Automatic Locking Vertebral Distractor Pin Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vertebral distractor systems experience relative movement of anchor pins within tubes during spinal surgery, leading to instability and the need for manual engagement, which complicates the surgical procedure.
Innovation Solution
A vertebral distractor system with a crossbar and distractor arms featuring a locking mechanism that automatically secures the anchor pins, preventing upward movement of the distractor arms and ensuring stable distraction without requiring active user engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the distractor tubes are moved away from the vertebrae to maintain distraction, then the distraction force is maintained, but the anchor pins become disengaged from the tubes
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is pre-configured within the distractor tube to automatically engage the anchor pin when inserted, preventing disengagement before it can occur during tube movement or manipulation
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism automatically secures the anchor pin without requiring active user engagement, using the insertion force itself to trigger the locking action
2Reliability
If manual engagement mechanisms are used to secure anchor pins, then pin stability is improved, but the surgical procedure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage the anchor pin using the insertion force itself, eliminating the need for separate manual engagement steps or complex control systems
3Ease of operation
If the distractor tubes are allowed to move freely, then ease of manipulation is improved, but pin disengagement occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is pre-positioned within the distractor tube to automatically engage the anchor pin when inserted, preventing disengagement before it can occur during subsequent tube movement or manipulation
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism allows the tube to move dynamically during surgery while automatically preventing pin disengagement through the locking action
Data Source
AI summary
A vertebral distractor system includes a crossbar and a first distractor arm having a first end portion coupled to the crossbar and a second end portion with a first bore configured to axially receive a first coupling portion of a first pin. A second distractor arm includes a third end portion coupled to the crossbar and a fourth end portion with a second bore configured to receive a second coupling portion of a second pin. A first pin locking mechanism is configured to couple the first coupling portion and the first distractor arm within the first bore such that when the first coupling portion and the first distractor arm are coupled, movement of the first pin outwardly of the first bore is not allowed.