Interbody Plate Positioning Guide for Accurate Cage Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal fusion procedures face challenges in accurately aligning and positioning interbody plates and cages due to obscured surgical landmarks, movement of the interbody plate before securing, and lack of assurance in proper alignment and positioning, leading to potential misplacement and reduced fusion effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A spinal plate selection and positioning system utilizing a guide member attached to an interbody cage via a holding rod, which aligns and centers the interbody plate over the cage, ensuring accurate placement, followed by a drill guide for securing the plate to vertebrae using pilot holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional spinal fusion procedures are performed without a guide member system, then the surgical process is simpler, but the alignment and positioning precision of interbody plates and cages deteriorates due to obscured surgical landmarks and plate movement
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member serves as an intermediary device between the interbody cage and the interbody plate. It is removably attached to the cage and provides reference structures (guide holes, guide slots) that enable precise alignment and positioning of the plate relative to the cage, directly resolving the alignment precision problem while adding controlled complexity to the surgical system.
2Reliability
If the interbody plate is positioned without a guide member system, then the procedure is faster, but the reliability of plate positioning deteriorates due to plate movement before securing
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is attached to the interbody cage before the interbody plate is positioned. This preliminary action establishes a stable reference framework that prevents plate movement during positioning and ensures reliable alignment. The guide member remains in place during the positioning process, providing continuous reference until the plate is securely fastened.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple interbody plates are used at different spinal levels without a guide member system, then the treatment coverage is more comprehensive, but the positioning accuracy at each level deteriorates due to lack of reference
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member system is designed with universal applicability across multiple spinal levels. The same guide member design can be used with different interbody cages at various spinal levels, providing consistent alignment and positioning reference structures. This enables comprehensive multi-level treatment while maintaining positioning accuracy through the standardized guide member interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A spinal plate selection and positioning system is provided for use in a spinal fusion procedure. The system may comprise an elongated guide member that is removably securable to an interbody cage by a holding rod. An interbody plate may be aligned and positioned above the interbody cage installed in a disc space. A drill guide may also be aligned and positioned above the interbody plate. The drill guide may be utilized to drill pilot holes in the vertebrae defining the disc space. Fasteners to secure the interbody plate may also by installed using the drill guide. The use of the guide member ensures that the interbody plate is properly aligned and positioned with respect to the interbody cage.