Surgical Reduction Clamp with Movable Tip Joint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical reduction clamps have limitations in usability and handling, making them less applicable in various surgical situations for aligning and maintaining bone fragments during osteosynthesis procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical reduction clamp with a first and second clamping arm, where the tip portion is movably coupled to the base portion via a joint, allowing for pivoting, rotational, or translational movement, and equipped with a locking mechanism and a spring bias to enhance usability, featuring interchangeable tip designs and a ratchet toothed member for secure clamping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional reduction clamp with fixed structure is used, then the device is simple in structure, but the usability and adaptability in various surgical situations are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the tip portion movable relative to the base portion through a joint mechanism. The tip portion can pivot, rotate, or translate depending on the surgical requirement, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that adapts to different surgical situations while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through well-defined mechanical joints.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp is segmented into distinct functional portions: a base portion for gripping, a joint mechanism for movement, and a tip portion for engaging bone fragments or implants. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently and facilitates the movable relationship between tip and base, improving versatility without excessive complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a movable joint is introduced between tip portion and base portion, then the adaptability and handling are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable joint between tip portion and base portion enables dynamic adjustment during surgical procedures, allowing the surgeon to pivot, rotate, or translate the tip as needed. This dynamic capability directly improves ease of operation and handling while the joint mechanism is designed to be mechanically straightforward, limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to fasten the tip portion position, then the stability and reliability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-contained and self-operating, utilizing the existing joint structure and movement mechanisms. The lock fastens the tip portion position reliably when engaged, providing clamping stability without requiring external locking devices or complex additional components, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If interchangeable tip designs are provided, then the versatility for different surgical applications is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is designed with a universal base portion and joint mechanism that can accommodate multiple tip portion designs. This universality allows different tip configurations (for different bone types, implant sizes, or surgical approaches) to be used with the same core device, improving application range while avoiding the need to manufacture entirely separate instruments for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the clamp into interchangeable tip portions and a universal base, the manufacturing process can be optimized separately for each component. Standardized interfaces and mounting mechanisms reduce manufacturing complexity compared to creating entirely different instruments, while still providing versatility across multiple surgical applications.
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 clamp provides improved handling and usability, allowing for precise alignment and secure clamping of bone fragments, enhancing the surgeon's ability to manage bone fragments during surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
equipped with a locking mechanism and a spring bias to enhance usability
Implementation Method 2
featuring interchangeable tip designs and a ratchet toothed member for secure clamping
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical reduction clamp has a first clamping arm and a second clamping arm movable relative to the first clamping arm. The first clamping arm comprises a base portion, a tip portion, a joint movably coupling the tip portion to the base portion, and a locking member adapted to lock the joint so as to fasten a position of the tip portion relative to the base portion. The joint is a revolute joint having a spherical portion which can be locked into position by a clamping force.