Expandable Worm Screw Jack for Vertebral Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal jack designs lack the ability to adjust and reposition securely between vertebrae post-implantation, failing to accommodate future vertebral complications effectively.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable spinal jack with a three-dimensional, arcuate ergonomic design featuring a worm gear mechanism and textured gripping portions, allowing for expansion and retraction between superior articular processes, enabling minimally invasive adjustments to maintain optimal vertebral alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing spinal jack designs are used, then initial vertebral support is provided, but the ability to adjust and reposition securely between vertebrae post-implantation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The spinal jack incorporates a worm gear mechanism with a tool bit accessible through an inlet aperture, allowing the device to transition from a static fixed position to a dynamic adjustable position post-implantation. The worm gear enables controlled expansion and retraction while maintaining secure engagement with the vertebral processes through its self-locking特性
Solution Approach 2:
The spinal jack is divided into expandable halves that can be adjusted independently through the worm gear mechanism. Each half engages with the vertebral processes separately, allowing for precise positioning adjustments while maintaining overall structural integrity and secure support
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing spinal jack designs are used, then vertebral support is provided, but future vertebral complications cannot be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable worm gear mechanism allows the spinal jack to adapt to future vertebral complications by enabling post-implantation repositioning. The mechanism maintains relatively simple structure through its compact worm gear design that integrates within the existing jack housing, adding adjustability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
3Manufacturing precision
If the spinal jack is expanded to correct vertebral positioning, then optimal alignment is achieved, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The worm gear acts as an intermediary mechanism between the tool bit input and the expansion motion of the jack halves. This intermediary mechanism translates simple rotational input into precise linear expansion, achieving accurate vertebral alignment while keeping the overall mechanism relatively simple and manageable
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 adjustable spinal jack provides stable and secure inter-vertebral support, allowing for future adjustments to correct vertebral positioning, thereby addressing the limitations of prior art by enabling re-adjustment and compensation for downstream vertebral complications.
Implementation Method 1
A worm gear mechanism expands or retracting the jack halves in order to establish a corrected adjusted orientation between the processes. The worm gear mechanism further includes a central horizontally arrayed and rotatable worm gear supported within the main body accessible through an inlet aperture.
Implementation Method 2
The pockets each further include textured surfaces for providing additional gripping of the vertebral processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A spinal jack adapted for installation between first and second vertebral processes and includes a three dimensional and arcuate ergonomic main body constructed from a first and second portions, from which is displaceable an upper body between each of retracted and expanded positions. Each of the jack halves includes gripping portions adapted for engaging the vertebral processes. A worm gear mechanism includes a central horizontally arrayed and rotatable worm gear supported within the main body and accessible through an inlet aperture. A tool bit is engageable with a bit receiving location of the worm gear which is accessible through the inlet aperture.