Orthopedic Impactor Adapter With Bidirectional Locking and Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adapters for electrically powered surgical impacting tools used in orthopedic procedures lack precision, efficiency, and control, leading to inaccuracies and unnecessary trauma during the creation of prosthetic cavities, and they suffer from high capital costs and loss of energy transfer to surgical implements.
Innovation Solution
An adapter for an electric motor-driven orthopedic impacting tool that includes a dampening mechanism and provides audible/visual cues for proper connection, allowing controlled percussive impacts and bidirectional movement, with improved energy transfer and precision through axial alignment and adjustable impact settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a custom adapter is made for each implant plate, then the adapter fits the specific implant requirements, but the manufacturing cost and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate multiple implant plate types through a single standardized connection mechanism. The adapter includes a reusable body portion with a threaded interface that accepts various implant plates, eliminating the need for custom adapters for each implant type and enabling one adapter to serve multiple functions across different implant configurations
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual assembly of adapter and implant plate is used, then flexibility is maintained, but assembly time and labor cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter incorporates a dynamic locking mechanism with movable locking elements that automatically engage when the implant plate is inserted into the adapter body. The locking elements are spring-loaded and can be manually actuated or automatically triggered by the insertion motion itself, providing rapid securement without requiring multiple separate fastening operations
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter integrates multiple functions into a single component: the connection interface for the impactor, the mounting interface for the implant plate, and the locking mechanism all combine into one integrated assembly. This merging eliminates the need for separate fasteners, washers, and alignment features, allowing the implant plate to be directly mounted through a single insertion and locking action
3Force
If impactors are dropped onto the adapter to drive implants, then driving force is generated, but the adapter and impacting tool may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter includes a cushioning element positioned between the impactor and the adapter body that absorbs the shock of impact. This cushioning element is designed to deform elastically under impact loads, protecting both the adapter structure and the impacting tool from damage while still transmitting sufficient force to drive the implant plate into the bone
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter serves as an intermediary component between the impacting tool and the implant plate, distributing the impact forces across multiple contact points and structural elements. The adapter's threaded body and locking mechanism are designed to handle the mechanical stresses of impact loading, protecting the precision components from direct impact damage
Data Source
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AI summary
An electrically driven orthopedic impactor may include an adapter for interfacing between the adapter and a surgical implement. The adapter may have a first surface that transmits a forward impact energy and a second surface that transmits a reverse impact energy. The adapter can connect to the surgical implement and to the orthopedic impactor without the use of external tools. The adapter may connect to the impactor via a pushing motion and may disconnect from the impactor via a reciprocal sleeve. A sensor can communicate a spatial orientation of the adapter with respect to at least one reference point that is not located on the adapter or the impactor. A communication device may transmit frequency information or impact energy information to the impactor based on a type of surgical implement attached to the adapter.