Interchangeable Bone Anchor Coupling for Polyaxial and Monoplanar Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling devices for bone anchors in orthopedic surgery lack a simple structure that can facilitate both polyaxial and monoplanar functionalities, limiting flexibility and versatility in surgical applications.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device that can be used with interchangeable bone anchors of different types, allowing for either monoplanar or polyaxial configurations, featuring a receiving part with a locking member that adjusts to enable pivoting in a single plane for one type and multiple planes for another, manufactured using additive methods for complex shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a coupling device is designed with a simple structure, then ease of manufacture and cost-effectiveness are improved, but the ability to provide both polyaxial and monoplanar functionalities is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is designed with a universal receiving part that can accommodate different types of bone anchors (monoplanar and polyaxial) through a standardized interface. The receiving part includes a head receiving portion with an accommodation space that can pivotably receive heads of different bone anchor types, allowing a single coupling device structure to provide multiple functionalities.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device incorporates a dynamic locking mechanism with a locking member that can be moved between at least two positions: a first position that allows pivoting of the bone anchor head in the accommodation space, and a second position that locks the head at a specific angular position. This dynamic capability enables the device to transition between flexible and fixed states, supporting both polyaxial and monoplanar configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a coupling device is designed to accommodate multiple bone anchor types, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device employs a universal receiving part design that can interchangeably accommodate different types of bone anchors (first bone anchor of first type and second bone anchor of second type) through a standardized head receiving portion. This allows multiple functionalities to be achieved with a single device structure rather than requiring separate devices for each bone anchor type.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functionality of multiple specialized coupling devices into a single universal coupling device that can handle both monoplanar and polyaxial bone anchors. By combining these functions into one device, the total number of parts is reduced while maintaining the ability to provide different functionalities through the same receiving part and locking mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for coupling a rod to bone includes different first and second bone anchors and a coupling device including a receiving part with a rod receiving portion for receiving a rod and a head receiving portion for interchangeably accommodating a head of either the first or second bone anchors, and a locking member positionable at least partially around the head receiving portion and movable between a first position where the held head is movable relative to the receiving part and a second position where the held head is locked relative to the receiving part. The coupling device includes a restraining surface configured to restrict pivoting of the first bone anchor relative to the receiving part, while the coupling device is configured to restrict pivoting of the second bone anchor relative to the receiving part differently than the restricted pivoting of the first bone anchor relative to the receiving part.