Disposable Intervertebral Implant Gripper With External Cam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intervertebral implant gripping instruments have complex architectures and require intricate movements, making it difficult to easily remove or replace the clamp and complicating the surgical process, especially since the clamp is often integral to the handling utensil.
Innovation Solution
A gripper with articulated arms featuring external cam surfaces and locking profiles allows for easy separation from the handling utensil, enabling a simple configuration where the clamp can be used as a disposable accessory with the intervertebral implant, and a manipulation utensil with a sliding rod that moves the jaws between open and closed positions using a single contact member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the clamp is made integral to the handling utensil, then the structural strength is improved, but the device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate components: a reusable handling utensil and a disposable clamp assembly. The clamp can be easily attached to and removed from the handling utensil, allowing the complex gripping function to be separated from the manipulation function. This segmentation reduces overall device complexity while maintaining structural integrity of each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp is designed as a disposable component that can be packaged sterile with the implant. After single use, the clamp is discarded, eliminating the need for complex cleaning, sterilization, and maintenance procedures for the gripping mechanism. This approach reduces device complexity and improves ease of operation while maintaining sufficient structural strength for the intended purpose.
2Reliability
If the clamp configuration is made complex to ensure secure gripping, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of manufacture and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The complex gripping mechanism is extracted into a separate, pre-manufactured clamp assembly that can be sterilized and packaged with the implant. The handling utensil retains only the simple function of holding and positioning the clamp. This extraction allows the gripping mechanism to be optimized for reliability without complicating the manufacturing of the handling utensil.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp is pre-configured and pre-sterilized separately before being attached to the handling utensil in the operating room. This preliminary preparation allows the clamp to be manufactured with complex gripping features under controlled conditions, while the handling utensil remains simple and easy to manufacture. The assembly is performed quickly during surgery, minimizing operational complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the clamp is made disposable and separable, then the ease of operation and productivity are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable clamp is merged with the implant packaging to form a single sterile unit. This combination eliminates the need for separate sterilization procedures and simplifies the preparation process. The handling utensil is designed with a simple attachment mechanism that quickly connects to the pre-packaged clamp-implant assembly, reducing operational steps despite the separable design.
Solution Approach 2:
The handling utensil is designed with universal attachment features that can accommodate different clamp configurations. The standardized connection interface allows the same handling utensil to work with various disposable clamp designs, reducing the need for multiple specialized tools. This universality manages device complexity by creating a platform that supports multiple applications.
4Ease of operation
If the movement mechanism is simplified to unidirectional sliding, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of bidirectional control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a complex bidirectional control mechanism, the design inverts the approach by using a unidirectional sliding motion that automatically achieves the desired bidirectional jaw movement through cam surface geometry. The cam surfaces are shaped so that single-directional rod movement produces both jaw closure and jaw opening sequences, eliminating the need for reverse movement control while maintaining full functionality.
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
This design simplifies the operation of the insertion instrumentation, allows for the clamp to be packaged with the implant as a sterile kit, and facilitates the placement and removal of the intervertebral implant between vertebrae with unidirectional movement, reducing the complexity of the surgical process.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the two arms comprising a surface of cam for constraining the jaws in the open position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3d
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Forceps (1) for gripping an intervertebral implant (2), comprising two rigid arms (11) articulated with respect to each other in the area of a connection member (10), the two arms (11) defining between them an internal space (120), each arm (11) forming a jaw (17), the two jaws (17) being intended to engage with an intervertebral implant (2), the jaws (17) being movable between an open position and a closed position in which they are locked in engagement with the implant (2), at least one of the two arms (11) comprising a cam surface (16) for forcing the jaws (17) into the open position, characterized in that the cam surface (16) extends outside the internal space (120) defined between the arms (11). The present invention also relates to an implantation kit and to an implantation assembly comprising said gripping forceps and an intervertebral implant.