Jointed Surgical Instrument Assembly for Non-Magnetic Low-Friction Pivoting
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for surgical tools that do not interact with magnetic fields, are easy to clean and ergonomic to use, and have a longevity and feel comparable to metallic tools, while also requiring methods for manufacturing such tools.
Innovation Solution
A surgical tool comprising a plurality of arms with an elongate pin and a bearing plate, where the pin forms an interference fit with the bearing plate to pivotally mount the arms, allowing for free rotation and reducing friction, and the tool is made from non-conductive polymers like glass-filled or carbon-filled polymers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metallic tools are used in surgery, then the tools have good mechanical strength and durability, but they interfere with the accurate detection of magnetic markers
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical tool uses composite materials consisting of polymer matrix reinforced with glass fibres or carbon fibres. This composite structure provides sufficient mechanical strength and rigidity for surgical use while maintaining non-magnetic properties that do not interfere with magnetic marker detection. The composite material thus resolves the contradiction between detection accuracy and mechanical strength.
2Reliability
If tools are made from non-metallic materials to avoid magnetic interference, then magnetic marker detection is accurate, but the tools may have reduced mechanical strength and durability
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer composite materials with glass or carbon fibre reinforcement provide enhanced mechanical properties including tensile strength, compressive strength, and fatigue resistance. These improved mechanical properties ensure the tool maintains its structural integrity and functionality throughout its service life, thereby ensuring tool longevity while maintaining non-magnetic properties for accurate detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool design incorporates local reinforcement strategies where composite material layers or fibre orientations are optimized in specific regions to enhance strength and durability where needed, while maintaining the non-magnetic polymer composition in areas where detection accuracy is critical. This localized optimization resolves the contradiction between longevity and detection accuracy.
3Ease of manufacture
If tools are designed to be reusable for economic and environmental benefits, then cost-effectiveness improves, but sterilization complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer composite materials are selected and formulated to withstand repeated exposure to high-temperature autoclaving (typically 121°C or 134°C) and chemical sterilization processes without degrading. The material parameters such as glass transition temperature, thermal stability, and chemical resistance are optimized to ensure the tool can be sterilized multiple times while maintaining its mechanical properties and non-magnetic characteristics, thus enabling reusable design with simplified sterilization protocols.
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 solution provides a low-friction, reliable, and ergonomic surgical tool that is easy to sterilize and does not interfere with magnetic markers, offering improved longevity and performance comparable to metallic tools.
Implementation Method 1
the end portion comprises a deformed region, deformed such that the pin forms an interference fit with the bearing plate
Implementation Method 2
pivotally mounting the plurality of arms relative to each other such that at least one of plurality of arms can freely rotate about the elongate pin
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical tool (1) comprising: a plurality of arms (2), each of the plurality of arms comprises an aperture; an elongate pin extending through the aperture of each of the plurality of arms, said elongate pin (8) comprising an end stop (10) at a first end of the elongate pin, said stop (10) being adjacent to the aperture of a first arm (3) of the plurality of arms (2), and an end portion at a second end of the elongate pin, said end portion extending beyond a second arm (4) of the plurality of arms; a bearing plate mounted onto said end portion of the pin directly adjacent to the aperture of the second arm (4), wherein the end portion comprises a deformed region, deformed such that the pin (8) forms an interference fit with the bearing plate. Also provided is a method (400) of manufacturing said surgical tool.