Cranium Fixing Device Single-Handed Applicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cranium fixing systems are difficult to arrange and tighten, requiring both hands and significant time, making them cumbersome for surgeons.
Innovation Solution
A cranium fixing device with a hand-actuatable applicator that includes a cranium clamp with a first and second clamping element and a rod, where the applicator allows for single-handed positioning and tightening by exerting force transverse to the rod, enabling precise and quick fixation of cranium clamps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cranium clamp is used to fix adjacent cranium bone plates, then the cranium plates can be secured, but it becomes difficult to arrange and tighten the clamp, requiring both hands and significant time
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator merges the positioning and tightening functions into a single integrated tool. The holder portion positions the cranium clamp while the thrust portion simultaneously applies tightening force, eliminating the need for separate operations and reducing the complexity of manual manipulation during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The applicator serves as an intermediary tool between the surgeon and the cranium clamp. Instead of the surgeon directly manipulating the clamp's clamping elements, the applicator mediates the force application through its thrust portion, which acts on the rod to indirectly control the clamping action, simplifying the surgical operation.
2Force
If traditional cranium clamps are tightened manually, then the clamping force can be applied, but the process requires both hands and relatively much time
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator is pre-configured with the holder portion gripping the rod and the thrust portion positioned to apply force. This preliminary arrangement allows the surgeon to immediately apply tightening force in a single motion without needing to manually coordinate multiple components, significantly reducing the time required to achieve proper clamping force.
Solution Approach 2:
The applicator introduces dynamic motion to the tightening process. By moving the thrust portion along the rod's longitudinal axis, the surgeon can dynamically adjust and apply clamping force efficiently. The rod itself acts as a dynamic element that translates the linear motion of the thrust portion into the clamping action, enabling quick and controlled tightening.
3Manufacturing precision
If the cranium clamp is positioned precisely, then accurate fixation is achieved, but the positioning and fixing require multiple handling steps
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator combines the positioning and fixing operations into a single integrated tool and process. The holder portion ensures precise positioning while the thrust portion applies tightening force, allowing both positioning precision and operational simplicity to be achieved simultaneously without requiring multiple separate handling steps.
Data Source
AI summary
The cranium fixation device (1) includes a cranium clamp (2) having a first clamping element and a second clamping element (3, 4) and also a rod (5), with the rod (5) extending from the first clamping element and ending in an end portion (5d). The second clamping element (4) is displaceably arranged in the direction of extent (53) of the rod (5). A hand actuatable applicator (7) is provided and has a holding part (7a) and a thrust part (7b). The holding part (7a) and the thrust part (7b) are connected to one another via a connection part (7c). The end portion (5d) of the bar (5) is held by the holding part (7a) and the thrust part (7b) is arranged such that it can exert a force on the second clamping element (4) directed towards the first clamping element (3). The connection part (7c) extends partly spaced from the rod (5) such that a displacement of the connection part (7c) towards the rod (5) increases the distance between the holding part (7a) and the thrust part (7b) in order to thereby displace the second clamping part (4) via the thrust part (7b) acting thereon in the direction of the first clamping element (3).