Surgical Clamping Device with Radial Force Conversion
Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical tool couplings for bone screws require manual operation and often exhibit play, leading to wobbling when used with power tools due to the need for different tool couplings for various screw diameters and inadequate clamping forces.
Innovation Solution
A clamping device with a rotationally symmetrical structure featuring deflectable clamping fingers and a force deflection mechanism that converts axial spring force into radial clamping force, allowing for secure fixation of surgical elements with different diameters without play, integrated with a spring device and a housing part for stable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual clamping devices are used for surgical elements, then different screw diameters can be accommodated, but noticeable play and wobbling occur during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device employs dynamic elements including a spring mechanism that automatically adjusts clamping force, and deflectable clamping fingers that adapt to different surgical element diameters while maintaining secure engagement. The handle sleeve can be axially displaced to tension or release the spring, enabling dynamic adjustment of clamping pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes physical parameters through spring tension adjustment - when the handle sleeve is axially displaced, the helical spring is tensioned, which displaces the rod towards the handle and fully engages it in the groove, increasing the clamping force applied to the surgical element.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple tool couplings are used for different screw diameters, then various surgical elements can be fixed, but operation time increases due to frequent coupling changes
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device is designed as a universal coupling that can accommodate surgical elements of different diameters (e.g., 5mm and 6mm screws) within a single fixation framework. The rotationally symmetrical design with adjustable clamping fingers allows one device to perform multiple functions across different element sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism is pre-tensioned through axial displacement of the handle sleeve before inserting the surgical element. This preliminary action ensures that the clamping fingers are already positioned and pressurized to receive the element, eliminating the need for manual adjustment during insertion.
3Force
If pre-tensioned clamping jaws are used, then clamping force is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges multiple functions into integrated components: the helical spring serves both as a tensioning mechanism and a force multiplier; the rod in the longitudinal groove acts as both a transmission element and a positioning feature; the deflectable clamping fingers combine structural support with active clamping function. This integration reduces the number of separate components needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism automatically generates and maintains clamping force without requiring continuous external input. Once the handle sleeve is displaced to tension the spring, the spring self-generates the force needed to press the clamping fingers against the surgical element, and the system self-regulates the clamping pressure.
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 solution provides a secure, play-free clamping mechanism for surgical elements of various diameters, reducing operation time, minimizing the risk of incorrect manipulations and screw loss, and simplifying sterilization and cleaning by eliminating the need for frequent coupling changes.
Implementation Method 1
a spring device (16) arranged on the base body (12), which is designed to exert a spring force on the clamping device (14)
Implementation Method 2
a force deflection device (18) arranged on the base body (12) and interacting with the clamping device (14), which is designed to convert at least a portion of the spring force acting on the clamping device (14) into at least a portion of the clamping force acting on the surgical element (100)
Implementation Method 3
At least one of the clamping fingers can have an inclined surface which, when interacting with the surgical element, causes the clamping finger to deflect radially outwards
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A clamping device (10) for surgical elements (100) is described. The clamping device comprises a fixing device (28), a clamping device, a spring device (16), and a force deflection device (18) that interacts with the clamping device (14). The force deflection device is designed to convert the spring force exerted by the spring device on the clamping device into a clamping force exerted on the surgical element by means of the clamping device.