Staggered Path Locking for Interspinous Implant Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insertion instruments for spinal implants are difficult to clean and reassemble, which can lead to damage and inefficiency in deploying interspinous process implants, particularly in minimally invasive surgical procedures for spinal stabilization and fusion.
Innovation Solution
The insertion instrument features a modular design with a plunger and hex nut driver system, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly, and includes a staggered path mechanism for locking and deploying the implant, along with a PVD-coated plunger tab and hex nut driver for clear operation indicators, enabling secure and efficient deployment of interspinous process implants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the insertion instrument has several moving parts to enable implant deployment, then the functionality and versatility of the instrument is improved, but the ease of cleaning and reassembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion instrument is divided into multiple separable components including a handle, a plunger assembly, a hex nut driver, and an implant holder. Each component can be independently removed and cleaned, eliminating the difficulty of cleaning entire assemblies with moving parts while maintaining the functional versatility of the complete instrument system.
2Reliability
If the insertion instrument is designed with multiple components for implant deployment, then the reliability of implant fixation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger and hex nut driver are combined into a single integrated assembly that operates through a common drive shaft. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining the reliable fixation function through the coordinated action of the plunger and hex nut driver mechanisms.
3Manufacturing precision
If the insertion instrument uses a locking mechanism with multiple positions, then the precision of implant deployment is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The staggered path mechanism includes colored indicators (such as colored rings or markers) that visually indicate the current position of the plunger tab within the path. These color changes provide immediate visual feedback to the operator about whether the instrument is in the unlocked, locked, or deployed position, making it easier to operate precisely without requiring complex mechanical indicators or multiple adjustment steps.
Data Source
AI summary
An insertion instrument for inserting an implant includes an elongated main body having a proximal handle and a distal portion that selectively couples to the implant. A plunger is slidably engaged in a central passage of the elongated main body to fix the implant to the elongated main body. A hex nut driver is concentrically located about the plunger and elongated main body to deploy an actuation plunger of the implant. The proximal handle portion of the main body includes a staggered path therethrough for accepting a tab of the plunger therein. Advancement and retraction of the plunger tab within the staggered path alternates the insertion instrument between an unlocked position to mount the implant on the distal portion, a locked position to lock the implant on the distal portion, and a deployed position configured to secure the implant in position.