Spreading Blade Snap-Fit Mechanism for Spinal Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing expanding devices for spinal surgery often cause skin damage due to uneven tensile strength and direction deviations during manual expansion, and are inconvenient to replace, especially when using fixed blades connected to devices.
Innovation Solution
The design of an expanding blade with snap-fit portions, a partition panel, and hook edges allows for easy installation and replacement in both unidirectional and bidirectional expanding devices, featuring a convex ring and arched partition panel to prevent skin damage and facilitate secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual skin expansion is performed, then the incision can be opened, but the skin is easily damaged due to uneven tensile strength or direction deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The expanding device is divided into multiple blades (first expanding blade and second expanding blade) that can be independently positioned and adjusted. Each blade has separate adjustment mechanisms allowing independent control of expansion direction and force distribution, preventing concentrated stress on single skin areas and reducing damage risk
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates adjustable blades with movable positions and angles relative to the device body. The blades can be dynamically repositioned along guide rails and rotated to different angles to match the curvature and tension distribution of the skin, enabling adaptive expansion that follows natural skin stress patterns rather than applying fixed rigid forces
2Stability of the object's composition
If fixed blades are connected with the device, then structural stability is improved, but replacement and use are inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The blade adjustment mechanism uses a nested structure where the blade can be inserted into and removed from the device body through a dedicated slot. The blade contains internal positioning features that nest with corresponding features in the device body, providing stable connection during use while allowing easy insertion and removal when replacement is needed
Solution Approach 2:
The blade connection transitions from a fixed static state to a dynamically adjustable state. Blades can be easily inserted and removed, and during operation, their positions and angles can be adjusted dynamically. This dynamic capability allows the system to maintain stability during use while enabling convenient replacement when needed
3Adaptability or versatility
If different expanding devices are used for unidirectional and bidirectional expansion, then functional requirements are met, but the number of instruments increases and costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The expanding device is designed with a universal structure that can perform both unidirectional and bidirectional expansion functions. The device body contains multiple blades that can be independently adjusted and positioned. By configuring one or more blades and adjusting their positions and angles, the same device can achieve unidirectional expansion (using one blade) or bidirectional expansion (using multiple blades in coordinated positions), eliminating the need for separate specialized devices
Solution Approach 2:
The device is segmented into multiple independent functional modules (multiple blades, each with independent adjustment mechanisms). This segmentation allows flexible configuration where blades can be used individually for unidirectional expansion or in combination for bidirectional expansion. The modular segmented design enables one device to replace multiple specialized devices while maintaining all required functional capabilities
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides an expanding blade, comprising a first snap-fit portion, a second snap-fit portion, a fixation portion, a partition panel and hook edges, wherein, the first snap-fit portion has an axial flat section on one side; the second snap-fit portion is connected with the first snap-fit portion at one end and fixed to the fixation portion at the other end, and a convex locating block is arranged on the side wall of the second snap-fit portion; the partition panel is connected with the fixation portion at one end, the hook edges which are inclined outwards is arranged at the other end, and both the fixation portion and the hook edges are arranged on the same side of the partition panel. In addition, the invention also puts forward a unidirectional expanding device and a bidirectional expanding device which use the expanding blade. In this application, two fastening structures, i.e. the first snap-fit portion and the second snap-fit portion, arranged for the expanding blade can be snap-fitted in with different devices using different installation methods. Both the unidirectional expanding device and the bidirectional expanding device can also use the same kind of expanding blades, which reduces the number of instruments used in operations and lowers the cost, and both of them are simply fastened with simple structures, which is convenient for disassembly, assembly and replacement.