Bone Clamp With Pivoting Arms for Secure Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone clamps require precise drilling for fastener placement, which can be invasive and may not accommodate anatomical variations, making it difficult to secure surgical instruments accurately and efficiently to bones of different shapes and orientations.
Innovation Solution
A bone clamp with pivotally connected arms that can grip the bone on opposite sides, allowing independent positioning and secure fixation without the need for sequential tightening, featuring an actuator that ensures equal pivoting movement of both arms for secure grip and versatility across different bone shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pins or screws are used to fix the guide block to the bone, then the guide block can be securely fixed, but drilling is required which is invasive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the fasteners (pins or screws) entirely from the system and replaces them with a friction-based gripping mechanism. The contacting arms grip the bone surface directly through friction forces, eliminating the need for drilling holes and inserting fasteners, thus simplifying the device while maintaining secure fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical fastening system (drilling + pins/screws) with a friction-based mechanical system. The contacting arms use friction between their contact surfaces and the bone surface to generate securing forces, substituting the invasive fastening mechanism with a non-invasive friction-based approach.
2Reliability
If pins or screws are used to fix the guide block, then secure fixation is achieved, but the process becomes more invasive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the invasive drilling and fastener insertion steps from the process. Instead, the contacting arms make superficial contact with the bone surface, gripping it through friction without penetrating the bone, thereby eliminating the harmful invasive effects while maintaining secure fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the invasive mechanical fastening system with a non-invasive friction-based system. The contacting arms apply normal forces to the bone surface, generating friction forces that secure the guide block without requiring penetration or insertion of foreign objects into the bone.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the clamp arms are moved independently during positioning, then adaptability to anatomical variations is improved, but the securing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic control mechanism where the actuator can operate in two modes: allowing independent arm movement for positioning and adaptation, then locking into a coordinated mode for securing. This dynamic transition simplifies the control process by providing different degrees of freedom at different stages of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the operation into two distinct phases: positioning phase where arms move independently for adaptability, and securing phase where arms move in coordination for stability. This segmentation allows each phase to optimize its control strategy without compromising the other.
4Reliability
If sequential tightening of arms is required, then secure grip is achieved, but time is lost and positioning accuracy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the movement and tightening of both contacting arms into a single coordinated action driven by one actuator. When the actuator moves from the first position to the second position, both arms pivot simultaneously through equal angles in opposite directions, achieving secure grip in one operation rather than sequential steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism through the mechanical linkage between the actuator and the two contacting arms. The linkage ensures that movement of the actuator automatically produces equal and opposite pivoting of both arms, providing real-time coordination and eliminating the need for sequential adjustment and verification.
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
Enhances accuracy and ease of securing surgical instruments to bones by allowing independent arm movement for precise positioning and secure fixation, eliminating the need for sequential tightening and accommodating anatomical variations, thus improving surgical precision and versatility.
Implementation Method 1
first and second contacting arms, each of which has a first end at or towards which the arm is pivotally connected to the body, and a second end for gripping the bone
Implementation Method 2
the arms can be moved pivotally relative to the clamp body, independently of one another
Implementation Method 3
an actuator which can be moved between engaged and disengaged positions; in which when the actuator is in its disengaged position, the contacting arms can pivot independently with respect to each other
Data Source
AI summary
A bone clamp for securing a surgical instrument to a bone including a body on which the instrument can be mounted, a first and second contacting arms, each of which has a first end that is pivotally connected to the body, and a second end for gripping the bone, whenever the first and second contacting arms are connected to the body at or towards opposite ends thereof so that, when the body is positioned adjacent to the bone, the arms can grip the bone on opposite surfaces thereof, and an actuator which can be moved between engaged and disengaged positions. When the actuator is in its disengaged position, the contacting arms can pivot independently with respect to each other, and when the actuator is in its engaged position, the pivoting movement of one contact arm is accompanied by approximately equal pivoting movement of the other contact arm in the opposite direction.