Keyless Surgical Tool Shaft Coupling Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical instrument tool shaft coupling mechanisms require additional tools for connection and disconnection, posing a risk of tool loss during sterilization and unintentional unlocking during use, which complicates handling and increases patient safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A keyless coupling mechanism with a locking/unlocking element integrated into the tool shaft, featuring a latch portion and undercut design that secures the tool shaft to the handpiece without requiring external tools, minimizing the risk of unintentional detachment and enhancing user safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a coupling tool or key is used to connect the tool shaft to the handpiece, then the connection can be securely established, but the user must handle additional parts which increases the risk of tool loss during sterilization and unintentional unlocking during use
Solution Approach 1:
The locking/unlocking element is integrated directly into the tool shaft, merging the coupling tool function with the tool shaft itself. This eliminates the need for separate coupling tools while maintaining secure connection through the latch portion that engages with the undercut on the shaft receptacle
Solution Approach 2:
The locking/unlocking element is positioned on the tool shaft outside the holding area of the handpiece, extracting it from the potential hazard zone where the surgeon's hand contacts the handpiece during use, thereby preventing unintentional activation
2Ease of operation
If a locking/unlocking element is arranged on the handpiece, then tool-free connection is enabled, but the element is located in the surgeon's holding area which creates risk of unintentional unlocking during surgical use
Solution Approach 1:
The locking/unlocking element is extracted from the handpiece and relocated to the tool shaft, specifically positioned outside the holding area where the surgeon's hand contacts the instrument during use, thereby eliminating the risk of unintentional activation while preserving tool-free operation
3Reliability
If a coupling tool is used for connection, then secure coupling is achieved, but the coupling tool may be lost during sterilization or assigned to the wrong sieve
Solution Approach 1:
The locking/unlocking element is merged with the tool shaft as an integral component, eliminating the separate coupling tool entirely. The tool shaft itself becomes self-sufficient for both connection and disconnection operations through its integrated latch mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling tool function is extracted from the sterilization process entirely by integrating it into the tool shaft, which remains with the surgical instrument throughout sterilization and cannot be lost or misplaced
Data Source
AI summary
A keyless coupling for a tool shaft and a handpiece of a surgical instrument having a first coupling section, which is provided on a proximal section of the tool shaft, a second coupling section, which is provided on a distal section of a shaft holder of the handpiece, and a locking/unlocking element. The locking/unlocking element is arranged on the tool shaft and forms a latching section, and the shaft holder has an undercut for receiving the latching section in a locking position of the two coupling sections such that the latching section and the undercut are in latching engagement with one another and secure the two coupling sections against a relative axial movement with respect to one another at least in the pulling direction.