Orthopedic Instrument Connection Mechanisms With Interrupted Threads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthopedic medical device connection mechanisms are prone to inaccurate or loose fittings, and complex designs can fail under repeated impact, while requiring guide rods that restrict alignment and prolong procedure time.
Innovation Solution
An orthopedic medical device connection mechanism featuring a protrusion with an interrupted threaded portion and a second medical device with a discontinuous threaded portion, allowing for quick, accurate, and secure assembly and disassembly, enabling modular assembly and use without guide rods, and accommodating unique patient anatomy with interchangeable components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If single point engagement connection mechanisms are used, then connection speed is improved, but connection accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism is divided into multiple engagement points: two L-shaped protrusions with perpendicular flanges on the first medical device mate with corresponding recesses on the second medical device. This multi-point segmentation provides both quick connection and accurate alignment, resolving the contradiction between connection speed and accuracy.
2Reliability
If complex spring and pin mechanisms are used, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex spring and pin mechanisms from the connection system. Instead, it uses simple L-shaped protrusions with perpendicular flanges that engage directly with corresponding recesses, achieving reliable connection without delicate or complex components that are prone to failure.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than using complex internal spring-pin mechanisms to achieve reliable connection, the invention inverts the approach by using simple external L-shaped geometric features that provide inherent mechanical reliability through their straightforward engagement geometry, eliminating the need for fragile internal mechanisms.
3Manufacturing precision
If guide rods are used for alignment, then alignment precision is improved, but procedure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The L-shaped protrusions with perpendicular flanges are pre-configured on the first medical device, and the corresponding recesses are pre-configured on the second medical device. This preliminary geometric configuration enables self-alignment during connection, eliminating the need for separate guide rod alignment steps and reducing procedure time while maintaining alignment precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device connection mechanism, related assemblies and systems comprising generally: a first medical device having: a protrusion, the protrusion including a proximal end and a distal end distally disposed from the proximal end along a height of a body of the protrusion, the body of the protrusion comprising an interrupted threaded portion disposed closer to the distal end than the proximal end; and a second medical device having: an interior sidewall, the interior sidewall defining a hole extending into the second medical device, a discontinuous threaded portion disposed within the hole, the discontinuous threaded portion defining a threadless channel extending along a discontinuous threaded portion height, and the discontinuous threaded portion configured to receive the interrupted threaded portion of the protrusion of the first medical device through the threadless channel.