Suction Cup Instrument Actuating Element Positioning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing instruments for handling joint components of prostheses require two-handed operation and are prone to unintentional disengagement due to the location of the pressure-relief valve, making them unwieldy and unreliable for one-handed use.

Innovation Solution

An instrument with a suction cup and pressure-relief valve where the actuating element is integrated into the grip surface, allowing one-handed operation by positioning the actuating element at the fingertip level, enabling easy activation without contorted movements, and featuring a resilient bias for reliable valve control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the actuating element for the pressure-relief valve is positioned to project rearwards axially beyond the grip surface, then the valve can be actuated, but the user may inadvertently touch and actuate the valve when taking hold of the instrument

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of valve actuationVSAvoidunintentional actuation of valve

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating element is positioned at a specific location on the grip surface where it can be reliably actuated by the index finger or thumb tip, while being inaccessible to other parts of the hand. This localized positioning ensures that only intentional contact with the specific actuation area will trigger the valve, preventing accidental actuation during normal handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of positioning the actuating element to project outward where it might be accidentally triggered, the invention inverts the approach by integrating the actuating element into the grip surface itself, making it accessible only through precise finger or thumb contact at the distal region, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of unintentional actuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the actuating element is positioned at the distal region of the grip surface, then one-handed operation becomes possible, but the actuating element must be precisely located to avoid inadvertent activation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveone-handed operation capabilityVSAvoidprecision requirement for actuating element location

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating element is designed with a specific geometric configuration that creates a localized actuation zone on the grip surface. This localized design allows the index finger or thumb tip to precisely engage the actuating element without requiring the entire hand to be positioned accurately, thus enabling one-handed operation while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The actuating element is designed to be automatically engaged when the user naturally grasps the instrument with one hand. The geometric configuration of the actuating element and the natural posture of the finger or thumb during gripping ensure that the actuating element is activated without requiring conscious control or precise positioning, thereby simplifying one-handed operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If the pressure-relief valve is integrated into the grip portion, then the instrument becomes more compact, but the valve control becomes less reliable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompactness of instrumentVSAvoidvalve control reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating element is merged with the grip portion structure, integrating the valve control function directly into the handle. This merging allows the instrument to remain compact while maintaining reliable valve control through the strategically positioned actuating element that can be reliably engaged by the index finger or thumb tip without requiring additional external components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 simple and reliable one-handed operation of the instrument, reducing the risk of accidental disengagement and improving ergonomic handling of joint components during setting or removal.

Implementation Method 1

a suction element in the form of a suction cup with an air-vent opening, placeable in a sealing manner against the joint surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

a pressure-relief valve associated with the air-vent opening of the suction cup

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure relief: Depressurisation

Data Source

PatentUS8287549B2Instrument for handling a joint component of a joint prosthesis

Publication Date: 2012.10.16 SMITH & NEPHEW ORTHOPAEDICS

AI summary

An instrument for handling a joint component of a joint prosthesis, which joint component includes a joint surface, includes a grip portion, a suction element in the form of a suction cup with an air-vent opening, the suction cup being placeable in a sealing manner against the joint surface, and a pressure-relief valve associated with the air-vent opening of the suction cup. The pressure-relief valve is coupled to an actuating element which is arranged so as to be movable in the region of the grip surface of the grip portion and, when gripped with one hand, is actuatable with a finger or the thumb of that hand, so that on actuation of the actuating element the valve is lifted away from the air-vent opening.