Surgical Instrument Handle Angle Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Many orthopedic surgical instruments have fixed handles that cannot be adjusted to match patient anatomy, making insertion difficult, and threaded designs can be cumbersome due to bodily fluids on surgeons' gloves.
Innovation Solution
The development of variable angle instrument assemblies with adjustable handles and quick-connect mechanisms, including expansion and compression mechanisms, allows for customizable angle adjustment and easy attachment/detachment of handles to instruments, using inner and outer members with specific geometries and features like cannulations, tips, and protrusions to achieve secure locking at desired angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If handles are fixed at one angle relative to the instrument, then the structure is simple, but the instrument cannot adapt to specific patient anatomy
Solution Approach 1:
The handle structure transitions from a fixed angle design to a dynamic adjustable angle design. The inner member can rotate relative to the outer member within the cannulation, allowing the handle angle to be adjusted and locked at multiple positions to adapt to different patient anatomies while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle is divided into separate components: an inner member and an outer member. The inner member can be independently positioned and locked at different angles within the outer member's cannulation, enabling angle adjustment without requiring complete structural redesign.
2Ease of operation
If handles are threaded onto the instrument, then the connection is secure, but it is difficult and tedious to thread when surgeons have bodily fluids on their gloves
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded mechanical connection system is replaced with a push-fit system combined with an expansion locking mechanism. The inner member is inserted into the outer member's cannulation and locked by radial expansion of the inner member against the cannulation walls, eliminating the need for threading operations that are difficult when gloves are contaminated.
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion mechanism automatically locks the inner member in place within the outer member's cannulation through radial expansion, providing self-securing without requiring manual threading or additional fastening steps, thereby maintaining connection security while improving ease of attachment.
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 easier and more precise insertion of instruments by allowing adjustable angles and quick, secure connections, reducing procedural difficulties and fluid-related challenges.
Implementation Method 1
The first tip can be configured to expand the second tip radially outward such that the second tip engages the pocket and locks the handle at the desired angle
Implementation Method 2
The outer member can be configured to compress the tip radially inward such that the first pocket engages the protrusion and locks the handle at the desired angle
Implementation Method 3
The tip can be configured to flex radially inward when the protrusion engages the outer perimeter to enable insertion of the tip into the socket
Implementation Method 4
The tip can be configured to flex radially outward when the at least one protrusion engages the slot
Data Source
AI summary
An instrument assembly can include a handle and an instrument. The handle can include an inner member and an outer member. The inner member can include a rod and a first tip. The outer member can include a second tip and can define a cannulation. The instrument can define a pocket configured to receive the second tip of the outer member. The handle can be adjustable at a desired angle relative to the instrument when the second tip of the outer member is disposed in the pocket and the first tip of the inner member is positioned in the cannulation spaced apart from the second tip. The first tip can be configured to expand the second tip radially outward such that the second tip engages the pocket and locks the handle at the desired angle when the first tip is positioned in the cannulation in engagement with the second tip.