Orthopaedic Impactor Friction Collar Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthopaedic implant impactors face challenges in minimally invasive procedures, including difficulty in aligning and securely attaching/detaching acetabular cups, tedious threading processes, and complex designs that hinder cleaning and sterilization.
Innovation Solution
An orthopaedic impactor with a push rod linearly displaceable within an open shaft, actuated by a trigger for easy engagement and release of implants, and an interchangeable impaction collar subassembly for quick attachment and detachment, facilitating alignment and cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a threaded stud is used to attach the impactor to the acetabular cup, then secure attachment is achieved, but the threading process is tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional threaded mechanical connection system with a friction-based compression system. The compression collar applies radial compression force to the acetabular cup, securing it to the impactor shaft without requiring threading. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming threading process while maintaining secure attachment through friction and compression forces.
2Reliability
If the impactor shaft is closed to protect internal components, then component protection is improved, but cleaning and sterilization become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the impactor into separable segments: a reusable shaft assembly and a disposable compression collar. The shaft can remain closed to protect internal components, while the collar is designed as a separate, easily removable component that can be sterilized independently or replaced. This segmentation allows the main shaft to maintain its protective closed structure while simplifying the sterilization process for the collar portion.
3Ease of operation
If a curved shaft is used to improve alignment in minimally invasive procedures, then alignment ease is improved, but the design becomes more complex and harder to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the curved alignment feature into a distinct collar component rather than integrating it into the main shaft. The collar can be designed with the necessary curvature for alignment while being a simple, open structure that is easy to clean. This segmentation allows the shaft to remain simple and cleanable while the collar provides the alignment functionality.
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 solution simplifies the use of orthopaedic impactors in minimally invasive procedures by enabling easy alignment and secure attachment/release of acetabular cups, reduces time for surgical operations, and enhances cleaning and sterilization efficiency, while accommodating various implant styles with interchangeable components.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member, such as a spring, connected to the push rod at the proximal end of the shaft and biases the threaded pair against the implant
Data Source
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AI summary
An orthopaedic implant impactor (20) which includes a shaft (28) having a proximal end and a distal end. A trigger (44) is pivotably connected to the distal end, the trigger having a cam end (56). A push rod (42) is within the shaft and is connected to the cam end of the trigger.