Surgical Instrument Coupling for Precise Navigation Array Attachment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical navigation systems face challenges with navigation array integration, requiring cumbersome attachment methods, potential play between instruments and arrays, and increased costs due to separate instruments for standard and navigation use, leading to reduced precision and inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device with a housing and clamp mechanism that allows for quick, toggle-free attachment of surgical instruments to a navigation array, ensuring consistent location and orientation through automatic locking upon insertion, reducing the need for additional tools and steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the navigation array is welded to the instrument or integrally-formed with the instrument, then navigation precision is improved, but the capability to remove the array or attach it to other instruments is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation array and instrument are divided into separate components that can be independently removed and reattached. The coupling device provides a standardized interface that maintains precise alignment while allowing modular separation, resolving the contradiction between precision and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device creates a universal interface that allows the navigation array to be attached to multiple different instruments while maintaining consistent precision. This multi-functional coupling mechanism enables the array to serve with various surgical instruments without requiring separate integrated solutions for each.
2Adaptability or versatility
If modular systems are used to allow interchangeable attachment of the navigation array, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to requiring two hands, numerous steps, and additional tools
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device merges the attachment and alignment functions into a single integrated mechanism. By combining the positioning features, clamping elements, and alignment guides into one unified coupling device, the system eliminates the need for multiple separate tools and steps while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device incorporates self-aligning features and self-clamping mechanisms that automatically perform alignment and securing functions when the array is inserted. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual adjustment and multiple operational steps, reducing complexity while maintaining interchangeability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If modular systems are used for attaching the navigation array, then adaptability is improved, but navigation precision deteriorates due to play between the instrument and the array
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device incorporates pre-configured alignment features and predetermined positioning elements that establish the correct spatial relationship between the array and instrument before attachment is complete. This preliminary action ensures precise alignment is achieved automatically, eliminating play while maintaining modular interchangeability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device replaces traditional mechanical connection methods with a specialized coupling mechanism that uses controlled elastic deformation and friction-based locking to eliminate play. This substitution maintains adaptability while achieving precision comparable to or exceeding that of welded connections.
4Measurement precision
If the navigation array is integrally-formed with the instrument, then navigation precision is improved, but costs increase due to requiring separate instruments for standard and navigation use
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device creates a universal interface that allows a single navigation array to be used with multiple different surgical instruments. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate integrated array-instrument combinations for each application, reducing overall equipment costs while maintaining navigation precision across all instruments.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Coupling devices and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for coupling a surgical instrument to a navigation array or other component. The coupling device can reduce or eliminate movement between the instrument and the navigation array, improving navigation precision. The coupling device can be quick and easy to use, reducing or eliminating the need for extra steps or additional tools to attach or detach the instrument from the coupling device. In some embodiments, the single step of inserting an instrument into the coupling device can automatically lock the instrument within the coupling device in a toggle-free manner. The coupling device can include features for consistently attaching instruments thereto at a known or predetermined location and/or orientation.