Universal Wire Driver Axial Jaw Constraint for Orthopedic Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wire couplers for surgical wires obstruct the user's line of sight during orthopedic procedures and are inefficient in accommodating wires of various diameters, making it difficult to load and release surgical wires effectively.
Innovation Solution
A universal wire coupler with a driveshaft and primary jaws that are constrained to move axially, featuring a securing mechanism that adjusts to different wire diameters, allowing for improved grip force and unobstructed visibility by eliminating bulky bearings and washers, enabling easy loading and release of surgical wires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If bulky bearings and washers are used in the wire coupler, then the structural integrity and support are improved, but the user's line of sight to the bone is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes bulky bearings and washers from the wire coupler structure, extracting the obstructive elements while retaining the essential support function through alternative design means that do not block the user's view of the bone and surgical site
Solution Approach 2:
The patent repositions support elements to different spatial dimensions or locations within the coupler structure, allowing structural integrity to be maintained through distributed support rather than concentrated bulky components in the line-of-sight path
2Adaptability or versatility
If the wire coupler is designed to accommodate various wire diameters, then the versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal wire coupler with standardized interfaces and adjustable components that can accommodate multiple wire diameters and types through a single device structure, eliminating the need for multiple specialized couplers and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates movable or adjustable elements in the coupler structure that can dynamically adapt to different wire diameters, allowing the same structural components to serve multiple functions across varying wire sizes without requiring complex interchangeable parts
3Ease of operation
If the jaws are allowed to move axially for gripping, then the ease of operation is improved, but the control precision over wire placement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the jaw movement into distinct functional zones or stages, with different degrees of freedom for different phases of operation, allowing easy gripping motion in one phase while maintaining precise control in another phase through segmented mechanical guidance
Data Source
AI summary
A universal wire driver attachment comprises a driveshaft forming a lumen extending along a longitudinal axis. The driveshaft forms a plurality of channels extending perpendicularly from the longitudinal axis. The attachment further comprises a plurality of primary jaws movably disposed at least partially within the channels. The primary jaws comprise a plurality of wire gripping surfaces facing the longitudinal axis and configured to grip the surgical wire. The primary jaws cooperate with the channels such that the primary jaws are constrained from moving in an axial direction along the longitudinal axis. The primary jaws are capable of moving outward from the longitudinal axis when the surgical wire is inserted between the primary jaws, and the primary jaws are capable of being urged inward toward the longitudinal axis by the securing mechanism to increase a grip force on the surgical wire.