Surgical Instrument with Pre-Set Breaking Point
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical instruments for joining bone parts, such as staples and clamps, are difficult to handle due to their small size and shape, and existing positioning instruments are time-consuming and inefficient, especially since drilled bone holes are hard to locate after the drill is removed.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with a grip and a joining profile, where the implant and grip are connected through a pre-set breaking point, allowing for easier handling and insertion of the implant, and a drilling template that can be used in conjunction with the instrument to simplify the implantation process by providing a guiding mechanism for the joining profile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If staples and clamps are used for joining bone parts, then bone parts can be fixed and compressed, but the implants are difficult to handle due to their small size and shape
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical instrument is divided into two separable parts: a grip portion and a joining profile (staple or clamp). The grip portion is designed to be easily handled with standard surgical forceps, while the joining profile contains the actual bone joining elements. This segmentation allows the surgeon to handle the larger grip portion comfortably while the smaller joining profile performs the critical bone joining function.
Solution Approach 2:
The grip portion acts as an intermediary carrier that facilitates the handling and positioning of the joining profile. The grip portion can be manipulated with standard surgical instruments while the joining profile is positioned within it, effectively mediating between the surgeon's control and the difficult-to-handle small implant.
2Manufacturing precision
If positioning instruments are used to fix clamps and staples, then the implants can be positioned, but the process is very time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The grip portion and joining profile are combined into a single integrated surgical instrument that can be handled as one unit. This merging eliminates the need for separate positioning instruments and allows the surgeon to position and fix the implant in a single efficient motion, significantly reducing the time required compared to using separate positioning instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical instrument serves multiple functions: the grip portion provides easy handling and positioning, while the joining profile provides the bone joining capability. This multi-functionality consolidates what would traditionally require separate instruments into one unified tool, improving both efficiency and positioning accuracy.
3Ease of manufacture
If drilling is performed before positioning the clamp, then the bone holes can be prepared, but the drilled bone holes are very difficult to find after removing the drill
Solution Approach 1:
The joining profile is designed with pre-formed bone holes that are created during the manufacturing process rather than requiring pre-drilling in the surgery. This preliminary action eliminates the need for intraoperative drilling and makes the hole locations permanent and easily identifiable markers for accurate implant positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The bone holes are pre-formed in the joining profile during manufacturing, creating permanent copies of the required hole structures. These pre-formed holes serve as permanent guides and markers that remain in place after surgery, making them easy to locate and reference during the implantation process.
4Manufacturing precision
If standard drilling templates are used, then drilling can be guided, but they cannot be applied in combination with staples
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical instrument is designed as a universal tool that can accommodate different types of joining profiles including staples, clamps, and other bone joining elements. The grip portion can hold and position various joining profile types, making the instrument adaptable to different surgical needs and eliminating the need for separate specialized templates for each implant type.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument includes an implant, a grip, and a pre-set breaking point connecting the implant and the grip. The implant has a joining profile.