the handle slides on
Implementation Method 2
the ball bearings are wedged between the alignment guide and a ramp within an outer race, thereby preventing the handle from being accidentally removed from the alignment guide
Data Source
AI summary
Bearing assemblies for selectively coupling to surgical instruments A bearing assembly can include a housing with a cavity, a first race in the cavity that translates but does not rotate relative to the housing, bearing elements disposed in the first race that move radially in and out of a central passage of the first race, and a second race that is fixed in the cavity. The first race can be biased toward an opening of the cavity, the second race can surround the first race with an inner surface having a tapered diameter configured to contact the bearing elements as the first race moves distally relative to the second race and urge the plurality of bearing elements radially inward to selectively lock the bearing assembly to a surgical instrument disposed within the central passage of the first race.