Distraction loss magnet on-off mechanism
AssigneeNuVasive, Inc.
InventorJorge Lopez Camacho
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed herein are lock mechanisms configured for locking and unlocking rotation of a driver and a driven gear system in implantable distraction and compression systems, and implantable medical devices and implantable distraction and compression systems including such lock mechanisms. The lock mechanisms include a keeper that is configured to move from a locked position to an unlocked position in response to a rotation of the driver, wherein, in the locked position, the keeper is configured to resist rotation of the driven features and the driver under a load on the driven features, and in the unlocked position, permits rotation of the drive gear and the driver.
Claims20
An implantable medical device comprising:
- a driver;
- a driven gear system;
- and
- a keeper, the keeper comprising:
- a body;
- a keyed opening in the body, the keyed opening being configured to receive a complementarily keyed portion of a drive gear of the driven gear system, wherein the keeper and the drive gear are rotationally fixed to one another;
- an opening in the body configured to receive a center pin of the drive gear of the driven gear system, and further configured to permit the body to translate axially relative to the center pin;
- and
- a lock tooth disposed on a first end of the body, the lock tooth being configured to releasably mesh with teeth on a ring gear of the driven gear system,
- wherein the keeper is configured to move from a locked position to an unlocked position in response to a rotation of the driver,
- wherein, in the locked position, the keeper is configured to resist rotation of the drive gear and the driver under a load on the driven gear system, and in the unlocked position, permits rotation of the drive gear and the driver.
A lock mechanism configured for locking and unlocking rotation of a driver and a driven gear system in an implantable distraction and compression system, the lock mechanism comprising:
- a driver of rotational motion, comprising a first drive pin and a second drive pin each extending axially from a first end of the driver;
- a drive gear configured to be driven by the driver, the drive gear comprising a keyed portion, and
- a keeper disposed over the drive gear and configured to move between a locked position and an unlocked position, the keeper comprising:
- a keyed opening configured to rotatably engage the keyed portion of the keyed drive shaft,
- a lock tooth disposed on a first end of the keeper, the lock tooth being configured to releasably engage a ring gear of the driven gear system,
- a first detent and a second detent configured to engage the first drive pin and the second drive pin, and
- a biaser configured to bias the keeper across a longitudinal axis of the driver and the drive gear,
- wherein, in the locked position, the keeper resists rotation of the drive gear and the driver under a load on the driven gear system, and in the unlocked position, permits rotation of the drive gear and the driver.
An implantable distraction and compression system comprising:
- a housing configured to be attached to a first bone portion, the housing having a driver, a driven gear system, and a lead screw positioned therein, wherein the lead screw is coupled to the driver via the driven gear system such that rotation of the driver causes rotation of the lead screw;
- a rod configured to be attached to a second bone portion and configured to interact with the lead screw such that, upon rotation of the lead screw, the rod distracts or contracts relative to the housing;
- and
- a lock mechanism configured to lock and unlock rotation of the driver and the driven gear system, the lock mechanism comprising:
- a drive gear configured to be driven by the driver, and to input torque into the driven gear system, the drive gear comprising a keyed portion, and
- a keeper engaged with the driver and with the keyed portion to move between a locked position and an unlocked position in response to rotation of the driver,
- wherein, in the locked position, the keeper resists rotation of the drive gear and the driver under a load on the lead screw, and in the unlocked position, permits rotation of the drive gear and the driver.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.