Spinal Reducer Clutch and Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical extension devices for spinal procedures face challenges in attaching and detaching from pedicle screws, maintaining stability during operations, and ensuring secure interaction with other instruments, leading to operational difficulties.
Innovation Solution
The development of a reducer mechanism with a clutch, locking, and closure mechanism for pedicle screw extenders, which includes a reducing shaft, a reducer body, and a clutch mechanism that allows for secure attachment and easy operation, enabling robust interaction with pedicle screw housings and other instruments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the extender is designed to stay firmly attached to the pedicle screw housing during surgery, then the stability and reliability of the connection is improved, but the ease of attachment and detachment becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism transitions from a static fixed connection to a dynamic controllable connection. The extender incorporates a controllable release mechanism that allows the connection state to change from locked to unlocked based on surgical needs, resolving the contradiction between maintaining firm attachment during surgery and enabling easy attachment/detachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The release function is extracted as a separate controllable mechanism from the basic connection structure. By incorporating an independent release mechanism (such as a button or lever system), the patent allows surgeons to easily detach the extender when needed while maintaining secure attachment during the procedure, thus resolving the contradiction between attachment stability and ease of operation.
2Reliability
If the reducer mechanism is designed with robust locking and clutch mechanisms, then the reliability of the connection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reducer mechanism is divided into distinct functional modules: a locking mechanism for secure attachment, a clutch mechanism for controlled engagement/disengagement, and a reducing shaft for size adjustment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function reliably while keeping the overall design manageable and maintainable.
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch mechanism is nested within the reducer body, with the clutch pawl positioned inside the clutch housing that surrounds the reducing shaft. This nested arrangement allows multiple functions (locking, clutching, reducing) to be integrated in a compact configuration, improving reliability through coordinated operation while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the reducing shaft is designed to move freely within the reducer body, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stability during the procedure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The reducing shaft incorporates self-centering features and engagement surfaces that automatically align and secure the shaft in the correct position within the reducer body. This self-service mechanism ensures the shaft moves easily during operation when needed, while automatically maintaining stable positioning during the procedure, resolving the contradiction between ease of movement and position stability.
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 solution enhances the ability to securely attach and detach the extension devices from pedicle screw housings, facilitating smoother surgical procedures by providing a stable and easily operable system that maintains attachment during operations.
Implementation Method 1
rotation of the clutch knob is configured to push the clutch pawl into engagement with the threaded proximal end
Implementation Method 2
a locking mechanism configured to attach the reducer body to the pedicle screw extender
Implementation Method 3
a threaded proximal end
Data Source
AI summary
A reducer comprises a reducing shaft for engaging a stabilization member, a reducer body for engaging a pedicle screw extender and receiving the reducing shaft along an axis, and one or more of a three-pawl clutch mechanism, a three-stage locking mechanism and a closure mechanism. The clutch mechanism comprises a clutch housing comprising a central passage into which the reducing shaft extends and ports intersecting the central passage, a clutch knob surrounding the clutch housing, and clutch pawls disposed within the ports. The locking mechanism attaches the reducer body to the pedicle screw extender and comprises a first pivoting lever comprising a toothed end, a second pivoting lever comprising a socket for engaging the tooth, and a protrusion configured to engage the pedicle screw extender. The closure mechanism comprises a driver shaft extending through the reducing shaft and a biasing element to bias the driver shaft to a retracted position.