Bone Screw Extender Reattachment Rod for Spinal Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal treatment methods for musculoskeletal disorders, such as scoliosis and kyphosis, face challenges in efficiently reattaching screw extenders to bone screws without compromising the alignment and stability of vertebral constructs, especially when dealing with deep or adipose tissue.
Innovation Solution
A bone screw extender reattachment system comprising an elongated reattachment rod with a distal tip for engaging the screw head, a screw extender assembly with an inner sleeve, outer housing, and extender head, and a tension plunger for locking the assembly in place, allowing for secure attachment without the need for a release mechanism and maintaining alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current spinal treatment methods are used to reattach screw extenders to bone screws, then the procedure can be completed, but the alignment and stability of vertebral constructs may be compromised, especially when dealing with deep or adipose tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The reattachment rod serves as an intermediary tool that facilitates the reattachment of screw extenders to bone screws. The rod is advanced through the tissue to engage the screw head, providing a stable platform for the extender assembly to attach to, thereby maintaining alignment and stability while enabling the reattachment procedure in deep or adipose tissue
2Adaptability or versatility
If screw extenders are reattached in deep tissue, then the procedure can be performed, but visualization and alignment become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The reattachment rod acts as a visible intermediary that extends from the external access point to the screw head deep within the tissue. This provides a visual guide for alignment and allows the surgeon to manipulate the extender assembly with precision even in deep or adipose tissue where direct visualization of the screw head would be difficult
3Ease of manufacture
If a release mechanism is used for extender attachment, then the attachment can be made, but the system requires additional components that increase complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the release mechanism from the extender assembly. The extender is designed to be permanently attached to the bone screw through the reattachment rod, removing the need for additional release mechanism components and simplifying the overall system while maintaining secure attachment
Data Source
AI summary
A bone screw extender reattachment system including an elongated reattachment rod having a proximal and a distal end. The distal end of the elongated reattachment rod includes a tip configured to attach to a head of a bone screw. The elongated reattachment rod is configured so that a screw extender assembly having an inner sleeve, an outer housing and an extender head can slide over the reattachment rod. The bone screw extender reattachment system also includes a tension plunger having a plunger-type heed and an elongated shaft configured to slide over the reattachment rod so as to communicate with the screw extender assembly.