Torque-Limiting Drive Tools With Bidirectional Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tools for ensuring proper torque application in medical devices, such as bone conduction devices, are often complex, expensive, and unsuitable for use with medical devices, leading to issues like undertorquing or overtorquing, which can cause joint failure and compromise device reliability.
Innovation Solution
A torque limiting drive tool with an elongate handle and torque arms that exert torque in response to handle rotation, featuring a maximum torque limit in each direction, providing haptic and audible feedback when the limit is reached, and is suitable for medical devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing tools are used to ensure proper torque application, then torque control is achieved, but the tools are complex, expensive, and unsuitable for medical devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a simple, inexpensive torque arm mechanism that can be discarded after single use in a medical procedure. The torque arm is a basic mechanical component made of inexpensive material, designed to be thrown away after one use, eliminating the need for complex, expensive, reusable torque control devices while maintaining adequate torque control reliability for the specific medical application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential torque limiting function from complex existing tools, isolating only the core mechanism needed for torque control. The torque arm is a simplified extraction of the torque control concept, removing unnecessary complexity while retaining the fundamental ability to limit torque application to prevent joint failure.
2Reliability
If existing tools are used, then torque application is controlled, but they are expensive and not suitable for medical settings
Solution Approach 1:
The torque arm is manufactured from inexpensive materials using simple processes, making it cost-effective for single-use in medical settings. The low manufacturing cost allows the device to be discarded after one use, eliminating the need for expensive cleaning, sterilization, and maintenance infrastructure required for reusable medical devices.
3Reliability
If proper torque is applied, then device reliability is improved, but undertorquing or overtorquing can still occur with existing tools
Solution Approach 1:
The torque arm mechanism provides inherent feedback through its mechanical design. As the torque arm bends under applied torque, it provides tactile feedback to the operator when the maximum torque limit is reached. This mechanical feedback ensures that torque is precisely controlled at the maximum limit, preventing both undertorquing (insufficient fixation) and overtorquing (joint damage), thereby improving joint fixation reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The torque arm's bending stiffness and geometry are carefully designed to change the mechanical parameters of the system. The arm is made with specific material properties and cross-sectional dimensions that allow it to bend predictably under torque, providing a reliable mechanical threshold that ensures precise torque control and prevents both insufficient and excessive torque application.
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
Ensures consistent and controlled torque application, reducing the risk of joint failure and enhancing device reliability by preventing undertorquing or overtorquing, while being cost-effective and suitable for single-use or re-use in medical settings.
Implementation Method 1
the at least first and second torque arms are each directly mechanically attached to the handle and configured exert a torque on the drive bit in direct response to rotation of the elongate handle
Implementation Method 2
the plurality of torque arms are configured to grip the drive bit within the opening and to exert up to a first maximum rotational force on the drive bit
Data Source
AI summary
Presented herein are torque limiting drive tools for use with, for example, components of a medical device. A torque limiting drive tool in accordance with aspects presented herein comprises an elongate handle/body and a plurality of torque arms located at a distal end of the handle, where the plurality of torque arms define an opening configured to longitudinally (axially) receive a drive bit. The plurality of torque arms are each directly mechanically attached to the handle and are configured to exert a torque on the drive bit in direct response to rotation of the elongate body in each of a first direction of rotation and a second direction of rotation.