Cervical Plate Blocking Mechanism for Screw Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cervical plate assemblies for spinal fusion surgeries often have complex blocking mechanisms that are difficult for surgeons to operate, can cause screw stripping, and require additional steps or tools, making them time-consuming and undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A cervical plate assembly with a base plate featuring angled bone screw seats and independently positionable blocking mechanisms with biasing elements, allowing for easy retention and release of bone screws without the need for specialty tools, ensuring secure fixation and simplified surgical procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automated blocking mechanisms are used to prevent bone screws from backing out, then screw retention is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking mechanism is designed to automatically engage with the bone screw head without requiring any additional steps, tools, or actions from the surgeon. The spring-loaded blocking element self-activates when the screw is inserted, providing automatic screw retention while maintaining simplicity of operation.
2Reliability
If blocking mechanisms require additional locking steps, then screw retention is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element is pre-positioned in a retracted state within the plate, ready to engage the screw head immediately upon insertion. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for subsequent locking steps, allowing the surgeon to simply insert the screw and achieve immediate retention, thereby improving surgical efficiency.
3Reliability
If blocking mechanisms apply significant force to secure screws, then screw retention is improved, but object-generated harmful factors worsen due to screw hole stripping
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking function is extracted from the bone screw itself and transferred to a separate blocking element within the plate. This separation allows the blocking mechanism to apply retention force to the screw head without transmitting excessive force to the screw threads in the bone, thereby preventing screw hole stripping while maintaining reliable screw retention.
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 cervical plate assembly provides a reliable and straightforward blocking function, reducing surgical complexity and minimizing the risk of screw stripping, while allowing for easy installation and removal of bone screws, thus enhancing surgical efficiency and patient outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
Each blocking mechanism includes a biasing element arranged between a first blocking element and a second blocking element
Data Source
AI summary
A cervical plate assembly is disclosed. The cervical plate assembly includes a base plate including: (1) at least two bone screw seats, each bone screw seat including a borehole dimensioned to receive a bone screw, and (2) a first blocking seat positioned between the at least two bone screw seats. The cervical plate assembly includes a blocking mechanism retained within the first blocking seat of the base plate. The blocking mechanism is selectively positionable between a closed position in which the blocking mechanism obstructs at least one bone screw seat to retain a bone screw with the base plate, and an open position in which the bone screw seats are unobstructed.