Ergonomic Intramedullary Nail Tool with Multi-Handle Collet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tools for manipulating orthopedic implants, such as intramedullary nails, lack ergonomic designs and securement mechanisms that allow for easy handling and orientation changes during surgical procedures, leading to potential instability and difficulty in maintaining precise control.
Innovation Solution
A tool with multiple ergonomic handles and a collet system that allows for secure frictional grasping of implants, featuring adjustable orientations and a multi-position release mechanism to ensure securement and easy removal, while incorporating safety features to prevent inadvertent release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current tools for manipulating orthopedic implants are used, then the tools can perform basic manipulation functions, but they lack ergonomic designs and securement mechanisms leading to potential instability and difficulty in maintaining precise control
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is divided into multiple handles (first handle and second handle) that can be selectively used, allowing the user to switch between different grip orientations while maintaining secure control of the implant throughout the procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The tool incorporates a multi-position release mechanism that allows dynamic adjustment between secured and released states, enabling easy removal of the collet when needed while maintaining secure grip during manipulation
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single handle design is used, then the tool structure is simple, but it limits hand and wrist orientations for the user during surgical procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The tool features multiple handles (first handle with first ergonomic configuration and second handle with second ergonomic configuration) that can both be used to manipulate the implant, providing universal functionality across different surgical scenarios and user preferences
3Reliability
If a securement mechanism is added to the tool, then the implant can be held securely, but the removal process becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-position release mechanism allows the collet to be easily removed when needed by actuating the release mechanism, while maintaining secure grip during manipulation through the same mechanism, providing dynamic adaptability between secured and released states
4Reliability
If safety features are incorporated to prevent inadvertent release, then the security of the implant is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retention mechanism includes a retention member that automatically engages with a retaining feature on the collet, providing self-service safety functionality that prevents inadvertent release without requiring complex external control systems
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The tool provides a secure, ergonomic, and adjustable means for manipulating orthopedic implants, ensuring stable and precise control during surgical procedures, with features that accommodate various implant configurations and orientations, enhancing surgical efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a collet having an elastically compressible section proximate internal channel for frictional coupling to a portion of an intramedullary nail
Data Source
AI summary
A tool for manipulating the position of an implantable medical device. In some embodiments the tool includes a readily releasable grasping feature that securely couples the implant to the tool while the implant is being manipulated. Preferably, the user can simply release the implant from the tool. The tool in other embodiments includes an internal pathway for accommodating non-linear implants, such as curved rods, wires, or nails. In yet other embodiments the tool has multiple handles, each handle being adapted and configured to permit manipulation of the implant in a single predetermined orientation, but with alternative handles for grasping in different hand orientations. Still further embodiments pertain to a kit having a tool and a plurality of collets, each collet being adapted and configured to grasp a different size of implant, but each collet having identical tool coupling features such that any collet in the kit can be used with the single tool. Still further, yet other embodiments pertain to tools having quick release mechanisms for the acceptance or removal of a collet, and some include external features for preventing inadvertent release of the collet when coupled to an implant.