Tether Tensioning Instrument with Spring-Loaded Tip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tether clamping systems in spinal fixation and other medical procedures face challenges in efficiently increasing tension on tethers without additional locking elements, and in maintaining stable anatomical feature stabilization.
Innovation Solution
A tether tensioning instrument comprising a handle, a tensioner base, and a spring-loaded tensioner tip, which allows stepwise movement to increase tension between the tether and a clamping assembly, featuring modular components for adjustable tension and a tension gauge for precise tension indication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tether clamping system uses additional locking elements to maintain tension, then the reliability of tension maintenance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping assembly is designed to automatically maintain tension on the tether through its own structural features without requiring additional locking elements. The outer clamping member and inner clamping member work together with the tether passage configuration to self-maintain the clamped tension state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes additional locking elements from the clamping assembly, extracting only the essential clamping components needed to maintain tension. This simplifies the device while preserving the core function of tension maintenance.
2Ease of operation
If the tether tensioning instrument uses a spring-loaded tensioner tip, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded tensioner tip automatically provides the necessary tensioning force through the spring mechanism, eliminating the need for manual adjustment or additional actuation mechanisms. The spring self-generates the tensioning action when the clamping members are engaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded tensioner tip acts as an intermediary mechanism that translates the clamping action into controlled tension application on the tether, providing smooth and gradual tensioning without requiring direct manual intervention.
3Manufacturing precision
If the tether tensioning instrument allows stepwise movement of the tensioner tip, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tensioner tip is designed with stepwise movement capability that allows controlled, incremental adjustment of tension application. The stepped configuration enables precise positioning at different tension levels while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of discrete steps rather than continuous adjustment mechanisms.
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 efficient and precise tensioning of tethers, temporarily unlocking the clamping assembly to decrease loop size around anatomical features, with automatic self-locking upon tension release, facilitating stable anatomical stabilization without additional locking elements.
Implementation Method 1
The spring-loaded tensioner tip may be configured to engage an element of the spinal fixation system so as to bias the element of the spinal fixation system received by the spring-loaded tensioner tip in a distal direction
Implementation Method 2
At least a portion of the tensioner base may be biased away from the tensioner tip
Implementation Method 3
The instrument may be configured to allow for stepwise movement of the tensioner tip away from the tensioner base to increase tension between the tether and an element of the spinal fixation system
Implementation Method 4
The tensioner base may be slidably coupled with the handle. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the tensioner base may be biased away from the tensioner tip
Data Source
AI summary
Tether tensioning instruments, such as instruments used to tension and/or lock a tether about a spinal feature to assist in spinal fixation, and related methods and systems. In some embodiments, the instrument may comprise a handle, a tensioner base coupled with the handle, at least a portion thereof being movably coupled to the handle, and a tether coupling member coupled with the tensioner base and configured to fixedly engage a tether. The instrument may further comprise a tensioner tip movably coupled with the tensioner base, wherein at least a portion of the tensioner base is biased away from the tensioner tip, and wherein the instrument is configured to allow for step-wise movement of the tensioner tip away from the tensioner base to increase tension between the tether and an element of the spinal fixation system.