Expandable Spinal Fixation Plate for Minimally Invasive Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Challenges in minimally-invasive spinal surgery include the difficulty in inserting supplemental fixation devices due to the required length of plates exceeding the surgical corridor, compromising the benefits of reduced morbidity and operative time.
Innovation Solution
A surgical fixation system featuring a base plate with expandable anchors and a translating locking element, allowing in situ length adjustment for secure fixation across vertebral bodies, suitable for lateral insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a longer base plate is used to achieve secure fixation across vertebral bodies, then fixation reliability is improved, but the ability to insert through minimally-invasive surgical corridor deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate is divided into two separate components: a first base plate component and a second base plate component. These components can be inserted separately through the minimally-invasive surgical corridor and then coupled together to form the complete base plate structure, enabling secure fixation without requiring insertion of a single long plate through the limited surgical access
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second base plate components are designed to nest within each other or couple together in a compact configuration that allows both components to pass through the minimally-invasive surgical corridor separately, then assemble to provide the full length and stability required for reliable vertebral body fixation
2Ease of operation
If a single long base plate is inserted through minimally-invasive corridor, then insertion ease is improved, but fixation reliability deteriorates due to insufficient length
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate is divided into two separate components: a first base plate component and a second base plate component. These components can be inserted separately through the minimally-invasive surgical corridor and then coupled together to form the complete base plate structure, enabling secure fixation without requiring insertion of a single long plate through the limited surgical access
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed-length base plate is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to varying patient anatomy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate system transitions from a fixed configuration to a dynamic, adjustable configuration. The first and second base plate components can be inserted in a compact state and then extended or positioned to accommodate varying anatomical requirements, allowing the same device to adapt to different patient anatomies while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows for changes in the effective length and positioning parameters of the base plate by using separate insertable components that can be coupled in different configurations, enabling adaptation to varying patient anatomy without requiring custom-manufactured plates for each case
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical fixation system including a base plate, a plurality of anchors and a locking element. The base plate has at least a pair of fixation apertures configured to receive at least a portion of the anchors therethrough. The fixation apertures are located within the base plate such that upon proper placement of the base plate within a surgical target site, one of the fixation apertures is positioned over a first bone segment (e.g., a first vertebral body), and the other fixation aperture is positioned over a second bone segment (e.g., a second vertebral body).