Improved halo-arch cervical fixation system

Abstract

The application discloses an improved Halo frame cervical vertebra fixing system, which comprises a head ring, a back heart and a connecting mechanism, wherein the connecting mechanism comprises at least four connecting struts, and the connecting struts are electric telescopic columns; a force sensor is arranged in each connecting strut; each connecting strut is also provided with a control module; the connecting struts, the force sensors and the corresponding control modules are electrically connected; the control module is used for collecting force sensor signals, receiving control instructions and driving the electric telescopic column; the system further comprises a central main controller and a remote control terminal; the central main controller is in communication connection with each control module, is used for collecting data of each control module and issuing unified or independent motion control instructions to each control module; the remote control terminal is in communication connection with the central main controller, is used for displaying data and sending control instructions to the central main controller. The system can realize dynamic precise adjustment of the cervical vertebra position after operation and safe monitoring of fixing force.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of medical device technology, specifically relating to an improved Halo frame cervical fixation system for reduction and fixation of cervical fractures and dislocations. Background Technology

[0002] The Halo frame (head ring-vest type external fixator) is a classic device for treating cervical spine instability injuries. It fixes the head ring to the patient's head with skull screws and then connects to the vest through connecting rods, providing strong three-dimensional fixation for the cervical spine. However, the traditional Halo frame has the following significant defects: (1) Static fixation, unable to be dynamically reset, and is in a static locked state after installation. If the initial reset position is not ideal, or if the patient's neck swelling subsides and loosening occurs, the mechanical connection must be completely loosened for overall adjustment, which is cumbersome and increases the patient's pain and risk. (2) Lack of quantitative mechanical feedback, relying entirely on the doctor's experience and feel to tighten the connecting rod and skull screws, and cannot monitor the pressure applied to the skull in real time. Too little pressure may lead to unstable fixation, while too much pressure may cause the screw to penetrate the inner plate, skin pressure sores, or even intracranial infection. (3) Inconvenient adjustment, any minor adjustment requires special tools to be operated on-site, which is not suitable for frequent fine-tuning in ICU remote monitoring or home rehabilitation scenarios.

[0003] Therefore, there is an urgent need for an intelligent Halo frame system that can achieve precise, dynamic, and quantitative adjustment and monitoring. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides an improved Halo frame cervical spine fixation system. This system integrates electric drive, real-time force measurement, and remote control functions, enabling dynamic and precise adjustment of the cervical spine position and safe monitoring of the fixation force after surgery.

[0005] The technical solution of this invention is as follows:

[0006] This invention provides an improved Halo frame cervical spine fixation system, including a headband and a vest, wherein the headband and the vest are connected by a connecting mechanism;

[0007] The connecting mechanism includes at least four connecting pillars, which are electrically telescopic pillars. The upper end of each connecting pillar is connected to the headband via an upper connector, and the lower end of each connecting pillar is connected to the vest.

[0008] Each of the connecting pillars is equipped with a force sensor for detecting the axial force of the connecting pillar, and each of the connecting pillars is also equipped with a control module. The connecting pillar, the force sensor and the corresponding control module are electrically connected. The control module is used to collect the force sensor signal and receive control commands to drive the electric telescopic pillar to extend or stop.

[0009] The system also includes a central controller and a remote control terminal. The central controller is communicatively connected to each of the control modules and is used to aggregate the collected data from each of the control modules and issue unified or independent motion control commands to each of the control modules. The remote control terminal is communicatively connected to the central controller and is used to display data and send control commands to the central controller.

[0010] Preferably, the upper connector includes two horizontal support rods distributed on the left and right, and the horizontal support rods are connected to the headband through an upper adjusting member;

[0011] The vest has a front panel and a back panel, which can be connected and fixed by straps. There are four connecting pillars. The upper ends of the two connecting pillars on the left are connected to a horizontal support rod on the left, and the lower ends are connected to the front and back panels of the vest respectively. The upper ends of the other two connecting pillars on the right are connected to another horizontal support rod on the right, and the lower ends are connected to the front and back panels of the vest respectively.

[0012] The principle of adjusting the extension or retraction of the electric telescopic column is not limited. For example, the electric telescopic column includes a drive motor and a transmission mechanism (such as a lead screw and nut pair) that converts the rotational motion of the drive motor into linear motion. The drive motor is preferably a micro stepper motor or a servo motor, which is used to drive the axial precise extension or retraction of the connecting column.

[0013] Preferably, the data collected by the control module includes the length of each of the connecting pillars and the axial tensile or compressive force on the connecting pillars.

[0014] Preferably, the force sensor is located near the upper connector and is integrated into the force-bearing end of the connecting column to detect the axial tensile or compressive force on the connecting column in real time.

[0015] Preferably, the remote control terminal is a mobile device or computer equipped with control software.

[0016] Preferably, the control software also includes a preset adjustment program that can automatically generate a target length adjustment sequence for each connecting support based on the input cervical spine angle parameters. The resulting target length adjustment sequence can be sent as a control command to the central controller. In use, when a target cervical spine curvature parameter (such as the Cobb angle) is input, the software automatically calculates and generates the required adjustment length sequence for each support. After confirmation by the doctor, the adjustment is executed with a single click, achieving automated and standardized repositioning adjustment.

[0017] Preferably, the system has a force safety threshold alarm function. When the real-time force value of any connecting support exceeds a preset range, the system automatically stops moving and issues an alarm. Specifically, an alarm is installed on the connecting support, and the alarm is electrically connected to the corresponding control module. When the collected real-time force value of the connecting support exceeds the preset range, the control module drives the alarm to sound and controls the electric telescopic column to stop extending and retracting.

[0018] Preferably, the system has a treatment data storage and retrospective function, which can record adjustment operation records and corresponding changes in mechanical parameters.

[0019] Preferably, the central controller uploads data to a local area network or cloud server via a data switch or gateway.

[0020] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0021] (1) Achieve dynamic and precise repositioning after surgery: Using the system of the present invention, after the patient wears the Halo frame, the length of each connecting support can be finely adjusted by remote control without contact, thereby non-invasively and precisely adjusting the flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation angle of the cervical spine until the optimal repositioning state is achieved, avoiding secondary surgery or violent adjustment.

[0022] (2) Quantitative safety monitoring: The system of the present invention can monitor mechanical data in real time. This data provides a scientific basis for "personalized" fixation. Doctors can ensure that the fixation force is within the safety window, which greatly reduces the risk of screw loosening, penetration, pressure sores and other problems caused by uneven pressure.

[0023] (3) Improve medical efficiency and accessibility: The remote control function makes the adjustment operation no longer completely dependent on the doctor's clinical presence, which is especially suitable for isolation wards, telemedicine or home rehabilitation scenarios, reducing the burden on both doctors and patients.

[0024] (4) Intelligent and data-driven: Automatic adjustment through preset programs reduces human error; complete treatment data records provide valuable information for efficacy evaluation, doctor-patient communication and clinical research. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments:

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the improved Halo frame of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the control architecture and data flow of the system of the present invention.

[0028] The markings in the diagram are: 1. Headband; 2. Vest; 3. Connecting support; 4. Horizontal support rod; 5. Upper adjustment component. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these descriptions are merely exemplary and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, descriptions of well-known structures and techniques are omitted in the following description to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the concept of the invention.

[0030] like Figure 1 and 2 As shown, an improved Halo frame cervical spine fixation system includes a Halo frame as the actuator, a central controller, and a remote control terminal. The improved Halo frame includes a headband 1 and a vest 2, which are connected by a connecting mechanism. The connecting mechanism includes four connecting pillars 3, which are electrically telescopic pillars.

[0031] The Halo frame is a classic device for treating cervical spine instability injuries. The shapes of the headband 1 and vest 2 are not limited in this invention. However, the connecting support column 3 does not use a conventional manually adjustable telescopic column, but rather an electrically operated telescopic column. The principle by which the electric telescopic column adjusts its extension or retraction is not limited. For example, the electric telescopic column includes a drive motor and a transmission mechanism (such as a lead screw and nut pair) that converts the rotational motion of the drive motor into linear motion. The drive motor is preferably a micro stepper motor or a servo motor. In use, the rotational motion of the motor is converted into the linear motion of the push rod through the transmission mechanism, thereby controlling the precise axial extension or retraction of the electric telescopic column.

[0032] The upper end of the connecting pillar 3 is connected to the head ring 1 via an upper connector, and the lower end of the connecting pillar 3 is connected to the vest 2. The upper connector includes two horizontal support rods 4 distributed on the left and right. The horizontal support rods 4 are connected to the head ring 1 via an upper adjusting member 5. The vest 2 has a front piece and a back piece, which can be connected and fixed by straps. The upper ends of the two connecting pillars 3 on the left are connected to one of the horizontal support rods 4 on the left, and the lower ends are connected to the front and back pieces of the vest 2 respectively. The upper ends of the other two connecting pillars 3 on the right are connected to another horizontal support rod 4 on the right, and the lower ends are connected to the front and back pieces of the vest 2 respectively.

[0033] Each connecting strut 3 is equipped with a force sensor, preferably a high-precision force sensor. The force sensor is located near the upper connector and integrated into the force-bearing end of the connecting strut 3, and is used to detect the axial tensile or compressive force on the connecting strut 3 in real time.

[0034] Each connecting pillar 3 is also equipped with a control module, which is a built-in MCU (microcontroller unit) inside the connecting pillar. It is electrically connected to the drive unit and force sensor of the electric telescopic pillar. The control module integrates a drive chip and a signal conditioning circuit, which can be used to receive control commands and drive the drive unit to control the electric telescopic pillar to extend or stop. It is also used to collect signals from the force sensor.

[0035] The improved Halo frame cervical spine fixation system also includes a central controller and a remote control terminal. The central controller can be built into a vest or worn independently. It includes a main control MCU, a wireless communication module (such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Zigbee), and a power management unit. The central controller communicates with the control modules in all the retractable connecting supports via wired (such as CAN bus or RS485) or wireless means. In one embodiment, the central controller can communicate with the control modules of the four connecting supports via a built-in CAN bus interface. The central controller is used to aggregate the data collected by each control module and issue unified or independent motion control commands to each control module. The data collected by each control module includes the length of each connecting support and the axial tensile or compressive force acting on the connecting support.

[0036] The remote control terminal is a mobile device or computer equipped with control software. It is used by doctors or operators to control the equipment with a dedicated remote control. The terminal can communicate with the central controller via wireless networks such as Wi-Fi / Bluetooth. It is used to display the current length and real-time force value of each support in real time. It is also used to send control commands to the central controller to achieve synchronous / asynchronous, precise extension and retraction control of single or multiple supports (such as setting target length and speed control in millimeters / second).

[0037] The system may also include a data switch / gateway, which, as an optional component, reliably transmits data from the central controller to the hospital's local area network or cloud server in complex medical environments. In a preferred embodiment, the central controller can simultaneously connect to the data switch within the ward via a Wi-Fi module to upload data to the hospital's intranet. Doctors can then use authorized tablets (with a dedicated app installed) to access the same network and remotely view the real-time status of the patient's cervical spine fixation system from outside the ward or in their office.

[0038] The system is equipped with a data storage module, which can store and trace treatment data, record all adjustment records and mechanical change curves throughout the entire treatment cycle, and provide data support for medical evaluation and scientific research.

[0039] This invention integrates electric drive, real-time force measurement, and remote control functions, enabling dynamic and precise adjustment of the cervical spine position and safe monitoring of fixation force after surgery. For example, in cases where postoperative X-rays show insufficient cervical spine reduction angle, the doctor can select "flexion adjustment mode" on a remote control terminal (such as a tablet computer) and set the appropriate length for the four electrically operated telescopic columns. After confirmation, the command is synchronously sent to the four connecting columns via the central controller, and they move smoothly to the new position at a speed of 0.5 mm / s. During the adjustment process, the doctor observes the force curve of each column throughout to ensure there are no abnormal peak values. After the adjustment is completed, the system automatically locks and saves the operation log.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, an alarm is also provided on the connecting support column. The alarm is electrically connected to the corresponding control module. When the real-time force value of the connecting support column exceeds the preset range, the control module drives the alarm to sound and controls the electric telescopic column to stop extending and retracting. In this way, the system of the present invention has a force safety threshold alarm function. When the real-time force value of any connecting support column is detected to exceed the preset range, the system automatically stops moving and issues an alarm.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the control software of the remote control terminal may also include a preset reset and adjustment program. This program has a preset adjustment function and can automatically generate a target length adjustment sequence for each support based on the input cervical spine angle parameters. The resulting target length adjustment sequence can be sent as a control command to the central controller. In use, when the target cervical spine curvature parameter (such as the Cobb angle) is input, the software automatically calculates and generates the required adjustment length sequence for each support. After the doctor confirms, the adjustment is executed with one click, achieving automated and standardized reset and adjustment.

[0042] It should be understood that the specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative or explanatory of the principles of the invention and do not constitute a limitation thereof. Therefore, any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention should be included within the protection scope of the invention. Furthermore, the appended claims are intended to cover all variations and modifications falling within the scope and boundaries of the appended claims, or equivalent forms of such scope and boundaries.

Claims

1. An improved Halo frame cervical spine fixation system, comprising a headband and a vest, wherein the headband and the vest are connected by a connecting mechanism, characterized in that: The connecting mechanism includes at least four connecting pillars, which are electrically telescopic pillars. The upper end of each connecting pillar is connected to the headband via an upper connector, and the lower end of each connecting pillar is connected to the vest. Each of the connecting pillars is equipped with a force sensor for detecting the axial force of the connecting pillar, and each of the connecting pillars is also equipped with a control module. The connecting pillar, the force sensor and the corresponding control module are electrically connected. The control module is used to collect the force sensor signal and receive control commands to drive the electric telescopic pillar to extend or stop. The system also includes a central controller and a remote control terminal. The central controller is communicatively connected to each of the control modules and is used to aggregate the collected data from each of the control modules and issue unified or independent motion control commands to each of the control modules. The remote control terminal is communicatively connected to the central controller and is used to display data and send control commands to the central controller.

2. The improved Halo frame cervical spine fixation system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper connector includes two horizontal support rods distributed on the left and right, and the horizontal support rods are connected to the headband through an upper adjusting member; The vest has a front panel and a back panel, and there are four connecting pillars. The upper ends of the two connecting pillars on the left are connected to a horizontal support rod on the left, and the lower ends are connected to the front and back panels of the vest respectively. The upper ends of the other two connecting pillars on the right are connected to another horizontal support rod on the right, and the lower ends are connected to the front and back panels of the vest respectively.

3. The improved Halo frame cervical spine fixation system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The data collected by the control module includes the length of each connecting support and the axial tensile or compressive force exerted on the connecting support.

4. The improved Halo frame cervical spine fixation system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The force sensor is located near the upper connector.

5. The improved Halo frame cervical spine fixation system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The remote control terminal is a mobile device or computer equipped with control software.

6. The improved Halo frame cervical spine fixation system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The control software also has a preset adjustment program that can automatically generate a target length adjustment sequence for each connecting support based on the input cervical spine angle parameters. The resulting target length adjustment sequence can be sent as a control command to the central controller.

7. The improved Halo frame cervical spine fixation system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The system has a force safety threshold alarm function. When the real-time force value of any connecting support exceeds the preset range, the system will automatically stop moving and issue an alarm.

8. The improved Halo frame cervical spine fixation system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The system has therapeutic data storage and retrospective functions, and can record adjustment operation records and corresponding changes in mechanical parameters.

9. The improved Halo frame cervical spine fixation system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The central controller uploads data to the local area network or cloud server via a data switch or gateway.

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