Adjustable Cross Nut Carriage for Wear-Stable Surgical Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical equipment for holding body parts during procedures faces challenges such as high sterilization costs, complex designs that require disassembly, wear of clamping components leading to improper angular positioning, and increased effort for maintenance, which delays surgeries and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A surgical apparatus featuring an adjustable cross nut system that allows for continued adjustment and replacement of threaded components, with a dual-locking mechanism and ergonomic handle to maintain optimal angular positioning, minimizing parts and simplifying sterilization and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional screw-type clamping assemblies are used, then initial clamping effect is achieved, but threaded components wear over time leading to loss of positioning precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the clamping mechanism from threaded engagement to friction-based compression. The compression element applies radial force to press the clamping surface against the positioning surface, maintaining positioning precision without threaded component wear. This parameter change from threaded to friction-based engagement resolves the contradiction between initial clamping effectiveness and long-term positioning precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex surgical equipment with multiple parts is used, then positioning functionality is achieved, but sterilization time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components (clamping mechanism, positioning mechanism, and support structure) into a single integrated apparatus. The compression element, clamping surface, and positioning surface are combined in one unit that can be sterilized as a single piece, eliminating the need to disassemble and sterilize multiple separate parts, thereby reducing sterilization time and cost while maintaining full positioning functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus is designed as a universal positioning device that can accommodate various body parts and surgical positioning requirements through its adjustable compression mechanism and configurable clamping surfaces, reducing the need for multiple specialized devices and simplifying sterilization protocols.
3Ease of operation
If threaded components are used for clamping, then initial positioning is achieved, but components wear leading to improper angular positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the threaded mechanical engagement system with a friction-based compression system. Instead of relying on threaded components that wear and lose precision, the system uses a compression element to apply radial force, creating friction-based holding that maintains angular positioning accuracy without the wear problems of threaded engagement. This substitution preserves ease of operation while improving long-term reliability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple parts are required for surgical equipment, then functional requirements are met, but disassembly and maintenance effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional components into a single integrated apparatus, eliminating the need for disassembly during sterilization and maintenance. The unified design allows the entire positioning device to be sterilized and maintained as one unit, significantly reducing maintenance effort while preserving all necessary positioning and clamping functions.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for adjustably positioning an extremity or body part such as knees, hands, or feet for a surgical procedure comprising a carriage including a base adapted to engage a track for selective positioning there along, an arm configured to pivotably attach to the base, and a socket formed by the joining of the base and arm, the socket configured to accept a ball of an extremity holder. The apparatus further comprises a clamping assembly and an adjustable cross nut assembly. The adjustable cross nut assembly provides clocking and/or adjustable positioning of an internal thread start to provide optimal positioning of the handle that achieves the clamping effect, as the threads are subject to wear and plastic deformation due to use over time.