Quick Release Sternum Fixator with Pre-loaded Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sternum closing fixators face difficulties in quick and smooth removal due to loss of resilience in elastic claws caused by tissue growth, making it challenging to open and remove the fixator during subsequent surgeries.
Innovation Solution
A quick release sternum closing fixator with a tensioning device that forces two elastic claws to move against each other, allowing the locking roller to rotate and forcibly pull the claws back to their initial state, facilitating easy and rapid opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the locking roller rotates to open the sternum closing fixator, then the elastic claws should separate smoothly, but the elastic claws lose resilience due to tissue growth and cannot open smoothly
Solution Approach 1:
The spring component is pre-loaded to store elastic potential energy that acts in advance to counteract the tissue growth adhesion. When the locking roller rotates and releases the elastic claws, the pre-stored elastic energy in the spring immediately pushes the claws apart, overcoming the adhesive force from tissue growth before it can prevent opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is pre-compressed or pre-stretched during assembly to prepare the elastic claws in advance for the opening action. This preliminary action ensures that when needed, the claws have ready-made elastic force to separate quickly and smoothly, even after prolonged use and tissue growth.
2Productivity
If the elastic claws are designed to be resilient for quick opening, then the fixator can be removed rapidly, but tissue growth causes loss of resilience over time
Solution Approach 1:
The spring provides self-service by automatically compensating for the loss of resilience in the elastic claws over time. As the claws are used and their natural elasticity degrades, the spring continuously exerts force to maintain the separation action, allowing the fixator to remain quickly removable throughout its service life without manual adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring changes the physical state of the system by introducing continuous elastic potential energy. This parameter change ensures that the opening force is maintained at an adequate level throughout the operational life of the fixator, compensating for the gradual degradation of the elastic claws' natural resilience.
3Device complexity
If the locking mechanism uses elastic deformation for locking, then the structure can be simple, but the elastic claws cannot be forcibly pulled back when tissue growth occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is merged with the existing elastic claw structure, combining the locking function and the forcing-apart function into a single integrated mechanism. This maintains structural simplicity while adding the capability to forcibly open the fixator, as the spring works together with the elastic claws rather than requiring a separate forcing mechanism.
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
Enables smooth and quick operation of the sternum closing fixator even after tissue growth has affected the elastic claws, ensuring easy removal and re-use without getting stuck.
Implementation Method 1
a spring, pushing the two elastic claws against each other, so that rotating the locking roller can pull the two elastic claws back to their initial states by acting on the two elastic claws through the strain pins
Data Source
AI summary
A quick release sternum closing fixator has a locking roller, and a male fixing piece and a female fixing piece that can be plugged together. The male fixing piece has an elastic plug and the first claw hook plate. The elastic plug has the first serration on both sides and a tightening groove in the middle, thus forming two elastic claws. A tensioning device forces the two elastic claws to move against each other is provided between the said locking roller and the two elastic claws. After the locking roller rotates, when the elastic claws on the male fixing piece lose resilience due to the growth of human tissues, the two elastic claws can be forcibly pulled back to the initial state by rotating the locking roller, thus smoothly and quickly opening the sternum closing fixator.