Surgical Impact Driver Adaptor With Axial-Force-Gated Torque Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical procedures require multiple tools to prepare bone holes and insert suture anchors, which can be inefficient and lead to material fatigue and implant insertion site morbidity.

Innovation Solution

The development of surgical impact driver adaptors that connect between powered surgical instruments and driven surgical devices, limiting rotational force transfer until a sufficient axial force is applied, thereby controlling power transfer and reducing morbidity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple surgical tools are used to prepare bone holes and insert suture anchors, then the surgical procedure can be completed with traditional methods, but the process becomes inefficient and causes material fatigue and implant insertion site morbidity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical procedure efficiencyVSAvoidmaterial fatigue and implant insertion site morbidity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple surgical functions (drilling, impact insertion, torque control) into a single integrated powered surgical instrument with an impact driver adaptor. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple separate tools, improves surgical efficiency, and reduces tissue trauma associated with repeated tool applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The powered surgical instrument is designed with multi-functionality, capable of performing both rotational drilling and axial impact insertion through the same device. The impact driver adaptor enables the instrument to switch between rotational mode (for bone hole preparation) and impact mode (for suture anchor insertion), reducing the need for multiple specialized tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Speed

If rotational force is transferred immediately to the surgical device, then the powered instrument can begin operation, but insufficient axial force application causes improper implant insertion and material fatigue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transfer speedVSAvoidimplant insertion accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The impact driver adaptor incorporates a dynamic engagement mechanism with spring-loaded fingers that automatically adjust based on applied axial force. When axial force exceeds the spring preload, the fingers engage to transfer rotational force; when axial force is insufficient, the fingers remain disengaged, preventing improper insertion while allowing rapid power transfer when conditions are correct.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If a single powered instrument performs both bone hole preparation and suture anchor insertion, then surgical efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical procedure efficiencyVSAvoidinstrument structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into modular components: the powered surgical instrument, the impact driver adaptor, and the suture anchor insertion device. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system integration. The adaptor acts as an intermediary that adds impact capability without requiring complete redesign of the base instrument.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The impact driver adaptor serves as an intermediary component between the powered surgical instrument and the suture anchor insertion device. It translates the rotational output of the powered instrument into controlled axial impact forces, enabling multi-functionality without requiring the base instrument to directly perform both functions, thus managing complexity through intermediate translation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 impact driver adaptors provide controlled power transfer, reducing material fatigue and implant insertion site morbidity by ensuring that sufficient axial force is applied before rotational force is transmitted, thus enhancing the efficiency and precision of surgical procedures.

Implementation Method 1

A disengagement spring is configured to bias the anvil feature and the hammer feature apart, thereby disengaging the second connector from receiving the rotational force until an axial force that exceeds a predefined threshold is applied to the first connector.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS12201306B2Surgical impact driver adaptors for applying directed torque and linear impact loads during surgical procedures

Publication Date: 2025.01.21 ARTHREX INC

AI summary

Surgical impact driver adaptors may be connected between a powered surgical instrument and a driven surgical device when performing surgical procedures, such as those involving the implantation of a surgical implant into bone, for example. During surgical procedures, the surgical impact driver adaptors may limit a transfer of a rotational force from the powered surgical instrument to the surgical device until a sufficient axial force is applied to the impact driver adaptor from the powered surgical instrument.