Elastic Retaining Housing for Spinal Screw Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for retaining anchor screws in spinal applications face issues such as screws becoming unscrewed due to micro-movements and repeated stresses, especially in elderly patients or when the vertebral dimensions do not provide a sufficient anchor surface, and existing solutions either fail to ensure secure retention or require additional procedural steps or do not allow optimal screw orientation.
Innovation Solution
A retaining system featuring a housing with elastic flexibility, comprising a retaining housing with a first and second diameter, and a retaining portion that can elastically deform to fit within the housing, ensuring secure anchoring without additional surgical steps and allowing optimal orientation of the screw.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing retaining systems (bushings, split rings, screwable plates) are used to prevent screw loosening, then screw retention is improved, but device complexity and additional procedural steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining housing is integrated directly into the implantable part structure, merging the retaining function with the existing implant component. This eliminates separate retaining devices (bushings, split rings) and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining reliable screw retention through the elastic deformation mechanism of the housing wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic wall of the retaining housing automatically deforms and recovers to retain the screw head without requiring additional procedural steps. The housing self-adjusts to the screw head geometry and applies continuous retaining force, eliminating the need for separate fastening operations or additional retaining components.
2Reliability
If existing retaining systems are used to secure screws, then screw retention is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to additional procedural steps
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining housing is pre-formed with the elastic wall geometry that will automatically engage the screw head upon insertion. The housing is prepared in advance with the appropriate deformation characteristics, so that when the screw is inserted, the retaining action occurs automatically without requiring additional surgical steps for separate retaining device installation.
3Manufacturing precision
If rigid retaining housings are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates as they cannot elastically deform to accommodate retaining portions
Solution Approach 1:
The wall of the retaining housing is designed with specific elastic properties by controlling material parameters and geometric parameters (thickness, curvature, cross-sectional shape). This allows the housing to exhibit controlled elastic deformation within precise dimensional tolerances, enabling it to adapt to the retaining portion while maintaining manufacturing precision through defined material and geometric parameters.
4Ease of manufacture
If the retaining housing has uniform wall thickness, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates as it cannot provide both deformation zone and rigid retention zone
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining housing features non-uniform wall thickness with a first zone having greater thickness for elastic deformation and a second zone having lesser thickness for rigid retention. This local variation in wall quality allows different sections of the housing to perform different functions - the thicker section deforms elastically to accommodate the retaining portion while the thinner section provides rigid support for secure retention, optimizing both manufacturing and performance.
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 system provides perfect retention of the anchoring member relative to the implantable part, ensuring stability and allowing for the screw to be oriented in the most suitable anchoring direction, without requiring additional procedural steps beyond placement.
Implementation Method 1
the retaining housing is arranged in a part having a degree of elastic flexibility... the wall of said part delimiting the retaining housing, on the side of said first axial end, therefore forms a first collar integral with said part, forming a continuous circular projection whose dimensions are such that this first collar is capable of being elastically deformed by the retaining portion
Data Source
AI summary
This system includes a retaining housing formed by a hole intended to receive the anchoring member and a retaining portion arranged on the anchoring member; said retaining housing is arranged in a part having a degree of elastic flexibility and is delimited by a continuous wall of this part; the retaining housing, on the side of a first axial end, forms a first collar forming a continuous circular projection capable of being elastically deformed by the retaining portion arranged on the anchoring member; the wall of said part delimiting the retaining housing also forms, on a second axial end, a second collar not able to be elastically deformed by said retaining portion.