Segmented Reamer Shaft Extension for Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reamer shafts used for drilling through long bones are often too long to fit within standard sterilization trays, complicating and costing more during the sterilization process.
Innovation Solution
A reamer shaft extension assembly with adjustable length, composed of multiple reamer shaft extensions that can be coupled and decoupled, allowing each extension to fit within a standard sterilization tray, featuring male and female dovetail connections for secure alignment and flexible design to maintain constant diameter and position during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the reamer shaft is made long enough to bore through a long bone, then it can perform the required surgical function, but it becomes too long to fit into a standard sterilization tray
Solution Approach 1:
The reamer shaft is divided into multiple separable segments that can be assembled during surgery and disassembled for sterilization. Each segment can be placed in standard sterilization trays, eliminating the need for specialized long-tray sterilization equipment while maintaining the required operational length when assembled.
2Length of moving object
If the reamer shaft is made long enough to bore through a long bone, then it can perform the required surgical function, but sterilization costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the reamer shaft into standard-length pieces that fit conventional sterilization trays, the system reuses standard sterilization resources and equipment, avoiding the need for expensive specialized sterilization facilities and reducing overall sterilization costs while maintaining surgical functionality.
3Ease of operation
If the reamer shaft is made extendable to fit sterilization trays, then sterilization becomes easier, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reamer shaft is segmented into multiple sections with standardized coupling interfaces that allow simple assembly and disassembly. This segmentation enables the shaft to be easily placed in standard sterilization trays while maintaining structural integrity during surgical use, balancing sterilization convenience with operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The reamer shaft transitions from a static single-piece structure to a dynamic multi-segment configuration that can be assembled during surgery and disassembled for sterilization. This dynamic reconfigurability allows the same device to serve different functional requirements without increasing permanent structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A reamer shaft extension includes a shaft positioned between a first end having a first coupling and a second end having a second coupling. The first coupling of each reamer shaft extension is selectively couplable with the second coupling of another reamer shaft extension such that a select amount of reamer shaft extensions are assembled together to form a reamer shaft extension assembly for use in a reaming procedure. Each reamer shaft extension further has a sufficiently short enough length such that each reamer shaft extension is insertable within a sterilization tray for use in a sterilization procedure.