Vacuum Gripper for Small Joint Prosthesis Cups
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The small dimensions of joint prosthesis cups, such as trapezio-metacarpal implants, make anchoring and manipulation challenging, leading to potential bone damage due to imprecise impaction and difficulty in achieving solid durability.
Innovation Solution
A gripper assembly with a triangular-shaped proximal part and vacuum connection mechanism allows for precise visualization and handling of the implant, facilitating accurate impaction by creating a temporary air vacuum to secure the gripper to the implant, ensuring precise placement and easy manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current instruments for gripping and impacting the cup are used, then the cup can be manipulated, but the impaction is carried out imprecisely due to the small dimensions of the cup and trapezius bone
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping/impacting head is divided into distinct functional zones: a triangular proximal part for visualization and alignment, a seal portion for vacuum creation, and a distal part for impact transmission. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its specific function while working together as a unified tool.
Solution Approach 2:
The triangular-shaped proximal part of the gripping/impacting head provides visual reference and alignment cues during the impaction process, enabling the practitioner to perfectly visualize the bone location and ensure precise placement of the implant.
2Volume of moving object
If the cup dimensions are reduced for hand or foot joint application, then the prosthesis is suitable for small joints, but the anchoring solidity and manipulation ease deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is pre-configured to engage with the implant wall and create a vacuum seal before impaction occurs. This preliminary sealing action ensures that when vacuum is created, the gripping head is securely attached to the implant, preventing any loss of control during the impaction process and ensuring solid anchoring.
Solution Approach 2:
A vacuum system is used to create a pressure differential that securely attaches the gripping/impacting head to the implant. The vacuum creates a strong holding force that allows precise manipulation and controlled impaction of the small implant without compromising anchoring solidity.
3Volume of moving object
If the cup dimensions are reduced, then the prosthesis fits small joints, but the manipulation ease and handling precision worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping/impacting head serves as an intermediary tool between the practitioner and the small implant. It provides a larger handle for easy manipulation while maintaining precise control over the small implant through the vacuum connection, effectively bridging the size discrepancy between the practitioner's hand and the small implant.
Solution Approach 2:
The triangular proximal part of the gripping head extends in a different dimension (visually prominent orientation) compared to the small implant size, providing a larger manipulation interface while keeping the implant portion small for proper fit in hand or foot joints.
4Ease of manufacture
If current gripping instruments are used, then the cup can be impacted, but the risk of bone damage increases due to imprecise impaction
Solution Approach 1:
The triangular-shaped proximal part of the gripping/impacting head provides visual reference and alignment cues during the impaction process, enabling the practitioner to perfectly visualize the bone location and ensure precise placement of the implant, thereby eliminating the risk of defective impaction and bone damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum system provides tactile and visual feedback to the practitioner about the secure attachment of the gripping head to the implant. The seal engagement and vacuum maintenance give real-time information about proper alignment and secure attachment, preventing misaligned impaction that could damage the bone.
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 solution enhances the handling and impaction of small joint prosthesis cups by preventing defective placement and ensuring secure anchoring, thereby improving the durability and solidity of the implant-bone interface.
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
Said air depression makes it possible to create a connection between the implant and the gripping/impacting head
Implementation Method 3
the fact that said proximal part of the head has a triangular shape and that it is dimensioned so as to be inscribed inside said edge of this implant, allows the practitioner to perfectly visualize the bone location in which the implant is intended to be placed
Implementation Method 4
causing air to enter between the implant and said head and thereby eliminating the depression ensuring the connection of the implant and the head
Data Source
AI summary
The gripper comprises: - a gripping/impacting head (2) for the implant (1), including: - an engagement part (6) intended to be engaged in the cavity (9) delimited by the implant (1) and to come, in an engagement position in this cavity, in the immediate vicinity of the wall of the implant (1); this engagement part (6) has a sealing gasket (11) which applies a tight seal against said wall but is capable, when the assembly is placed under negative pressure, of allowing the air located between the implant (1) and the engagement part (6) to escape; and - a proximal part (7) of triangular shape, dimensioned so that its lateral faces are inscribed within the edge of the implant (1); and - said manipulation/impacting handle (3). The process includes a step of assembling the implant (1) and the head (2) by creating a vacuum in the space existing between this implant (1) and this head.