Surgical Instrument Spring Tab Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical systems for treating spinal disorders, such as scoliosis and degenerative disc disease, face challenges in securely attaching spinal implants to vertebral members, often resulting in instability and incomplete alignment during the healing process.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with a mechanism that includes a shaft with spring tabs and a movable sleeve, allowing for precise positioning and locking of spinal implants, such as bone screws, to securely attach them to vertebral members, providing stability and support during the healing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a surgical instrument uses a fixed locking mechanism for spinal implants, then the attachment is secure, but the alignment precision during insertion is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static fixed state to a dynamic adjustable state. The spring tabs can deflect elastically during insertion to accommodate alignment adjustments, then lock into place to provide secure attachment. This dynamic behavior allows the system to satisfy both alignment precision requirements during insertion and attachment security requirements after implantation.
Solution Approach 2:
The distance between locking surfaces is made variable through the spring tab mechanism. During insertion, the spring tabs deflect to increase the distance between locking surfaces, allowing for precise alignment adjustment. Once aligned, the spring tabs settle into a locked position with reduced distance between surfaces, providing secure attachment. This parameter change enables the system to optimize for different operational phases.
2Strength
If the distance between locking surfaces is reduced for secure attachment, then the attachment strength increases, but the ease of insertion decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring tabs provide dynamic compliance during insertion, allowing the locking surfaces to be spaced farther apart initially for easy insertion. As the implant is inserted, the spring tabs deflect and the locking surfaces move closer together, automatically increasing attachment strength without requiring additional manual adjustment or force from the surgeon.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring tab mechanism is self-adjusting and requires no manual intervention. As the implant is inserted, the spring tabs automatically deflect and adjust the distance between locking surfaces, transitioning from an insertion-friendly configuration to a locked, high-strength configuration autonomously. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate locking steps while maintaining both ease of insertion and attachment strength.
3Reliability
If a complex locking mechanism is used to ensure secure attachment, then the reliability of implant fixation improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex multi-step locking mechanism is extracted and replaced with a simple elastic spring tab deflection mechanism. The reliability of implant fixation is maintained through the inherent elastic properties of the spring tabs, which automatically engage and lock without requiring complex actuators, motors, or multiple locking components. This extraction of complexity reduces the overall device complexity while preserving fixation reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring tab mechanism performs the entire locking function autonomously through elastic deflection and recovery. No external control systems, motors, or complex actuation mechanisms are needed. The spring tabs self-adjust during insertion and self-lock when the implant is in position, providing reliable fixation with minimal mechanical complexity. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex control systems while maintaining high reliability.
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 enhances the stability and secure attachment of spinal implants, allowing for effective stress redirection and proper alignment, thereby improving the treatment outcomes for spinal disorders like scoliosis and degenerative disc disease.
Implementation Method 1
The shaft comprises a first spring tab and a second spring tab... The pusher is movable relative to the inserter body to move the sleeve between a first position in which the first spring tab is spaced a first distance apart from the second spring tab, and a second position in which the first spring tab is spaced a reduced second distance apart from the second spring tab
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument includes a first member defining a passageway. The first member includes a first lock and a second lock. A second member is positioned in the passageway. A third member is coupled to the second member. The second member is movable relative to the first member to move the third member between a first position in which the first lock is spaced a first distance apart from the second lock, and a second position in which the first lock is spaced a reduced second distance apart from the second lock. Systems, spinal implants and methods are disclosed.