Anterior Cervical Plate Positioning Jig for Osteosynthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional anterior cervical plates are difficult to accurately position and maintain during implantation, leading to potential loosening of bone anchors and reduced stability, which can hinder bone fusion and patient comfort.
Innovation Solution
A placement jig system that includes a distal portion for press fit coupling with an interbody and a proximal portion with lateral contact surfaces to abut the anterior cervical plate, ensuring precise alignment and stabilization before anchoring, thereby reducing stress concentrations and preventing misalignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional anterior cervical plates are used without a placement jig, then the implantation process is simpler, but the positioning accuracy and stability are insufficient leading to anchor loosening
Solution Approach 1:
A placement jig is introduced as an intermediary device between the interbody and the anterior cervical plate. The jig includes a distal portion that couples to the interbody and a proximal portion that abuts and positions the plate, serving as a mediator to achieve precise plate positioning relative to the interbody and vertebrae during implantation.
Solution Approach 2:
The placement jig enables preliminary positioning and alignment of the anterior cervical plate before final anchoring. The jig is temporarily attached to the interbody, allowing the plate to be positioned and secured in the correct location, and then the jig is removed after the plate is anchored to the vertebrae.
2Reliability
If the plate is positioned without a placement jig, then the device complexity is lower, but the stability and reliability of the anchoring are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The placement jig acts as a temporary intermediary structure that ensures reliable positioning of the plate relative to the interbody and vertebrae. By providing a stable reference framework during implantation, the jig enhances the reliability of anchor placement and prevents subsequent loosening.
Solution Approach 2:
The jig enables preliminary stabilization and alignment of the plate before permanent anchoring occurs. This preliminary action ensures that the plate is correctly positioned and secured, improving the reliability of the final anchoring configuration.
3Duration of action of moving object
If precise plate positioning is achieved using the placement jig, then the useful life of the plate is extended, but the ease of operation during implantation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The placement jig performs preliminary positioning and alignment functions, allowing the surgeon to accurately position the plate relative to the interbody and vertebrae before final anchoring. This preliminary action extends the useful life of the plate by ensuring correct positioning that prevents anchor loosening and plate failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The jig serves as a temporary mediator that facilitates precise positioning during implantation. Although it adds a step to the procedure, it ensures accurate plate placement that extends the functional lifespan of the implant by preventing misalignment-related failures.
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 placement jig system facilitates precise positioning and anchoring of anterior cervical plates, extending their useful life by minimizing loosening and ensuring optimal stability between vertebrae, which can reduce complications and improve patient outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a distal portion of the jig body configured to be received through the plate passageway and to be press fit coupled to an interbody
Data Source
AI summary
Placement jigs for osteosynthesis systems and related methods are disclosed. Medical intervention may require fusing vertebrae of a diseased spinal column together. This often includes securing an interbody within an intervertebral space and anchoring an anterior cervical plate to the vertebrae. A placement jig may be received through the plate, removably coupled to the secured interbody with a press fit coupling, and used to abut the plate against the vertebrae to hold desired plate positioning so the plate may be anchored to the vertebrae with precision. By positioning the plate relative to the interbody using the placement jig, higher stress concentrations causing undesirable loosening associated with a misaligned plate may be avoided. In this manner, the useful life of the plate within a patient may be lengthened.