Surgical Impacting Tool Locking Interface to Prevent Adapter Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical impacting tools face issues with surgical implements becoming decoupled due to the force required for impelling, leading to unintended movement and potential patient harm, as well as hindering cavity formation.
Innovation Solution
A surgical impacting tool interface with a locking assembly that allows for quick and automatic attachment of adapters to surgical implements, featuring a locking mechanism that moves between locked and unlocked configurations through longitudinal and rotational motions, preventing decoupling during impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual hammering or pneumatic driving techniques are used to impel the surgical implement, then the cavity can be formed effectively, but the surgical implement may become decoupled from the surgical impacting tool due to the force required
Solution Approach 1:
The locking assembly includes movable locking elements that can transition between locked and unlocked positions dynamically. The cam mechanism converts rotational motion into radial displacement of the locking elements, allowing the system to adapt its locking state based on operational needs while maintaining secure attachment during impacting operations
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical impacting tool is divided into separable components: the handle assembly, the adapter, and the surgical implement. The locking assembly provides a removable coupling mechanism that allows these segments to be securely attached and easily detached, enabling implementation replacement without replacing the entire tool system
2Adaptability or versatility
If the surgical implement is removably coupled to allow replacement and different sizes, then versatility is improved, but the coupling may loosen under impacting forces causing unintended movement
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism employs asymmetric geometry where the cam profile is shaped to convert unidirectional rotational motion into radial outward movement of the locking elements. This asymmetric design ensures that rotation in the locking direction engages the locking elements securely, while rotation in the opposite direction releases them, providing controlled and reliable attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The locking assembly acts as an intermediary component between the adapter and the surgical implement. It provides a mechanical interface that translates rotational motion into radial locking forces, mediating the connection between the driver and the implement while preventing unintended movement during impacting operations
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent decoupling, then attachment stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism is designed to be manually operated by the user through simple rotational motion. The geometry of the cam and locking elements is configured so that user-applied rotation automatically engages or disengages the locking elements without requiring additional actuators, sensors, or control systems, making the system self-sufficient and easy to operate
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism replaces complex electronic or pneumatic locking systems with a purely mechanical cam-based approach. The cam profile and locking elements work together through mechanical advantage to provide secure locking through simple rotational motion, eliminating the need for motors, sensors, or control electronics while maintaining reliability
Data Source
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AI summary
Various exemplary surgical impacting tool interfaces and methods of using surgical impacting tool interfaces are provided. In general, a surgical impacting tool (100) includes a locking assembly (500) configured to releasably attach to an adapter (300). In response to engagement with the adapter, the locking assembly is configured to move from an unlocked configuration, in which the adapter is not releasably attached to the surgical impacting tool (nor is any other adapter releasably attached to the surgical impacting tool via the locking assembly), to a locked configuration, in which the adapter is releasably attached to the surgical impacting tool via the locking assembly. The locking assembly is configured to receive the adapter in a longitudinal direction along a longitudinal axis defined by the locking assembly and to automatically lock the adapter to the surgical impacting tool.