Surgical Impactor Anti-Rotation Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical impactors for securing orthopaedic implants to bone surfaces lack efficient alignment and anti-rotation features, leading to uneven force transmission and potential misalignment during implantation.
Innovation Solution
A surgical impactor assembly with a universal quick-release connector and an impactor head featuring a cavity with concentric cylindrical walls, anti-rotation feature, and impaction surfaces that align with the tibial component's spine and bearing surfaces, preventing rotation and ensuring even force distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional impactors are used without alignment features, then the device structure remains simple, but misalignment and uneven force transmission occur during implantation
Solution Approach 1:
The impactor head includes alignment features (such as a projection extending from the impactor head that aligns with a groove in the implant, or a cavity that receives a projection from the implant) that are prepared in advance to guide the impactor into the correct position before impact, ensuring proper alignment without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms during the procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment features act as intermediary elements between the impactor and the implant, providing a mechanical interface that ensures correct positioning. The projection and groove or cavity and projection combinations serve as mediating structures that guide alignment and prevent misalignment during the impactor's engagement with the implant
2Stability of the object's composition
If impactors lack anti-rotation features, then the device design remains simple, but rotation during impact can occur leading to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-rotation features utilize asymmetric geometry where the projection on the impactor head fits into a corresponding groove in the implant, or the cavity on the impactor head receives a projection from the implant with specific angular orientation. This asymmetric configuration prevents rotation by ensuring that the components can only engage in one specific rotational position, providing inherent anti-rotation capability without requiring additional active mechanisms
3Adaptability or versatility
If the impactor head is permanently attached to the shaft, then the structure is simpler, but different end pieces cannot be used for different implant types
Solution Approach 1:
The impactor is divided into separate modular components: a shaft and interchangeable end pieces (including different impactor heads). The quick-release connector allows these segments to be easily assembled and disassembled, enabling the use of different end pieces for different implant types while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through standardized connection interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The quick-release connector provides a dynamic attachment system that allows the end piece to be quickly attached and detached from the shaft during the procedure. This dynamic connection mechanism enables adaptability and versatility by allowing surgeons to switch between different end pieces as needed, while the connector design keeps the added complexity minimal through straightforward engagement and disengagement features
Data Source
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AI summary
An impactor (39) for use in securing an orthopaedic implant (36) within a bone surface includes a shaft (40) having a first end (44) adapted to be impacted by a tool. The impactor further includes a head (50) having a first end (74) and a second end (100), in which the first end of the head is connected to the second end of the shaft and a second end of the head includes an impaction surface (106). The head further includes an anti-rotation projection (104) extending from the impaction surface and adapted for insertion within a groove (200) formed by the implant to prevent rotation of the head and shaft when the head is in contact with the implant.