Quarter Turn Locking Mechanism for Surgical Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current interconnection systems for surgical instruments, such as spinal trial implants and inserter tools, face challenges in securely yet releasably connecting components while accommodating dimensional variations and manufacturing tolerances, which affects their reliability under service loads.
Innovation Solution
A quarter-turn locking mechanism is developed, featuring cooperating features on the tool and implant with cantilever bodies and pins, allowing for secure and quick connection and disconnection, and is designed to be insensitive to dimensional variations, enabling the system to withstand intraoperative loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional interconnection systems are used, then connection security may be maintained, but manufacturing precision requirements increase and tolerance accommodation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the locking mechanism to create a quarter-turn operation that transforms the connection state from unlocked to locked. This parameter change approach allows the mechanism to accommodate dimensional variations while maintaining reliable locking under service loads through the inherent mechanical advantage of the quarter-turn geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism employs asymmetric geometries in the locking surfaces and engagement features that are intentionally designed to be insensitive to dimensional variations. The asymmetric design allows the mechanism to self-adjust and maintain reliable connection despite manufacturing tolerances, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and connection reliability.
2Strength
If secure connection is achieved, then connection strength increases, but connection and disconnection time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism utilizes periodic rotational action (quarter-turn) to achieve both locking and unlocking states. This periodic motion allows the operator to quickly transition between connected and disconnected states while maintaining strong connection during the locked phase, effectively reducing the time loss for connection and disconnection operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism incorporates dynamic elements that allow rapid transition between locked and unlocked states through rotational motion. The dynamic quarter-turn operation enables the connection to be securely established and quickly released, balancing connection strength with operational speed and minimizing time loss.
3Ease of manufacture
If manufacturing tolerances are relaxed, then ease of manufacture improves, but connection reliability under service loads deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs parameter changes in the locking geometry that create a mechanism inherently insensitive to dimensional variations. By designing the quarter-turn locking surfaces and engagement features with specific geometric relationships, the mechanism maintains functional reliability under service loads even when manufactured with relaxed tolerances, thus improving ease of manufacture without sacrificing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism incorporates design features that preemptively compensate for potential dimensional variations through its geometric configuration. The quarter-turn locking geometry is designed to self-adjust and accommodate tolerance stacks, providing beforehand cushioning that ensures reliable connection under service loads despite relaxed manufacturing tolerances.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for securely, yet releasably, connecting separate parts. A shaft engages a cooperating socket to form a connection capable of sustaining service loads. The shaft has a protruding pin which slides within a slot in the socket to guide the shaft into locked engagement with the socket. The shaft also has a cantilever body which wedges into a tapered region in the socket to frictionally bind the shaft and socket together.