Surgical Grip Internal Rotation Lock for Safe Sterile Disassembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical grips face issues with pinching of operating personnel gloves, difficulty in sterilization, and compromised safety due to external screws or nuts, which also complicate disassembly and cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A rotation securing unit inside the actuation sleeve, biased by a spring, securely holds the activation unit against rotation relative to the carrier sleeve, allowing for safe and damage-free disassembly, enhanced sterilization, and prevention of inadvertent disassembly during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external screws or nuts are used to secure the actuation sleeve, then the actuation sleeve is secured against inadvertent disassembly, but the safety is compromised and cleaning/sterilization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The securing mechanism is extracted from the external surface and moved inside the actuation sleeve. The internal securing element (such as a detent or latch) is positioned within the hollow interior of the actuation sleeve, eliminating external protrusions that trap contaminants. This allows the external surface to remain smooth and continuous, facilitating easy cleaning and sterilization while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The securing element is nested within the hollow interior of the actuation sleeve. The detent or latch mechanism is contained inside the actuation sleeve's cavity, with the securing action occurring internally. This nested configuration keeps all securing components enclosed within the actuation sleeve, preventing contamination accumulation and enabling complete sterilization of external surfaces.
2Ease of manufacture
If internal circlips are used for securing, then cleaning capability is improved, but easy disassembly cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The securing mechanism incorporates dynamic elements such as spring-loaded detents or movable latches that can be easily actuated. The spring force provides automatic engagement while allowing simple release through minimal external force or rotation. This dynamic design enables both secure holding during operation and easy disassembly when needed, without compromising cleaning capability since all elements remain internal.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary release mechanism is introduced that translates a simple external action (such as rotating the actuation sleeve a few degrees or pressing a release button) into the activation of the internal securing element. This intermediary mechanism mediates between the user's simple action and the internal detent's engagement/disengagement, making disassembly easy while keeping the securing element internal for easy cleaning.
3Ease of operation
If disassembly bores are introduced for easy disassembly, then disassembly becomes easier, but the stability of the shaft is restricted and contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation sleeve itself serves multiple functions: it acts as both the protective covering and the securing mechanism. By incorporating the detent or latch inside the actuation sleeve and using the sleeve's own structure for engagement, the design eliminates the need for separate disassembly bores. The actuation sleeve's rotation or movement simultaneously achieves both shaft stabilization and securing/dissembly functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The securing mechanism uses the actuation sleeve's own structural features (such as its internal cavity, outer surface, or rotation capability) to achieve both securing and disassembly functions. The actuation sleeve serves itself as both the container and the actuating element, eliminating the need for additional bores or external features that would compromise shaft stability or increase contamination risk.
4Reliability
If the actuation sleeve has visible external features for securing, then securing is achieved, but esthetics and hygiene are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
All securing features are extracted from the external surface and placed inside the actuation sleeve. The detent, latch, or other securing elements are positioned within the hollow interior, completely hidden from external view. This results in a smooth, continuous external surface that maintains aesthetic appearance and prevents contamination accumulation, while the internal securing mechanism remains fully functional.
Solution Approach 2:
The securing mechanism is nested within the actuation sleeve's interior, with all securing components contained inside the hollow cavity. The external surface of the actuation sleeve remains smooth and featureless, while the nested internal elements provide the securing function. This nested configuration simultaneously achieves aesthetic appearance, hygiene, and reliable securing.
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
Ensures secure torque transmission, facilitates easy and safe disassembly, and maintains operational safety while preventing glove pinching and improving sterilization capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a rotation securing unit inside the actuation sleeve, biased by a spring
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical grip for receiving a handpiece shaft for conjoint rotation therewith and/or for receiving a medical tool in such a way as to transmit torque, includes a carrier sleeve on which at least one coupling component provided for coupling the handpiece shaft is attached such that the at least one coupling component can be brought to a coupled position and to an uncoupled position in the operating state, wherein the at least one coupling component can be brought into contact with an activation unit which is arranged between the carrier sleeve and to an outer actuation sleeve, wherein a rotation securing unit present inside the actuation sleeve acts on the activation unit in a spring-biased manner in the operating state such that the activation unit is held secure against rotation relative to the carrier sleeve.