Bone Screw Locking Mechanism Prevents Backout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Screws used to secure devices within the body tend to back out over time, requiring additional surgical procedures for correction, and existing solutions are not straightforward for physicians to use effectively.
Innovation Solution
A bone screw locking mechanism is introduced, featuring a plate with apertures for screws and an adjacent mount with a locking mechanism that extends over the screws to prevent backout, utilizing a retainer that deflects to apply a holding force and can be easily installed by physicians for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a screw is inserted into the bone to secure a device, then the device is fixed to the bone, but the screw tends to back out over time requiring additional surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is pre-assembled with the plate before screw insertion. The mount extends from the plate and the locking mechanism is already positioned to engage the screw, so that when the screw is inserted, the locking mechanism is ready to prevent backout immediately. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for additional surgical procedures to correct screw backout.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism acts as an intermediary component between the plate and the screw. It includes a mount that extends from the plate and a locking element that engages the screw shaft, creating a three-component system where the locking mechanism mediates the connection and prevents direct screw backout from the plate aperture.
2Reliability
If an anti-backout device is added to prevent screw backout, then screw retention is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-backout function is segmented into separate components: the plate with aperture, the mount that extends from the plate, and the locking mechanism that engages the screw. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system compared to integrating all functions into a single complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be universal and can be applied to multiple screws simultaneously. The mount can extend to accommodate one or more locking mechanisms, and each locking mechanism can engage multiple screws, providing a multi-functional solution that reduces the need for separate anti-backout devices for each screw.
3Ease of operation
If the locking mechanism is designed to be easy to install, then physician ease of use is improved, but the locking mechanism may be less effective
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-aligning and self-locking. The mount extends from the plate and the locking mechanism automatically positions itself to engage the screw shaft when the screw is inserted. The physician simply needs to insert the screw, and the locking mechanism self-activates to prevent backout, providing both ease of use and reliable locking without requiring complex adjustment procedures.
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 locking mechanism effectively prevents screw backout, providing secure attachment and allowing for visual and tactile confirmation of proper installation, reducing the need for repeated surgical interventions.
Implementation Method 1
The retainer is constructed of a resilient material that deflects when attached to the mount
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods to prevent a screw from backing out of a plate. The plate includes an aperture for receiving a screw that is attached to the bone. A mount is positioned adjacent to the aperture and extends out from a face of the plate. A locking mechanism is attached to the mount and sized to extend over at least a portion of the inserted screw to prevent the screw from backing out of the aperture. One method comprises inserting a screw into the aperture to attach the plate to the bone. A locking mechanism is then attached to the mount. The locking mechanism is sized to extend over bone screw and prevent the screw from backing out.