Dynamic Spinal Stabilization with Polyaxial Heads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spinal stabilization methods either restrict spinal movement, leading to additional stress on other spine areas or fail to facilitate natural movements like lateral bending and rotation, causing pressure on neighboring discs.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic stabilization system with polyaxial heads and adjustable members that maintain alignment with the center of rotation, allowing for three-dimensional movement and adjustable distraction of inter-vertebral space to mimic natural spinal motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid rods or plates are secured between screws to prevent vertebrae from moving too close, then nerve compression is prevented, but spinal movement is restricted and additional stress is placed on other spine areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic stabilization devices that allow controlled movement between vertebrae while maintaining stabilization. The system includes movable connections and adjustable components that adapt to natural spinal motion, preventing nerve compression while preserving physiological movement ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilization system allows for adjustable parameters including distraction distance and angular orientation. These parameters can be modified to accommodate different spinal conditions and movement requirements, enabling the system to maintain nerve spacing while adapting to various degrees of spinal motion.
2Ease of operation
If dynamic fixation devices are used, then spinal movement is maintained, but lateral bending and rotational movement are not facilitated, causing pressure on neighboring discs
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilization device is designed to accommodate multiple types of spinal motion including lateral bending and rotation. The polyaxial heads and adjustable members enable the system to facilitate various movement planes, distributing forces evenly and preventing pressure concentration on neighboring discs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates three-dimensional adjustment capabilities with polyaxial heads that allow angular orientation changes. This multi-dimensional freedom enables the stabilization device to accommodate complex spinal movements including lateral bending and rotation without transferring excessive pressure to adjacent disc structures.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the spine is stabilized with rigid connections, then vertebral alignment is maintained, but the full range of natural motion is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from rigid static stabilization to dynamic stabilization that maintains vertebral alignment while permitting physiological motion. Movable connections and adjustable members enable the structure to adapt to natural spinal movements while preserving proper vertebral positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilization device incorporates adjustable parameters including distraction distance, angular orientation, and connection flexibility. These parameters can be modified to balance alignment maintenance with range of motion requirements, allowing the system to adapt to different movement scenarios while preserving vertebral alignment.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a system for dynamically stabilizing a spine. In one example, the system includes a first bone anchor coupled to a first polyaxial head and a second bone anchor coupled to a second polyaxial head. An axis passing through a center of each polyaxial head is aligned with a center of rotation. A first member has a first end movably coupled to the first polyaxial head and a second end. A second member has a third end coupled to the second polyaxial head and a fourth end moveably coupled to the second end. The first and second members are configured to maintain the alignment of the axes with the center of rotation during three dimensional movement of the first member relative to the second member.