Handheld Medical Drive Unit Kick-Back Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical drive units for surgical procedures, especially in orthopedics and trauma surgery, lack effective torque limitation mechanisms, leading to uncontrolled movements and potential injuries due to varying user strengths and changing application conditions, with existing solutions requiring manual adjustments and being difficult to implement.
Innovation Solution
A handheld medical drive unit equipped with a sensor device, such as an inertial sensor and gyroscope, that detects user movements and adjusts torque in real-time using a kick-back control system, automatically reducing power or switching off the motor when excessive torque is detected, allowing for adaptive torque limitation without pre-configured settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pre-set maximum torque is used for torque limitation, then the drive unit can be operated with a fixed safety margin, but the torque cannot adapt to changing conditions during use and different user strengths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static pre-set torque limitation to a dynamic torque limitation that adapts in real-time. The control device continuously monitors current consumption and adjusts the maximum permissible torque during operation based on actual load conditions and user strength, allowing the system to respond to changing conditions without requiring manual reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the control device to monitor current consumption from the motor and adjust the torque limitation accordingly. The system measures the actual current draw and uses this information to dynamically set the maximum permissible torque, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to varying load conditions and user capabilities throughout the surgical procedure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the maximum torque is set high to accommodate stronger users, then more users can operate the drive unit, but weaker users may lose control and cause uncontrolled movements
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the torque limitation during operation based on the actual current consumption. When a weaker user operates the drive unit, the system detects the lower current draw capability and automatically reduces the maximum permissible torque to match the user's strength, preventing uncontrolled movements while still allowing stronger users to operate the device at higher torque levels when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive unit performs self-adjustment by automatically monitoring its own current consumption and adjusting the torque limitation without external intervention. The control device uses the current draw information to autonomously determine the appropriate torque limit for the current user, eliminating the need for manual torque setting or user assessment.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the maximum torque is reset for each user to ensure safety, then uncontrolled movements are prevented, but the process becomes time-consuming and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates the need for manual torque resetting by implementing continuous feedback through current monitoring. The control device automatically adjusts the torque limitation based on real-time current consumption data, providing safety adaptation for each user without requiring manual intervention or time-consuming reset procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive unit performs automatic torque adaptation for each user through self-monitoring of current consumption. The system autonomously adjusts the maximum permissible torque based on the detected user capability, eliminating the need for manual reset operations and ensuring continuous safety without time loss.
4Measurement precision
If torque limitation is implemented based on current increase over time, then a maximum torque can be detected, but no direct detection of tool blocking or uncontrolled drive unit movement is achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from current consumption monitoring to detect not only torque limits but also abnormal conditions such as tool blocking. The control device analyzes current draw patterns and can identify when the tool becomes blocked or when uncontrolled movements occur, providing direct detection of these critical events through the same current sensing mechanism.
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
This solution ensures safer operation by dynamically adjusting torque based on user input and application conditions, preventing uncontrolled movements and injuries, while simplifying the handling process and reducing the need for multiple torque settings for different users.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor device (3) for directly or indirectly detecting or determining a movement of the drive unit (1) or a holding movement of a user
Implementation Method 2
a sensor device, such as an inertial sensor and gyroscope
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A handheld medical drive unit is proposed for holding and rotating a medical, preferably surgical, instrument by means of a motor, preferably an electric motor, housed within the drive unit, which can be operated via a control device. According to the invention, such a handheld medical drive unit comprises a sensor device for directly or indirectly detecting or determining a movement of the drive unit or a holding movement by a user, which is triggered by the motor according to its power output to the instrument, and a kickback control that automatically reduces the drive power or switches off the motor upon detection of a predetermined drive unit or holding movement or a predetermined amount of such movement.