Variable-diameter multidirectional movable bridging connecting rod

Abstract

The utility model provides a variable-diameter multidirectional movable bridging connecting rod, and belongs to the technical field of biotechnology. Comprising two connecting blocks; the ball cover is stably connected to the connecting block; the ball body is located in the ball cover, the ball body is rotationally connected with the ball cover, and the center point of the ball body coincides with the center point of the ball cover; the perimeter of the inner cross section of the ball cover is larger than one half of the perimeter of the cross section of the ball body, one ends of the two connecting blocks are stably connected with the ball cover and the ball body respectively, the two connecting blocks do not interfere with each other, and the connecting blocks, the ball cover and the ball body form a similar ball joint structure. Through the cooperation of a similar ball joint structure composed of the connecting block, the ball cover and the ball body, the purpose of multi-directional flexible movement of the connecting rod is achieved, and through the cooperative operation of the expanding and supporting frame, the flexible cylinder, the threaded rod, the conical block and other structures, the purpose of accurate diameter changing of the connecting rod is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of biotechnology, and in particular to a bridging connecting rod with variable diameter and multidirectional movement. Background Technology

[0002] In modern medicine, particularly in orthopedic surgery, connecting rods are widely used as an important medical device. They play a crucial role in supporting and fixing fractures, spinal fusion, and other surgeries. With the continuous advancement of medical technology and people's increasing demands for healthy living, the performance requirements for orthopedic implants are becoming increasingly diverse.

[0003] However, during normal physiological activities, bones undergo complex multidirectional movements. For example, the spine has a certain range of motion in flexion, extension, lateral bending, and rotation. Most existing bridging rods employ relatively simple structural designs, and their degrees of freedom often do not accurately match the natural movement patterns of the human skeleton. This restriction of multidirectional movement can lead to uneven stress distribution at the implantation site, thus affecting normal bone healing and long-term stability. Furthermore, this mismatch may increase the burden on adjacent bone segments, accelerating degeneration in these areas and adversely impacting patient rehabilitation and postoperative quality of life. Utility Model Content

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a bridging connecting rod with variable diameter and multi-directional movement, so as to solve the technical problems of limited multi-directional movement and insufficient variable diameter function of the connecting rod in the prior art.

[0005] Technical Solution: To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a variable-diameter, multi-directionally movable bridging connecting rod, comprising: two connecting blocks; a spherical cover stably connected to the connecting blocks; and a sphere located inside the spherical cover, the sphere being rotatably connected to the spherical cover, the center point of the sphere coinciding with the center point of the spherical cover; the perimeter of the inner cross-section of the spherical cover being greater than half the perimeter of the sphere's cross-section; one end of each of the two connecting blocks being stably connected to the spherical cover and the sphere, respectively; the two connecting blocks not interfering with each other; the connecting blocks, the spherical cover, and the sphere forming a ball-joint-like structure; wherein the connecting blocks are made of medical-grade titanium alloy, precision forged and CNC machined, possessing excellent strength and toughness, and effectively withstanding multi-directional complex stresses. The spherical cover is firmly connected to the connecting blocks via laser welding, and the weld is inspected by X-ray flaw detection to ensure no welding defects. The inner surface of the spherical cover is coated with a plasma-sprayed ceramic coating with a thickness of 0.1-0.2 mm, greatly reducing the coefficient of rotational friction of the sphere and enhancing wear resistance. The sphere is made of high-purity zirconia ceramic material, formed by isostatic pressing and precision grinding, and has good biocompatibility and self-lubricating properties.

[0006] In a further embodiment, a support frame is disposed on the other side of the connecting block. The support frame includes multiple arc-shaped plates. A flexible cylinder is sleeved around the support frame, and the minimum diameter of the flexible cylinder is the same as the diameter of the connecting block. The support frame is used to expand the diameter of the flexible cylinder. The arc-shaped plates of the support frame are made of medical-grade polyetheretherketone (PEEK) material, which is injection molded and then further processed, possessing good elastic recovery performance and biocompatibility. The flexible cylinder is made of medical-grade silicone rubber material, manufactured through an extrusion molding process, and has high elasticity, low-temperature flexibility, and tear resistance.

[0007] In a further embodiment, multiple connecting rods are provided, and each of the multiple connecting rods is connected to the other end of two connecting blocks. The connecting rods are arranged in a circular array, and each of the multiple connecting rods is located between two adjacent arc-shaped plates. A sealing plate is stably connected to the end of the connecting rods away from the connecting blocks. The diameter of the sealing plate is at most the same as the diameter of the connecting blocks, and the diameter of the sealing plate is larger than the minimum diameter of the expansion frame. The connecting rods are made of medical-grade cobalt-chromium alloy, which, through machining and polishing, has high strength and corrosion resistance. The sealing plate is made of the same medical-grade titanium alloy as the connecting blocks, which, through milling and anodizing, forms an oxide film with a thickness of 5-10 micrometers on the surface, improving biocompatibility and corrosion resistance.

[0008] In a further embodiment, a threaded rod is stably connected to the other side of the connecting block. The threaded rod is located inside the expansion frame. The end of the threaded rod away from the connecting block is rotatably connected to the sealing plate and has a control groove. The threaded rod is made of high-strength medical stainless steel and is cold-drawn and threaded rolling processed, resulting in a high surface finish and strong wear resistance.

[0009] In a further embodiment, a conical block is threaded to both ends of a threaded rod. The conical block is located inside an expansion frame and is used to control the expansion of the expansion frame. The conical block is made of hard alloy material and is processed by powder metallurgy and precision grinding. The perpendicularity error between the conical surface and the bottom surface is less than 0.02 mm.

[0010] In a further embodiment, the conical block is provided with a limiting block, and a limiting groove is formed in the connecting rod. The limiting block is located in the limiting groove, and the limiting block and the limiting groove are adapted to each other. The limiting groove and the limiting block are used to prevent the conical block from rotating. The limiting block and the conical block are integrally formed, made of the same hard alloy material, and formed by electrical discharge machining. The shape is rectangular, and the dimensional accuracy is ±0.05 mm. The width of the limiting groove is 0.1-0.2 mm wider than the limiting block, and the depth is 0.2-0.3 mm deeper than the limiting block. The surface roughness Ra value of the mating surface of the limiting groove and the limiting block is less than 0.4 micrometers.

[0011] In a further embodiment, the expansion frame is provided with receiving grooves at both ends that are adapted to the conical block for accommodating the conical block. The end of the arc plate near the threaded rod is in the shape of a boss that is adapted to the conical block. The receiving groove and the boss-shaped structure are integrally formed during the injection molding of the expansion frame, and the dimensions are precisely matched with the conical block with a tolerance of ±0.1 mm.

[0012] In a further embodiment, the horizontal center line of the connecting block coincides with the center point of the sphere, the horizontal center line of the flexible cylinder and the horizontal center line of the expansion frame coincide with the horizontal center line of the connecting block, wherein the coincidence tolerance of the center lines of each component is controlled within ±0.03 mm, and random inspection is carried out after assembly, with a sampling rate of not less than 20%.

[0013] In a further embodiment, the threaded rod is a bidirectional screw, wherein the threads at both ends of the bidirectional screw have opposite directions, and the intermediate transition part adopts a smooth arc transition. It is processed by a CNC lathe and ground by a thread grinding machine to ensure thread accuracy and surface quality.

[0014] In a further embodiment, the horizontal centerline of the threaded rod coincides with the horizontal centerline of the tapered block, wherein the centerline coincidence tolerance is controlled within ±0.02 mm.

[0015] Beneficial effects: 1. Through the cooperation of the ball joint-like structure composed of the connecting block, the ball cover and the ball, the connecting rod can move flexibly in multiple directions; the ball cover and the ball are rotatably connected, and its internal space design ensures that the ball can rotate freely. Moreover, the ball joint-like structure has sufficient range of motion in multiple key directions, and can move smoothly in flexion, extension, lateral flexion and axial rotation. The friction is extremely low when the joint moves, which achieves accurate simulation of the complex movement pattern of human bones, prevents abnormal stress accumulation caused by restricted movement, and reduces the load on bones and surrounding tissues.

[0016] 2. By utilizing the coordinated operation of structures such as the expansion frame, flexible cylinder, threaded rod, and conical block, the goal of precise diameter change of the connecting rod is achieved. The special structure of the expansion frame allows it to deform under stress, and the flexible cylinder can change its shape according to the changes in the expansion frame. When the threaded rod is rotated, the conical block connected to it will be displaced axially. Through the interaction between its conical surface and the expansion frame, it pushes the expansion frame to expand, thereby changing the diameter of the flexible cylinder. This design allows the connecting rod to adjust its diameter within a large range and maintain a stable shape and performance after diameter change, effectively meeting the diverse needs of different patients with different bone sizes. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the main cross-section of the cone-shaped block.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the threaded rod.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the connecting rod.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a planar schematic diagram of the spherical cover and the sphere.

[0023] The reference numerals in the figure are: 1. Connecting block; 2. Spherical cover; 3. Sphere; 4. Threaded rod; 5. Conical block; 6. Expanding frame; 7. Flexible cylinder; 8. Connecting rod; 9. Sealing plate. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions in this utility model are described clearly and completely. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments in this utility model. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments in this utility model without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0025] This application provides a variable-diameter, multi-directionally movable bridging connecting rod, solving the technical problems of limited multi-directional movement and insufficient diameter-changing function in existing connecting rods. In practical use, it achieves the effect of multi-directional free movement of the connecting rod to adapt to the complex movements of the human skeleton, and precise diameter changing according to differences in the skeleton.

[0026] To better understand the above technical solutions, the following will provide a detailed explanation of the technical solutions in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0027] Reference Figure 1-5A variable-diameter, multi-directionally movable bridging connecting rod includes: two connecting blocks 1; a spherical cover 2 stably connected to the connecting blocks 1; and a sphere 3 located inside the spherical cover 2, wherein the sphere 3 is rotatably connected to the spherical cover 2, and the center point of the sphere 3 coincides with the center point of the spherical cover 2; the perimeter of the inner cross-section of the spherical cover 2 is greater than half the perimeter of the cross-section of the sphere 3; one end of each of the two connecting blocks 1 is stably connected to the spherical cover 2 and the sphere 3 respectively; the two connecting blocks 1 do not interfere with each other; and the connecting blocks 1, the spherical cover 2, and the sphere 3 form a ball joint-like structure.

[0028] It achieves the effect of flexible rotation of the connecting rod in multiple directions, effectively simulating the motion characteristics of human joints, enabling the connecting rod to adapt to complex stress and motion environments, reducing stress concentration points, and improving the stability and adaptability of the overall structure.

[0029] An expansion bracket 6 is disposed on the other side of the connecting block 1. The expansion bracket 6 includes multiple arc-shaped plates. A flexible cylinder 7 is sleeved around the expansion bracket 6. The minimum diameter of the flexible cylinder 7 is the same as the diameter of the connecting block 1. The expansion bracket 6 is used to expand the diameter of the flexible cylinder 7.

[0030] It achieves the effect of changing the overall diameter of the connecting rod. By expanding or contracting the expansion bracket 6, the outer diameter of the connecting rod can be precisely adjusted according to different usage scenarios or needs, thereby adapting to different specifications of connection objects and improving the versatility and practicality of the connecting rod.

[0031] There are multiple connecting rods 8, and each of the multiple connecting rods 8 is connected to the other end of the two connecting blocks 1. The connecting rods 8 are arranged in a ring array and are located between two adjacent arc plates. A sealing plate 9 is stably connected to the end of the connecting rod 8 away from the connecting block 1. The diameter of the sealing plate 9 is at most the same as the diameter of the connecting block 1, and the diameter of the sealing plate 9 is greater than the minimum diameter of the expansion frame 6.

[0032] The connecting rod 8 connects the connecting block 1 and the sealing plate 9 into one unit, so that the expansion frame 6 will not be displaced or deformed during operation, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the expansion action of the expansion frame 6. At the same time, the sealing plate 9 restricts the axial movement range of the expansion frame 6, enhancing the stability of the overall structure.

[0033] The threaded rod 4 is stably connected to the other side of the connecting block 1. The threaded rod 4 is located inside the expansion bracket 6. The end of the threaded rod 4 away from the connecting block 1 is rotatably connected to the sealing plate 9 and has a control groove.

[0034] It achieves precise control over the expansion degree of the expansion frame 6. By rotating the threaded rod 4, the rotational motion is converted into linear motion using its thread transmission principle, thereby driving the relevant components to expand or retract the expansion frame 6. Furthermore, the control groove facilitates operation with external tools, enabling precise control of the expansion process.

[0035] The conical block 5 is threaded to both ends of the threaded rod 4. The conical block 5 is located inside the expansion frame 6 and is used to control the expansion of the expansion frame 6.

[0036] This achieves the effect of converting the rotational motion of the threaded rod 4 into the radial expansion force of the expansion frame 6. When the threaded rod 4 rotates, the conical block 5 moves along the axial direction of the threaded rod 4. The contact between its conical surface and the expansion frame 6 causes the arc plate of the expansion frame 6 to expand outward, thereby changing the diameter of the connecting rod and providing a reliable power transmission mechanism for the diameter change of the connecting rod.

[0037] The conical block 5 is provided with a limiting block, and the connecting rod 8 has a limiting groove. The limiting block is located in the limiting groove and is adapted to the limiting groove. The limiting groove and the limiting block are used to prevent the conical block 5 from rotating.

[0038] This ensures that the conical block 5 moves only axially without rotating, allowing the conical block 5 to stably push the expansion frame 6 to perform expansion action under the drive of the threaded rod 4. This avoids uneven force on the expansion frame 6 or failure to expand properly due to the rotation of the conical block 5, thus improving the accuracy and reliability of the diameter change process.

[0039] The expansion frame 6 has receiving grooves at both ends that are adapted to the conical block 5 for accommodating the conical block 5. The end of the arc plate near the threaded rod 4 is in the shape of a boss adapted to the conical block 5.

[0040] This achieves a tight and stable fit between the conical block 5 and the expansion frame 6 during the movement of the conical block 5. The receiving groove provides a precise positioning space for the conical block 5, enabling it to maintain the correct positional relationship when pushing the expansion frame 6, avoiding deviation or shaking, and ensuring stable and accurate force transmission direction. The boss-like structure of the arc plate and the conical surface of the conical block 5 can form good contact and interaction, allowing the conical block 5 to uniformly transmit the thrust to the arc plate when moving axially, causing the expansion frame 6 to expand steadily in the radial direction, effectively avoiding problems such as local deformation and jamming of the expansion frame 6 caused by poor contact or uneven force.

[0041] The horizontal centerline of the connecting block 1 coincides with the center point of the sphere 3, and the horizontal centerline of the flexible cylinder 7 and the horizontal centerline of the expansion frame 6 coincide with the horizontal centerline of the connecting block 1.

[0042] This achieves the effect of uniform force distribution on the connecting rod when it is under stress, avoids eccentric force due to misalignment of the center lines, reduces the risk of wear, deformation and damage to the connecting rod during operation, improves the structural strength and stability of the connecting rod, and ensures that it can maintain good performance during long-term use.

[0043] The threaded rod 4 is a bidirectional threaded rod.

[0044] It achieves the effect of simultaneously expanding or retracting both ends of the expansion frame 6 symmetrically through a single rotation operation, improving the efficiency and convenience of diameter change operation, making the adjustment of the connecting rod diameter faster and more precise, and the design of the bidirectional lead screw helps to maintain the balance and symmetry of the expansion frame 6 during the expansion process, thus improving the stability of the overall structure.

[0045] The horizontal center line of the threaded rod 4 coincides with the horizontal center line of the tapered block 5.

[0046] This ensures that the force is transmitted evenly when the conical block 5 moves on the threaded rod 4, avoiding uneven force distribution, additional friction, or jamming caused by centerline deviation. This makes the expansion action of the expansion bracket 6 smoother and more stable, improving the reliability and durability of the connecting rod diameter change function.

[0047] During use, in the ball joint-like structure composed of connecting block 1, ball cover 2, and ball 3, ball 3 rotates flexibly within ball cover 2 according to the actual force conditions to adapt to multi-directional movement requirements and effectively disperse stress. Connecting block 1 provides a stable connection foundation for the overall structure. When it is necessary to adjust the diameter of the connecting rod, the threaded rod 4 is rotated by cooperating with the control groove on the threaded rod 4 using an external tool. Since the threaded rod 4 is threadedly connected to the conical block 5, and the conical block 5 is restricted by the limiting groove in the connecting rod 8 and its own limiting block, it can only move axially. As the threaded rod 4 rotates, the conical block 5 moves axially within the expansion frame 6. The conical surface of the conical block 5 interacts with the boss-like structure at one end of the arc plate of the expansion frame 6. Because the expansion frame 6 has receiving grooves at both ends that are compatible with the conical block 5, the conical block 5 pushes the arc plate outward to expand, thereby driving the plate sleeved on the The diameter of the flexible cylinder 7 surrounding the expansion frame 6 increases. During the expansion process, multiple connecting rods 8 arranged in a ring array and connected between the connecting block 1 and the sealing plate 9 provide stable support and positioning for the expansion frame 6, ensuring the stability and accuracy of the expansion action. The sealing plate 9 limits the axial displacement range of the expansion frame 6 to prevent excessive movement. Throughout the entire operation, the horizontal center line of the connecting block 1 coincides with the center point of the sphere 3, and the horizontal center lines of the flexible cylinder 7 and the expansion frame 6 also coincide with the horizontal center line of the connecting block 1, ensuring uniform force distribution. The threaded rod 4, as a two-way screw, can achieve symmetrical expansion or retraction at both ends of the expansion frame 6 through a single rotation operation, and its horizontal center line coincides with the horizontal center line of the conical block 5, ensuring uniform force transmission when the conical block 5 moves, enabling the connecting rod to accurately and stably achieve multi-directional movement and diameter change functions.

[0048] The aforementioned fixation mechanisms (such as bone nails, bone plates, and other fastening devices) for fixing the connecting rod to the bone, as well as locking components that cooperate with the connecting rod to achieve specific functions and buffer pads adapted to different bone shapes, are all existing technologies and are not essential technical features in this application. Therefore, they are not described or drawn in the documents and figures of this application. Furthermore, all the data appearing in the aforementioned documents are illustrative data, which have reference value but are not absolute standards or fixed. In actual research and development, production, and clinical use, these data can be flexibly adjusted and optimized according to various factors such as the specific patient's condition, bone structure characteristics, surgical operation requirements, and biomechanical performance requirements. Moreover, the graphics shown in the figures are illustrative graphics, the purpose of which is only to more intuitively demonstrate the key structure and connection relationship of the variable diameter multi-directional movable bridging connecting rod of this utility model. In practical applications, the appearance and size of the device can be adjusted and optimized according to specific needs.

[0049] This utility model encompasses any substitutions, modifications, equivalent methods, and solutions made within the spirit and scope of this utility model. To provide the public with a thorough understanding of this utility model, specific details have been described in detail in the above preferred embodiments; however, those skilled in the art can fully understand this utility model even without these detailed descriptions. Furthermore, to avoid unnecessary confusion regarding the essence of this utility model, well-known methods, processes, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail.

[0050] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of the present utility model, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A variable-diameter, multi-directionally movable bridging connecting rod, characterized in that, include: Connecting block (1), there are two; The spherical cover (2) is stably connected to the connecting block (1); A sphere (3) is located inside a spherical cover (2), the sphere (3) and the spherical cover (2) are rotatably connected, and the center point of the sphere (3) coincides with the center point of the spherical cover (2); The perimeter of the inner cross-section of the spherical cover (2) is greater than half the perimeter of the cross-section of the sphere (3). One end of each of the two connecting blocks (1) is stably connected to the spherical cover (2) and the sphere (3) respectively. The two connecting blocks (1) do not interfere with each other. The connecting blocks (1), the spherical cover (2) and the sphere (3) form a ball joint-like structure.

2. The variable-diameter, multi-directionally movable bridging connecting rod according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: An expansion bracket (6) is disposed on the other side of the connecting block (1), the expansion bracket (6) comprising a plurality of arc-shaped plates; A flexible cylinder (7) is sleeved around the expansion frame (6). The minimum diameter of the flexible cylinder (7) is the same as the diameter of the connecting block (1). The flexible cylinder (7) is used for: The expansion frame (6) is used to expand the diameter of the flexible cylinder (7).

3. A variable-diameter, multi-directionally movable bridging connecting rod according to claim 2, characterized in that, Also includes: There are multiple connecting rods (8), and the multiple connecting rods (8) are respectively connected to the other end of the two connecting blocks (1). The connecting rods (8) are arranged in a ring array, and the multiple connecting rods (8) are respectively located between two adjacent arc plates. The sealing plate (9) is stably connected to the end of the connecting rod (8) away from the connecting block (1). The diameter of the sealing plate (9) is at most the same as the diameter of the connecting block (1), and the diameter of the sealing plate (9) is greater than the minimum diameter of the expansion frame (6).

4. A variable-diameter, multi-directionally movable bridging connecting rod according to claim 3, characterized in that, Also includes: The threaded rod (4) is stably connected to the other side of the connecting block (1). The threaded rod (4) is located inside the expansion frame (6). The end of the threaded rod (4) away from the connecting block (1) is rotatably connected to the sealing plate (9) and has a control groove.

5. A variable-diameter, multi-directionally movable bridging connecting rod according to claim 4, characterized in that, Also includes: A conical block (5) is threaded to both ends of a threaded rod (4). The conical block (5) is located inside a support frame (6). The conical block (5) is used for...

6. A variable-diameter, multi-directionally movable bridging connecting rod according to claim 5, characterized in that: The conical block (5) is provided with a limiting block, and the connecting rod (8) has a limiting groove. The limiting block is located in the limiting groove and is adapted to the limiting groove. The limiting groove and the limiting block are used to prevent the conical block (5) from rotating.

7. A variable-diameter, multi-directionally movable bridging connecting rod according to claim 5, characterized in that: The expansion frame (6) has receiving grooves at both ends that are adapted to the conical block (5) for accommodating the conical block (5). The end of the arc plate near the threaded rod (4) is in the shape of a boss adapted to the conical block (5).

8. A variable-diameter, multi-directionally movable bridging connecting rod according to claim 2, characterized in that: The horizontal center line of the connecting block (1) coincides with the center point of the sphere (3), and the horizontal center line of the flexible cylinder (7) and the horizontal center line of the expansion frame (6) coincide with the horizontal center line of the connecting block (1).

9. A variable-diameter, multi-directionally movable bridging connecting rod according to claim 4, characterized in that: The threaded rod (4) is a bidirectional threaded rod.

10. A variable-diameter, multi-directionally movable bridging connecting rod according to claim 5, characterized in that: The horizontal center line of the threaded rod (4) coincides with the horizontal center line of the conical block (5).

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