Hip Surgery End Effector Interface for Quick Instrument Exchange

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical approaches for bone preparation, trialing, and implant placement in total hip arthroplasty procedures have shortcomings, particularly in robotic and navigation-assisted surgeries.

Innovation Solution

An end effector with an adapter and connector system that limits at least two degrees of freedom of surgical instruments, allowing for quick and secure attachment and detachment to a robot arm, enabling precise manipulation and manual decoupling during THA procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If surgical instruments are rigidly fixed to the robot arm, then surgical precision is improved, but surgical flexibility and ease of instrument replacement deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical precisionVSAvoidsurgical flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The end effector is divided into multiple components: a main body that attaches to the robot arm, an adapter that interfaces with the surgical instrument, and a connector that joins them. This segmentation allows the surgical instrument to be detached and replaced while maintaining precise positioning through the structured connection interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connector allows the surgical instrument to transition between a fixed state (when connected for precision work) and a movable state (when detached for replacement). This dynamic capability enables the system to switch between precision and flexibility as needed during surgery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple surgical instruments are used during the procedure, then surgical versatility is improved, but instrument replacement time and risk of contamination increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstrument versatilityVSAvoidinstrument replacement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is pre-configured on the end effector main body with the connector ready for engagement. Surgical instruments can be pre-prepared and quickly exchanged by simply engaging/disengaging the connector, eliminating complex replacement procedures and reducing contamination risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the connection mechanism is simple for quick attachment, then ease of operation is improved, but connection stability and precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment easeVSAvoidconnection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter contains the connector within its structure, and the surgical instrument interfaces with the adapter. This nested arrangement allows a simple quick-connect interface while maintaining stable connections through the hierarchical structure that distributes mechanical loads across multiple contact points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP4696276A1End effector with instrument interface for hip procedure

Publication Date: 2026.02.18 GLOBUS MEDICAL INC

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AI summary

Various implementations include an end effector for a total hip arthroplasty (THA) procedure. An example end effector can include: an adapter for holding a surgical instrument, the adapter having an elongate body and a projection extending therefrom; a main body having: a proximal end including an interface for attaching to a robot arm; and a distal end including an elongate recess and a slot for connecting with the surgical instrument; and a connector adapted to secure the projection in the slot to securely attach the adapter to the main body.