Biased Screw Bone Fastener for Spinal Stress Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal implant systems for treating disorders such as scoliosis and degenerative disc disease often fail to distribute stress evenly across spinal elements, leading to continued pain and mobility issues during healing.
Innovation Solution
A bone fastener system featuring a biased screw design with a retainer that engages a cylindrical post, providing a flexible fit and snap fit mechanism to stabilize vertebral rods, allowing for adjustable orientation and reduced stress on spinal elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional rigid bone fasteners are used to stabilize vertebral rods, then stability is improved, but stress concentration on spinal elements increases causing pain and mobility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The bone fastener incorporates a biased screw mechanism with a retainer that provides flexible engagement rather than rigid fixation. The spring bias allows the fastener to dynamically adjust to movement and stress, distributing loads more evenly across spinal elements while maintaining stabilization during healing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the mechanical parameters of the fastener system by introducing elasticity through the biased screw design. This allows the fastener to transition from a fixed-rigidity system to one with variable stiffness, adapting to the healing process and reducing peak stress concentrations while maintaining adequate stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed orientation bone fasteners are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different spinal conditions and positions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener design incorporates movable and adjustable components including the biased screw mechanism and retainer assembly that can be positioned at different orientations. This dynamic adjustability allows customization for various spinal conditions and anatomical positions without requiring multiple different fastener types.
Solution Approach 2:
The bone fastener is divided into separate functional components including the biased screw portion, the retainer with engagement features, and the bone penetrating portion. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while providing overall adaptability through their coordinated arrangement and adjustable relationships.
Data Source
AI summary
A bone fastener includes a first portion that defines a longitudinal axis and includes an inner surface defining an implant cavity. A second portion that includes a first end and a second end configured to penetrate tissue. A retainer includes a wall having a first end surface and a second end surface. The wall including at least one first elongated cavity and at least one second elongated cavity. The first cavity includes a gap of the first end surface and the second cavity including a gap of the second end surface. The wall further includes an inner surface disposed about the first end. Systems and methods are disclosed.