Articulating Spinal Rod Connector Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal rod connector assemblies face challenges in securely fixing spinal rods to vertebral bone screws while allowing for adjustable orientations, with limitations in force transfer and retention mechanisms, leading to potential instability and increased operative time.
Innovation Solution
A spinal rod connector assembly featuring an articulating clamp with a front and rear clamp portion, pivot pins, and a drive nut that applies torque to securely grasp both the vertebral bone screw and spinal rod, utilizing a thickened lip and flange for enhanced force transfer and retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If spinal rod connector assemblies are designed to allow inter-operative adjustments in multiple planes with various degrees of freedom, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly is divided into distinct functional components: an articulating clamp mechanism for orientation adjustment, a spinal rod holder for rod retention, and a pedicle screw interface. Each component performs a specific function, allowing complex multi-planar adjustment capabilities while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.
2Productivity
If spinal rod connector assemblies are designed to fix orientation relative to pedicle screw and attach spinal rod in concert with single torque application, then productivity is improved, but reliability of fixation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The articulating clamp and spinal rod holder are merged into a single integrated assembly that responds to torque applied on the pedicle screw. The clamp portions articulate relative to each other to simultaneously achieve orientation fixation and spinal rod retention, allowing both functions to be accomplished through a single torque application rather than separate steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulating clamp acts as an intermediary mechanism between the pedicle screw and the spinal rod holder. It transfers and distributes the torque applied to the pedicle screw into appropriate forces that secure both the orientation relative to the screw and the retention of the spinal rod, ensuring reliable fixation through mechanical force distribution.
3Strength
If articulating clamp is designed with thickened lip and flange for enhanced force transfer, then strength of fixation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp portions feature localized geometric modifications including thickened lips and flanges at specific locations where force transfer is critical. These local structural enhancements concentrate material and geometry where needed for optimal mechanical performance without requiring complex features throughout the entire component, balancing strength requirements with manufacturing feasibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The assembly provides improved gripping and retention of spinal rods, allowing for adjustable orientations and reduced operative time through efficient force transfer, ensuring secure fixation and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a drive nut that applies torque to securely grasp both the vertebral bone screw and spinal rod
Implementation Method 2
The articulating clamp thus improves the force transfer efficacy of the system
Data Source
AI summary
A spinal rod connector assembly for use with a vertebral bone screw has an articulating clamp for 1) fixing an orientation of the spinal rod connector assembly relative to and on the vertebral bone screw, and 2) attaching a separate spinal rod onto the spinal rod connector assembly in concert with one another. The articulating clamp resides in a body of the spinal rod connector assembly and transfers a received downward force laterally to a spinal rod component of the spinal rod connector assembly which is configured to abut the spinal rod and hold the spinal rod between itself and a spinal rod holder of the spinal rod connector assembly. The articulating clamp thus improves the force transfer efficacy of the system.