Elastic Deformable Wall for Reamer Holder Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical reamer holders for bone cavity preparation in hip prosthesis implantation are complex, costly, difficult to miniaturize, and pose challenges in cleaning and sterilization due to movable elements, which can lead to contamination and prolonged surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

A reamer holder with an elastically deformable wall that allows for snap-fit locking and unlocking of radial rods without the need for axial movement, simplifying assembly, reducing complexity, and ensuring all parts are accessible for cleaning and sterilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple moving elements (lugs and housings) are used to lock the reamer, then the reamer can be securely locked in the holder, but the device complexity increases and production costs rise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the movable lug elements and their housings from the locking mechanism, replacing them with a simple elastic deformable wall that forms bayonet notches directly in the holder body. This eliminates multiple separate moving parts while maintaining secure locking through the elastic deformation and snap-fit action of the wall.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the locking function into the holder body itself by forming the bayonet notches directly in the elastic deformable wall of the holder, rather than using separate lugs and housings. This integration simplifies the overall structure while preserving the locking capability through the elastic wall's deformation characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple moving elements (lugs and housings) are used to lock the reamer, then the reamer can be securely locked in the holder, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the complex assembly of multiple lugs and housings, replacing them with a single elastic deformable wall structure that provides equivalent locking functionality. This reduction in part count directly lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining secure locking through the elastic snap-fit mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state of the locking structure from rigid movable elements to an elastic deformable wall. This parameter change allows the locking mechanism to be formed as an integral part of the holder body, simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs while maintaining reliable locking through elastic deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Volume of moving object

If the reamer holder is miniaturized for minimally invasive surgery, then patient benefit increases, but the locking mechanism becomes more difficult to implement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholder sizeVSAvoidlocking mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the bulky movable lugs and housings that would complicate miniaturization, replacing them with a compact elastic deformable wall that can be easily scaled down. This extraction of unnecessary elements enables holder miniaturization while maintaining effective locking through the space-efficient bayonet notch design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from rigid locking elements to an elastic deformable wall, allowing the entire locking mechanism to be scaled down proportionally with the holder. The elastic properties enable reliable locking even in miniaturized dimensions, facilitating minimally invasive surgical applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If movable elements (lugs in housings) are present in the reamer holder, then locking functionality is achieved, but cleaning and sterilization become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking functionalityVSAvoidcleaning accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the lugs and their housings that create cleaning difficulties, replacing them with a simple elastic deformable wall with bayonet notches formed directly in the holder body. This elimination of enclosed spaces and moving parts allows complete accessibility for cleaning and sterilization while maintaining locking functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the locking function into the holder body's elastic wall, eliminating separate movable components that would trap debris. This integration ensures all surfaces are accessible for thorough cleaning and sterilization, reducing contamination risks while preserving secure reamer locking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The solution enables rapid and secure coupling of reamers, reduces surgical time, facilitates easy cleaning and sterilization, and allows for reduced dimensions suitable for minimally invasive procedures, minimizing contamination risks and production costs.

Implementation Method 1

the locking means comprise an elastically deformable wall designed to occupy a position deformed adapted to allow passage of the radial rod from the insertion portion to the retaining portion, and a rest position to snap-fit the radial rod into the retaining portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2571430B1Reamer holder for cotyloid cavity
Publication Date: 2014.12.31 SOC DETUD RECH & CONSTR ELECTRONIQUES SERCEL
  • EP2571430B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a drill holder (3) designed to cooperate with a surgical drill (2) and provided with a drill holder head (7) having a crown (8) in which there are notches (10) forming bayonet catches that are each designed to receive a radial rod (5) of the surgical drill (2), each notch (10) having in succession an insertion portion (11), designed for introducing the radial rod (5), and a retention portion (12), designed for immobilizing the radial rod (5) on a longitudinal axis (A), the drill holder (3) having means for blocking the radial rod (5) in the retention portion (12), having an elastically deformable wall (13) designed to occupy a deformed position, allowing the passage of the radial rod (5) from the insertion portion (11) to the retention portion (12), and a rest position, designed to block the radial rod (5) in the retention portion (12).