Orthopedic Tool Holder Quick Connect Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthopedic device holder systems require time-consuming switching between instruments during surgical procedures due to complex connections, which can increase surgery time and pose risks with moving parts and cleaning issues.
Innovation Solution
A quick connect and release configuration between the orthopedic device holder and tool, utilizing a shaft with multiple engaging surfaces and a movable sleeve with a resilient member, allowing secure forward and reverse rotation while minimizing sideways movement, and eliminating threading and moving parts for enhanced safety and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional collet or chuck connections are used, then a secure connection can be achieved, but the threading involved increases device complexity and connection time
Solution Approach 1:
The connection interface is segmented into distinct engaging surfaces on the shaft and corresponding surfaces on the tool, eliminating the need for continuous threading. The shaft includes a shaft connection end with multiple shaft engaging surfaces, and the tool includes a tool connection end with corresponding tool engaging surfaces that mate together through simple engagement rather than threaded rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using traditional threading where one component rotates into another, the invention inverts the approach by using flat engaging surfaces that connect through direct engagement. The connection is achieved by bringing the shaft connection end and tool connection end together, with the engaging surfaces mating directly without rotational threading.
2Speed
If ball bearing quick connect devices are used, then connection speed can be improved, but the inherent danger of ball bearings separating and cleaning issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the ball bearing mechanism entirely from the connection system. Instead of using ball bearings that can separate or create cleaning issues, the design uses a direct surface engagement system where the shaft engaging surfaces and tool engaging surfaces mate together, eliminating the intermediary ball bearing components that caused reliability and cleaning problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection interface uses simple, solid engaging surfaces rather than complex ball bearing mechanisms. The design prioritizes simplicity and reliability over using sophisticated but problematic quick-connect mechanisms, effectively replacing the ball bearing system with a more robust surface engagement system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If modular devices with small diameter shafts are used, then device versatility can be improved, but maintaining rigidity becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention addresses the rigidity challenge by distributing the connection load across multiple engaging surfaces rather than relying on a single point or small diameter interface. The shaft connection end includes multiple shaft engaging surfaces (first, second, and third surfaces) that mate with corresponding tool engaging surfaces, creating a distributed connection that maintains rigidity despite the small shaft diameter.
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
Facilitates rapid and secure tool changes, reducing surgery time and minimizing the risk of device separation, while maintaining rigidity and ease of cleaning, suitable for modular devices with small diameter shafts.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member positioned around the shaft, and a sleeve positioned around the shaft and adjacent to the resilient member... the sleeve moveable between a first position and a second position, such that in the first position the resilient member is in a compressed state and the shaft connection end extends from the sleeve
Data Source
AI summary
Orthopedic device holder systems including a quick connect between an orthopedic device holder and an orthopedic tool are disclosed. The orthopedic device holder can include a shaft having a shaft connection end including at least three shaft engaging surfaces. The orthopedic tool can have a tool connection end including at least three tool engaging surfaces configured to couple with the three shaft engaging surfaces of the orthopedic device holder.