Ball-and-Socket Vertebral Stabilization for Precise Rod Securing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vertebral stabilization devices either limit mobility or require meticulous adjustment, leading to prolonged surgical procedures due to difficulty in accurately securing rods to pedicle screws.
Innovation Solution
A vertebral stabilization device with a ball-and-socket joint connection using clips and nuts, allowing for easy and reliable securing of rods across or parallel to the median sagittal plane, with adjustable height and positioning through support sleeves and elastically deformable clips.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If rods are directly inserted into pedicle screw heads to achieve perfect alignment, then stabilization precision is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the connection function into separate components: a connection rod with a through hole and a pedicle screw with a protrusion. The rod can be inserted through the screw head rather than requiring direct insertion into the screw threads, simplifying the alignment process while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection rod acts as an intermediary element between multiple pedicle screws. The rod with its through hole provides a mediating structure that facilitates alignment and connection of screws without requiring direct manual alignment of screw heads, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining precision.
2Reliability
If nuts are screwed onto threaded portions to block rings by clamping, then securing reliability is improved, but adjustment precision and surgical duration are worsened due to rod movement during clamping
Solution Approach 1:
The connection rod features a spherical protrusion that fits into a spherical recess in the pedicle screw head. This spherical interface allows for self-alignment and eliminates movement during the clamping process, ensuring both reliability and precision without requiring meticulous adjustment by the surgeon.
3Ease of operation
If rods are crossed over the median sagittal plane to preserve mobility, then patient mobility is improved, but stabilization strength is reduced compared to parallel mounting
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables dynamic configuration where rods can be mounted in different patterns (crossed or parallel) depending on the patient's needs. The spherical connection interface allows for controlled movement and adjustment, providing both mobility preservation and adequate stabilization strength adaptively.
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
Enables easier and more precise stabilization of vertebrae, reducing surgical duration and allowing for adjustments without disassembly, while maintaining patient mobility.
Implementation Method 1
Each securing assembly is designed to create at least one ball-and-socket joint connection between the clip and the second threaded portion
Implementation Method 2
The clip is made of an elastically deformable material
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a vertebral stabilization device comprising at least two screws, each having a first portion engaged in a vertebra and a second portion separated from the first by a flange. The device further comprises at least a first connection rod for connecting the screws, and at least a first securing assembly and a second securing assembly for securing the rod to the screws. Each securing assembly comprises at least one clip, which is able to be engaged on the second portion of one of the screws, said clip being arranged to clamp one end of the rod, and it comprises a nut designed to be screwed onto the second portion and clamp the clip directly or indirectly against the flange of the screw. Each securing assembly is designed to create at least one ball-and-socket joint connection between the clip and the second portion of the screw.