Bone Tracker Clamp Assembly With Adjustable Force and Jaw Motion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bone clamps for securing navigation trackers to bones are limited by the amount of clamping force they can exert, leading to potential loss of tracking accuracy, inability to fit various bone sizes, and ergonomic issues, especially in procedures involving long bones like the femur and humerus.
Innovation Solution
A surgical clamp assembly with a linear displacement mechanism and pivotable clamp arms that allow for adjustable clamping force and range of motion, enabling secure attachment of navigation trackers to bones with enhanced tracking accuracy and ergonomic design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional bone clamps are used to secure navigation trackers, then the tracking device can be attached to bone, but the clamping force is insufficient leading to loss of tracking accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly incorporates a linear displacement mechanism that allows dynamic adjustment of the clamping force applied to the bone. The second clamp arm can be moved relative to the first clamp arm to increase or decrease the clamping force, enabling the system to adapt to different bone sizes and maintain optimal tracking accuracy throughout the surgical procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables change in the clamping force parameter through the linear displacement mechanism. By adjusting the position of the second clamp arm relative to the first clamp arm, the clamping force parameter can be varied to ensure sufficient contact pressure for accurate tracking while accommodating different bone dimensions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional bone clamps with fixed jaw range are used, then they can attach to bone, but they cannot fit various bone sizes from different patients
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly features a linear displacement mechanism that enables dynamic adjustment of the distance between the first and second clamp arms. This allows the jaw range to be varied to accommodate different bone sizes, making the clamp adaptable to various patient anatomies including long bones like the femur and humerus.
3Reliability
If conventional bone clamps with large footprint are used, then they can provide stable attachment, but they are not suitable for procedures with limited access angle or incision size
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly is segmented into separate components including a clamp body, first clamp arm, and second clamp arm that can move independently. This segmentation allows the clamp to maintain stable attachment through the linear displacement mechanism while reducing the overall footprint at the surgical site, enabling use in procedures with limited access.
4Ease of operation
If conventional clamp mechanisms are used, then they can close and open jaws, but the mechanisms are not ergonomic and increase collision risk at surgical site
Solution Approach 1:
The linear displacement mechanism acts as an intermediary between the user's manual input and the movement of the second clamp arm. This mechanism provides a more ergonomic interface for operating the clamp, reducing the risk of accidental collisions at the surgical site by smoothing out the actuation process.
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 surgical clamp assembly provides a secure and adjustable attachment system for navigation trackers, ensuring accurate tracking and compatibility with varying bone sizes, reducing ergonomic strain and collision risks in surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
A linear displacement mechanism is coupled to the clamp body. A carrier is coupled to the linear displacement mechanism. The carrier is moveable relative to the clamp body along a carrier axis in response to movement of the linear displacement mechanism.
Implementation Method 2
A second clamp arm is coupled to the clamp body and configured to grip tissue with the first clamp arm. The second clamp arm comprises a proximal portion pivotable relative to the clamp body about a first pivot.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical clamp assembly for clamping tissue and supporting a navigation tracker. The assembly includes a clamp body. Clamp arms are coupled to the clamp body to grip tissue. At least one of the clamp arms includes a distal portion having a clamp surface to grip tissue and a proximal portion that is pivotable relative to the clamp body about a first pivot. A linear displacement mechanism and a carrier are coupled to the clamp body. The carrier is moveable relative to the clamp body along a carrier axis in response to movement of the linear displacement mechanism. The carrier is coupled directly to the proximal portion of the clamp arm. The clamp arm is also pivotable relative to the carrier about a second pivot in response to movement of the carrier.