Surgical Instrument Coupling With Toggle-Free Navigation Array Locking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical instrument navigation systems face challenges with precision due to cumbersome and imprecise coupling mechanisms between instruments and navigation arrays, often requiring multiple steps, additional tools, and allowing movement between the instrument and array, which reduces navigation accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A coupling device with a housing and clamp mechanism that automatically locks instruments into place with a single step insertion, minimizing movement and eliminating the need for extra tools, featuring a slider and ejector system that translates the clamp radially inward to secure the instrument within the coupling device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional ring-type coupling is used to attach the navigation array to the instrument, then the array can be interchangeably attached with instruments, but the instrument can toggle relative to the array, introducing navigation error

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterchangeable attachment capabilityVSAvoidnavigation precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling device employs a dynamic clamping mechanism where the clamp can transition between open and closed states. The spring-loaded clamping elements dynamically adjust to grip the instrument shaft, providing secure attachment while maintaining the ability to quickly release and reattach the array to different instruments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling device acts as an intermediary component between the navigation array and the instrument shaft. It features a clamp with clamping elements that engage the instrument shaft, while the housing receives the navigation array, thereby mediating the connection and eliminating direct toggling between the array and instrument

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the navigation array is welded to the instrument or integrally-formed with the instrument, then relatively high precision can be achieved, but the capability to remove the array from the instrument or to attach the array to other instruments is lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation precisionVSAvoidarray removal and reattachment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into three distinct components: the navigation array, the coupling device, and the instrument shaft. This segmentation allows the array to be separated from the instrument while maintaining a precise connection interface through the coupling device, enabling both high precision and interchangeability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling device is designed as a universal interface that can accommodate different instrument shafts while maintaining consistent precision for the navigation array. The standardized clamp mechanism allows the same coupling device to work with multiple instruments, providing multi-functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If modular systems are used to allow the navigation array to be interchangeably attached with instruments, then the capability to remove and reattach the array is provided, but the systems are cumbersome to use, often requiring two hands, numerous steps, and/or additional tools

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterchangeable attachment capabilityVSAvoidoperation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling device merges the attachment and release functions into a single integrated mechanism. The clamp with spring-loaded clamping elements combines the gripping action and the release capability in one component, allowing the user to attach or detach the navigation array with a single hand motion without requiring additional tools or multiple steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If modular systems are used to allow the navigation array to be interchangeably attached with instruments, then the capability to remove and reattach the array is provided, but considerable play between the instrument and the array can reduce the precision of the navigation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterchangeable attachment capabilityVSAvoidconnection precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling device applies local quality by concentrating the clamping force at specific points through the clamping elements that contact the instrument shaft. The conical surface and flange geometry are specifically designed to localize the gripping action, eliminating play in the connection while maintaining overall precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11117197B2Instrument couplings and related methods

Publication Date: 2021.09.14 MEDOS INT SARL

AI summary

Instrument couplings and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for coupling a surgical instrument to a navigation array or other component. The coupling can reduce or eliminate movement between the instrument and the navigation array, improving navigation precision. The coupling can be quick and easy to use, reducing or eliminating the need for extra steps or additional tools to attach or detach the instrument from the coupling. In some embodiments, the single step of inserting an instrument into the coupling can automatically lock the instrument within the coupling in a toggle-free manner.