Auxiliary Rod Clamp for Spinal Deformity Correction and Rod Protection

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional spinal deformity correction and fusion methods face difficulties in engaging and rotating rod members due to scoliosis deformity, leading to potential damage and increased surgical complexity, especially for long-range corrections.

Innovation Solution

A corrective appliance comprising a clamp member and an auxiliary rod member that assists in spinal deformity correction by attaching to vertebra fixing tools, allowing for easier engagement and retention of the corrected spinal alignment without direct manipulation of the rod member, thereby reducing damage and surgical duration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the rod member is engaged with the top-opened groove of each screw member and hook member while the spine is deformed, then the spinal deformity correction and fusion system can be mounted on the spine, but it becomes quite difficult to engage the rod member with the top-opened groove due to the curvature and twisting of the deformed spine

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of engagementVSAvoidsurgical procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rod member is pre-curved to match the physiological curvature of the spine before surgery. This preliminary shaping allows the rod to be engaged with the screw members and hook members more easily, as it already conforms to the expected spinal alignment rather than requiring complex intraoperative manipulation of a straight rod into a curved deformed spine.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A dedicated surgical instrument with a C-shaped clamp and groove structure serves as an intermediary tool. The clamp engages with the rod member and the groove aligns with the top-opened groove of the screw members, providing a mechanical bridge that facilitates engagement while the spine remains deformed. This intermediary instrument translates the complex engagement task into simpler, guided movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the rod member is firmly sandwiched with a dedicated surgical instrument and rotated about 90 degrees to correct scoliosis deformity, then the twisting of the spine can be corrected, but the outer peripheral surface of the rod member may be damaged at positions sandwiched with the surgical instrument

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of correction operationVSAvoidrod member damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rod member is pre-curved to match the physiological curvature of the spine before surgery. This preliminary shaping allows the rod to be engaged with the screw members and hook members more easily, as it already conforms to the expected spinal alignment rather than requiring complex intraoperative manipulation of a straight rod into a curved deformed spine.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A dedicated surgical instrument with a C-shaped clamp and groove structure serves as an intermediary tool. The clamp engages with the rod member and the groove aligns with the top-opened groove of the screw members, providing a mechanical bridge that facilitates engagement while the spine remains deformed. This intermediary instrument translates the complex engagement task into simpler, guided movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the rod member is firmly sandwiched and rotated 90 degrees using a dedicated surgical instrument, then the scoliosis deformity including twisting can be corrected, but the surgical time increases due to the complexity of the procedure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of correction operationVSAvoidsurgical duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The rod member is pre-curved to match the physiological curvature of the spine before surgery. This preliminary shaping allows the rod to be engaged with the screw members and hook members more easily, as it already conforms to the expected spinal alignment rather than requiring complex intraoperative manipulation of a straight rod into a curved deformed spine.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A dedicated surgical instrument with a C-shaped clamp and groove structure serves as an intermediary tool. The clamp engages with the rod member and the groove aligns with the top-opened groove of the screw members, providing a mechanical bridge that facilitates engagement while the spine remains deformed. This intermediary instrument translates the complex engagement task into simpler, guided movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3995093B1Correction device

Publication Date: 2025.08.06 MIZUHO IKA KOGYO KK

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AI summary

To provide a corrective appliance capable of properly assisting in correction of spinal deformity by a spinal deformity correction and fusion system while limiting damage on a rod member when the spinal deformity is subjected to correction and fusion by the spinal deformity correction and fusion system. A corrective appliance 1A includes: a clamp member 50A to be attached detachably to a screw member 3, for example, and to be arranged close to the screw member 3; and an auxiliary rod member 51 to be attached detachably to the clamp member 50A and to be used for correcting spinal deformity. This allows the corrective appliance 1A to properly assist in correction of spinal deformity by a spinal deformity correction and fusion system while limiting damage on a rod member 5 when the spinal deformity is subjected to correction and fusion by the spinal deformity correction and fusion system.