Intervertebral Cage Pivot Anchor Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intervertebral cages for treating spinal degeneration are complex to manufacture and implant due to intricate anchor member integration, which complicates the surgical process and requires multiple components.
Innovation Solution
An intervertebral cage design featuring a block with a pivot and blade system, where the pivot is mounted to turn relative to the block via a hole and slot configuration, allowing the anchor member to transition between two positions, with a second bearing facilitating easy assembly and reduced component count, enabling easier implantation between vertebrae.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the anchor member is positioned in the middle portion of the spacer to minimize the number of elements, then the quantity of components is reduced, but the integration method becomes too complex and makes implantation relatively complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional segments: the spacer body, the anchor member with blade, the pivot mechanism, and the bearing assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall simplicity. The anchor member is separated from the spacer body, connected only through the pivot and bearing, enabling independent positioning and insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot and bearing mechanisms are extracted as separate, standardized components rather than being integrated into the spacer body. The pivot is positioned in a hole through the spacer with a bearing that allows rotation, separating the rotational function from the structural spacer body. This extraction simplifies manufacturing and assembly while maintaining the reduced component count.
2Ease of operation
If traditional anchor member integration methods are used on the face of the spacer, then ease of turning the member relative to the spacer is improved, but the number of elements increases and complexity rises
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot and bearing are combined into a single integrated rotational mechanism. The pivot passes through a hole in the spacer and is supported by a bearing that is press-fitted into the hole, merging the rotational support function into a compact assembly. This reduces the number of separate elements while maintaining smooth rotational movement of the anchor member.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing acts as an intermediary element between the pivot and the spacer body. It facilitates smooth rotation of the pivot within the hole while being press-fitted into the spacer, providing a low-friction interface. This intermediary bearing enables easy turning of the anchor member without requiring complex integration mechanisms.
3Ease of manufacture
If the cage design is simplified to ease manufacture and assembly, then ease of manufacture and assembly is improved, but manufacturing precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
High precision is required only at critical locations: the hole in the spacer for the pivot and the bearing press-fit interface. These localized precision features are concentrated in small areas rather than distributed throughout the entire device. The rest of the components can be manufactured with standard tolerances, easing overall manufacturing while maintaining precision where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing is press-fitted into the hole in the spacer during assembly, creating a pre-positioned, precision-aligned rotational support before the anchor member is attached. This preliminary action of securing the bearing in place ensures accurate pivot positioning is achieved through a simple press-fit operation rather than requiring complex precision machining of multiple components.
Data Source
AI summary
An intervertebral cage for treating degeneration of the spine includes a block, an anchor member with a pivot and two blades secured to the pivot, a device for mounting the pivot to turn relative to the block and a hole in the block, a slot in the block, where the slot shares a common portion with the hole for containing the pivot, and a device for associating the pivot in rotation with the block in the common portion in such a manner that when the pivot is turned, the anchor member takes up a first position in which the blade is fully contained in the slot and a second position in which a portion of the end of the blade emerges from the slot.