Cervical Plate Slidable Blocker for Screw Retention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current cervical plate fixation systems face issues with screws working loose due to shock or vibration, leading to discomfort and potential trauma, and lack flexibility in positioning and orientation, often requiring auxiliary fixtures.
Innovation Solution
A cervical plate system with slidably attached plates and blockers that allow bone screws to be securely installed and prevent them from backing out, using spring elements for automatic return to a blocking position, enabling secure fixation without additional fixtures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid plates are used to hold vertebrae in desired spatial relationships, then fixation stability is improved, but screws tend to work loose due to shock or vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic element (the blocker) that can move laterally within the fastener opening. This dynamic component allows the system to adapt to shocks and vibrations by moving with the screw rather than being completely rigid, thereby preventing the screw from working loose while maintaining fixation stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocker serves as an intermediary element between the screw and the plate. It mediates the interaction by providing a blocking surface that prevents the screw from backing out, while its slidable attachment allows it to move laterally to accommodate dynamic forces.
2Area of stationary object
If the plate is curved to facilitate contiguous surface engagement with vertebrae, then plate-to-bone contact is improved, but fastener convergence occurs making secure fixation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a lateral movement dimension to the blocker within the fastener opening. This allows the blocker to move perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plate, providing adjustment capability in another dimension to accommodate the convergence caused by plate curvature while maintaining secure fixation.
3Ease of operation
If screws are positioned perpendicular to the plate surface, then installation is simplified, but flexibility in positioning is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The slidable blocker provides dynamic adjustment capability that allows the system to accommodate various screw orientations and positions. While screws can still be installed perpendicular to the plate for simplicity, the blocker's lateral movement capability provides flexibility to adapt to non-perpendicular orientations when needed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides enhanced stability and security for bone fixation, reducing the likelihood of screws working loose and allowing for more flexible positioning, thereby improving patient comfort and reducing the risk of trauma.
Implementation Method 1
one or more spring elements for enabling automatic return movement of a blocker to a home position
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides systems and methods for bone fixation and in particular, systems and methods for fusion of human cervical spine from the anterior aspect. To that end, some of the embodiments of the invention are directed to plate systems for aligning and maintaining adjacent cervical vertebrae in a selected spatial relationship during spinal fusion of such vertebrae.