Femoral Component Extractor With Threaded Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical instruments fail to effectively extract well-fixed femoral components from patients due to their smooth, polished surfaces and irregular geometry, leading to complications and extended recovery times, as existing tools slip on these surfaces and require additional invasive procedures like extended trochanteric osteotomy.
Innovation Solution
A surgical extractor with a body, lever, fulcrum, and strike plate, featuring a threaded surface for locking onto the femoral component, a clamping mechanism with a locking surface, and a stainless steel pin as a fulcrum, allowing for secure clamping and removal without slipping, even on irregularly shaped prosthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If vice-grip instruments are used to extract the femoral component, then the extraction process is simple, but the instrument slips on the polished smooth surfaces and cannot securely clamp the component
Solution Approach 1:
The extractor employs different surface characteristics at different locations: the clamping surfaces (jaws) have roughened or textured finishes to provide friction grip on the polished femoral component, while the body features a threaded surface for secure engagement with the component's irregular geometry. This local differentiation of surface properties allows the instrument to simultaneously achieve reliable clamping and secure fixation without slipping.
Solution Approach 2:
The extractor is designed with asymmetric geometric features including an irregularly shaped body that conforms to the specific contours of the femoral component, and jaws positioned at non-uniform locations. The threaded surface is oriented at specific angles relative to the component axis, creating an asymmetric engagement pattern that prevents slipping while maintaining operational simplicity during extraction.
2Reliability
If the femoral component is well-fixed within the femur, then the prosthesis provides firm security, but the extractor cannot remove the component without additional invasive procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The extractor is divided into functionally independent segments: a body portion that engages with the irregular geometry of the well-fixed prosthesis, lever arms that provide mechanical advantage for clamping, and a strike plate for controlled impact. This segmentation allows each component to address specific aspects of extraction, enabling removal of well-fixed prostheses through a coordinated mechanical action rather than requiring complex multi-step surgical procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The extractor incorporates dynamic elements including a movable lever that can be positioned at different angles during application, and a strike plate that can be impacted at controlled forces. The lever rotates about a fulcrum to convert small input forces into large clamping forces, and the entire assembly can be dynamically adjusted to accommodate the specific geometry of the well-fixed prosthesis, enabling extraction without additional invasive procedures.
3Reliability
If additional surgical procedures like extended trochanteric osteotomy are performed, then the femoral component can be removed, but patient recovery time is extended and complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The extractor is designed to be self-contained with all necessary functional elements integrated into a single instrument. The body engages the prosthesis, the lever provides mechanical advantage, and the strike plate delivers controlled impact—all within one device. This self-service design eliminates the need for multiple separate surgical procedures or additional invasive steps, allowing the femoral component to be removed through a single controlled extraction action that preserves surrounding bone and soft tissue, thereby reducing recovery time and complications.
4Reliability
If the femoral component has irregular geometric configuration, then the prosthesis can be securely implanted, but standard extraction tools cannot effectively clamp and remove the component
Solution Approach 1:
The extractor is designed with universal adaptability to handle various irregular geometries of femoral components. The body features a threaded surface that can engage with different angular orientations and contour shapes, while the lever system provides adjustable clamping pressure distributed across multiple contact points. This multi-functional design allows the same extractor to securely clamp and extract components with diverse irregular geometries, maintaining implant security while achieving effective removal without requiring geometry-specific tools.
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
Enables safe and efficient extraction of well-fixed femoral components without resorting to complex surgical procedures, reducing patient recovery time and minimizing complications by providing a secure grip on the polished and irregularly shaped femoral components.
Implementation Method 1
a threaded surface that cooperates with a threaded fastener to lock the extractor on the femoral component
Implementation Method 2
the lever extends through the lever opening and includes a clamping surface and a locking surface
Implementation Method 3
A surgical extractor with a body, lever, fulcrum, and strike plate, featuring a threaded surface for locking onto the femoral component, a clamping mechanism with a locking surface
Implementation Method 4
enables a surgeon to remove a well-fixed femoral component from a patient's femur without resorting to additional surgical procedures
Data Source
AI summary
Briefly, the invention herein is an extractor for clamping and extracting the femoral component from a patient's femur, comprising a body, a lever, a fulcrum, and a strike plate, wherein:(a) defined within the body is an opening for the lever and a threaded surface that cooperates with a threaded fastener to lock the extractor on the femoral component;(b) the lever extends through the lever opening and includes a clamping surface and a locking surface;(c) the locking surface cooperates with the threaded surface of the body to lock the lever in place;(d) the fulcrum comprises a stainless steel pin extending through the body and the lever; and(e) the strike plate is configured to receive the blows of a mallet.