Sternal Closure Assembly Telescopic Mating Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sternal closure assemblies require time-consuming and tedious suturing processes to secure telescopically mateable sliding members, complicating the assembly of longitudinally severed sternums.
Innovation Solution
A sternal closure assembly featuring interlocking bridge members with upward and downward projecting teeth, allowing for telescopic shortening without altering the position of the teeth, and utilizing elastic deformation for forceful engagement between male and female portions, facilitating secure sternal closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a suture is used to secure the first and second sliding body members together, then the sternal closure assembly can be assembled, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The male and female portions are integrated directly into the sliding body members, combining the securing function into the structural components themselves. The first sliding body member includes a female portion and the second sliding body member includes a male portion, eliminating the need for separate sutures or fasteners.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic mating mechanism is self-securing through elastic deformation. When the male portion is inserted into the female portion, the elastic deformation of the first sliding body member automatically creates a secure connection without requiring external suturing or additional assembly steps.
2Strength
If the male portion is fully introduced into the female portion, then secure engagement is achieved, but elastic deformation is required which may complicate the structure
Solution Approach 1:
The material properties of the first sliding body member are changed to exhibit elastic deformation characteristics. This allows the female portion to temporarily deform during insertion of the male portion and then return to its original shape, creating a secure mechanical interlock through the elastic recovery force.
Solution Approach 2:
The male portion is nested within the female portion through telescopic mating. The second sliding body member with the male portion is inserted into the first sliding body member with the female portion, creating a compact nested structure that provides secure engagement.
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 enables efficient and secure telescopic mating of sternal closure assembly components, reducing assembly time and complexity while ensuring a forceful engagement to hold the sternum halves together effectively.
Implementation Method 1
The male portion is capable of being fully introduced into the female portion only upon there being an elastic deformation of at least a part of the female portion, the male and female portions configured such that when the second sliding body is mated with the first sliding body the elastic deformation results in a forceful engagement between the male and female portions
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A sternal closure assembly is provided for securing first and second lateral halves of a sternum that has been longitudinally severed. The sternal closure assembly comprises first and second sliding bodies including corresponding first and second interconnecting bridges having a male portion and a female portion, telescopically mateable with each other, respectively, with the male portion being capable of being fully introduced into the female portion only upon there being an elastic deformation of at least a part of the female portion. When the first and second sliding bodies are mated with each other an elastic deformation results in a forceful engagement between the male and female portions and in a forceful engagement between the plurality of upward projecting teeth and downward projecting teeth of the first and second interconnecting bridges, respectively.