Curved Sacral Spinal Implant with Pivotally Coupled Housing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal fixation techniques face challenges in achieving stable fusion and minimizing damage to surrounding tissues, as they often require protruding components that can harm vital structures and may loosen over time, compromising the security of the fixation, especially at the sacrum where significant stress is applied.
Innovation Solution
A novel implant system with a pivotally and rotatably coupled housing and a shank defining a radius of curvature, designed for insertion through the sacrum and L5 vertebra, which creates a curved drilled hole to secure the implant without external fixation, reducing the risk of damaging nearby structures and allowing for bone growth to fuse the vertebrae, while a drilling apparatus with a curved guide and flexible distal portion facilitates the precise hole creation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional protruding fixation components are used, then structural support is provided, but surrounding tissues and vital structures may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The implant features a curved shank with a specific radius of curvature that matches the anatomical curvature of the sacrum and L5 vertebra. This curved design allows the implant to conform to the natural bone geometry, providing structural support while minimizing protrusion into surrounding tissues and vital structures.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional fixation hardware is used, then stability is enhanced, but components may loosen over time
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is divided into distinct functional segments: a curved shank for anchorage, a head portion for connection, and a rod interface for stabilization. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, ensuring stable fixation that resists loosening over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod is received within a housing that is coupled to the head of the implant, creating a nested configuration. This design provides stable fixation by allowing the rod to be securely contained while maintaining the ability to accommodate natural bone motion without component loosening.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a dowel technique is used for fusion, then bone fusion is achieved, but motion and mobility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The implant design incorporates a movable rod interface within the housing that allows for controlled motion during the healing process. This dynamic capability enables the implant to accommodate natural spinal motion while maintaining stability for bone fusion, and then transitions to a more rigid configuration as healing progresses.
Data Source
AI summary
An implant includes an implantable portion and a housing. The implantable portion has a head and a shank extending from the head. The shank has a solid outer surface and defines a radius of curvature. The housing is pivotally and rotatably coupled to the head and is configured to secure a rod to the implantable portion. The housing is fixed relative to the implantable portion when a rod is secured within the housing.