Surgical Cable Locking Mechanism for Minimally Invasive Tension Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable systems for surgical procedures require large incisions, are invasive, and lack the ability to reconfigure or adjust tension without cutting the cable, as they often have permanently fixed components and require significant space for operation.
Innovation Solution
A surgical cable system with a locking structure that can be changed from a released state to a locked state by moving parts parallel to the cable plane, allowing for tension adjustment and reconfiguration without the need for large incisions, using a movable tine or wedging component that can be operated by a tool in the same plane, enabling the cable to be locked and unlocked without significant tilting of the tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a set screw is oriented at 90° to the cable length to lock the cable, then the cable can be secured, but a sizable incision is required and triangulation of tools is necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The locking structure is inverted from the conventional set screw orientation. Instead of the actuator being perpendicular to the cable plane (requiring 90° access), the actuator lies substantially within the cable loop plane, allowing parallel access. This inversion enables the tool to approach from the same plane as the cable, eliminating the need for large incisions and complex triangulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions from a three-dimensional perpendicular approach to a two-dimensional planar approach. By moving the actuator into the cable loop plane, the system changes the dimensional approach from orthogonal (requiring depth access) to coplanar (requiring only lateral access), thereby reducing incision requirements.
2Reliability
If cable locking structures are permanently fixed, then the cable can be secured, but reconfiguration or tension adjustment requires cutting the cable
Solution Approach 1:
The locking structure is made dynamic rather than static. The actuator can be moved between a first position (locked state) and a second position (released state), allowing the cable to be secured and then released for reconfiguration. This dynamic capability enables tension adjustment and cable repositioning without cutting, while maintaining reliable fixation when locked.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking structure allows for temporary discarding of the locked state to enable reconfiguration, then recovering the locked state for final fixation. The actuator can be moved to release the cable for adjustment, then returned to secure the cable in its final position, enabling iterative optimization without permanent modification.
3Reliability
If traditional crimping tools are used to tension and lock cables, then the cable can be secured, but the tools are large, bulky, and awkward to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The complex crimping mechanism is extracted and replaced with a simpler actuator system. Instead of using large crimpers that squeeze cable ends together, the invention uses an actuator that moves within the cable plane to engage a locking structure, eliminating the need for bulky tools and difficult maneuvers.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical crimping system is substituted with a different mechanical approach using an actuator and locking structure. The traditional system relies on high-force compression from external crimpers, while the new system uses a planar actuator moving within the cable loop to engage locking features, requiring significantly less force and tool size.
4Reliability
If the actuator moves perpendicular to the cable plane to lock, then the locking structure can be engaged, but large incisions are required for tool access
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator approach is inverted from perpendicular to coplanar. Instead of moving the actuator perpendicular to the cable plane (requiring deep incision access), the actuator moves within the cable loop plane, allowing access through much smaller incisions while maintaining reliable locking engagement.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical cable system having a length of cable and a locking body on which a first cable end is operatively located. The locking body defines a receiver for a first portion of the cable with the cable formed into a first loop that resides generally in a first plane. A locking structure on the locking body cooperates with the first portion of the cable to maintain the first loop in a tensioned state. The locking structure has an actuator that is operable to change the state of the locking structure. The locking structure is changeable from a released state into a locked state as an incident of one of: a) moving at least a part of the actuator along and/or around an axis that is generally parallel to the first plane; and b) moving a part of the cable length along a first line that is generally parallel to the first plane.