Cervical Spine Plate Alignment Guide for Midline Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
During anterior cervical spine fusion surgeries, it is challenging to precisely position and secure the cervical spine plate in the midline, leading to suboptimal placement due to the curvature of vertebral bodies and drift during drilling, resulting in oblique or misplaced plates.
Innovation Solution
A cervical spine plate alignment guide system that utilizes distraction pins to secure the plate in the desired position, allowing for precise placement and stabilization before drilling screw holes, using a bracket and alignment guide to ensure the plate remains fixed during the procedure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the cervical spine plate is manually positioned during surgery, then the surgeon has flexibility in placement, but the plate may drift or become misplaced due to vertebral curvature and drilling movement
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment guide is pre-positioned on distraction pins before plate placement, establishing a stable reference framework in advance. This preliminary positioning ensures the plate will be placed accurately without drifting during subsequent drilling and securing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment guide acts as an intermediary device between the distraction pins and the cervical spine plate. It transfers the positional accuracy from the pins to the plate, preventing direct contact and potential drift between the plate and curved vertebral surfaces
2Ease of operation
If the cervical spine plate is secured directly to vertebrae without an alignment guide, then the procedure is simpler, but the plate placement accuracy deteriorates due to drift during drilling
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment guide serves as a mediator that maintains plate positioning accuracy while adding minimal procedural steps. It bridges the gap between simple direct placement and complex precision positioning by providing a stable reference framework
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment guide system is segmented into detachable components including the guide body, connectors for distraction pins, and attachment mechanisms for the plate. This segmentation allows for easy assembly and removal while maintaining positioning accuracy during the critical drilling phase
Data Source
AI summary
A cervical spine plate attachment system includes a cervical spine plate that has a first surface configured to rest upon a first vertebra and a second vertebra, a second surface opposite the first surface and facing away from the first vertebra and the second vertebra, and a plurality of holes configured to receive fasteners to secure the cervical spine plate to the first vertebra and the second vertebra. The system also includes an alignment guide that detachably mounts to the cervical spine plate. The alignment guide comprises a pair of bars that rest upon the second surface of the cervical spine plate when the alignment guide is mounted to the cervical spine plate. The system also includes a fastener configured to secure the alignment guide to the cervical spine plate.