Pneumatic Surgical Instrument Shockwave Delivery

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for implanting, extracting, and reorienting orthopedic implants, such as artificial hip and shoulder joints, face challenges including variable force delivery, lack of force control, locational inaccuracy, and inefficiency due to the use of hammers.

Innovation Solution

A pneumatic surgical instrument with a striker, removable probe, pressure regulator, and trigger mechanism that delivers repeatable shockwaves to orthopedic implants, allowing for precise and controlled impulse forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a hammer is used to deliver impulse forces to orthopedic implants, then the implant can be installed, extracted, or reoriented, but the force delivery is variable and uncontrollable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpulse force deliveryVSAvoidforce consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual hammering mechanical system with a pneumatic system that uses compressed gas to drive a striker. This substitution eliminates the variability of manual force application while maintaining the impact function, achieving consistent and controllable impulse forces through pneumatic pressure regulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a pneumatic mechanism where compressed gas stored in a cartridge is released to propel a striker against the implant. The pneumatic system provides controlled, repeatable force delivery through pressure regulation, directly addressing the inconsistency problem of manual hammering while preserving the impact-based implant manipulation function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Ease of operation

If a hammer is used to deliver impulse forces to orthopedic implants, then the implant can be installed, extracted, or reoriented, but the locational accuracy is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant manipulationVSAvoidlocational accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual hammering mechanical system with a pneumatic system that uses compressed gas to drive a striker. This substitution eliminates the variability of manual force application while maintaining the impact function, achieving consistent and controllable impulse forces through pneumatic pressure regulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a pneumatic mechanism where compressed gas stored in a cartridge is released to propel a striker against the implant. The pneumatic system provides controlled, repeatable force delivery through pressure regulation, directly addressing the inconsistency problem of manual hammering while preserving the impact-based implant manipulation function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Productivity

If manual hammering is used for implant procedures, then the procedures can be performed, but the efficiency is reduced due to repetitive manual effort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical procedure efficiencyVSAvoidprocedural time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual hammering mechanical system with a pneumatic system that uses compressed gas to drive a striker. This substitution eliminates the variability of manual force application while maintaining the impact function, achieving consistent and controllable impulse forces through pneumatic pressure regulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a pneumatic mechanism where compressed gas stored in a cartridge is released to propel a striker against the implant. The pneumatic system provides controlled, repeatable force delivery through pressure regulation, directly addressing the inconsistency problem of manual hammering while preserving the impact-based implant manipulation function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Data Source

PatentUS9999518B2Pneumatic surgical instrument and corresponding methods for implanting, extracting and reorienting orthopedic implants

Publication Date: 2018.06.19 BIOMET GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN CENT

AI summary

Various embodiments of components, devices, systems and methods are provided for a pneumatic surgical instrument having a probe or an impactor disposed at a distal end thereof and configured to make contact with a selected portion of an orthopedic implant or device. The instrument is configured to generate a shock wave, which is then transferred to the distal end of the probe or impactor, and thence into the orthopedic implant or probe.