Surgical Saw Clamp Guard With Visual Clamping Indicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior surgical saws lack effective protection against clamp pinching, offer minimal flexibility in blade installation, and fail to provide a clear indication of proper clamping, leading to potential user injury and loose blade mounting issues.
Innovation Solution
A blade mounting assembly with a clamp guard and safety indicator that moves between exposed and concealed positions, ensuring the clamp is encapsulated and providing visual feedback for secure mounting, reducing the risk of pinching and loose blade installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a non-encapsulated clamp is used to secure the surgical saw blade, then the clamping function is achieved, but the user is exposed to pinching hazards from the clamp mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp mechanism is nested within a clamp guard that encapsulates the moving clamp components. The guard defines a recess that receives the clamp, allowing the clamp to function while being protected from user contact. This nesting approach eliminates pinching hazards without requiring complete redesign of the clamping mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp guard acts as an intermediary protective element between the user and the moving clamp. It provides a physical barrier that prevents direct contact with the clamp's moving parts while still allowing the clamp to perform its securing function on the saw blade.
2Ease of operation
If the clamp is spaced apart from the blade mounting assembly to allow blade installation, then flexibility for blade installation is improved, but the saw blade may become loosely mounted and potentially fall out before clamping
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp guard is positioned and configured before the clamping action occurs. It pre-establishes a protective environment that guides the saw blade into proper position and maintains retention throughout the clamping process. The guard's recess is pre-formed to receive the clamp and secure the blade simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp guard provides a protective buffer zone between the clamp and the external environment. This guard structure cushions and contains any potential issues during the transition from unclamped to clamped state, preventing the blade from falling out even if clamping is not immediately applied.
3Ease of operation
If a lever mechanism is used for clamping, then the clamping action is achieved, but the user cannot clearly determine when full and proper clamping has been engaged
Solution Approach 1:
A safety indicator visible through the clamp guard changes appearance based on clamp position. When the clamp is in the open position, a first color or pattern is visible; when closed, a second color or pattern appears. This visual feedback system eliminates ambiguity about clamping status without complicating the lever operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety indicator provides immediate visual feedback about the clamp's position and the blade's securement status. This feedback mechanism allows the user to confirm proper clamping engagement before operating the saw, eliminating the information loss about clamping status while maintaining simple lever operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A blade mounting assembly for coupling a saw blade to a surgical saw. The blade mounting assembly including a blade clamp guard and a blade clamp moveably coupled to a drive hub of the surgical saw. The blade clamp guard defining a recess and a blade clamp at least partially disposed within the recess. The blade clamp further comprising a safety indicator. The blade clamp may be configured to move relative to the blade camp guard, the blade clamp moving between a first position where the safety indicator is exposed and a second position where the safety indicator is concealed by the blade clamp guard. The blade mounting assembly may also comprise a biasing mechanism disposed between the blade clamp guard and the blade clamp. The biasing mechanism configured to urge the blade clamp guard away from the blade clamp.