Double Offset Surgical Handle Linkage for Tight Space Maneuverability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical tool handles are difficult to clean and sterilize, posing a risk of disease transmission, and are challenging to use in minimally invasive procedures due to limited access and tool orientation issues, which complicates the insertion and positioning of prosthetic implants.
Innovation Solution
A surgical tool handle with a linkage chamber and pivotable connections that allows for partial disassembly for cleaning and sterilization, featuring a housing with a radiused region and pivotable linkage components to facilitate secure attachment of surgical tools, enabling optimal positioning and maneuverability in tight spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If surgical tool handles are designed with complex structures to enable adjustment and positioning, then the functionality and adaptability are improved, but the ease of cleaning and sterilization deteriorates due to crevices and recesses
Solution Approach 1:
The handle assembly is divided into separable components including a handle body, tool linkage, and tool head that can be partially disassembled. This segmentation allows each component to be cleaned and sterilized independently, removing the crevices and recesses problem while maintaining the complex adjustable functionality when reassembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle incorporates dynamic elements such as pivotable connections and adjustable linkages that allow the structure to change configuration. These dynamic features enable the handle to adapt to different surgical tools and positioning requirements while the ability to disassemble maintains cleanability.
2Ease of operation
If surgical tool handles are made compact for minimally invasive procedures, then the ease of operation in tight spaces is improved, but the ease of cleaning and sterilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The compact handle is designed with separable components that can be partially disassembled for sterilization. The segmented structure maintains compactness during use for maneuverability in tight surgical spaces while allowing access to all surfaces for cleaning when disassembled.
3Stability of the object's composition
If surgical tool handles are designed with fixed positioning mechanisms, then the stability during insertion is improved, but the ease of operation for adjustment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The handle employs dynamic positioning mechanisms with pivotable connections and adjustable linkages that allow easy repositioning before insertion. Once positioned, the mechanism provides stable fixation during insertion and use, combining ease of adjustment with position stability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If surgical tool handles are designed with multiple components for adjustability, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple adjustment functions are merged into an integrated linkage system within the handle. The tool linkage combines pivotable connections, linkages, and positioning mechanisms into a unified structure that provides extensive adjustability without requiring numerous separate components, reducing overall complexity while maintaining versatility.
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical tool handle for releasable connection to a surgical tool is described. The tool handle comprises a housing providing a linkage chamber extending from a proximal housing grip end to a distal housing tool end for receiving a surgical tool. A tool linkage is partially housed within the housing linkage chamber comprising an axial handle region extending along axis A-A and a radiused housing region curving about a focal point. That way, a locking pawl of the tool linkage changes planes from its proximal end to a distal extending hook end. This provides a relatively short connection to a surgical tool that is optimum in the tight space requirements of a minimally invasive hip surgery.