Expandable Spinal Fixation System Multi-Axial Load Resistance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for spinal fixation lack effective solutions for providing structural stability between adjacent vertebrae to treat conditions such as degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, trauma, and tumors, especially in the non-cervical spine, with existing devices often failing to adequately address compressive, torsional, and shear loads.
Innovation Solution
An expandable spinal fixation system comprising an upper and lower barrel half with a securing assembly, a fixed barrel assembly, and a distractor, allowing for adjustable and secure insertion between spinous processes, providing supplemental fusion and accommodating anatomical variations through expandable and fixed barrel assemblies with bone-contacting endplates and projections for secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional fusion devices are used to provide structural stability between vertebrae, then spinal support is achieved, but the devices fail to adequately withstand compressive, torsional, and shear loads
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation device is divided into multiple functional components: upper and lower fixation members that engage with spinous processes, a central body portion that provides structural support, and expansion mechanisms that enable adaptive securing. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in handling specific load types, collectively achieving superior multi-axial load resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates expandable features that allow it to transition from a compact insertion state to an expanded secured state. The expansion mechanism enables the fixation members to adaptively engage with the spinous processes, providing dynamic adjustment capability that enhances stability under varying physiological loads including compression, torsion, and shear forces.
2Reliability
If expandable barrel assemblies with securing mechanisms are used, then secure fixation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are integrated into unified components. The body portion serves as both the structural core and the expansion actuator. The fixation members combine engagement features with securing mechanisms in single integrated elements. This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining reliable fixation through coordinated multi-functional design.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs a nested configuration where the upper and lower fixation members are positioned within or alongside the body portion, and expansion elements are contained within the barrel structure. This nesting allows complex functionality to be achieved through compact, space-efficient arrangements that minimize the number of external components while maintaining secure fixation capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Expandable spinal fixation assemblies, systems, and methods thereof. An expandable spinal fixation system may include expandable barrel assembly including an upper barrel half and a lower barrel half and a fixed barrel assembly. The fixed barrel assembly is insertable between the upper barrel half and the lower barrel half such that the fixed barrel assembly is clamped between the upper barrel half and the lower barrel half. Each of the expandable barrel assembly and the fixed barrel assembly includes fixation plates adapted to secure spinous processes to the fixation system.