Fixation Clamp with Detachable Actuation Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixation clamps in external fixation systems are cumbersome, difficult to handle, and lack clear indication of sterilization or usage status, leading to inefficiencies and potential contamination.
Innovation Solution
A fixation clamp with a pre-tensioning mechanism using a detachable actuation element that can be manually or tool-operated, featuring multiple jaw sizes for versatile rod and pin accommodation, and a design that prevents re-use to ensure sterilization and usage tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixation clamp uses multiple pairs of jaws to accommodate different sized rods and pins, then the versatility and adaptability of the clamp is improved, but the device complexity and handling difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation clamp is designed with two pairs of jaws (first and second pair) that can accommodate different sized rods and pins simultaneously. Each pair of jaws has reception cavities configured for specific rod diameters, allowing the single clamp to perform multiple functions and secure various fixation elements without requiring separate clamps for each size.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp body is divided into distinct jaw pairs with independent reception cavities, allowing each jaw pair to independently accommodate and secure different fixation elements. This segmentation enables versatile adaptability while maintaining a manageable structural organization that doesn't excessively complicate handling.
2Productivity
If a fixation clamp allows repeated use without sterilization indication, then productivity and efficiency are improved, but the reliability and safety due to potential contamination decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation element incorporates a color-coded indication system that changes or displays different colors to clearly indicate whether the clamp is sterile or has been used. This visual feedback mechanism allows surgical staff to immediately identify the sterilization status without complex procedures, maintaining both productivity through quick identification and reliability through contamination prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp provides immediate visual feedback through the color indication on the actuation element regarding its sterilization status. This feedback mechanism eliminates ambiguity about whether the clamp has been used, ensuring that sterile clamps are properly identified and used appropriately while maintaining surgical efficiency.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the actuation element is made detachable to indicate usage status, then the ability to detect and measure usage state is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detachable actuation element features color-coded indicators that provide immediate visual distinction between used and sterile clamps. When the actuation element is detached or removed, the color indication clearly shows the clamp's usage status, making detection trivial without requiring complex mechanical or electronic systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation element is designed to be detachable from the clamp body, allowing it to be removed after use. This extraction of the actuation element serves as a clear physical indicator that the clamp has been used, simplifying the detection of usage status while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fixation clamps are used to secure different rods and pins, then the adaptability is improved, but the quantity of components and time for assembly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation clamp is designed as a universal multi-functional device with two pairs of jaws that can accommodate different sized rods and pins within a single clamp body. This eliminates the need to use multiple separate clamps for different fixation elements, reducing both the quantity of components required and the time needed for assembly during surgical procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple jaw pairs and reception cavities for different rod sizes are merged into a single clamp body, allowing one clamp to perform the function of what would traditionally require multiple separate clamps. This consolidation reduces component quantity and simplifies assembly while maintaining full adaptability for securing various fixation elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A fixation clamp, more particularly for use in an external fixation system for holding bone fragments adjacent to each other with the help of fixation elements, has at least one clamping assembly having at least one reception opening to accommodate a fixation element along the longitudinal axis of the reception opening. At least one locking element extends through the clamping assembly which locking element provides a clamping force to clamp the fixation element upon tensioning the locking element. The fixation clamp further comprises an actuation element which is in connection with the locking element such that the locking element is actuateable by the actuation element, and the actuation element is designed such that it is detachable from the locking element after use and that remounting onto the locking element is prevented after having detached the actuation element from the locking element.