Patent ID: 8162897

Claim:
A locking mechanism for securing a catheter releasably attached by a connector to a surgical implant, said locking mechanism comprising: (a) a surgical implant comprising a deflectable extension extending from said surgical implant about said catheter releasably attached to said surgical implant, said deflectable extension defining a slot therein; and (b) a separable connector defining a central axis, the separable connector comprising an elongate portion extending along the central axis, a first tab extending outwardly from said elongate portion, and a second tab extending outwardly from said elongate portion in opposition to said first tab, wherein said first tab is configured such that rotation of said separable connector about said central axis causes said first tab to deflect and release at least a portion of said slot as said separable connector rotates from an unlocked position to a locked position within said slot, the rotation securing said catheter to said surgical implant and producing a feedback detectable by a surgeon rotating the connector, and wherein said deflectable extension has at least one detent edge to create interference with said first tab as said first tab is rotated past said detent edge to a locked position, wherein the surgical implant is further configured to provide an unobstructed path for said second tab to travel through as said first tab is rotated past said detent edge from the unlocked position to the locked position.