Modular Surgical Extractor With Interchangeable Jaws
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical extractor tools often fail to effectively grip objects for extraction from the body, either being too simple or excessively complex and costly to manufacture and operate.
Innovation Solution
A surgical extractor tool with a design featuring pivotably connected arms, jaws with slidable locks and dovetail mechanisms, and an extraction impactor or connector with a radially projecting knob and grip-enhancing notches, allowing for secure engagement and removal of implants and surgical hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If simple mechanical devices are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but gripping effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The extractor tool is divided into modular components including a handle, shaft, and interchangeable jaw assemblies that can be separately manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows simple, cost-effective manufacturing of individual parts while maintaining overall gripping effectiveness through proper modular integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The extractor tool incorporates universal features such as a standardized handle-shaft connection and interchangeable jaw assemblies that can engage different implant types. This multi-functionality allows a single base tool to perform multiple extraction tasks, reducing the need for multiple specialized devices and lowering overall manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable gripping across various applications.
2Reliability
If complex mechanical devices are used, then gripping effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the extractor into a simple handle-shaft base and interchangeable jaw modules, the design isolates complexity to only the necessary gripping components. The jaws contain the complex engagement features needed for reliable gripping, while the handle and shaft remain simple mechanical elements, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining gripping effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The jaw assemblies are designed as disposable or replaceable components that can be easily detached and replaced. This allows the complex gripping interface to be simplified into a single-use module that is discarded after one extraction, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity while ensuring reliable gripping for each use.
3Reliability
If complex mechanical devices are used, then gripping effectiveness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The modular design with interchangeable jaws allows the surgeon to select and attach the appropriate jaw type for each implant, simplifying the operation by eliminating the need to manipulate complex adjustment mechanisms. Each jaw is pre-configured for specific gripping requirements, making the tool easy to operate while maintaining effective gripping through proper jaw selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The jaw assemblies are pre-configured with specific engagement geometries tailored to different implant types before reaching the surgeon. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for intraoperative adjustment or complex manipulation during the extraction procedure, thereby improving ease of operation while ensuring effective gripping from the moment of attachment.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical extractor including a second arm having a proximal end and a distal end, and a first arm having a proximal end for attachment to an extraction device. The first arm additionally has a distal end for attachment to a first modular jaw. The first arm further includes a transverse opening having fastener structure configured to releasably retain an extraction impactor or an extraction device connector. The surgical extractor additionally includes a link pivotably connected to the first and second arms, the link having a distal end for attachment to a second modular jaw.