Posterior Cervical Fixation System with Lateral Rod Extensions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing posterior cervical fixation systems face challenges in easy installation and risk of implant failure due to the need for bending spinal rods to reach the occipital region, which can lead to alignment issues and increased operation time.
Innovation Solution
A posterior cervical fixation system comprising a pair of elongated spinal rods, an occipital plate member, and polyaxial screws, with a cross connector that secures the rods to the vertebral bodies, allowing for easy adaptation and alignment from the occipital region to the cervical and thoracic spine, reducing the risk of implant failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If spinal rods are bent in multiple planes to reach the occipital region, then the rods can be secured to the skull, but the overall assembly is weakened and operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of bending the rod to reach the occipital region, the invention inverts the approach by extending the rod laterally from the occipital plate to directly engage the cervical vertebrae in a straight or minimally curved configuration, eliminating the need for complex multi-plane bending
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a vertical rod configuration (bent in multiple planes) to a lateral extension configuration from the occipital plate, utilizing the horizontal dimension to directly reach the cervical vertebrae, thereby reducing rod manipulation and strengthening the assembly
2Ease of operation
If spinal rods are bent in multiple planes to reach the occipital region, then the rods can be secured to the skull, but alignment issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention reverses the traditional approach by having the rod extend laterally from the occipital plate in a straight configuration to engage the cervical vertebrae, eliminating the need for complex bending that compromises alignment precision
Solution Approach 2:
The occipital plate is pre-configured with rod extensions that are already positioned and oriented correctly before implantation, eliminating the need for intraoperative bending and alignment adjustments, thereby ensuring precise alignment from the outset
3Reliability
If plates are mounted to the skull with several small screws along the full length and width, then the skull can be securely attached, but the rods must be bent in multiple planes making repositioning difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the fixation system into a separately implantable occipital plate with lateral rod extensions, allowing the plate to be securely mounted to the skull while the rod extensions can be independently adjusted and repositioned without affecting the skull attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The rod extensions are designed with dynamic adjustment capabilities, allowing them to be repositioned and reoriented after initial implantation without compromising the secure skull attachment achieved by the occipital plate
Data Source
AI summary
A posterior cervical fixation system including an occipital plate member, a cross connector, a pair of elongated spinal rods and a plurality of polyaxial screws. The occipital plate member configured for fixing to an occipital bone comprises an aperture to receive a bone anchor member to secure the occipital plate member to the occipital bone and at least one rod clamping element dimensioned to receive at least one spinal rod. The cross connector secures the pair of elongated spinal rods to vertebral bodies. The cross connector includes a pair of collet connectors and a cross bar that is configured to secure the pair of elongated spinal rods in a desired distance. Each polyaxial screw has an anchor head associated with a fastening member. The pair of elongated spinal rods is configured to extend along the vertebral bodies between the occipital plate member and at least one of the polyaxial screws.