Asymmetrical Cervical Spinal Plate for Off-Center Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal plates used in surgery are difficult to insert, limiting the number of surgeons who can perform the procedure and increasing the risk of infection and negative surgical outcomes due to their symmetrical design and placement challenges.
Innovation Solution
An asymmetrical spinal plate with an offset configuration and unique geometry for placement along the cervical spine, featuring vertically aligned bone engaging fasteners and locking fasteners that extend at an acute angle, secured by a spring-loaded locking mechanism to prevent movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a symmetrical spinal plate design is used, then the plate can be affixed centered on the spine, but the plate becomes difficult to insert and increases surgical risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing a spinal plate with an asymmetrical configuration where the fastener holes are positioned to align with anatomical structures when the plate is placed in an off-center position on the vertebral spine. This asymmetrical design facilitates easier insertion while maintaining surgical reliability by matching the natural anatomical variations of the spine.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a symmetrical spinal plate is used, then the plate structure is simple, but the number of surgeons who can perform the procedure is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetrical plate design with specifically positioned fastener holes increases adaptability to different anatomical configurations and surgeon skill levels, while the overall plate structure remains relatively simple in form but complex in functional positioning capability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a symmetrical spinal plate is used, then the plate design is straightforward, but the risk of infection and negative surgical outcomes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetrical configuration reduces infection risk and negative surgical outcomes by enabling proper alignment with anatomical structures, which facilitates easier insertion and reduces surgical trauma. The plate maintains a relatively simple overall geometry while incorporating asymmetrical hole positioning to achieve these benefits.
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
Facilitates easier placement and reduces the risk of adverse outcomes by allowing off-center affixation, minimizing interference with anatomical structures and enhancing stability, thus improving surgical accessibility and patient safety.
Implementation Method 1
a locking mechanism such as a spring-loaded ball is configured to interact with notches in the head of the locking fasteners to prevent rotational movement of the locking fastener
Implementation Method 2
the locking fasteners are at least partially threaded into a threaded hole in the spinal plate to engage and prevent movement of the bone engaging fasteners
Data Source
AI summary
A spinal plate for installation on one or more vertebrae. The spinal plate can be an asymmetrical cervical plate. The cervical plate can have a thicker side, a thinner side, one or more threaded fastener holes, and one or more locking fastener holes. The shape of the cervical plate can match the shape of a vertebra to facilitate installation, thus, the thickness of both the thicker and thinner sides, and shape of the cervical plate between the thicker side and the thinner side can match the shape of a vertebra. The cervical plate can include locking features that secure one or more locking fasteners in the one or more locking fastener holes, and thereby secure one or more threaded fasteners in the one or more threaded fastener holes.