Disposable Surgical Handle with Sizing Cavities

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current orthopedic surgical instruments for radial head replacement are costly due to material and manufacturing expenses, and require complex sterilization processes, while also necessitating multiple instruments for precise sizing and alignment, which complicates efficient and accurate surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

A single-use, disposable handle with an elongate body featuring a cylindrical bore for receiving a surgical instrument, a quick-release button, and multiple spherical cavities of varying sizes for accommodating orthopedic implants, made from biocompatible materials to facilitate efficient and precise radial head replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional orthopedic surgical instruments are used, then functional performance is achieved, but material and manufacturing costs are high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional performanceVSAvoidmaterial and manufacturing costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical instrument is divided into two separate components: a reusable functional tip (broach, reamer, or implant) and a disposable handle. The handle contains all non-essential functions (sizing cavities, attachment mechanisms, alignment features), allowing the expensive functional tip to be reused while the handle is discarded after single use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The handle is designed as a disposable component made from inexpensive materials that can be discarded after a single use, eliminating the need for costly sterilization processes and allowing the expensive functional tips to be reused across multiple procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If traditional orthopedic surgical instruments are used, then surgical procedures can be performed, but sterilization costs and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical capabilityVSAvoidsterilization costs and complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is designed as a single-use disposable component that is discarded after one surgical procedure, completely eliminating the need for sterilization processes. This reduces sterilization costs and complexity while maintaining surgical capability through the reusable functional tip.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Measurement precision

If multiple separate instruments are used for sizing and alignment, then precise implant selection is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant sizing accuracyVSAvoidnumber of instruments required

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple sizing cavities and alignment features that would traditionally require separate instruments are merged into a single integrated handle. The handle contains a series of spherical cavities of varying diameters for size selection, along with alignment features, all in one device that attaches to the functional tip.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The handle is designed as a universal multi-functional device that can accommodate different functional tips (broaches, reamers, implants) while providing sizing, alignment, and attachment functions all in one component, reducing the need for multiple specialized instruments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If multiple separate instruments are used for the procedure, then specific functions are achieved, but surgical efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional capabilityVSAvoidsurgical efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functions (sizing, alignment, attachment, implant delivery) that previously required multiple separate instruments are merged into a single handle, allowing the surgeon to perform all these functions sequentially without changing instruments, thereby improving surgical efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11147542B2Surgical instrument handle with implant sizing feature and method of using

Publication Date: 2021.10.19 SYNTHES GMBH

AI summary

A single-use handle is disclosed for releasably engaging an orthopedic device. The handle includes an elongate body that has a first portion that, in turn, defines a connection end adapted for connection to an upper end portion of a broach. The handle includes a second end portion adapted to be griped by a user. The handle further includes a cylindrical bore at the connection end. The bore is configured to receive a corresponding male portion of a surgical instrument. The handle further includes a button that is adapted to releasably connect the instrument in the bore. The handle further includes a plurality of sizing cavities that have a predetermined size and shape that corresponds to the size and shape of an orthopedic implant. The handle is of a biocompatible, disposable material.