Surgical Wire Driver Automatic Diameter Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wire drivers face challenges in efficiently driving wires and pins of varying diameters into bone tissue due to ergonomic difficulties and mechanical limitations, requiring manual adjustment of the lever position based on the diameter of the implant, which can lead to increased surgeon fatigue and reduced precision.
Innovation Solution
A wire driver with a manually actuated plural bar linkage, including a lever and actuator link, that automatically adjusts the grasping mechanism to accommodate different diameters without the need for manual configuration, featuring a collet and wedge design with varying ankle surface angles to maintain consistent grasping force across a range of diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the lever position is manually adjusted to accommodate different wire or pin diameters, then the grasping mechanism can be properly configured for each implant size, but the surgeon experiences increased fatigue and reduced precision due to repeated manual adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The lever assembly automatically adjusts its configuration based on the diameter of the wire or pin being driven. The system uses the implant itself as the input signal, with larger diameter implants causing greater collet foot flexure that automatically positions the lever for optimal mechanical advantage, eliminating the need for manual lever repositioning by the surgeon
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the lever position parameter automatically in response to variations in implant diameter. As the collet feet flex outward by different amounts depending on implant size, the lever is carried to different positions along its arc of motion, with the system dynamically adjusting the lever angle to maintain consistent mechanical advantage across the full range of implant diameters
2Adaptability or versatility
If the lever arc of motion is increased to accommodate smaller diameter wires, then small wires can be properly grasped, but the lever extends too far forward making it difficult to grasp with small hands
Solution Approach 1:
The lever assembly transitions from a static, fixed-position design to a dynamic system where the lever position is continuously adjusted during operation. The lever moves through different positions in its arc of motion depending on the implant diameter, with the system automatically finding the optimal balance between grasping capability and surgeon accessibility for each specific implant size
3Device complexity
If a single tool is used to drive both wires and pins of different diameters, then device complexity is reduced and costs are managed, but the tool must accommodate a wide range of diameters which creates mechanical design challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The wire driver is designed as a universal tool that can accommodate both wires and pins across a wide range of diameters using a single lever assembly configuration. The collet mechanism with its flexible feet and the automatically adjusting lever work together to provide universal compatibility without requiring multiple specialized tools or complex manual reconfiguration mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses continuous parameter adjustment rather than discrete settings or multiple specialized components. The lever position varies continuously along its arc of motion to match the specific diameter being driven, allowing the single tool to adapt to the full range of implant sizes from small wires to larger pins through smooth, automatic parameter changes
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 efficient and ergonomic driving of wires and pins with varying diameters, reducing surgeon fatigue and improving precision by maintaining consistent grasping force and mechanical advantage across a wide range of diameters without the need for manual lever positioning adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
manually actuated plural bar linkage that automatically adjusts the grasping mechanism
Implementation Method 2
wedge design with varying ankle surface angles to maintain consistent grasping force
Data Source
AI summary
A wire driver for driving a wire or pin into living tissue includes a rotating drive shaft, a collet, and a wedge. The collet is held fast to the drive shaft and has a plurality of feet radially moveable relative for grasping the wire or pin. Each foot has an outwardly located curved ankle surface with a concave or convex profile. The wedge is disposed over the collet and is at least partly inside the bore of the drive shaft. The wedge rotates with the drive shaft and has a tapered inner surface in selective engagement with the curved ankle surfaces. The wedge is moveable longitudinally relative to the collet feet to bear against the feet and cause the feet to grasp the wire or pin. The wedge has a release position in which the wedge is spaced from the collet feet, releasing the wire or pin.