Universal Handle for Orthopaedic Instruments
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current femoral stem extractors used in hip revision surgery are bulky and heavy, which increases the weight and size of instrument cases, complicates transportation, setup, and sterilization, and requires separate stem inserters for different surgical approaches.
Innovation Solution
A universal handle designed to function as a slap hammer when assembled with a femoral stem extractor and as a handle for other orthopaedic instruments, reducing the need for multiple instruments and minimizing the size and weight of surgical kits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional femoral stem extractors are used, then extraction function is achieved, but instrument weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is designed to serve dual functions: as a slap hammer for femoral stem extraction and as a handle for other orthopaedic instruments. The open-ended channel accommodates both the extractor shaft (sliding relationship) and handle-attachment portions (fixed relationship), eliminating the need for separate slap hammers and reducing overall instrument weight and kit size.
2Manufacturing precision
If separate stem inserters are used for different surgical approaches, then surgical precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The universal handle can accommodate multiple types of orthopaedic instruments including different stem inserters (straight shaft, curved anterior shaft, posterior shaft, bullet tip shaft) and femoral stem extractors. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate instruments needed while maintaining the ability to perform different surgical approaches with appropriate precision.
3Reliability
If bulky femoral stem extractors are used, then extraction capability is ensured, but transportation and sterilization become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the slap hammer function into the universal handle that also serves as a handle for other orthopaedic instruments, the design eliminates bulky separate slap hammer components. The handle maintains extraction capability through its sliding relationship with the extractor shaft while reducing overall size and weight, making transportation and sterilization more convenient.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specialized instruments are maintained in inventory, then surgical versatility is improved, but inventory costs and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The universal handle serves as a multi-functional platform that can accommodate various orthopaedic instruments including different stem inserters and femoral stem extractors. This consolidation reduces the total number of separate instruments needed in the inventory while maintaining surgical versatility across different approaches and procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
There invention relates to a handle for coupling to orthopaedic surgical instruments used in joint arthroplasty. The handle is universal. The handle comprises a body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an open-ended channel extending between the distal end and the proximal end. The channel is configured for receiving a shaft of a first orthopaedic instrument such that the shaft extends completely through the handle, and the handle is in a sliding relationship with the shaft. The channel is also configured for separately and independently receiving a handle-attachment portion located at a proximal end of a second orthopaedic surgical instrument such that the handle and the second orthopaedic surgical instrument are held in a fixed relationship.