Ratcheting Surgical Screw Extractor for Slip-Free Bone Screw Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Removing broken or stripped bone screws from a patient is difficult, time-consuming, and leads to user fatigue due to slippage and repetitive gripping, which prolongs surgical time.
Innovation Solution
A surgical extractor with a ratchet handle device featuring a first and second jaw configured to engage a fastener, a ratchet assembly with pawls for controlled rotation, and a quick connect mechanism for attaching to a ratchet handle, allowing for efficient and fatigue-free screw removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pliers are used to grip and twist the exposed screws out, then the screw removal function is achieved, but slippage in gripping the screws occurs leading to added surgical time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specialized extraction device with jaws as an intermediary tool between the surgeon and the broken screw. The jaws are specifically designed to engage broken screw remnants, providing reliable grip without slippage. This intermediary device eliminates the gripping instability experienced when using standard pliers, thereby preventing added surgical time from repeated slippage and regripping operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The extraction device is segmented into multiple functional components: jaws for gripping, a ratchet mechanism for controlled rotation, and a handle for actuation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function - the jaws provide secure engagement while the ratchet mechanism prevents backward rotation, ensuring continuous forward progress without slippage.
2Ease of operation
If pliers are used to grip and twist the exposed screws out, then the screw removal function is achieved, but repetitive gripping and rotating results in user fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The ratchet mechanism enables periodic, controlled rotation in discrete increments. Each ratchet click allows a small angular advancement while preventing backward movement. This periodic action replaces the continuous, repetitive gripping and rotating motion with a series of controlled, incremental rotations, reducing wrist fatigue and improving operational ease during screw extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The ratchet mechanism acts as an intermediary between the surgeon's rotational input and the screw extraction process. It translates the surgeon's handling of the handle into controlled rotational increments of the extraction device, filtering out the fatigue-inducing repetitive motions while maintaining effective screw removal capability.
3Productivity
If standard extraction tools are used, then the device structure remains simple, but slippage and repetitive operations prolong surgical time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated device: the jaws for gripping broken screws, the ratchet mechanism for controlled rotation, and the handle for actuation all form one unified extraction device. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate tools and operations, significantly improving screw removal efficiency despite the increased complexity of the individual device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The extraction device is designed with universal applicability to various broken screw scenarios. The jaws can engage different sizes and types of broken screw remnants, while the ratchet mechanism provides controlled rotation regardless of the specific extraction challenge. This multi-functionality increases productivity across diverse surgical situations.
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 quick and efficient removal of bone screws by preventing slippage and reducing user fatigue, thereby reducing surgical time.
Implementation Method 1
a ratchet assembly, a handle shaft including splines, wherein the handle shaft extends proximally from the ratchet assembly
Implementation Method 2
a first pawl within the housing configured to engage the handle shaft splines from a first direction and arrest rotation of the handle shaft in a first rotational direction, and a first biasing member within the housing biasing the first pawl into engagement with the handle shaft splines
Implementation Method 3
an extractor device having a proximal end and a distal end, a first jaw and a second jaw configured to engage a fastener and carried at the distal end of the extractor device
Implementation Method 4
The extractor device includes a second arm having a proximal end and a distal end, and a first arm having a proximal end for attachment to ratchet handle device
Implementation Method 5
a quick connect at the proximal end of the first arm for operatively engaging the ratchet handle device
Implementation Method 6
The ratchet handle device can be fixed to the extractor device. However, as described below in connection with an exemplary embodiment of the subject disclosure, the ratchet handle device can be releasably attachable to the extractor device
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical extractor including an extractor device having a proximal end and a distal end, a first jaw and a second jaw configured to engage a fastener and carried at the distal end of the extractor device, and a ratchet handle device extending from the proximal end of the extractor device.