Bone Anchor Insert With Locking Ring

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Solution Overview

Problem

In complex clinical applications, aligning bone anchors with rods is challenging due to freely pivotable heads, and there is a need for versatile anchoring elements to accommodate various clinical requirements, which existing tools and systems fail to address effectively.

Innovation Solution

The design of an insert for a tool that includes a locking ring with multiple positions - insertion, pre-locking, and locking - allowing for secure and adjustable angular positioning of bone anchoring elements, enabling easy handling and selection of different anchoring elements based on clinical needs, and a modular system for various combinations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the head of the bone anchoring element is freely pivotable with respect to the receiving part, then the bone anchoring element can be easily inserted and positioned, but alignment of the receiving part and insertion of the rod becomes difficult in complex clinical applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of insertion and positioningVSAvoidalignment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking ring provides a dynamic locking mechanism that transitions from an unlocked state (allowing free pivoting for easy insertion) to a locked state (providing fixed alignment for rod insertion). The locking ring can be rotated to engage with the receiving part body, transforming the pivotable connection into a fixed connection as needed during the surgical procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a locking mechanism is added to prevent inadvertent movement, then safety is improved, but the assembly process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety against inadvertent movementVSAvoidassembly process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking ring incorporates a self-latching mechanism with a latching projection that automatically engages with a corresponding feature on the receiving part body when the locking ring is rotated to the locked position. This self-latching action provides reliable locking without requiring additional tools or complex assembly steps, as the mechanism serves itself to secure the bone anchoring element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple anchoring elements are provided for different clinical applications, then versatility is improved, but inventory and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclinical application versatilityVSAvoidinventory quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving part is designed as a universal component that can accommodate different types of bone anchoring elements through the standardized locking mechanism. The locking ring and receiving part body configuration allows the same receiving part to securely hold various anchoring elements, eliminating the need for multiple specialized receiving parts for different clinical applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2455029B1Insert for a tool for assembling a bone anchoring device and tool for assembling a bone anchoring device
Publication Date: 2013.08.14 BIEDERMANN TECH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2455029B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2455029B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7
  • EP2455029B1 patent drawingFigure 8~10

AI summary

An insert (320, 420) for a tool (300, 400) and a tool for assembling a bone anchoring device are provided, the insert comprising a bone anchoring element (1) with a head (3) and a shaft (2) to be anchored in the bone and a receiving part. The insert (320, 420) is configured to be inserted into a longitudinal recess (302a, 402a) of a holder (302, 402) of the tool (300, 400). The insert (320, 420) is capable of receiving the bone anchoring element (1) and the insert (320, 420) has at least two recesses (322a, 322b, 322c, 422a, 422b) configured to receive different sized bone anchoring elements (1).