Orthopaedic Implant Socket with Keyed Extraction and Protected Threading
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthopaedic implant tools face issues with threading damage due to cross-threading or incorrect tool seating, which can hinder implant insertion and removal during surgery.
Innovation Solution
An orthopaedic implant tool interfacing socket with a stage defining an impaction face and a keyed entrance out of rotational alignment, featuring a frustoconical lead-in and protected threading, allows for secure impaction and extraction using a widened insertion tool and a key-fitting extraction tool, respectively, to prevent cross-threading and ensure correct tool seating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If threading is exposed at the socket entrance for tool engagement, then insertion tool can engage the implant, but the threading is vulnerable to cross-threading and damage during impaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing a frustoconical lead-in surface that guides the insertion tool into correct rotational alignment before the threaded portion engages. This preliminary guiding action prevents cross-threading by ensuring the tool is properly aligned prior to threading engagement, thereby protecting threading integrity while maintaining ease of operation
2Force
If the insertion tool impacts the implant directly through the threaded hole, then impaction is achieved, but the threading suffers damage from incorrect seating or cross-threading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the socket into distinct functional zones: a frustoconical lead-in surface for tool guidance and alignment, a stage with impaction face for force application, and a protected threaded blind hole for secure engagement. This segmentation allows impaction force to be applied through the stage while the threading remains protected deep within the socket, preventing damage from incorrect seating
3Reliability
If the threaded hole is deep and protected, then threading damage is prevented, but tool engagement and alignment become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a frustoconical lead-in surface as an intermediary element between the tool and the protected threaded blind hole. This lead-in surface acts as a mediator that guides and aligns the insertion tool, making engagement easy despite the threading being deep and protected within the socket
4Measurement precision
If a keyed entrance is provided for rotation control, then implant version control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by providing a keyed entrance with a specific non-circular geometry that allows rotation control for implant versioning. The asymmetric key shape enables precise rotational positioning while the overall socket structure remains relatively simple, minimizing the increase in device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An orthopaedic implant tool interfacing socket for an orthopaedic implant has a stage spaced from an entrance of a threaded blind hole thereunderneath. The stage at least partially defines an impaction face, a keyed entrance therethrough and an extraction tool engagement edge thereunderneath being out of rotational alignment with the keyed entrance.