Compliant Orthopedic Driver for Implant Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthopedic drivers often lock with implants due to mechanical over-constraint at the implant-driver interface, causing difficulties in decoupling and potentially delaying or improperly executing surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating compliant mechanisms, such as universal joints and semi-ball joints, into the orthopedic drivers to allow for flexible movement about multiple axes, reducing mechanical over-constraint and enabling easier decoupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid driver interface is used to ensure strong connection with implant, then connection strength is improved, but the driver locks with the implant when trajectories are misaligned
Solution Approach 1:
The driver incorporates compliant mechanisms (universal joints and semi-ball joints) that allow dynamic adjustment of the driver tip orientation relative to the driver shaft. This enables the driver to adapt to trajectory misalignments between the guide and drilled hole, preventing locking while maintaining secure connection during implant installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The driver interface changes its mechanical parameters by introducing compliant portions that can flex about transverse axes. This allows the driver to accommodate angular deviations and maintain proper engagement without the rigid over-constraint that causes locking in conventional rigid interfaces.
2Manufacturing precision
If the driver is made rigid to maintain trajectory precision, then trajectory accuracy is improved, but the driver cannot compensate for contact forces during drilling
Solution Approach 1:
The compliant driver allows the driver tip to move independently of the driver shaft through universal joints and semi-ball joints. This dynamic capability enables the driver to compensate for bone movement and contact forces during drilling, maintaining trajectory accuracy despite changes in the drilled hole orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The driver is segmented into the driver shaft and driver tip connected through compliant mechanisms. This segmentation allows different parts of the driver to respond differently to forces - the shaft maintains orientation while the tip adapts to trajectory changes, achieving both precision and compensation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid driver interface is used to ensure stable connection, then connection stability is improved, but the driver cannot adapt to off-axis use conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The driver incorporates universal joints and semi-ball joints that enable dynamic adaptation to off-axis conditions. The compliant portions allow the driver tip to rotate and flex relative to the shaft, maintaining stable connection even when the drilled hole deviates from the guide trajectory.
Solution Approach 2:
The compliant driver interface serves multiple functions: it maintains secure connection during normal use, compensates for trajectory misalignment, and adapts to off-axis conditions. The universal joints and semi-ball joints provide multi-degree-of-freedom movement that handles various surgical scenarios.
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 compliant orthopedic drivers effectively prevent locking issues, enhancing surgical efficiency by allowing smooth implantation without interfering with the surgical workflow.
Implementation Method 1
the body includes at least one compliant portion configured to allow the driver flex about at least two axes transverse to the driver axis
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a compliant orthopedic driver are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, compliant orthopedic driver includes a body extending from a proximal end to a distal end along a driver axis; a driver tip disposed at the distal end of the body, wherein the body includes at least one compliant portion configured to allow the driver flex about at least two axes transverse to the driver axis.