Shaft Latch Coupling for One-Handed Surgical Instrument Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical instruments require cumbersome and often two-handed operations for attaching and detaching shafts, which can lead to insecure fixation or difficulty in handling.
Innovation Solution
A shaft attachment and detachment apparatus featuring a sleeve, connector base, and latch member that allows for one-handed operation by changing the coupled state of latches and grooves on the shaft based on the sleeve's position, using elastic members and inclined surfaces to facilitate secure and easy attachment and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional coupling mechanisms (collet structure, fixing screw, pin and groove) are used to attach shafts, then the shaft can be securely fixed, but the attachment and detachment operations become cumbersome and require two hands
Solution Approach 1:
The latch member is designed to dynamically change its position between engaged and disengaged states. When the sleeve moves axially, it triggers the latch to pivot between latching the groove (secure fixation) and releasing from the groove (easy detachment), enabling reliable attachment while allowing simple one-handed operation through a single actuating motion
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism automatically engages with the groove when the shaft is inserted and locked in place without requiring additional securing actions. The system self-locks through the interaction between the latch's inclined surface and the groove, providing secure fixation passively while maintaining readiness for easy release when the sleeve is actuated
2Reliability
If traditional coupling mechanisms are used, then the shaft can be firmly fixed, but the attachment and detachment process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The latch member is pre-positioned and spring-loaded to automatically engage with the groove as soon as the shaft is inserted into the connector base. This preliminary latching action occurs during the insertion motion itself, eliminating the need for separate securing steps and reducing attachment time while ensuring firm fixation is achieved immediately
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic latch mechanism allows rapid transition between locked and unlocked states. A single axial movement of the sleeve triggers the latch to pivot quickly between positions, enabling fast detachment without requiring multiple steps or excessive time, thus reducing operational time loss while maintaining secure fixation during use
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
Enables secure, one-handed attachment and detachment of surgical instruments, ensuring stability during use and ease of handling, while allowing for quick release when desired.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member disposed between the sleeve and the elastic member housing, the elastic member providing an elastic force in a direction of pushing the sleeve toward the groove of the shaft
Implementation Method 2
the latches are coupled to the grooves, which are formed in the shaft, to couple the shaft to the connector base
Implementation Method 3
using elastic members and inclined surfaces to facilitate secure and easy attachment and detachment
Data Source
AI summary
A shaft attachment and detachment apparatus for attaching and detaching a shaft having grooves formed on one end portion to and from a device body includes a sleeve surrounding at least a portion of an outer surface of the shaft and movable in an axial direction of the shaft, a connector base into which one end portion of the shaft is inserted and which is coupled to the device body, and a latch member coupled to the connector base and including one or more latches, wherein the one or more latches are coupled to the grooves, which are formed in the shaft, to couple the shaft to the connector base, and the coupled state of the one or more latches and the grooves is changeable depending on a position of the sleeve disposed on the shaft.