Medical Punch Tip Assembly for Toolless, Error-Resistant Tip Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
The attachment process of interchangeable punch tips on surgical instruments is complex and prone to errors, such as incorrect mounting or loss of parts, which complicates handling during medical interventions.
Innovation Solution
A toollessly inseparable connection between two tip parts of a medical punch tip, allowing simultaneous attachment and detachment from an actuation device, ensuring proper alignment and simplifying handling, cleaning, and sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate attachment steps are used for first and second tip parts, then flexibility in part replacement is improved, but device complexity and risk of incorrect mounting increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the attachment of the first tip part and second tip part into a single simultaneous attachment operation. The first tip part includes a first attachment portion that engages with the base body, while the second tip part includes a second attachment portion that engages with the slide, both occurring together in one action, thereby reducing the number of separate attachment steps and simplifying the overall attachment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The punch tip is segmented into multiple tip parts (first tip part with cutting plate, second tip part with cutter) that can be independently designed and manufactured, then assembled together. This segmentation allows for specialized optimization of each part while maintaining a simplified attachment process where all parts are attached simultaneously to their respective components.
2Ease of repair
If separate attachment steps are used for tip parts, then ease of cleaning and sterilization is improved, but time consumption and error risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the attachment and detachment operations for the first and second tip parts into a single simultaneous operation. Both tip parts are attached together in one action and can be detached together in one action, significantly reducing the time required compared to separate attachment steps, while maintaining the ability to clean and sterilize each part separately.
3Reliability
If toollessly inseparable connection is used, then reliability and prevention of part loss are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the first and second tip parts is designed to be self-servicing through the longitudinal displacement mechanism. The second tip part is mounted on the first tip part such that relative movement along the longitudinal axis automatically maintains the connection, eliminating the need for additional locking mechanisms or complex attachment systems to prevent part loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic connection where the second tip part can move longitudinally relative to the first tip part during operation, allowing for automatic engagement and disengagement without manual intervention. This dynamic mounting provides reliable connection during use while enabling simple detachment when needed, balancing reliability with operational simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical punch tip may include a first tip part and a second tip part which is longitudinally movably mounted on the first tip part. The second tip part is non-removably connected to the first tip part without tools.