Spinal Curvature Correction With Guided Pre-Bent Rods
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical techniques for correcting spinal deformities, such as scoliosis, often result in rod fracture due to the need to bend the rod to fit the abnormal curvature of the spine, which weakens the metal rod and increases the risk of breakage, and there is a lack of methods to correct spinal deformity by bending the vertebrate to conform to an idealized rod shape without bending the rod.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a plurality of screws implanted in vertebrae with extensions removably coupled to the screws, and a connecting rod guided along these extensions to adjust and engage with the screws, allowing the vertebrate to be bent to conform to the idealized rod shape, reducing the need for rod bending.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the rod is bent to fit the abnormal curvature of the spine, then the rod can be installed to correct the deformity, but the metal rod is weakened and the risk of fracture increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of bending the rod to fit the curved spine, the invention inverts the approach by using a pre-bent rod with an idealized curvature and bending the vertebrate to conform to the rod shape. This is achieved through extensions that guide the pre-bent rod into the screw heads, allowing the spine to be reshaped rather than the rod being compromised.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod is pre-bent to the desired idealized curvature before surgery. This preliminary shaping allows the rod to serve as a template or guide for correcting the spinal deformity, eliminating the need to bend the rod during the procedure and preserving its structural integrity.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional rod bending techniques are used, then spinal alignment can be restored, but rod fracture occurs in a significant percentage of patients
Solution Approach 1:
Extensions serve as intermediary components that connect the pre-bent rod to the pedicle screws. These extensions are removably coupled to the screws and configured to receive the pre-bent rod, facilitating the transfer of the idealized curvature to the spine without requiring direct manipulation or bending of the rod itself.
3Strength
If the spine is bent to conform to an idealized rod shape, then rod integrity is preserved, but new methods and devices are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional components: pedicle screws for anchorage, extensions for guidance and coupling, and a pre-bent rod for defining the idealized curvature. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall system simplicity and rod integrity.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A system for correcting a lateral curvature of a spine that can include a plurality of screws configured to be implanted in a plurality of vertebrae, and a plurality of extensions configured to be removably coupled with the plurality of screws. Some embodiments of the plurality of extensions can be curved, bent, angled, and/or offset along at least a portion thereof and can be removably coupled with a screw head of each of the plurality of screws. The system can include a connecting element or rod that is configured to be coupled with the plurality of screw heads. Some embodiments of the system can be configured such that the rod can be guided along the plurality of extensions from the proximal toward the distal end portions of the extensions and into engagement with the plurality of screws to cause the plurality of vertebrae to move laterally.