Fenestrated Bone Screw Cement Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bone screws lack improved mechanical properties and effective integration with bone cement, leading to suboptimal securing and stability in bone implant procedures.

Innovation Solution

The development of bone screws with unique fenestrations, including angled, curved, and straight designs, that accommodate and guide bone cement along the screw length, enhancing material distribution and reducing axial rotation and toggling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional solid bone screws are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but bone cement integration and securing effectiveness are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecuring effectivenessVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The bone screw is segmented by introducing fenestrations (openings) through the shaft portion, dividing the solid structure into multiple sections. This segmentation allows bone cement to penetrate and integrate with the screw, improving securing effectiveness while maintaining sufficient structural integrity through the remaining material

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If fenestrations are added to improve bone cement distribution, then securing and stability are enhanced, but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fenestrations create segmented openings along the shaft portion, allowing bone cement to distribute effectively while maintaining a relatively simple overall screw structure that is easy to manufacture and implement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fenestrated design creates a porous-like structure within the solid screw shaft, enabling bone cement penetration and integration without requiring complex internal geometries or additional components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Data Source

PatentEP2887899B1Improved fenestrated bone screw
Publication Date: 2017.08.02 GLOBUS MEDICAL INC
  • EP2887899B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP2887899B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP2887899B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

Improved bone screws are provided. The bone screws comprise a head portion that is connected to a shaft portion. The shaft portion can comprise one or more fenestrations that extend along a length of the screw. The fenestrations can be straight, or they can include angled bends and arcuate curves. At least a portion of the bone screws can be shot-peened or cold-worked in order to increase the strength of the bone screws to allow for use in, among other regions, the cervical region of the spine.