Coracoid Tracker Clamp for Stable Surgical Navigation Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical joint repair procedures face challenges in properly sizing and positioning prosthetics due to the variability of patient anatomy, and current tools for attaching navigation arrays to the coracoid process are not securely fastened, leading to inaccurate surgical references.
Innovation Solution
A clamping tool with a clamp closing mechanism, including a hinge and tightening screw, is designed to securely attach a navigation array to the coracoid process, ensuring stable fixation and accurate navigation during surgical procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a clamping tool is used to attach navigation array to coracoid process, then navigation accuracy is improved, but the tool may not be securely fastened leading to movement during surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp feet are designed with curved surfaces that conform to the anatomical curvature of the coracoid process, enabling secure contact and fixation. The superior clamp foot and inferior clamp foot both feature curved contact surfaces that match the bone's geometry, preventing movement during surgical procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping mechanism allows adjustment of the distance between superior and inferior clamp feet through the tightening screw, enabling adaptation to varying coracoid process dimensions. The hinge mechanism provides rotational freedom to accommodate different anatomical configurations while maintaining secure fixation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid clamping mechanism is used to prevent movement, then surgical reference stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping tool is divided into distinct functional segments: superior leg with superior clamp foot, inferior leg with inferior clamp foot, hinge mechanism, and tightening screw. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while contributing to overall stability, simplifying the design and assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge acts as an intermediary mechanism between the superior and inferior legs, providing controlled movement and positioning. The tightening screw serves as a mediator to transfer rotational motion into linear compression force, securing the clamp feet against the coracoid process without requiring complex locking mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the clamp feet are positioned to contact superior and inferior surfaces, then fixation reliability is improved, but the surgical procedure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The superior and inferior clamp feet are pre-positioned on the superior and inferior surfaces of the coracoid process respectively, establishing stable contact points before tightening. This preliminary positioning ensures proper alignment and reduces adjustment time during the surgical procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism provides dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the distance between clamp feet to be modified during positioning. This dynamic feature enables quick adaptation to anatomical variations without requiring complete removal and repositioning of the device, saving surgical time.
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 clamping tool provides rigid fixation of navigation arrays, maintaining a stable reference point and improving surgical accuracy by preventing movement during procedures, while being minimally invasive and not disturbing surgical flow.
Implementation Method 1
The tightening screw may include a threaded portion and a handled portion. When the handled portion is turned clockwise, the clamp closing mechanism may be configured to decrease the distance between the inferior clamp foot and the superior clamp foot.
Implementation Method 2
The clamp closing mechanism may include a hinge. The proximate end of the inferior leg may be coupled to the hinge, and a proximate end of the superior leg is coupled to the hinge. The inferior leg and the superior leg may pivot relative to each other about the hinge.
Data Source
AI summary
A user may attach a navigational tracker to a clamping tool. The clamping tool may include a foot configured to receive a screw. For example, the foot may include a hole configured to receive the screw. The user may attach the clamping tool to a coracoid process. The user may insert a screw into the coracoid process, for example through the foot of the clamping tool. The user may remove at least a portion of the clamping tool from the coracoid process. The navigational tracker may be attached to the foot of the clamping tool. The foot of the clamping tool may remain attached to the coracoid process, for example during a surgical procedure. The navigational tracker may include at least one electromagnetic sensor.