Spinal Implant Faceplate with Elastic Locking Tabs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable medical devices for spinal disc replacement often experience anchor member back-out due to micro motion of vertebrae, leading to loosening and potential nerve impingement and pain.
Innovation Solution
An implantable medical device with a faceplate that overlaps anchor member apertures, featuring locking tabs that elastically deform to secure the faceplate onto the implant member, preventing anchor member back-out and ensuring stability between vertebrae.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If anchor members are used to fix the implant member in place, then the implant member can be securely attached to vertebrae, but over time the anchor members may loosen and back out due to micro motion of the vertebrae
Solution Approach 1:
A faceplate is introduced as an intermediary component between the anchor members and the implant member. The faceplate overlaps the anchor member apertures and includes locking tabs that engage with the implant member, creating a mechanical barrier that prevents anchor member back-out while maintaining secure fixation to the vertebrae.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant system is divided into separate functional components: the implant member for vertebral attachment, the anchor members for fixation, and the faceplate for preventing back-out. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together as an integrated system.
2Reliability
If a faceplate is added to prevent anchor member back-out, then anchor member stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The faceplate combines multiple functions into a single component: it overlaps the anchor member apertures to provide a mechanical barrier, includes locking tabs that engage with the implant member for secure attachment, and maintains the structural integrity of the implant assembly. This merging reduces the need for additional separate components.
3Reliability
If locking tabs are used to secure the faceplate, then the faceplate attachment reliability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking tabs are designed with elastic deformation capability, allowing them to dynamically adapt during assembly. The tabs can deform elastically to engage with the implant member and then maintain a secure locked position, providing reliability while accommodating reasonable variations in manufacturing tolerances.
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 faceplate effectively inhibits anchor member back-out, maintaining the implant's stability and reducing the risk of nerve impingement and pain by physically blocking the anchor members' movement, thus enhancing the long-term effectiveness of spinal disc replacement procedures.
Implementation Method 1
Locking tabs are associated with the main body. E.g., the locking tabs are formed to at least partially elastically deform to engage the implantable member and secure the main body in place.
Data Source
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AI summary
A faceplate (104) for at least partially covering a plurality of anchor member apertures (126) in an implantable member includes a main body (128) sized to at least partially overlap the plurality of anchor member apertures of the implantable member and configured to inhibit anchor member (106) back-out from the plurality of anchor member apertures. A locking tab may be associated with the main body, the locking tab (130) being formed to at least partially elastically deform to engage the implantable member and secure the main body in place.