Clip-On Joint Clamp Cam Assembly for Stable Surgical Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical retractor systems face challenges in maintaining stable and adjustable positioning of retractor blades relative to the surgical table, which can lead to movement and hinder clear access during procedures.
Innovation Solution
The surgical retractor system incorporates adjustable rail clamps, multi-directional joint clamps, and a cam bolt assembly with a cam lever that allows for locked and unlocked positions, providing secure clamping forces and adjustable positioning to stabilize retractor blades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional surgical retractor systems use fixed clamping mechanisms, then the structure is simple, but the positioning stability and adjustability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The joint clamp incorporates a cam bolt assembly with a cam lever that can transition between locked and unlocked positions, enabling dynamic adjustment of the retractor blade positioning. This allows the system to switch between a fixed stable state and an adjustable state, resolving the contradiction between positioning stability and adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam bolt assembly changes the clamping force parameter by rotating the cam lever, which moves the cam bolt to different positions along its path. This parameter change enables adjustable clamping forces while maintaining structural simplicity, addressing both positioning stability and mechanism complexity concerns.
2Reliability
If the retractor blades are securely locked in place, then positioning stability is improved, but adjustability and ease of repositioning deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cam lever provides a dynamic locking mechanism that can be quickly engaged or disengaged. When locked, it secures the blade firmly; when unlocked, it allows easy repositioning. This dynamic characteristic resolves the contradiction between secure positioning and ease of repositioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam bolt assembly is pre-configured with a cam profile that automatically engages at specific positions, providing preliminary locking action. This allows the blade to be quickly secured without requiring additional adjustment steps, maintaining both stability and operational ease.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple adjustment mechanisms are added to improve positioning flexibility, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cam bolt assembly serves multiple functions: it locks the retractor blade, allows adjustment to different positions, and maintains clamping force. This multi-functionality provides positioning flexibility without requiring separate mechanisms for each function, thus avoiding increased complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the locking mechanism, adjustment mechanism, and clamping mechanism into a single integrated cam bolt assembly. This consolidation provides adaptable positioning while keeping the overall device structure simple, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
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 system effectively secures retractor blades, preventing movement and ensuring stable access during surgical procedures by applying adjustable clamping forces, thereby enhancing surgical precision and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a cam bolt assembly with a cam lever that allows for locked and unlocked positions, providing secure clamping forces
Implementation Method 2
a spring positioned within the cam bolt assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A joint clamp for a surgical retractor system includes clamps, a cam bolt, and a cam lever. The cam bolt passes through the clamps. A cam lever comprising a cam head pivotally attached an upper portion the cam bolt to permit rotation between a locked position and an unlocked positions. The joint clamp may include springs which provide a scissors clamp of the clamps with a clip-on feature in which the scissors clamp may clipped-on and clipped-off an object such as a frame member, table post, or retractor handle. The springs may further prevent or reduce a rising movement of the clamps when the cam lever rotates from an unlocked state to a locked state.