Surgical Impact Adapters Preventing Implement Decoupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical impacting tools face issues with the loosening of surgical implements during cavity formation in orthopedic procedures, leading to decoupling, unintended movement, and potential harm to patients.

Innovation Solution

The use of adapters with distinct mating features for surgical impacting tools, which are designed to releasably couple with surgical implements, preventing rotation and ensuring secure attachment to the tool handpiece.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a removable coupling is used between the surgical implement and the surgical impacting tool, then different surgical implements can be used with the same tool, but the coupling may loosen during impacting due to the force required to impel the surgical implement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to use different surgical implementsVSAvoidcoupling stability during impacting

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into three segments: the surgical impacting tool, the adapter, and the surgical implement. The adapter acts as an intermediate component that provides both versatility (through multiple mating features) and reliability (through secure engagement). This segmentation allows the coupling mechanism to be optimized independently from the impacting mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter serves as an intermediary component between the surgical impacting tool and the surgical implement. It mediates the connection by providing a secure mechanical interface that transfers impacting forces while maintaining reliable coupling. The adapter's multiple mating features allow it to interface with different implements while maintaining consistent coupling reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a secure coupling is used to prevent loosening during impacting, then the surgical implement remains firmly attached, but the complexity of the coupling mechanism increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling stability during impactingVSAvoidcoupling mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is designed with multiple mating features that can interface with different surgical implements, making it a universal component. This multi-functionality allows a single adapter design to work with various implements while maintaining simple, standardized coupling mechanisms. The universal design reduces the need for multiple specialized couplings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making the surgical implement complex to achieve secure coupling, the solution inverts the approach by making the adapter complex and the implement simple. The adapter contains all the coupling complexity with its multiple mating features, while the surgical implement itself remains relatively simple in design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If manual hammering is used to impel the surgical implement, then the physician has direct control, but the force applied may cause the surgical implement to shake or move in unintentional directions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephysician control during surgeryVSAvoidcavity formation precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual hammering with automated impacting mechanisms (pneumatic, hydraulic, or robotic systems). This substitution eliminates the variability and unintentional movements associated with manual operation while maintaining precise control over the impacting force and direction. The automated systems provide consistent, controlled delivery of impacting forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter acts as an intermediary that provides a stable mechanical interface between the automated impacting mechanism and the surgical implement. This stable interface ensures that the impacting forces are transmitted accurately without causing the implement to shake or move unintentionally, thereby improving precision while allowing automated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250057576A1Adapters for surgical impacting tools

Publication Date: 2025.02.20 DEPUY SYNTHES PROD INC

AI summary

Various exemplary adapters for surgical impacting tools and methods of using adapters for surgical impacting tools are provided. In general, an adapter can be configured to be releasably attached to a surgical implement configured to impact bone. The adapter can be fixedly, non-releasably attached to a surgical impacting tool handpiece or can be configured to be releasably attached to a surgical impacting tool handpiece. The surgical impacting tool handpiece, such as a handpiece of an orthopedic impactor, is configured to drive impacting of the surgical implement relative to bone. Each of a plurality of surgical implements configured to be attached to the adapter can be different from one another in one or more aspects.