Modular Retaining Screwdriver for Secure Bone Screw Driving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bone screws may become disengaged from the screwdriver during driving into the bone, leading to loss and insertion difficulties.
Innovation Solution
A modular screwdriver system with an inner and outer shaft that can be selectively assembled with a main body to engage and drive bone screws with internal or external retaining structures, ensuring secure attachment and easier insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional screwdriver is used to drive bone screws, then the screwdriver structure is simple, but the bone screw may become disengaged during driving
Solution Approach 1:
The screwdriver is divided into modular components: a main body, an inner shaft, and an outer shaft. The inner shaft contains a longitudinal element with a retaining feature that engages with internal retaining structures of bone screws, while the outer shaft contains a retaining feature that engages with external retaining structures. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in retaining specific screw types, improving engagement reliability without requiring a completely complex new design.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner shaft is nested within the outer shaft, both of which can be selectively assembled with the main body. The longitudinal element of the inner shaft extends through the channel of the elongated member, and the outer shaft includes a channel sized and shaped to slidably receive the elongated member. This nested configuration allows multiple retaining mechanisms to be integrated in a compact structure, improving reliability while controlling overall device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate screwdrivers are used for internal and external retaining structures, then each screwdriver can be optimized for its specific function, but the quantity of devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The main body is designed as a universal component that can selectively assemble with different shaft configurations. The main body includes a channel and driving feature that work with both inner and outer shafts. By keeping the main body universal and only changing the shaft components, the system achieves multi-functionality compatible with different bone screw types while minimizing the number of distinct devices needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the screwdriver into interchangeable components: the main body remains constant while the inner shaft and outer shaft can be selectively assembled based on the bone screw type. This segmentation allows a single main body to serve multiple functions by pairing with different shaft configurations, increasing adaptability without proportionally increasing the total number of devices.
3Reliability
If retaining features are added to prevent disengagement, then the screw remains securely attached, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining features are nested within the shaft structures rather than adding external attachments. The inner shaft includes a longitudinal element with a retaining feature that engages internal retaining structures, while the outer shaft includes a retaining feature that engages external retaining structures. This nesting approach integrates retention functionality into the existing shaft geometry, securing attachment while minimizing additional structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining features are localized to specific regions of the shafts where they are needed for engagement. The longitudinal element of the inner shaft has a retaining feature at its distal end, and the outer shaft has a retaining feature at its distal end. This localized approach provides secure attachment only where necessary, rather than requiring complex structures throughout the entire device.
Data Source
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AI summary
A modular system for treating a bone includes a main body including a channel extending therethrough. A distal end includes a driving feature sized and shaped to engage a corresponding driving structure of one of first and second bone screws. The system also includes an inner shaft sized and shaped to be inserted into the channel and including a distal end including a retaining feature for engaging a corresponding retaining structure extending within a recess at a proximal end of the first screw. Furthermore, the system includes an outer shaft extending longitudinally and including a channel extending therethrough. The channel of the outer shaft is sized and shaped to slidably receive the main body therein and including a retaining feature extending along a distal end thereof. The retaining feature of the outer shaft engages a retaining structure extending along an exterior surface of the second screw.