Arcuate and S-Shaped Spinal Rods for Kyphosis Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In spinal deformity correction and fusion surgeries, manually bending straight rods to match individual patient anatomy is challenging, often resulting in suboptimal spinal column arrangements due to reliance on surgeon expertise and intuition.
Innovation Solution
A rod group comprising arcuate and S-shaped rods with specific curvature profiles, designed to match anatomically normal spinal column arrangements, along with a manufacturing method that classifies and produces rods based on best-fit curves from clinical data, ensuring accurate alignment and attachment using coupling device attachment elements like pedicle screws.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If straight rods are manually bent by a doctor using bending tools during surgery, then the surgeon can adapt the rod shape to the patient's anatomy, but the spinal column arrangement may not be anatomically normal due to reliance on surgeon expertise and intuition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-manufacturing rods with specific arcuate and S-shaped curves based on anatomical data before surgery. These pre-formed rods eliminate the need for manual bending during surgery, ensuring that the anatomically normal spinal column arrangement (with thoracic kyphosis apex at T6-T8) is achieved through precise pre-fabricated geometry rather than surgeon intuition.
2Adaptability or versatility
If rods are manually bent to match patient anatomy, then customization is possible, but the process depends on surgeon expertise and may result in suboptimal outcomes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by defining specific geometric parameters for the rods, including arcuate curves for thoracic kyphosis and S-shaped curves that incorporate both thoracic and lumbar anatomy. The rod shapes are characterized by specific curvature radii, lengths of curved and straight sections, and overall geometry that transforms the variable manual bending process into a standardized parameter-driven manufacturing approach, improving reliability while maintaining customization.
3Manufacturing precision
If pre-manufactured rods with specific curves are used, then anatomically normal spinal column arrangement can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the rod into distinct functional sections: curved sections for attachment to vertebrae and straight sections for connection purposes. The arcuate rods have curved sections with specific radii, and the S-shaped rods have alternating curved and straight sections. This segmentation simplifies the manufacturing process by breaking down complex 3D curves into manageable 2D curve segments that can be precisely fabricated and assembled.
Data Source
AI summary
A rod group includes a plurality of first rods that has an arcuate first curve, the first rods having mutually different lengths; and a plurality of second rods that has an S-shaped second curve, the second rods having mutually different lengths. The first rods and the second rods have shapes for treatment of scoliosis by (i) guiding the postoperative apex of the thoracic kyphosis to be located at the thoracic vertebrae T6 to T8, and (ii) guiding a postoperative apex of the thoracic kyphosis to be located at a position different from a preoperative apex of the thoracic kyphosis and the second rod each have a shape extending along an anatomically normal spinal column arrangement.