Pivoting Collet Interface for Surgical Pin Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical tools face challenges in efficiently and effectively aligning and engaging pins or wires due to misalignment issues with collets, leading to procedural delays and reduced satisfaction.

Innovation Solution

A locking interface between a driveshaft and collet that allows the collet to pivot within a bore, featuring a retaining insert and a pivot point, enabling flexible alignment and reducing binding, utilizing standard components for manufacturing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the collet is rigidly engaged with the driveshaft, then the structural stability is improved, but the alignment precision deteriorates due to binding and misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The collet is designed to pivot within the bore of the driveshaft about a pivot point, transforming the rigid static connection into a dynamic adjustable connection. This allows the collet to self-align with pins or wires during insertion, eliminating binding while maintaining structural stability through the retaining insert that prevents excessive movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the collet is rigidly engaged with the driveshaft, then the structural stability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to misalignment issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pivotable connection allows the collet to dynamically adjust its position during the loading operation, enabling surgeons to easily insert pins or wires without precise pre-alignment. The retaining insert maintains structural stability while the pivot point provides operational flexibility, eliminating procedural delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If the collet is allowed to pivot freely within the bore, then the alignment precision is improved, but the structural stability deteriorates due to reduced constraint

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining insert provides localized constraint at the proximal engagement portion of the collet, allowing free pivoting for alignment purposes while preventing excessive movement that would compromise structural stability. This creates different degrees of freedom in different locations of the same component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a fully constrained rigid connection to a semi-constrained dynamic connection where the collet can pivot within limited bounds. The retaining insert defines the boundaries of this dynamic range, providing stability when needed while allowing alignment flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4706558A1Collet and driveshaft interface for surgical driver accessory
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 ARTHREX INC
  • EP4706558A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4706558A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4706558A1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A wire or pin driver for a rotary surgical tool includes a driveshaft having a bore and extending along a longitudinal axis and a collet forming a cannula. The cannula extends from a proximal engagement portion disposed in the bore to a distal gripping end configured to engage an elongated shaft. At least one retaining insert extending between and engaging the proximal engagement portion of the collet and the driveshaft in the bore.