Adjustable growth valve and posterior spinal fixation system

Abstract

The present invention discloses an adjustable growth valve and a posterior spinal fixation system, belonging to the technical field of orthopedic implants. The adjustable growth valve includes a tubular valve body, the valve body has a first end for plugging and connecting a first connecting rod, the adjustable growth valve also includes a locking nut and a locking sleeve located inside the locking nut, wherein: the outer surface of the first end is provided with an external thread, and the locking nut is provided with an internal thread matching the external thread; the locking sleeve includes an abutment portion for abutting against the inner side of the end face of the locking nut and a top support portion for inserting the first end and contacting and matching with the inner surface of the first end. The present invention achieves the purpose of locking the connecting rod more tightly and not easy to loosen.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of orthopedic implants, in particular to an adjustable growth valve and a posterior spinal internal fixation system. Background Art

[0002] The purpose of spinal surgery is to correct spinal deformity, relieve pain, stabilize the spine and protect nerves. Posterior spinal fixation is one of the main treatment methods. The safety and effectiveness of the posterior spinal fixation system products used in the surgery directly affect the treatment effect of the disease.

[0003] The posterior thoracolumbar fixation system is mainly suitable for thoracolumbar degenerative diseases (intervertebral disc disease, facet joint degeneration), instability (anterior displacement, posterior displacement, lateral displacement, etc.), slippage, trauma (fracture, dislocation, old fracture pseudoarthrosis, etc.), spinal stenosis, deformity (scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis), tumor, infection (tuberculosis, suppurative spondylitis, brucellosis, etc.), thoracic / lumbar revision surgery, etc.

[0004] Currently, the posterior spinal correction system for children mostly adopts an adjustable growth valve system, which can adjust the length between the two titanium rods connected to the growth valve according to the upper growth development of the child to meet the growth and development needs of the child. Traditional growth valves are mostly fixed by nuts on the side of the valve body, which are not locked tightly and are easy to loosen. Summary of the invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an adjustable growth valve and a posterior spinal internal fixation system to achieve the purpose of tighter locking and less prone to loosening.

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0007] In one aspect, an adjustable growth valve is provided, comprising a tubular valve body, the valve body having a first end for plugging and connecting a first connecting rod, the adjustable growth valve further comprising a locking nut and a locking sleeve located inside the locking nut, wherein:

[0008] The outer surface of the first end portion is provided with an external thread, and the locking nut is provided with an internal thread matching the external thread;

[0009] The locking sleeve comprises an abutting portion for abutting against the inner side of the end surface of the locking nut and a supporting portion for inserting into the first end portion and contacting and cooperating with the inner surface of the first end portion.

[0010] Furthermore, the inner surface of the first end is a conical surface, and the conical surface gradually decreases from the end of the valve body toward the center of the valve body, and the taper of the conical surface is 1:20-1:5;

[0011] And / or, the outer surface of the supporting portion is a conical surface, and the conical surface gradually decreases from the center of the locking sleeve toward the end of the locking sleeve.

[0012] Furthermore, a groove is provided on the inner side of the front end of the locking sleeve so as to form a bending arm on the outer side of the front end of the locking sleeve, and the bending arm is bent inwardly to form the supporting portion at the front end of the locking sleeve.

[0013] Furthermore, the ratio of the depth of the groove to the length of the bending arm is 1:20-1:5.

[0014] Furthermore, a side wall of the slot close to the abutting portion is an inclined surface, and an angle between the inclined surface and the axis of the locking sleeve is 30-60 degrees.

[0015] Furthermore, the depth of the groove is 1-3 mm; and / or the inward bending portion of the bending arm is an arc, and the radius of the arc is 2-5 mm.

[0016] Furthermore, a longitudinal groove is provided at the front end of the locking sleeve.

[0017] Furthermore, the first end is provided with an annular boss, and the thread is located on the annular boss;

[0018] And / or, the valve body is provided with an observation window extending in the longitudinal direction, and the observation window is provided with scales.

[0019] Furthermore, the two ends of the valve body are symmetrical structures.

[0020] On the other hand, a posterior spinal internal fixation system is provided, comprising a pedicle screw and the above-mentioned adjustable growth valve.

[0021] The present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0022] The adjustable growth valve and posterior spinal internal fixation system of the present invention include a locking nut and a locking sleeve. The locking sleeve includes an abutting portion for abutting against the inner side of the end face of the locking nut and a supporting portion for inserting into the first end portion and contacting and cooperating with the inner surface of the first end portion. The locking nut is driven to move toward the valve body, and the locking nut pushes the abutting portion of the locking sleeve, thereby driving the supporting portion of the locking sleeve to squeeze into the first end portion of the valve body, and realizes a mutual extrusion between the inner surface of the first end portion of the valve body and the supporting portion of the locking sleeve, so that the supporting portion of the locking sleeve contracts inwardly to lock the first connecting rod, and at the same time the first end portion expands outwardly to strengthen the fixation with the locking nut, and finally a stable locking state is achieved among the locking nut, the first end portion, the locking sleeve and the first connecting rod, and thus the present invention realizes the purpose of locking the connecting rod more tightly and not easy to loosen. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the adjustable growth valve of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the adjustable growth valve shown;

[0025] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the end of the middle valve body;

[0026] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the bending arm of the middle locking sleeve before bending;

[0027] Figure 5 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the bending arm of the middle locking sleeve after bending;

[0028] Figure 6 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the side structure of the middle locking sleeve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and advantages to be solved by the present invention more clear, a detailed description will be given below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0030] In one aspect, the present invention provides an adjustable growth valve, such as Figure 1-3 As shown, it includes a tubular valve body 1, the valve body 1 has a first end 11 for plugging and connecting a first connecting rod 2, and the adjustable growth valve also includes a locking nut 3 and a locking sleeve 4 located inside the locking nut 3, wherein:

[0031] An external thread 12 is provided on the outer surface of the first end portion 11, and an internal thread 32 matching the external thread 12 is provided inside the locking nut 3;

[0032] The locking sleeve 4 includes an abutting portion 42 for abutting against the inner side of the end surface 31 of the locking nut 3 and a supporting portion 41 for being inserted into the first end portion 11 and contacting and cooperating with the inner surface of the first end portion 11 .

[0033] Loosen the locking nut 3 and the locking sleeve 4 to allow the first connecting rod 2 to move relative to the valve body 1, then adjust the distance of the first connecting rod 2 inserted into the first end 11 of the valve body 1 to a suitable position, tighten the locking nut 3, and as the locking nut 3 moves toward the valve body 1, the locking nut 3 pushes the abutment 42 of the locking sleeve 4, and squeezes the top support portion 41 of the locking sleeve 4 into the first end 11 of the valve body 1, so that the inner surface of the first end 11 of the valve body 1 squeezes the top support portion 41 of the locking sleeve 4, and then the top support portion 41 of the locking sleeve 4 shrinks inward, thereby locking the first connecting rod 2.

[0034] The adjustable growth valve of the present invention comprises a locking nut and a locking sleeve. The locking sleeve comprises an abutting portion for abutting against the inner side of the end face of the locking nut and a supporting portion for inserting into the first end portion and contacting and cooperating with the inner surface of the first end portion. The locking nut is driven to move toward the valve body. The locking nut pushes the abutting portion of the locking sleeve, thereby driving the supporting portion of the locking sleeve to squeeze into the first end portion of the valve body, and realizes a mutual extrusion between the inner surface of the first end portion of the valve body and the supporting portion of the locking sleeve, so that the supporting portion of the locking sleeve contracts inwardly to lock the first connecting rod. At the same time, the first end portion expands outwardly to strengthen the fixation with the locking nut. Finally, a stable locking state is achieved among the locking nut, the first end portion, the locking sleeve and the first connecting rod. Therefore, the present invention realizes the purpose of locking the connecting rod more tightly and not easy to loosen.

[0035] It is understandable that the outer surface of the supporting portion 41 of the locking sleeve 4 and the inner surface of the first end portion 11 of the valve body 1 can be any shape that can be thought of by those skilled in the art, as long as the supporting portion can be squeezed into the first end portion and the two can be squeezed against each other. However, in order to increase the matching effect between the outer surface of the supporting portion 41 and the inner surface of the first end portion 11, the following method is preferably adopted:

[0036] The inner surface of the first end portion 11 may be a conical surface 13, and the conical surface 13 is gradually lowered along the end of the valve body 1 toward the center of the valve body ( Figure 3 ), the taper of the conical surface 13 may be 1:20-1:5, including but not limited to 1:20, 1:18, 1:15, 1:10;

[0037] And / or, the outer surface of the supporting portion 41 may be a conical surface 43, and the conical surface 43 is gradually reduced from the center of the locking sleeve to the end of the locking sleeve ( Figure 5 and Figure 3 ).

[0038] Preferably, the taper of the conical surface 13 may be 1:20-1:15. Within this range, a certain degree of self-locking can be achieved between the supporting portion 21 and the first end portion 11, and the supporting effect between the two is more stable.

[0039] Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the above two structural forms are simultaneously adopted, so that the outer surface of the supporting portion 41 of the locking sleeve 4 and the inner surface of the first end portion 11 of the valve body 1 can cooperate with each other to achieve the best effect.

[0040] Further, such as Figure 4As shown, a slot 44 may be provided on the inner side of the front end of the locking sleeve 4, so that a bending arm 411 is formed on the outer side of the front end of the locking sleeve 4, and the bending arm 411 is bent inward to form the supporting portion 41. Such a design enables the supporting portion 41 of the locking sleeve 4 to have a certain elasticity (non-rigid structure), which can ensure that the first end portion 11 and the locking nut 3 are squeezed tightly, and a large driving force is not required during the movement process, and it is more suitable for use in the complex environment inside the human body.

[0041] In order to make the supporting part 41 have a large supporting force and facilitate the bending arm 411 to bend, the ratio of the depth H of the slot 44 to the length L of the bending arm 411 can be 1:20-1:5, including but not limited to 1:20, 1:18, 1:15, 1:10. By designing the ratio of the depth H of the slot 44 to the length L of the bending arm 411, the inclination range of the supporting part 41 formed after the bending arm 411 is bent can be controlled within a reasonable range, and within this range, the supporting part 41 and the first end 11 can not only achieve an interlocking effect, making the supporting effect between the two more stable, but also the elasticity of the locking sleeve 4 can achieve an ideal effect. In addition, the side wall of the slot 44 close to the abutment part 42 can be an inclined surface, so that the supporting force of the supporting part 41 increases steadily, and the angle α between the inclined surface and the axis of the locking sleeve 4 can be 30-60 degrees, preferably 45 degrees, so as to avoid stress concentration and prevent the bending arm 411 from breaking. The depth H of the slot 44 is preferably 1-3 mm; the inward bending portion of the bending arm 411 may also be an arc, and the radius R of the arc is preferably 2-5 mm, specifically 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, etc.

[0042] like Figure 5 As shown, the front end of the locking sleeve 4 may be provided with a longitudinal groove 45 , and the number of the longitudinal groove 45 may be one or more, so as to facilitate the inward contraction of the supporting portion 41 after being stressed.

[0043] In order to ensure the force strength of the first end 11 of the valve body 1, the first end 11 may be provided with an annular boss 14, and the external thread 12 is located on the annular boss 14. After the first connecting rod 2 is inserted into the first end 11 of the valve body 1, in order to facilitate observation of the specific position of the first connecting rod 2 in the valve body 1, the valve body 1 may be provided with an observation window 15 extending in the longitudinal direction; in order to facilitate accurate adjustment of the extension distance of the first connecting rod 2, a scale may be provided on the observation window 15.

[0044] According to different structural forms of the other end of the valve body, the present invention may have the following embodiments.

[0045] Embodiment 1

[0046] like Figure 1-2As shown, in this embodiment, the two ends of the valve body 1 are of symmetrical structure, that is, the other end of the valve body 1 has a second end 11' for plugging and connecting the second connecting rod 2', the outer surface of the second end 11' is provided with an external thread 12', the locking nut 3' is provided with an internal thread 32' matching the external thread 12', the locking nut 3' is provided with a locking sleeve 4', the locking sleeve 4' includes an abutting portion 42' for abutting the inner side of the end surface of the locking nut 3' and a supporting portion 41' for inserting into the first end 11' and contacting and matching with the inner surface of the first end 11'.

[0047] In this embodiment, locking nuts and locking sleeves are respectively provided at both ends of the valve body, which can increase the extension distance of the connecting rod and drive the two locking nuts to move toward the center of the valve body. The two locking nuts push the abutting parts of the two locking sleeves, thereby driving the top supporting parts of the two locking sleeves to squeeze into the two end parts of the valve body, and realize mutual extrusion between the inner surfaces of the two end parts of the valve body and the top supporting parts of the two locking sleeves, so that the top supporting parts of the two locking sleeves shrink inwardly to lock the two connecting rods. At the same time, the two end parts of the valve body expand outwardly to strengthen the fixation with the two locking nuts. Finally, a stable locking state is achieved between the two locking nuts, the two end parts of the valve body, the two locking sleeves and the two connecting rods. In this embodiment, the connecting rod is locked more tightly and is not easy to loosen on both sides of the valve body.

[0048] Embodiment 2

[0049] In this embodiment, the other end of the valve body can adopt a fixed connection method in which the connecting rod cannot be adjusted. Specifically, various connection methods that can be easily thought of by technical personnel in this field can be adopted, such as welding, threaded connection and combined with a screw plug fixing method (that is, the other end of the valve body is provided with a mounting hole, the mounting hole is provided with an internal thread, the second connecting rod is threadedly connected to the mounting hole, and the valve body is also provided with a screw plug for fixing the second connecting rod from the side), etc.

[0050] This embodiment achieves the purpose of locking the connecting rod more tightly and preventing it from loosening on one side of the valve body.

[0051] On the other hand, the present invention provides a posterior spinal internal fixation system, including a pedicle screw and the above-mentioned adjustable growth valve. Since the structure of the adjustable growth valve is the same as above, it will not be repeated here.

[0052] The posterior spinal internal fixation system of the present invention comprises a locking nut and a locking sleeve, wherein the locking sleeve comprises an abutting portion for abutting against the inner side of the end face of the locking nut and a supporting portion for inserting into the first end portion and contacting and cooperating with the inner surface of the first end portion, driving the locking nut to move toward the valve body, and the locking nut pushes the abutting portion of the locking sleeve, thereby driving the supporting portion of the locking sleeve to squeeze into the first end portion of the valve body, and realizing a mutual extrusion between the inner surface of the first end portion of the valve body and the supporting portion of the locking sleeve, so that the supporting portion of the locking sleeve contracts inwardly to lock the first connecting rod, and at the same time the first end portion expands outwardly to strengthen the fixation with the locking nut, and finally a stable locking state is realized among the locking nut, the first end portion, the locking sleeve and the first connecting rod, and thus the present invention realizes the purpose of locking the connecting rod more tightly and not easy to loosen.

[0053] The above is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the present invention. These improvements and modifications should also be regarded as the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An adjustable growth valve, comprising a tubular valve body, wherein the valve body has a first end portion for plugging and connecting a first connecting rod, characterized in that: The adjustable growth valve further comprises a locking nut and a locking sleeve located inside the locking nut, wherein: The outer surface of the first end portion is provided with an external thread, and the locking nut is provided with an internal thread matching the external thread; The locking sleeve comprises an abutting portion for abutting against the inner side of the end surface of the locking nut and a supporting portion for inserting into the first end portion and contacting and cooperating with the inner surface of the first end portion; A groove is provided on the inner side of the front end of the locking sleeve so as to form a bending arm on the outer side of the front end of the locking sleeve, and the bending arm is bent inwardly at the front end of the locking sleeve to form the supporting portion; The ratio of the depth of the groove to the length of the bending arm is 1:20-1:5; A side wall of the slot close to the abutting portion is an inclined surface, and an angle between the inclined surface and the axis of the locking sleeve is 30-60 degrees.

2. The adjustable growth valve according to claim 1, characterized in that The inner surface of the first end is a conical surface, and the conical surface gradually decreases from the end of the valve body to the center of the valve body, and the taper of the conical surface is 1:20-1:5; And / or, the outer surface of the supporting portion is a conical surface, and the conical surface gradually decreases from the center of the locking sleeve toward the end of the locking sleeve.

3. The adjustable growth valve according to claim 1, characterized in that The depth of the groove is 1-3 mm; and / or the inward bending portion of the bending arm is an arc, and the radius of the arc is 2-5 mm.

4. The adjustable growth valve according to claim 1, characterized in that The front end of the locking sleeve is provided with a longitudinal groove.

5. The adjustable growth valve according to claim 1, characterized in that The first end is provided with an annular boss, and the thread is located on the annular boss; And / or, the valve body is provided with an observation window extending in the longitudinal direction, and the observation window is provided with a scale.

6. The adjustable growth valve according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The two ends of the valve body are symmetrical structures.

7. A posterior spinal internal fixation system, characterized in that: It comprises a pedicle screw and the adjustable growth valve as described in any one of claims 1-6.

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