Dial-Driven Transmission Assembly for Customized Surgical Exposure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical access systems require multiple inputs to actuate components in multiple directions or shift the anchor point, making it difficult for surgeons to create a reproducible, customized exposure to the target surgical site efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The assembly includes a dial, a shaft, a drive gear, and a system of linking members that rotate based on the drive gear's rotation, allowing for customizable exposure by selecting positions corresponding to different linking members using a linking member selector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple inputs are used to actuate components in multiple directions, then the surgical access system can achieve customized exposure to the target site, but the operation becomes more complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple linking members (first linking member for radial movement, second linking member for axial movement, third linking member for angular adjustment) into a single integrated assembly that can be controlled by one operator. This merging of multiple actuation functions into one unified structure allows customized exposure capability while reducing operational complexity, as the operator controls all adjustments through a single coordinated assembly rather than managing separate inputs independently
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple inputs are used to actuate components in multiple directions, then the surgical access system can achieve customized exposure to the target site, but the surgical procedure takes more time
Solution Approach 1:
The linking member assembly is pre-configured with all necessary components (linking members, gears, selectors) before the surgical procedure begins. The first linking member is preliminarily positioned to enable radial movement, the second for axial movement, and the third for angular adjustment. This preliminary configuration allows the operator to quickly achieve customized exposure during surgery without time-consuming assembly or adjustment of separate components, thereby improving surgical efficiency while maintaining adaptability
3Ease of operation
If a single assembly controls multiple linking members, then the operation becomes simpler and faster, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control functions within the single assembly by assigning specific linking members to specific adjustment functions: the first linking member handles radial movement control, the second linking member handles axial movement control, and the third linking member handles angular adjustment control. This functional segmentation within the unified assembly simplifies operation by providing dedicated control for each degree of freedom while organizing the complexity into manageable, functionally-distinct components rather than a monolithic structure
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly comprising a drive gear coupled to a shaft and a dial. The drive gear is configured to rotate along a first axis based on movement of the dial. The assembly includes a first linking member located along a second axis and configured to rotate about the second axis based on contact with the drive gear as the drive gear is rotated. The assembly includes a second linking member located along the second axis and configured to rotate about the second axis based on rotation of the drive gear and a coupling between the first linking member and the second linking member. The assembly includes a linking member selector configured to rotate about the first axis and for selecting at least a position corresponding to the first linking member that causes the coupling between the first linking member and the second linking member.