Surgical Instrument Latch Mechanism for Spinal Implants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical systems for treating spinal disorders, such as degenerative disc disease and osteoporosis, face challenges in efficiently connecting spinal implants to bone fasteners, often requiring complex manual operations and risking improper fixation or disconnection.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with a latch and actuator mechanism that changes between locked and non-locked orientations, allowing for easy connection and disconnection of spinal implants to bone fasteners, featuring a torsion spring and ramp geometry for automatic return to the open position, reducing user effort and ensuring secure fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a latch and actuator mechanism is used to connect spinal implants to bone fasteners, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is designed to automatically engage and lock the actuator in the locked orientation without requiring manual intervention. The torsion spring automatically returns the actuator to the open position when released, enabling easy disconnection without complex manual operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch acts as an intermediary component between the actuator and the member, mediating the connection and disconnection process. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the user interface while managing the complexity internally through the latch-actuator-spring system.
2Reliability
If a locked orientation is implemented to secure the actuator to the member, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is designed to be dynamic, allowing it to shift between locked and non-locked orientations. The torsion spring enables the actuator to automatically return to the open position, making release as easy as engagement while maintaining secure fixation during the locked state.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism includes features that prevent improper fixation or accidental disconnection during the locked state. The design incorporates preliminary safeguards to ensure reliable connection while maintaining ease of intentional release through the spring-return mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument comprises a member being engageable to a spinal implant configured for connection to a bone fastener shaft. An actuator is connected to the member. A latch is connected to the actuator and the connection is configured to change between at least one non-locked orientation such that the actuator is movable relative to the member and a locked orientation such that the actuator is fixed relative to the member. Systems, spinal constructs, implants and methods are disclosed.