Cervical Fixing Plate with Segmented Windows for Height Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cervical vertebra fixation systems during intervertebral disc resection lead to excessive distraction of vertebral spaces, causing the cervical vertebra to lose its natural height and resulting in postoperative neck pain, with no existing solution to prevent this issue.
Innovation Solution
A cervical vertebra fixing plate with enlarged windows and a locking mechanism that includes a rotating plate and shaft, allowing a fusion cage to pass through and be securely locked, preventing excessive distraction and maintaining natural height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the fusion cage height is increased to ensure bone extrusion and facilitate osteogenesis, then the osteogenesis effect is improved, but the space between multiple intervertebral discs is distracted too much, causing the cervical vertebra to lose its natural height and resulting in postoperative neck pain
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing plate is divided into multiple segments including a plate body with multiple windows, locking members, and screw fixing holes. This segmentation allows the fusion cage to pass through the windows while the locking members secure it in place, enabling bone extrusion for osteogenesis without excessive distraction of the vertebral space
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing plate is installed on the cervical vertebra before the fusion cage is placed. This preliminary action establishes a stable framework with predetermined window positions and sizes, allowing the fusion cage to be accurately positioned and secured without causing excessive distraction of the intervertebral space
2Reliability
If the fusion cage height is increased to facilitate bone implanting and osteogenesis, then the bone fusion capability is improved, but the natural height of the cervical vertebra is lost, causing surgical complications
Solution Approach 1:
The fusion cage is nested within the window of the fixing plate, which itself is nested on the cervical vertebra. This nested structure allows the fusion cage to be securely held in the correct position, ensuring bone fusion capability while maintaining the natural height of the cervical vertebra through the constrained window opening
3Ease of operation
If the window size is enlarged to allow fusion cage passage, then the ease of implantation is improved, but the structural strength of the fixing plate may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The window is designed with an asymmetric shape that is optimized for fusion cage passage while maintaining structural integrity. The window dimensions and positioning are specifically configured to allow easy insertion of the fusion cage without creating weak points in the plate body structure
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a cervical vertebra anterior fixation and fusion system maintaining natural height and the fixing plate. The fixing plate is provided with a plate body, wherein the plate body is provided with windows, locking members and screw fixing holes to be matched with screws. A minimum distance between an upper side wall and a lower side wall of the window in a vertical axis direction is 3-8 mm; and a minimum distance between a left side wall and a right side wall of the window in a transverse axis direction is 12.1-18 mm. The present disclosure further relates to a method for performing anterior cervical intervertebral disc resection and fusion by applying the fixation and fusion system.