Surgical Tool Coupling for Stable Device Positioning in Tight Spaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical tools and devices face challenges in securely positioning and coupling surgical instruments like tapping attachments and screws within limited spaces in the body, risking disengagement and complicating subsequent surgical maneuvers due to their size and manual handling requirements, leading to blood loss and hindered surgical execution.

Innovation Solution

A surgical tool with a coupling system featuring semispherical portions and a central clutch mechanism that ensures axial retention and rotational engagement, allowing secure insertion and manipulation of surgical devices without disengagement, facilitating subsequent surgical maneuvers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual positioning of surgical devices is used, then the surgeon can position the device, but the risk of disengagement increases and more operating space is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning capabilityVSAvoidcoupling stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the surgical device and positioning tool into a single integrated unit where the device is inserted into a receiving cavity of the tool. This merging eliminates the risk of disengagement during manual positioning, as the device remains securely held within the tool's cavity throughout the surgical maneuvering process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary coupling mechanism between the surgical device and the positioning tool. The device features a coupling element that interfaces with a corresponding cavity in the tool, creating a stable intermediary connection that prevents direct hand-device disengagement while maintaining positioning capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the surgical device is inserted with the tool, then coupling stability improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling stabilityVSAvoidcoupling system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the coupling system into distinct functional components: a receiving cavity in the tool, a coupling element on the device, and a retention mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall simplicity, avoiding the need for complex integrated designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of the device having complex active coupling mechanisms, the patent inverts the approach by providing a simple passive receiving cavity in the tool that passively retains the device. The complexity is shifted from the device to the tool, which is already present in the surgical system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the tapping attachment is removed after creating the channel, then subsequent surgical maneuvers can be performed, but blood loss occurs and surgical time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical maneuver capabilityVSAvoidblood loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal surgical tool that serves multiple functions: it acts as both a positioning device for insertion and a retention device during subsequent surgical maneuvers. The receiving cavity continues to hold the surgical device throughout the procedure, eliminating the need to remove and replace it, thus preventing blood loss and reducing surgical time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous useful action by maintaining the surgical device in place within the tool's receiving cavity throughout the entire surgical procedure. Instead of removing the device after channel creation, it remains retained and ready for subsequent maneuvers, eliminating interruptions and blood loss associated with device removal and reinsertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS12575870B2Surgical tool for positioning a surgical device, surgical device and kit

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 MEDACTA INT SA

AI summary

A surgical tool for positioning a surgical device including a gripping portion; a rod protruding from the gripping portion; and a coupling system. The coupling system comprises an axial retention assembly comprising, at a free end of the rod, two opposite semispherical portions, wherein the respective flat surfaces are separated from each other by an axial notch made partially along the rod, and a central clutch movable between a locking position and a disengagement position. In the locking position, the central clutch approaches the free end of the rod and is interposed between the two semispherical portions, preventing the reciprocal approach thereof so as to block the two semispherical portions within a seat of said surgical device. In the disengagement position, the central clutch moves away from the free end and the two semispherical portions can approach to allow the tool to come out of the surgical device.