Unitary Orthopaedic Impactor with Multi-Formation Head
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical impactors for orthopaedic implants require multiple tools and complex mechanisms, leading to delays, increased manufacturing complexity, and difficulty in sterilization, while simpler devices may cause damage to implant components due to inadequate fitting and pressure distribution.
Innovation Solution
A multifunction impactor with a unitary, moulded plastics design featuring various formations to match different components of orthopaedic implants, allowing for uniform pressure application and reducing the need for multiple tools, with integrated features for specific impaction tasks without moving parts for easier sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate impactors are used for different implant components, then each component can be impacted correctly without damage, but the number of instruments increases and surgical time increases due to swapping tools
Solution Approach 1:
The impactor head is designed with multiple formations (first formation with curved surfaces for femoral components, second formation with flat surfaces for tibial components, third formation for notch engagement) that can impact different implant components. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple separate impactor tools while maintaining the ability to correctly impact each component type without damage
2Adaptability or versatility
If impactor heads are releasably attached to the handle, then different heads can be interchanged for different components, but the attachment mechanism increases complexity and makes sterilization difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The impactor is designed as a unitary structure where the head and handle are formed as a single integral piece without separate attachment mechanisms. This merging of components eliminates the complexity of releasable attachments while maintaining versatility through the multiple formations integrated into the single head structure
Solution Approach 2:
The single integral head incorporates multiple formations (curved surfaces, flat surfaces, notch engagement features) that provide the functionality of multiple separate heads, achieving versatility without requiring interchangeable components or attachment mechanisms
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple impactor without specialized formations is used, then the device is easier to manufacture and sterilize, but the implant components may be damaged due to inadequate pressure distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The impactor head features localized specialized formations in specific areas: curved surfaces for femoral components, flat surfaces for tibial components, and notch engagement features. These local adaptations provide the necessary pressure distribution and protection for each component type while the overall unitary structure remains relatively simple to manufacture and sterilize
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-function impactor for use with an orthopaedic implant, such as a knee joint, is described. The head of the impactor has a pair of curved recesses for mating with condylar parts of a femoral implant and flat faces for mating with a tibial implant. An extended formation is also provided for use with the inter-condylar notch of the femoral implant. A v-shaped notch in the extended formation is also provided to impact a tibial insert. The impactor can be made from a single moulded plastics part.