Telescoping Impactor with Spring-Actuated Force Indicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthopaedic implant assembly tools lack a reliable mechanism to indicate when a sufficient assembly force has been applied, potentially leading to insecure joint connections and increased risk of complications during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A telescoping impactor with a main spring and indicator system, where the indicator is latched until the assembly force exceeds a threshold, providing a visual cue that the minimum assembly force has been applied, ensuring secure locking of orthopaedic implant components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a simple impactor tool is used to apply assembly force, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of force application is insufficient because there is no indication of whether sufficient force has been applied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a visual feedback mechanism through an indicator that moves from a first position to a second position to provide real-time information to the operator about whether the minimum assembly force has been achieved. This feedback loop allows the operator to adjust the applied force accordingly, ensuring reliable force application without requiring complex electronic sensors or display systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spring mechanism as an intermediary element between the impactor body and the indicator system. The spring translates the applied assembly force into mechanical movement that triggers the indicator position change, providing a simple mechanical mediation that converts force application into a visible signal without requiring complex transducers or electronic components.
2Loss of information
If no indicator mechanism is provided, then the device complexity is low, but the loss of information occurs because the operator cannot determine whether sufficient assembly force has been applied
Solution Approach 1:
The visual indicator provides immediate feedback to the operator about the sufficiency of applied force, eliminating information loss by making the force application status directly observable. The indicator's position change from first to second position clearly communicates whether the minimum assembly force threshold has been reached, allowing the operator to make informed decisions without additional measurement equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The impactor system performs self-indication through the spring-mechanism that automatically translates force application into indicator movement. The system serves itself by providing the necessary information about its own state (force application sufficiency) through purely mechanical means, without requiring external measurement devices or complex monitoring systems.
3Reliability
If a spring mechanism with indicator is added to indicate sufficient force, then the reliability of assembly is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the additional mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The spring acts as a mechanical intermediary that naturally translates applied force into indicator movement without requiring additional operational steps. The spring mechanism automatically engages and disengages the indicator based on the force applied, maintaining ease of operation by eliminating the need for separate activation steps while ensuring reliable indication of force sufficiency.
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 impactor ensures secure locking of orthopaedic implant components by providing a clear visual indication of sufficient assembly force, reducing the risk of insecure connections and enhancing the reliability of surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a main spring acting between the first and second members, the main spring being retained in a compressed condition within the first and second members so that, in the absence of an applied assembly force, it exerts a compression force against the first and second members
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides an impactor for transmitting an assembly force to a component of an orthopaedic implant. The impactor has first and second telescoping parts which are biased apart by means of a main spring. The main spring is compressed when an assembly force is applied to the parts. An indicator is latched against movement until it is released when the extent of the compression of the main spring by the application of an assembly force exceeds a threshold. The indicator then moves to provide the user with an indication that a minimum assembly force has been applied.