Connector for fusion and non-fusion operations

Abstract

The utility model discloses a connector for fusion and non-fusion operations, the connector is in a cuboid shape, the top surface of the connector is provided with two fixing grooves, the groove bottoms of the fixing grooves are arc-shaped, the groove bottoms of the two fixing grooves are both provided with positioning grooves for a part of elastic bands with elastic deformation to enter, the two fixing grooves are respectively communicated with fixing screw holes, and the fixing screw holes are communicated with the fixing screw holes. The fixing screw hole is opposite to the positioning groove; the two fixing grooves extend along the width direction of the connector and penetrate through the connector, and the two fixing grooves are arranged along the length direction of the connector; the bottom surface of the connector is further provided with a mounting hole for the ball head nail to extend out, the connector with the structure can stably fix an elastic band or a rigid rod according to operation requirements, one connecting object or two connecting objects can be selectively fixed, different operation purposes are achieved, the long-strip-shaped connector can guarantee the structural strength of the connector, and the connector is convenient to use. And the connector can be stably connected with a connecting object due to the arrangement of the positions of the two fixing grooves.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application belongs to the field of medical device technology, and specifically relates to a connector for fusion and non-fusion surgery. Background Art

[0002] For adults or skeletally mature patients with spinal deformity, the most commonly used surgical option is posterior scoliosis correction, internal fixation and bone grafting and fusion. That is, after correction during the operation, a rigid connecting rod (titanium rod or cobalt-chromium-molybdenum rod or other rigid rods) is used to connect the corrected spine together, supplemented by autologous bone or allogeneic bone to achieve complete fusion of the surgical segments, which can achieve a stable and effective scoliosis correction effect. However, the problem faced by this operation method is that the spinal fixation and fusion segment will lose spinal mobility, and will face greater functional problems in future daily life, physical exercise, work, etc.

[0003] In addition, for young and adolescent patients with spinal deformity who still have growth potential, early fusion and fixation will sacrifice the growth and development ability of the fused segment, which may cause problems such as short spinal development and short stature in children. In response to the problem that spinal fusion surgery will cause decreased spinal mobility and loss of growth ability, European and American scholars have proposed the concept of spinal "non-fusion technology" in recent years, among which vertebral tethering technology, one of the representatives, has been initially applied in clinical practice. The technical concept is based on the Hueter-Volkmann law, that is, as the pressure on the epiphysis increases, bone growth will be inhibited; as the pressure on the epiphysis decreases, bone growth will be accelerated. During spinal growth, the longitudinal development of the spine is inhibited under mechanical pressure and stimulated to grow under traction. Therefore, this technology places multiple pedicle screws on the convex side of the scoliosis, and then connects the multiple pedicle screws in series through an elastic band. The elastic band applies continuous pressure to the convex side of the scoliosis, so that the growth of the vertebral body on the convex side is inhibited, while the growth of the vertebral body on the concave side is not affected, thereby utilizing the patient's own growth potential to continuously correct the scoliotic deformity. At the same time, the elastic band can undergo a larger deformation relative to the rigid connecting rod. By using an elastic band to correct scoliosis, the growth ability and mobility of the spine are retained.

[0004] In clinical work, some patients use vertebral tethering technology to control or slow down the progression of spinal deformity in the early stage, retain the function of spinal growth, and then switch to traditional fusion surgery after the bones mature. This can retain the growth function of the spine, control the development of scoliosis, save spinal fusion segments, and especially protect the mobility of the lumbar spine. At present, there are certain differences between the two internal fixation systems. In traditional fusion surgery, the internal fixation system includes multiple pedicle screws implanted in the spine, rigid connecting rods connecting the pedicle screws, and the pedicle screws include tail plugs that lock the connecting rods on the screw seat. In vertebral tethering technology, the internal fixation system includes pedicle screws implanted in the vertebral body, elastic binding bands connecting the screws, and pedicle screws including locking tail plugs that lock the elastic binding bands on the screw seat. The core difference between the two methods is the different connecting objects. The former is a rigid connecting rod, and the latter is an elastic binding belt. At present, the tail plug structure for locking the connecting rod or the binding belt does not match, and the screw seats of the two are also different, and they cannot be replaced and interacted. In clinical practice, some patients with spinal deformity face the clinical need of using elastic bands for elastic fixation in the first stage during surgical treatment, and then using rigid rods for rigid fixation in the second stage as time goes by. If the previous structure is followed, the entire internal fixation system needs to be removed, including the elastic binding belt and the pedicle screws that have been connected to the spine, and then the pedicle screws that can be connected to the rigid rods are re-inserted, and the rigid rods are fixed with pedicle screws. Since the pedicle screws have completed bony fusion with the patient's spine, it is meaningless to replace the pedicle screws, which will increase the operation time and bleeding volume, and the re-implantation of pedicle screws will increase the risk of spinal cord and nerve damage. Therefore, if a pedicle screw that can fix both the rigid connecting rod and the elastic binding belt can be designed, the operation of repeated screw insertion can be avoided, which effectively solves the problem of repeated screw insertion of pedicle screws, and makes the surgical treatment method more flexible.

[0005] Depending on the degree of spinal deformity, the patient's condition may only require one connector to meet the correction needs in the first stage. As time goes by, two connectors are needed to meet the correction needs in the second stage. For example, the patient only needs to use one elastic band to correct the spine in the first stage, but as time goes by, due to the influence of factors such as the patient's wrong posture, the degree of scoliosis of the patient increases. In the second stage, the patient may need a pedicle screw to fix two elastic bands or two rigid rods, but it is unnecessary for the patient to replace the pedicle screws and repeatedly insert the pedicle screws. This operation method will greatly increase the patient's trauma and affect the patient's recovery. When the screw is inserted again, the ball head screw may cause cracks in the spine. Re-insertion of the screw has a higher surgical risk and is not conducive to the patient's health. It is also necessary to consider the interference problem of two identical connectors or two different connectors as the spine bends.

[0006] In addition, the space in the patient's body is limited, and the structural strength of the pedicle screw connector must be ensured, as well as the correct installation position of the connector. It is also necessary to consider the impact of the connector on nearby tissues when the patient moves. Utility Model Content

[0007] In order to enable the connector to fix the rigid rod or elastic band to meet the usage requirements of different patients, avoid the need to remove the ball nail from the spine and implant a new ball nail when replacing the connection, ensure the structural strength of the pedicle screw connector, and ensure the correct installation position of the connector, the present application provides a connector for fusion and non-fusion surgery.

[0008] A connector for fusion and non-fusion surgery, the connector is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, the top surface of the connector is provided with two fixing grooves, the bottoms of the fixing grooves are arc-shaped, and the bottoms of the fixing grooves are provided with positioning grooves for elastic bands that undergo elastic deformation to enter, the two fixing grooves are respectively connected with fixing screw holes, and the fixing screw holes are arranged opposite to the positioning grooves; the two fixing grooves extend along the width direction of the connector and penetrate the connector, and the two fixing grooves are arranged along the length direction of the connector; the bottom surface of the connector is also provided with a mounting hole for a ball stud to extend out.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present application, the axial direction of the mounting hole is perpendicular to the bottom surface of the connector.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present application, the groove walls on both sides of the fixing groove are provided with thread grooves, and threads are provided in the thread grooves. The thread grooves on both sides of the groove walls of the fixing groove form fixing screw holes that can be threadedly connected with screws.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present application, the axial direction of the fixing screw hole is the same as the depth direction of the fixing groove.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present application, the connector also includes a main body provided with a first groove, and the mounting hole is connected to the first groove; the connector also includes a limit seat arranged at the mounting hole, the limit seat is provided with a ball head groove for the ball head of the ball stud to enter, the limit seat is arranged in the first groove, the limit seat is provided with a second groove, the ball head groove is arranged opposite to the second groove, and the second groove and the first groove form a fixed groove.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present application, a positioning groove is provided at the bottom of the second groove.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present application, the mounting hole is communicated with one of the fixing grooves.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present application, the connector also includes a limit seat arranged in the mounting hole, the limit seat is provided with a ball head groove for the ball head of the ball stud to enter, the limit seat is also provided with a working hole connected to the bottom of the ball head groove, the ball head groove is coaxially arranged with the working hole, and the ball head groove is connected to the fixed groove through the working hole.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present application, a plurality of claws are provided around the notch of the ball head slot on the limiting seat to limit the ball head of the ball stud from leaving the ball head slot.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present application, the inner wall of the mounting hole abuts against the claws, and the mounting hole limits the plurality of claws from moving away from each other.

[0018] The present application has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0019] 1. The bottoms of the two fixing grooves in the present application are both arc-shaped, and the bottoms of the two fixing grooves are both provided with positioning grooves, so that the two fixing grooves can fix both two elastic bands and two rigid rods. Of course, they can also fix one elastic band or one rigid rod, which increases the diversity of fixing methods and makes the operation more flexible.

[0020] 2. The forces acting on the spine are more complex. If the connector is deformed, it will interfere with the correction effect of the entire internal fixation system on the spine, and will change the correction force given to the spine by the rigid rod or elastic band. The connector is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, and the connector structure can more stably fix the rigid rod or elastic band; on the other hand, due to the rectangular shape of the connector, when the connector is in the body, it can minimize the friction between the connector and human tissue and reduce the foreign body sensation caused by the connector. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of an exemplary implementation of the present application;

[0022] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of an exemplary implementation of the limit seat in the present application;

[0023] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of an exemplary implementation method when the limit seat in the present application is arranged in the mounting hole;

[0024] Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of an exemplary implementation method when the limit seat and the ball stud are connected in the present application;

[0025] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of an exemplary implementation of a band fixing screw and a rod fixing screw in the present application;

[0026] Figure 6It is a structural schematic diagram of an exemplary implementation of a strap fixing screw in the present application;

[0027] Figure 7 It is a structural schematic diagram of an exemplary implementation method of the connector in the present application when fixing two rigid bars;

[0028] Figure 8 It is a structural schematic diagram of an exemplary implementation method of the connector in the present application for fixing two elastic bands;

[0029] Fig. 9 It is a structural schematic diagram of an exemplary implementation method when the axial direction of the mounting hole in the present application is perpendicular to the bottom surface of the connector.

[0030] In the figure:

[0031] 101, fixing screw;

[0032] 201, fixing screw; 202, extrusion portion; 203, threaded portion;

[0033] 301, connector; 302, fixing groove; 303, fixing screw hole; 304, thread groove; 305, positioning groove; 306, mounting hole; 307, main body; 308, first groove; 309, limit seat; 310, second groove; 311, working hole; 312, ball head groove; 313, claw;

[0034] 401, ball studs;

[0035] 501. Rigid rod; 502. Elastic band. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] In order to have a clearer understanding of the technical features, purposes and effects of the present application, the specific implementation methods of the present application are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings represent components with the same structure or similar structures but the same functions.

[0037] In this document, “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance or illustration”, and any diagram or implementation described in this document as “exemplary” should not be interpreted as a more preferred or more advantageous technical solution.

[0038] In order to simplify the drawings, only the parts related to the present application are schematically shown in each figure, and they do not represent the actual structure of the product. In addition, in order to simplify the drawings and facilitate understanding, in some figures, only one of the parts with the same structure or function is schematically drawn or marked.

[0039] See also Figures 1 to 9 Understand this application.

[0040] See also Figure 1 A connector 301 for fusion and non-fusion surgery, the connector 301 is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, and two fixing grooves 302 are provided on the top surface of the connector 301. The bottom surface of the connector 301 is also provided with a mounting hole 306 for the ball stud 401 to extend out, the two fixing grooves 302 extend along the width direction of the connector 301 and penetrate the connector 301, and the two fixing grooves 302 are arranged along the length direction of the connector 301. Through the rectangular parallelepiped connector 301 and the two fixing grooves 302 arranged along the length direction of the connector 301, two rigid rods 501 or two elastic bands 502, or a rigid rod and an elastic band can be fixed at the same time, so that the height of the combination composed of the connection object and the connector is lower, and the surface of the connector is relatively flat, which reduces the impact of the connector on the surrounding tissues in the body and alleviates the patient's discomfort.

[0041] The bottom of the fixing groove 302 is arc-shaped. The arc-shaped bottom of the fixing groove 302 can increase the contact area with the rigid rod or the elastic band, thereby ensuring the fixing effect of the fixing groove 302 on the two connecting objects. The two fixing grooves 302 are respectively connected with fixing screw holes 303. When the elastic band 502 or the rigid rod 501 enters the fixing groove 302, the fixing screw hole 303 can be threadedly connected with the screw, and the screw and the fixing groove 302 squeeze the connecting object arranged therebetween, thereby fixing the connector 301 and the connecting object. The screw for fixing the rigid rod 501 is named as a fixing rod screw 101. The fixing rod screw 101 has a threaded portion that is threadedly connected to the fixing screw hole 303. When the fixing rod screw 101 is threadedly connected to the fixing screw hole 303, the end of the fixing rod screw 101 can squeeze the rigid rod 501. The combined action of the fixing rod screw 101 and the fixing groove 302 fixes the rigid rod 501; the screw for fixing the elastic band 502 is named as a fixing band screw 201, see Figure 6 The fixing screw 201 includes a threaded portion 203 that can be threadedly connected to the fixing screw hole 303 and an extrusion portion 202 that is plugged into and cooperates with the threaded portion 203. When the threaded portion 203 is threadedly connected to the fixing screw hole 303, the extrusion portion 202 does not rotate relative to the fixing groove 302, but only squeezes the elastic band 502 along the depth direction of the fixing groove 302, thereby fixing the elastic band 502 in the fixing groove 302.

[0042] When the rod fixing screw 101 is threadedly connected to the fixing screw hole 303, the rod fixing screw 101 restricts the rigid rod 501 to the bottom of the fixing groove 302. The arc-shaped bottom of the fixing groove 302 can restrict the movement of the rigid rod 501. Figure 7 .

[0043] The bottom of the two fixing grooves 302 are provided with positioning grooves 305 for the elastic band 502 to enter. The positioning grooves 305 are arranged opposite to the fixing screw holes 303. When the fixing screws 201 are threadedly connected with the fixing screw holes 303, see Figure 5 , Figure 6 The fixing screw 201 includes a threaded portion 203 that can be threadedly connected to the fixing screw hole 303 and an extrusion portion 202 that is rotatably connected to the threaded portion 203. When the threaded portion 203 is threadedly connected to the fixing screw hole 303, the extrusion portion 202 can not rotate relative to the elastic band 502, and the extrusion portion 202 is close to the positioning groove 305, so that the band body of the elastic band 502 located between the extrusion portion 202 and the positioning groove 305 undergoes elastic deformation, and the extrusion portion 202 squeezes the elastic band 502 between the fixing screw 201 and the positioning groove 305 into the positioning groove 305, thereby ensuring the fixing effect of the elastic band 502.

[0044] See also Figure 1 In one embodiment of the present application, the groove walls on both sides of the fixing groove 302 are provided with thread grooves 304, and threads are provided in the thread grooves 304. The thread grooves 304 on both sides of the groove walls of the fixing groove 302 form fixing screw holes 303 that can be threadedly connected with screws. The groove walls on both sides of the fixing groove 302 are provided with thread grooves 304, and the two thread grooves 304 form the fixing screw holes 303. The inner diameter of the fixing screw hole 303 is larger than the slot width of the fixing groove 302. When the screw is connected to the fixing screw hole 303, the contact area between the screw and the connector 301 is guaranteed.

[0045] See also Figures 1 to 5 In one embodiment of the present application, the axial direction of the fixing screw hole 303 is the same as the depth direction of the fixing groove 302. When the screw is connected to the fixing screw hole 303, the screw can approach the bottom of the fixing groove 302 along the depth direction of the fixing groove 302, and clamp the elastic band 502 or the rigid rod 501 with the bottom of the fixing groove 302 to better fix the elastic band 502 or the rigid rod 501.

[0046] See also Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 In one embodiment of the present application, the mounting hole 306 is connected to one of the fixing grooves 302, and the tip of the ball stud 401 can enter the fixing groove 302 and extend from the connector 301 through the mounting hole 306, and can be connected to the spine.

[0047] See also Figures 2 to 5 In one embodiment of the present application, the connector 301 further includes a stopper 309 disposed on the mounting hole 306, and the mounting hole 306 is a stepped hole, see Fig. 9The mounting hole 306 decreases in diameter in a direction away from the fixing groove 302, so that the mounting hole 306 restricts the stop seat 309 from disengaging downward from the mounting hole 306 (in order to Figure 3 The limiting seat 309 is provided with a ball head groove 312 for the ball head of the ball stud 401 to enter, and the limiting seat 309 is also provided with a working hole 311 connected to the groove bottom of the ball head groove 312. The ball head groove 312 is coaxially arranged with the working hole 311, and the ball head groove 312 is connected to the fixing groove 302 through the working hole 311. The outer diameter of the limiting seat 309 is larger than the aperture of the mounting hole 306. When the ball head of the ball stud 401 enters the ball head groove 312, since the outer diameter of the limiting seat 309 is larger than the minimum aperture of the mounting hole 306, the limiting seat 309 cannot pass through the mounting hole 306 to leave the fixing groove 302, so the limiting seat 309 prevents the ball stud 401 from leaving the fixing groove 302 downward through the mounting hole 306. When the screw enters the fixing screw hole 303, the screw squeezes the limiting seat 309 and fixes it in the fixing groove 302.

[0048] When connecting the ball stud 401 to the connector, remove the limit seat 309 from the mounting hole 306, insert the ball stud 401 into the mounting hole 306, and then connect the ball head of the ball stud to the ball head groove 312, reinstall the limit seat 309 into the mounting hole 306, and put the connection into the fixing groove 302. Finally, under the action of the screw, the position of the ball stud, the limit seat and the connection is fixed, and the assembly process is simpler and more efficient.

[0049] See also Figure 2 In one embodiment of the present application, the limiting seat 309 is provided with a plurality of claws 313 around the notch of the ball head groove 312 to limit the ball head of the ball stud 401 from leaving the ball head groove 312. When the ball head is installed in the ball head groove 312, the limiting seat 309 is removed from the mounting hole 306, and the plurality of claws 313 are moved away from each other, so that the ball head can enter the ball head groove 312; see Figure 2 A plurality of claws 313 are arranged around the notch array of the ball head slot 312, and the plurality of claws 313 are in a plane, so that the ball stud 401 can swing in multiple directions in the ball head slot 312, so that the ball stud 401 can be more flexibly applied on the spine.

[0050] See also Figure 3 , Figure 4 In one embodiment of the present application, the inner wall of the mounting hole 306 abuts against the claw 313, and the mounting hole 306 limits the plurality of claws 313 from moving away from each other, so that the ball stud 401 can be firmly fixed in the ball head groove 312 by the claw 313, preventing the ball stud 401 from falling off in the ball head groove 312. This arrangement greatly reduces the risk of surgery.

[0051] See also Figure 2 In one embodiment of the present application, the connector 301 further includes a main body 307 having a first groove 308, and the mounting hole 306 is connected to the first groove 308; the connector 301 further includes a limit seat 309 disposed at the mounting hole 306, the limit seat 309 having a ball head groove 312 for the ball head of the ball stud 401 to enter, the limit seat 309 being disposed in the first groove 308, the limit seat 309 having a second groove 310, the ball head groove 312 being disposed opposite to the second groove 310, and the second groove 310 and the first groove 308 forming a fixed groove 302, see Figure 3 , Figure 4 The limiting seat 309 is provided with a second groove 310, and the rigid rod 501 or the elastic band 502 interacts with the limiting seat 309 to avoid displacement of the components.

[0052] In one embodiment of the present application, a positioning groove 305 is provided at the bottom of the second groove 310, see Figure 2 , Figure 6 The threaded portion 203 of the fixing screw 201 can be threadedly connected to the fixing screw hole 303, and the extrusion portion 202 of the fixing screw 201 can extend into the positioning groove 305, thereby strengthening the clamping effect on the elastic band 502 and preventing the components in the connector 301 from shifting.

[0053] See also Figure 1 When the connector 301 is connected to the ball stud 401, the ball stud 401 extends out of the mounting hole 306. In one embodiment of the present application, the axial direction of the mounting hole 306 is perpendicular to the bottom surface of the connector 301. Fig. 9 Therefore, when the ball stud 401 is installed on the spine, the ball stud 401 can provide support for the connector 301 more stably.

[0054] It should be understood that although this specification is described according to various implementation methods, not every implementation method contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative method of the specification is only for the sake of clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other implementation methods that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0055] The series of detailed descriptions listed above are merely specific descriptions of feasible embodiments of the present application. They are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application. Any equivalent implementation scheme or changes that do not deviate from the technical spirit of the present application, such as combination, division or repetition of features, should be included in the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A connector for fusion and non-fusion surgery, characterized in that: The connector is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, and two fixing grooves are provided on the top surface of the connector. The bottom of the fixing grooves is arc-shaped, and the bottoms of the two fixing grooves are both provided with positioning grooves for the elastic bands that undergo elastic deformation to enter. The two fixing grooves are respectively connected with fixing screw holes, and the fixing screw holes are arranged opposite to the positioning grooves. The two fixing grooves extend along the width direction of the connector and penetrate the connector, and the two fixing grooves are arranged along the length direction of the connector; The bottom surface of the connector is also provided with a mounting hole for the ball stud to extend out.

2. A connector for fusion and non-fusion surgery according to claim 1, characterized in that: The axial direction of the mounting hole is perpendicular to the bottom surface of the connector.

3. A connector for fusion and non-fusion surgery according to claim 1, characterized in that: The groove walls on both sides of the fixing groove are provided with thread grooves, and threads are provided in the thread grooves. The thread grooves on both sides of the groove walls of the fixing groove form fixing screw holes that can be threadedly connected with screws.

4. A connector for fusion and non-fusion surgery according to claim 3, characterized in that: The axial direction of the fixing screw hole is the same as the depth direction of the fixing groove.

5. The connector for fusion and non-fusion surgery according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connector further comprises a main body provided with a first groove, and the mounting hole is communicated with the first groove; The connector also includes a limit seat arranged at the mounting hole, the limit seat is provided with a ball head groove for the ball head of the ball stud to enter, the limit seat is arranged in the first groove, the limit seat is provided with a second groove, the ball head groove is arranged opposite to the second groove, and the second groove and the first groove constitute the fixed groove.

6. A connector for fusion and non-fusion surgery according to claim 5, characterized in that: The positioning groove is provided at the groove bottom of the second groove.

7. The connector for fusion and non-fusion surgery according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mounting hole is communicated with one of the fixing grooves.

8. A connector for fusion and non-fusion surgery according to claim 7, characterized in that: The connector also includes a limit seat arranged on the mounting hole, the limit seat is provided with a ball head groove for the ball head of the ball stud to enter, the limit seat is also provided with a working hole connected to the bottom of the ball head groove, the ball head groove is coaxially arranged with the working hole, and the ball head groove is connected to the fixing groove through the working hole.

9. A connector for fusion and non-fusion surgery according to claim 8, characterized in that: The limiting seat is provided with a plurality of claws around the notch of the ball head slot for limiting the ball head of the ball stud from leaving the ball head slot.

10. A connector for fusion and non-fusion surgery according to claim 9, characterized in that: The inner wall of the mounting hole abuts against the clamping claw, and the mounting hole limits the plurality of clamping claws from moving away from each other.

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