Ball-and-Socket Universal Joint for Angled Surgical Drilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Universal joint assemblies in the medical field face challenges in adjusting surgical tools to access difficult areas, such as the hip joint, where traditional linear tools are inadequate for precise angle adjustments and high RPM operations, potentially causing damage or misplacement during hip replacement surgeries.
Innovation Solution
A universal joint assembly featuring a ball and socket configuration with an elongated opening and a pin, allowing the ball to rotate about two axes, coupled with a drive shaft and a spring mechanism for precise angle adjustments and secure positioning, enabling surgical tools to be used at various angles and high RPMs without damaging soft tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional linear tools are used for hip replacement surgery, then the surgical procedure is simple, but the tools cannot access difficult areas and make precise angle adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The universal joint assembly enables dynamic angle adjustments between the drive shaft and surgical tool through rotational movement of the ball within the socket. The ball can rotate about two perpendicular axes (first longitudinal axis through the pin, and second axis perpendicular to it), allowing real-time adaptation of the tool's orientation to access difficult anatomical areas during hip replacement surgery
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from linear tool orientation to multi-dimensional angular adjustment by introducing a ball and socket mechanism with elongated opening. The ball's ability to rotate about two perpendicular axes adds rotational freedom in multiple dimensions, enabling the surgical tool to reach complex anatomical locations that linear tools cannot access
2Reliability
If traditional tools are used for high RPM operations, then the tool structure is simple, but the tools may cause damage or misplacement during hip replacement surgeries
Solution Approach 1:
The universal joint assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: a socket with housing and aperture, a ball with elongated opening, a pin extending through the ball, and an elastic mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while contributing to the overall precision and reliability of the surgical tool at high RPM operations
Solution Approach 2:
The ball and socket mechanism acts as an intermediary between the drive shaft and the surgical tool. This intermediate universal joint assembly absorbs and accommodates angular misalignments and vibrations during high RPM operations, preventing direct transmission of instability to the surgical tool and thereby improving surgical precision
3Ease of operation
If the ball rotates freely in the socket, then the tool has high mobility, but the positioning is not secure
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic mechanism changes the mechanical parameters of the ball-socket system by introducing a biasing force. The spring exerts a force on the ball that maintains contact between the ball and socket surfaces, creating sufficient friction to secure the ball's position while still allowing controlled rotation about the two perpendicular axes when needed for positioning
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
The universal joint assembly allows for precise angle adjustments and secure positioning of surgical tools, facilitating accurate pilot hole drilling and screw placement during hip replacement surgeries, reducing the risk of damage to soft tissues and improving surgical tool accessibility in complex anatomical areas.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic mechanism biased to exert a force on the ball in at least one direction
Implementation Method 2
The elastic mechanism may include one or more components... In some embodiments, the elastic mechanism comprises a spring
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical tool including a socket having a housing and an aperture within the housing, the socket configured to receive a ball and a pin at least partially in the aperture. The ball is positioned at least partially in the socket and configured to rotate within the socket, the ball comprising an elongated opening extending through the ball. The pin is coupled to the socket and disposed at least partially in the socket on opposite sides of the socket, the pin including a first longitudinal axis and extending through the elongated opening of the ball between opposite sides of the socket. The ball is configured to partially rotate about the first longitudinal axis of the pin, and partially rotate, about a second axis perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis of the pin, in a plane aligned with the elongated opening.