Modular Medical Tool Connector with Lever Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular surgical instruments face challenges with weak connections between tool bodies and interchangeable components, leading to unreliable and difficult-to-assemble designs that result in excessive play and toggle during use.
Innovation Solution
A modular medical tool with a strong, axially aligned connector system featuring a female receptacle on the tool body and a complementary male member on the end effector, secured by a selectively engageable locking mechanism with a lever arm and claw, providing a tight clearance fit to prevent toggle and ensure secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If modular components are used to allow interchangeable end effectors, then adaptability is improved, but connection strength deteriorates leading to excessive play and toggle
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument is divided into modular components (body portion and interchangeable end effectors) that can be separated and reassembled. Each end effector is a distinct module that attaches to the body through the connector system, allowing selective interchangeability while maintaining structural integrity through the specialized mating elements and locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The male member of the connector is received within the female receptacle, creating a nested configuration where one component fits inside another. This nesting arrangement provides a compact, space-efficient connection that maximizes contact area and structural strength while allowing easy assembly and disassembly of the modular components.
2Ease of operation
If modular components are designed for easy assembly, then ease of operation is improved, but connection reliability deteriorates resulting in excessive play
Solution Approach 1:
The mating elements are pre-configured with precise geometric features (flat engagement surfaces, tapered surfaces) that automatically align and guide the components into proper position during assembly. This preliminary configuration of the connection geometry ensures that when components are brought together, they self-align and engage correctly without requiring complex alignment procedures, while simultaneously ensuring a reliable, play-free connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage and lock the end effector to the body portion when the components are brought together in the correct orientation. The lever arm and claw portion work together with the notched surface to create a self-locking action that secures the connection without requiring additional fastening steps, thereby maintaining both ease of operation and connection reliability.
3Strength
If a locking mechanism is added to secure components, then connection strength is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism employs a movable lever arm that can be actuated to engage or disengage the claw from the notched surface. This dynamic element allows the connection to transition between locked and unlocked states, providing secure attachment when needed while maintaining simplicity through a single moving component rather than multiple fasteners or complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The claw portion acts as an intermediary element that bridges the lever arm and the notched surface of the male member. This intermediate component translates the rotational motion of the lever arm into a locking action where the claw engages with the notched surface, creating a secure connection without requiring the lever arm to directly interface with the male member, thereby simplifying the overall mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
Modular medical instruments and kits are provided, having, a tool body portion with a first mating element at one end. A removable and replaceable modular end effector having a second mating element is matable with the first mating element. The instrument further includes a selectively engageable locking mechanism having a lever arm with a first portion associated with the body portion and a claw portion matingly engageable with a portion of the second mating element of the end effector, the locking mechanism being effective to secure the end effector to the body portion of the modular medical instrument. The invention can be particularly useful for providing a secure connection between the modular end effector and the body portion, yet provide ease of interchangeability between modular end effectors.