Bottom-Loading Orthopedic Fixation Device for Polyaxial Bone Fasteners

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing orthopedic fixation devices require top-loading of bone fasteners, which limits the use of larger fasteners and excludes bone hooks, and necessitates tulip element size adjustments, complicating spinal stabilization procedures.

Innovation Solution

An orthopedic fixation device that allows bottom-loading of bone fasteners into a tulip element, using a locking clamp assembly with a wedge element and clamp portions to secure the fastener, enabling polyaxial movement before locking, thus accommodating various fastener sizes and types without increasing tulip element size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If top-loading design is used, then bone fastener can be secured in tulip element, but tulip element size must be increased to accommodate larger fasteners and different fastener types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with various fastener sizes and typesVSAvoidtulip element size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional top-loading approach by implementing bottom-loading, where the bone fastener is inserted from the bottom of the tulip element rather than the top. This inversion allows the fastener to be secured without requiring the tulip element's inner bore to be larger than the fastener, thereby maintaining a compact tulip element size while accommodating various fastener sizes and types including bone hooks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If top-loading design is used, then bone fastener can be secured in tulip element, but bone hooks cannot be used as they will not pass through the tulip element

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with different fastener types including bone hooksVSAvoidability to install bone hooks

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the loading direction from top-loading to bottom-loading, the patent enables bone hooks to be properly installed. The bottom-loading approach allows the hook to be inserted from the bottom of the tulip element, engaging with the locking clamp assembly in a manner that top-loading cannot accommodate, thereby expanding compatibility to include bone hooks while maintaining ease of installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If top-loading design is used, then bone fastener can be secured in tulip element, but bone fastener must be installed in the bone while attached to the tulip element

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastener installation capabilityVSAvoidinstallation procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the installation process into separate steps: first the bone fastener is installed independently into the bone, then the tulip element with the locking clamp assembly is separately positioned and secured to the fastener head. This segmentation allows the fastener and coupling components to be prepared and installed independently, reducing procedural complexity and providing surgical flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bone fastener can be preliminarily installed into the bone before the tulip element is attached. This preliminary action allows the surgeon to secure the fastener in the optimal position within the bone first, then subsequently attach the coupling mechanism, simplifying the overall installation procedure compared to requiring simultaneous attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple tulip element sizes are used to accommodate different fastener sizes, then various fastener sizes can be accommodated, but inventory needs increase and surgical site material increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of various fastener sizesVSAvoidinventory needs and surgical site material

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal tulip element design with a standardized inner bore size that can accommodate multiple fastener sizes and types through the bottom-loading mechanism. The locking clamp assembly is designed to adapt to different fastener head dimensions, allowing a single tulip element size to serve multiple functions and accommodate various fastener specifications, thereby reducing inventory requirements and minimizing material at the surgical site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9949765B2Orthopedic fixation devices and methods of installation thereof

Publication Date: 2018.04.24 GLOBUS MEDICAL INC

AI summary

Orthopedic fixation devices and methods of installing the same. The orthopedic fixation device may include a coupling element and a bone fastener, whereby the bone fastener can be loaded into the coupling element through the bottom of a bore in the coupling element.