Surgical Retractor Clamp Geometry for Wear-Resistant Rod Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical retractor systems face challenges in durability and wear resistance due to continual use, and there is a need for a universal clamping mechanism that can withstand sterilization processes effectively.
Innovation Solution
The surgical retractor system incorporates a cam head with a flat latching surface, a tapered washer, a locking pin, and offset passages in the clamps to secure rods, providing a strong and adjustable clamping mechanism that resists wear and facilitates easy sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stainless steel is used for surgical retractor components, then ease of sterilization is improved, but wear resistance during continual use deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining stainless steel components with wear-resistant coatings or composite structural designs. The clamping mechanism uses stainless steel for sterilization resistance while incorporating hardened surfaces, ceramic coatings, or composite material layers on contact surfaces to provide enhanced wear resistance during continual surgical use.
2Ease of operation
If a universal clamping mechanism is designed for adjustability, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by designing a cam-based clamping mechanism where a rotating cam converts rotational motion into linear clamping force. The cam profile is designed to provide progressive clamping action, allowing the surgeon to adjust and secure retractor blades at various positions along the rail by simply rotating the cam handle, achieving universal adjustability with relatively simple mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing a standardized clamping mechanism that can accommodate multiple retractor blade sizes and configurations on a single surgical retractor system. The cam-based universal clamp can secure different blade types to the rail, eliminating the need for multiple specialized clamping mechanisms and simplifying the overall device while maintaining ease of operation.
3Reliability
If clamping force is increased for durability, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies spheroidality by using a cam profile with curved surfaces that leverage mechanical advantage through geometric design. The cam's curved profile converts a small rotational input force into a large linear clamping output force, providing strong and stable clamping force while requiring minimal adjustment effort from the surgeon during operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system ensures reliable and durable operation by maintaining clamping force and ease of cleaning, reducing the risk of mechanical failure and ensuring patient safety during surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a tapered area washer configured to receive a central shaft and apply force to the at least one clamp
Implementation Method 2
a cam head having a flat latching surface
Implementation Method 3
a locking pin configured to connect the central shaft to the cam head
Data Source
AI summary
A clamp for a surgical retractor system. The clamp has a tapered conically shaped washer against and through which clamping force is applied to place the clamp in a clamped position. The clamping force is applied by a cam head connected to a central shaft. A locking pin connects the cam head to the shaft. Apertures are provided in the clamp for receiving rod ends of a surgical retractor. Such apertures are circular and are positioned to be closer to the top and bottom edges of the clamp portion of the clamp than to the end edge of the clamp portion.