Modular Gantry Bracket for Hand Surgery Instrument Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical equipment for hand surgery is cramped and inflexible, failing to accommodate modern procedures that require numerous instruments and bulky imaging devices, and is not ergonomically designed to adapt to changing operating procedures or patient comfort.

Innovation Solution

A modular hand surgery equipment featuring a bracket with a mast, crank arm, and adjustable crosspieces that can be fixed to an operating table or an independent auxiliary table, allowing for flexible positioning of the patient's arm and supporting instruments, with interchangeable extensions for varying table dimensions and sterilizable tubular sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional operating table accessories are used, then the equipment is simple and easy to manufacture, but the equipment is cramped and inflexible, failing to accommodate modern surgical procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to modern surgical proceduresVSAvoidequipment structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical equipment is divided into modular components including a gantry system with mast, crank arm, and crossbar that can be independently positioned and configured. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for specific functions while maintaining overall system flexibility to accommodate various surgical instruments and imaging devices without requiring complete system replacement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gantry system with its adjustable mast and crossbar is designed to perform multiple functions: supporting surgical instruments, mounting imaging equipment, and providing structural framework. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated equipment for each surgical requirement, thereby increasing adaptability while controlling complexity through integrated design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If the patient is moved from stretcher to operating table for hand surgery, then the surgical procedure can be performed, but the patient experiences reduced comfort and the process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient comfort and procedural simplicityVSAvoidequipment configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the operating table with the gantry support system by fixing the gantry directly to the operating table structure. This integration creates a unified equipment system that provides both patient support and instrument mounting capabilities, thereby simplifying the overall setup and reducing the need for separate equipment pieces while maintaining patient comfort

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the mast is positioned far from the patient's armpit, then the equipment has more space for instruments, but the surgeon has difficulty preparing and operating on the patient's limb

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgeon accessibility to patient's limbVSAvoidavailable space for instruments
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The equipment utilizes vertical space through the height-adjustable mast and overhead crossbar positioning, rather than only horizontal space. This vertical dimension allows the mast to be positioned close to the patient's armpit for optimal surgeon accessibility, while instruments and equipment are mounted on the crossbar above, effectively separating the surgeon's working space from the instrument storage space in the vertical dimension

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3373884B1Equipment for hand surgery
Publication Date: 2020.09.23 LAMARRE HERVE
  • EP3373884B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3373884B1 patent drawingFigure 4~7

AI summary

The invention concerns a piece of equipment for hand surgery characterised in that it comprises a bracket (6) comprising a mast (6a), a mast base (6b) parallel to and offset from the axis of the mast and connected to the latter by a crank arm (8), a means (7) for attaching said mast base to a fixed support (3) supporting an arm of the patient to be operated on, the mast (6a) being able to assume, in said means, at least two positions symmetrical with respect to the axis of the base (6b), and an upper cross-member (9) contained in the plane defined by the mast (6a) and the base (6b) and comprising at least one portion overhanging the crank arm (8).