Surgical Retractor Clamp Mechanism for Wear-Resistant Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical retractor systems face challenges in durability and wear resistance due to continual use, and there is a need for a universal clamping mechanism that can withstand sterilization processes effectively.
Innovation Solution
The surgical retractor system incorporates a cam head with a flat latching surface, a tapered washer, a locking pin, and an offset passage design for the clamping mechanism, which includes multi-directional joint clamps with resilient components and adjustable clamping forces to secure retractor blades to the rail clamp, ensuring stability and ease of sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stainless steel is used for the surgical retractor system components, then the system can be easily sterilized and is highly durable, but the clamping mechanism experiences wear caused by continual use over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining stainless steel components with wear-resistant coatings or treated surfaces. The clamping mechanism incorporates hardened surfaces or protective coatings on contact areas to reduce wear, while maintaining the overall stainless steel construction for sterilization durability. This composite approach allows different regions of the same component to have optimized properties for their specific functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a universal clamping mechanism is designed for the surgical retractor system, then the system becomes more versatile and adaptable, but the complexity of the clamping mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal clamping mechanism that can accommodate multiple rod diameters and configurations through adjustable components. The mechanism includes interchangeable inserts or adjustable jaws that can be configured for different surgical retractor blade sizes, allowing a single clamping device to perform multiple functions without requiring separate specialized tools for each configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping mechanism is divided into modular segments that can be independently adjusted or replaced. This segmentation allows the universal mechanism to handle various configurations while keeping each individual component relatively simple in design, thereby reducing overall complexity while maintaining versatility.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the clamping mechanism is designed to be strong against wear, then the durability is improved, but the manufacturing precision and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary wear protection by pre-applying protective coatings or treatments to high-wear areas during manufacturing. This preliminary action of protecting surfaces before they undergo wear extends service life without requiring complex precision manufacturing of the base components, as the protective layer is applied as a separate process step.
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 system provides a strong, durable, and easily sterilizable clamping mechanism that reduces wear and tear, maintaining effective clamping forces and ease of use during surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a tapered area washer configured to receive a central shaft and apply force to the at least one clamp
Implementation Method 2
a locking pin configured to connect the central shaft to the cam head
Implementation Method 3
multi-directional joint clamps with resilient components and adjustable clamping forces
Data Source
AI summary
A clamp for a surgical retractor system. The clamp has a tapered conically shaped washer against and through which clamping force is applied to place the clamp in a clamped position. The clamping force is applied by a cam head connected to a central shaft. A locking pin connects the cam head to the shaft. Apertures are provided in the clamp for receiving rod ends of a surgical retractor. Such apertures are circular and are positioned to be closer to the top and bottom edges of the clamp portion of the clamp than to the end edge of the clamp portion.