Bone Anchor Receiver Angular Locking for Spinal Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current spinal and bone surgery techniques face challenges in correcting bone positions, particularly in minimally invasive surgeries and treatments for kyphosis and lordosis, due to limitations in existing distraction and compression devices that can be cumbersome and difficult to use in confined spaces.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising bone anchors with pivotable and lockable receivers that allow angular adjustment without the need for rod fixation, enabling precise correction of bone positions through movable coupling members and instruments that facilitate distraction and compression.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If existing distraction and compression devices are used in spinal surgery, then bone position correction can be achieved, but the devices are cumbersome and difficult to use in confined spaces such as minimally invasive surgeries

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of useVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate functional modules: a positioning member with coupling members for engaging bone anchors, and a rod that can be independently inserted. This segmentation allows the positioning member to be used for angular adjustment without requiring the rod to be in place, simplifying the surgical procedure in confined spaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receiver is configured to assume a locked configuration at a predetermined angle before the rod is inserted. This preliminary locking action allows the angular position to be established and secured without the rod, enabling easier operation in minimally invasive procedures where space is limited

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If known distraction devices are used in kyphosis and lordosis treatment with monoaxial pedicle screws, then bone correction can be performed, but it is difficult to use these devices in such treatment scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveapplicabilityVSAvoidease of use
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning member is designed to be universally applicable to different bone anchor configurations including monoaxial pedicle screws, Schanz screws, and polyaxial bone anchoring devices. The coupling members can engage various anchor types, and the receiver can be locked at different angles, making the device versatile for kyphosis, lordosis, and other spinal correction procedures

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

Solution Approach 2:

The receiver can dynamically transition between unlocked and locked configurations, allowing angular adjustment during the procedure. The locking mechanism enables the receiver to be fixed at predetermined angles relative to the shank, providing adaptability for different surgical requirements while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the receiver is locked relative to the shank at an angle only after rod insertion, then stable fixation is achieved, but the procedure becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation stabilityVSAvoidsurgical time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver is configured to assume a locked configuration at a predetermined angle before the rod is inserted into the receivers. This preliminary locking action establishes the angular position and provides stable fixation without requiring the rod to be in place, thereby reducing surgical time and procedural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3636185B1System for correcting the position of bones, bone parts or vertebrae
Publication Date: 2023.12.06 BIEDERMANN TECH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3636185B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3636185B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3636185B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A system for correcting the position of bones, bone parts or vertebrae is provided, comprising a first bone anchor (10) including a shank (2) for anchoring in bone and a receiver (5) for receiving a rod (6) and for connecting the rod (6) to the shank (2), a second bone anchor (10') including a shank (2) for anchoring in bone and a receiver (5) for receiving a rod (6) and for connecting the rod (6) to the shank (2), a positioning member (30) having a longitudinal axis (1), a first coupling member (40) for coupling the positioning member (30) to the first bone anchor (10), a second coupling member (40') for coupling the positioning member (30) to the second bone anchor (10'), wherein the second coupling member (40') is movable relative to the first coupling member (40') on the positioning member (30) along the longitudinal axis (1).