Dual-Headed Multi-Axial Bone Screw for Spinal Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal implant systems face challenges in effectively stabilizing spinal elements while minimizing stress on vertebral structures, particularly in treating disorders like scoliosis, kyphosis, and degenerative disc disease, as existing fasteners may not adequately distribute stress or prevent rod failures during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A dual-headed multi-axial bone screw system is introduced, featuring a proximal end for seating spinal rods and a distal shaft for tissue penetration, allowing for multi-axial movement and diagonal placement of heads to accommodate various rod orientations, thereby reducing stress concentration and preventing rod failures during procedures like pedicle subtraction osteotomy and vertebral column resection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional single-headed bone fasteners are used, then the device complexity is low, but the stress distribution on spinal elements is inadequate and rod failures occur
Solution Approach 1:
The bone fastener is divided into two separate heads (first head and second head) that can be independently positioned and angled relative to the bone. Each head has its own implant cavity for receiving spinal rods, allowing independent optimization of stress distribution and rod positioning without increasing overall device complexity significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-headed fastener introduces an additional spatial dimension for rod placement and angulation. By providing two heads at different orientations, the system accommodates multi-planar rod configurations, distributing stresses across multiple vectors rather than concentrating them in a single direction.
2Manufacturing precision
If multi-axial bone screw system is introduced, then the alignment precision of spinal rods is improved, but the ease of operation during surgery is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener heads are pre-configured with specific angulations and orientations during manufacturing to match common surgical requirements. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex intraoperative adjustments, allowing surgeons to achieve precise rod alignment by simply inserting rods into the pre-formed implant cavities.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener system incorporates movable components that allow for dynamic adjustment of head positions and angles during implantation. This dynamic capability enables the device to adapt to varying anatomical configurations while maintaining precise alignment, reducing the need for complex surgical maneuvers.
3Stress or pressure
If dual-headed fastener configuration is used, then the stress distribution on vertebral elements is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The load-bearing function is segmented across two separate heads, each independently positioned to optimize stress distribution. This segmentation allows forces to be distributed across different anatomical attachment points, reducing stress concentration at any single vertebral element while keeping each head's structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
Each head of the dual-headed fastener is designed with universal functionality to receive and secure spinal rods independently. This multi-functional design allows the same basic head structure to be replicated and positioned at different locations, reducing overall device complexity through standardization while achieving improved stress distribution.
Data Source
AI summary
A spinal implant comprises a first member including a surface that extends between a first portion and a second portion. The first member defines a first implant cavity adjacent the first portion and a second implant cavity adjacent the second portion. The first implant cavity is spaced from the second implant cavity. The surface defines a medial cavity. A second member is movable relative to the first member. The second member includes a first end aligned with the medial cavity and a second end configured to penetrate tissue. Systems and methods are disclosed.