Expandable Spinal Fixation System with Segmented Barrel Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for spinal fixation lack effective solutions for providing structural stability between adjacent vertebrae, particularly in treating conditions like degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, trauma, and tumors, while minimizing the risk of damaging spinous processes.
Innovation Solution
An expandable spinal fixation system comprising an upper and lower barrel half with a fixed barrel assembly, where the barrel halves can be adjusted and locked to fit between spinous processes, providing interspinous distraction and off-loading the spikes to reduce the risk of process damage, and allowing for adjustable locking mechanisms to accommodate anatomical variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional fusion devices are used to provide structural stability between vertebrae, then spinal stability is improved, but the risk of damaging spinous processes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple components: upper and lower barrel halves that can be separately positioned and secured to adjacent spinous processes, with a fixed barrel assembly that fits between them. This segmentation allows for controlled application of fixation force, distributing stress away from vulnerable spinous process areas while maintaining spinal stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed barrel assembly serves as an intermediary component that fits between the upper and lower barrel halves. This intermediary structure provides a stable fixation point that distributes mechanical loads away from the spinous processes, reducing direct stress on these vulnerable bony structures while still achieving the desired spinal stabilization.
2Reliability
If fixed fusion devices are used to treat spinal conditions, then supplemental fusion is achieved, but adaptability to anatomical variations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates adjustable features including the expandable barrel mechanism that can be sized to fit different interspinous distances, and the securing assembly with plate and securing member that can be positioned at various locations. This dynamic adjustability allows the same device to adapt to different anatomical variations while maintaining reliable supplemental fusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows for parameter adjustments in terms of the expandable barrel dimensions, the position of the securing plate, and the orientation of the components. These parameter changes enable customization to match specific anatomical variations in spinous process size, shape, and spacing, while still achieving dependable supplemental fusion.
3Adaptability or versatility
If expandable barrel assembly is used to provide adjustable fixation, then adaptability to anatomical variations is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed barrel assembly is nested within the expandable barrel mechanism, with the securing plate and securing member integrated into the barrel structure. This nesting approach allows multiple functional components to be combined in a compact arrangement, providing adjustable fixation capabilities while minimizing the overall number of separate parts and reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device merges several functions into integrated components: the barrel assembly combines expansion mechanism with fixation function, the securing plate integrates both attachment and positioning functions, and the securing member provides both locking and adjustment capabilities. This merging of functions reduces the total number of components needed while maintaining the required adaptability for adjustable fixation.
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.