Vacuum Gripper for Ceramic Hip Implant Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for manipulating and assembling ceramic core implants in hip prostheses, especially 'dual mobility' hip prostheses, are difficult due to the challenge of gripping and handling small, delicate components like ceramic cores, which existing gripper technologies cannot effectively address.
Innovation Solution
A cup-shaped implant assembly with a gripper that uses a sealable engagement part with a paddle-shaped grip portion and an airtight bag for creating a vacuum connection, allowing easy manipulation and disconnection by controlling air pressure, ensuring secure coaxial alignment and preventing accidental separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a suction cup gripping head is used to facilitate gripping of a hip prosthesis cup, then the ease of operation is improved, but the applicability deteriorates for small size implants such as ceramic cores
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the gripping mechanism from suction-based (for large cups) to vacuum-based engagement (for small cores). The engagement part features a seal that creates a vacuum connection when pressed against the ceramic core, allowing the same gripper design to effectively handle both large acetabular cups and small ceramic cores by changing the fundamental gripping parameter from suction to vacuum engagement.
2Reliability
If a seal is used to create a connection between the gripper and implant, then the reliability of connection is improved, but the ease of separation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is designed to be dynamically controllable - it maintains a tight vacuum connection during manipulation but can be easily separated by tilting the gripper. The seal's ability to maintain vacuum under normal conditions provides reliable connection, while the tilting mechanism allows controlled breaking of the vacuum seal for easy separation when needed.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the gripper is designed to securely grasp the implant, then the stability of grasping is improved, but the risk of accidental inclination and separation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The airtight bag serves as an intermediary protective environment that maintains the vacuum connection between gripper and implant during transport and manipulation. The bag prevents accidental separation by providing a controlled atmosphere, while the holding element within the bag ensures the gripper remains coaxially aligned with the implant, eliminating the risk of accidental inclination.
4Ease of operation
If a complex gripper structure with seal and engagement part is used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into a single integrated gripper structure. The engagement part with its seal combines the functions of connection, sealing, and alignment into one component. The airtight bag further integrates transport protection and vacuum maintenance functions. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining ease of operation.
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
Enables easy handling and assembly of small ceramic core implants by creating a reliable vacuum connection between the gripper and implant, facilitating their manipulation and maintaining alignment during transport and use.
Implementation Method 1
the seal is able, when the assembly is placed under depression, to move back slightly in the radial direction in order to allow the air located between the implant and the engagement part to escape
Implementation Method 2
create an air vacuum around said assembly so as to cause the air situated between the implant and the engagement part to escape; and bringing said assembly back to atmospheric pressure, so as to assemble the implant and the gripper by means of the air depression created between this implant and this gripper
Data Source
AI summary
The assembly comprises a cup-shaped implant (1) having a continuous wall that delimits a cavity (3), and a gripper (2) for this implant (1), said gripper (2) comprising: - an engagement part (4) intended to be engaged in the cavity (3) delimited by the implant (1) and to come, in an engagement position in this cavity (3), in the immediate vicinity of the wall of the implant (1); this engagement part (4) has, on its entire periphery, a sealing gasket (7) which normally comes, in this same engagement position, into a tight seal against said wall; and - a gripping part (5) dimensioned so as to be able to be grasped manually.According to the invention, the gripper (2) comprises: - the sealing gasket (7) is adapted, when the assembly is placed under negative pressure, to retract slightly in the radial direction in order to allow the air located between the implant (1) and the engagement portion (4) to escape; and - the gripper portion (5) is paddle-shaped and protrudes from said engagement portion (4). The method includes a step of assembling the implant (1) and the gripper (2) by creating a negative pressure in the space existing between this implant and this gripper.