Movable Guard Striking Assembly for Surgical Tool Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional striking assemblies for surgical tools do not provide adequate protection for a surgeon's hand when using a striking tool, as they do not effectively guard against accidental strikes during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical tool assembly with a striking assembly that includes a frame, an impact plate, and a guard attached to the frame, which is movable between a retracted and an extended position, providing protection by positioning the guard laterally adjacent to the handle when in the extended position, secured by a locking mechanism and biasing actuator for quick and efficient transition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional striking assembly is used without a protective guard, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the surgeon's hand is exposed to harmful factors from accidental strikes
Solution Approach 1:
The guard is designed to be movable between a retracted position (adjacent to the frame) and an extended position (adjacent to the handle), allowing it to dynamically adapt to different operational needs. This dynamic configuration enables the guard to provide protection when needed while minimizing interference with the striking operation
Solution Approach 2:
The striking assembly is divided into distinct functional components: the frame, the movable guard, the impact plate, and the locking mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while maintaining overall system functionality
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a movable guard with locking mechanism is added to the striking assembly, then protection of the surgeon's hand is improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing actuator automatically urges the guard into the extended protective position, and the locking mechanism with detents and cooperating detents on the handle automatically secures the guard in place. This self-actuating design reduces the manual effort required to operate the guard while ensuring it defaults to the protective position
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to engage the guard in the extended position before any striking action occurs, preventing potential injury before it can happen. The biasing actuator pre-positions the guard protectively, and the locking mechanism ensures it remains in place during the striking operation
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical tool assembly having a striking assembly is disclosed. The surgical tool assembly includes a handle for attachment to a tool, and a striking assembly for attachment to the handle. The striking assembly includes a frame, an impact plate extending from the frame, and a guard attached to the frame and movable between a first position adjacent the frame and a second position. The second position may be distal to the frame, e.g., adjacent the handle.