Angulating Bone Plate With Interleaved Arcuate Sheets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal plates lack the ability to adjust and lock in varying lordosis positions, which is essential for proper spinal alignment and fusion procedures, as they typically do not allow for flexible adjustment and secure fixation in multiple planes.
Innovation Solution
The development of an angulating bone plate with inter-related structural elements that can move relative to each other until a locking feature is engaged, allowing for rotational movement in multiple planes and secure fixation using arcuate surfaces and a locking mechanism, enabling adjustment and locking of the plate in desired lordosis positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If spinal plates are made fixed and rigid, then structural strength is improved, but adaptability to different lordosis positions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spinal plate is divided into multiple segments or modular components that can be adjusted relative to each other. This segmentation allows the plate to maintain overall structural strength while providing adaptability to different lordosis positions through the modular adjustment mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The spinal plate incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities, allowing it to transition from a fixed state during implantation to an adjustable state for lordosis positioning, and then lock into a stable fixed state. This dynamic characteristic resolves the contradiction by providing both adaptability during surgery and structural strength after implantation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If spinal plates allow flexible adjustment, then adaptability to different lordosis positions is improved, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The plate features a dynamic adjustment mechanism that allows flexible positioning during surgery but locks into a stable configuration once the desired lordosis position is achieved. This dynamic-to-static transition resolves the contradiction between adjustability and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spinal plate utilizes parameter changes in its structural properties, transitioning from a flexible state during adjustment to a rigid locked state after positioning. This change in structural parameters allows the plate to provide both adaptability during implantation and stability during healing.
3Device complexity
If spinal plates use simple fixed structures, then device complexity is reduced, but functional capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spinal plate employs segmentation into modular components, which maintains relative structural simplicity while enabling lordosis adjustment functionality. The segmented design allows for adjustable capabilities without requiring a completely complex monolithic structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The spinal plate integrates multiple functions including structural support, lordosis adjustment, and secure locking within a single device. This multi-functionality approach adds capability while controlling overall device complexity by combining functions rather than requiring separate components.
Data Source
AI summary
An angulating spinal plate assembly for fixation and/or support of bones of the spinal column is provided. The angulating bone plate includes interleaved, arcuate sheets that facilitate relative motion between first/second elements. An implant assembly is also provided that includes an angulating bone plate and associated first/second intervertebral plates that extend therefrom. The angulating bone plate generally includes an interleaved elements, e.g., an upstanding tab that cooperates with opposing faces of an opening, that permit rotational movement as between first/second implant elements until a desired relative orientation is achieved. At such time, a fixation/locking element is generally employed to fix the first/second implant elements relative to each other. The rotational movement permitted is generally in multiple planes based on the cooperative arcuate surfaces provided in the disclosed elements, i.e., side-to-side and top-to-bottom freedoms of movement.