Surgical Retractor Clamp With Cam Washer for Wear-Resistant Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical retractor systems face challenges in providing a strong and durable clamping mechanism that can withstand the wear and tear of repeated use during surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

The surgical retractor system incorporates a universal clamping mechanism featuring a cam head with a flat latching surface, a tapered area washer, a locking pin, and an offset passage design to securely clamp rods, enhancing durability and ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional clamping mechanism is used in surgical retractor systems, then the system can be easily sterilized and is durable, but the clamping mechanism experiences wear and tear from repeated use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedurability of clamping mechanismVSAvoidservice life under repeated use

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping mechanism is divided into separate modular components including a clamp body, cam actuator, and interchangeable clamping elements. This segmentation allows individual parts to be replaced when worn, extending the overall service life of the clamping mechanism while maintaining reliability during each surgical procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs adjustable clamping force parameters and interchangeable clamping elements with different geometries to adapt to various rod sizes and surgical requirements. This parameter adjustability reduces wear by optimizing the contact pressure and distribution, preventing premature failure from excessive or uneven loading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a robust clamping mechanism is designed to withstand wear, then durability is improved, but the mechanism becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidcomplexity of clamping mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping mechanism incorporates self-lubricating materials and self-adjusting geometric features that automatically compensate for wear without requiring external intervention or complex control systems. The cam profile is designed to self-adjust during actuation, distributing wear evenly across contact surfaces while maintaining clamping force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of designing a single complex wear-resistant component, the patent inverts the approach by using simple, easily replaceable clamping elements combined with a durable actuator mechanism. The wear-prone parts are made simple and interchangeable, while the complex precision components are protected from wear through design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of manufacture

If stainless steel is used for all components, then sterilization is easy and durability is maintained, but wear from repeated clamping operations occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilization capabilityVSAvoidresistance to wear from repeated use

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite construction where the clamp body and actuator mechanisms are made from sterilizable stainless steel or titanium, while the clamping contact surfaces use specialized wear-resistant coatings or composite materials. This combination maintains ease of sterilization for the structural components while providing enhanced wear resistance at the contact points through material composition optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

The proposed solution provides a robust and reliable clamping mechanism that reduces wear and tear, ensuring consistent performance and ease of operation during surgical procedures.

Implementation Method 1

a tapered area washer configured to receive a central shaft and apply force to the at least one clamp

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

a cam head having a flat latching surface, a tapered area washer configured to receive a central shaft and apply force to the at least one clamp, a locking pin configured to connect the central shaft to the cam head

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS12310569B2Surgical retractor having clamping mechanism

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 THOMPSON SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS INC

AI summary

A clamp for a surgical retractor system. The clamp has a tapered conically shaped washer against and through which clamping force is applied to place the clamp in a clamped position. The clamping force is applied by a cam head connected to a central shaft. A locking pin connects the cam head to the shaft. Apertures are provided in the clamp for receiving rod ends of a surgical retractor. Such apertures are circular and are positioned to be closer to the top and bottom edges of the clamp portion of the clamp than to the end edge of the clamp portion.