Spinal Plate Fastener Retention via Nested Spring Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal orthopedic fastener retention systems face issues with fastener loosening due to vibrations and improper insertion angles, which can compromise fixation integrity and increase manufacturing complexity, leading to discomfort and trauma risks.
Innovation Solution
A fastener retention system featuring a spring mechanism with a blocking member and pockets in the spinal plate, where the spring expands to fill a cavity formed between the pockets, biasing the blocking member to protrude into apertures and prevent fastener back-out, while allowing for top-loading and self-limiting compression to maintain secure fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a retention mechanism is added to prevent fastener loosening, then fastener retention reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member is nested within the plate structure, with pockets formed directly in the plate body. The spring is housed within the blocking member's pocket, creating a compact nested arrangement that prevents fastener back-out without requiring separate retention components
Solution Approach 2:
The retention mechanism is merged with the plate structure by forming pockets directly in the plate. The blocking member and spring are integrated into a single functional unit that combines retention functionality with the plate's fastener insertion function
2Reliability
If additional openings are added to the plate for retention mechanism assembly, then fastener retention is improved, but structural integrity of the plate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member and spring are nested within existing plate material, utilizing pockets formed inside the plate body. This approach avoids creating additional openings that would compromise structural integrity while still providing effective fastener retention
3Reliability
If the retention mechanism requires springs and compression members, then fastener retention reliability is improved, but manufacturing and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is nested within the blocking member's pocket, which itself is nested in the plate. This nested structure allows the spring to be pre-assembled with the blocking member as a single unit, simplifying manufacturing and assembly while maintaining reliable fastener retention through the spring's compression action
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 system effectively prevents fastener loosening and enhances structural integrity by ensuring proper alignment and secure engagement of fasteners, reducing the risk of trauma and simplifying manufacturing and assembly processes.
Implementation Method 1
a spring that expands from a compressed configuration within the first pocket to a decompressed configuration within the cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener retention system for retaining fasteners within apertures of an orthopedic plate includes a first pocket disposed between two of the apertures in the plate, a blocking member disposed between the two apertures and including a second pocket that forms a cavity with the first pocket, and a spring that expands from a compressed configuration within the first pocket to a decompressed configuration within the cavity.