Low Profile Spinal Plate with Integrated Spacer Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal fusion and stabilization systems lack effective solutions for securely attaching spacers to vertebrae and preventing bone screw back-out, leading to instability and chronic back pain.
Innovation Solution
The development of a low-profile plating system comprising a spacer and a plate with angled screw holes and a set screw mechanism that securely attaches to the spacer and vertebrae, providing locking mechanisms and preventing bone screw back-out through a set screw that rotates to block the screws.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a plating system is used to stabilize the spine during fusion, then spinal stabilization is improved, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plate and spacer are merged into a single integrated unit where the plate is pre-attached to the spacer body. This combination eliminates the need for separate attachment steps while providing both spinal stabilization and intervertebral spacing functions simultaneously, thus improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated plate-spacer system performs multiple functions: it provides spinal stabilization through the plate, maintains intervertebral spacing through the spacer body, and enables screw fixation through integrated screw holes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate components and procedures
2Reliability
If bone screws are used to attach the plate to vertebrae, then spinal fixation is improved, but the risk of screw back-out increases
Solution Approach 1:
The set screw is pre-configured in the plate to counteract the back-out tendency of bone screws. By positioning the set screw to engage with the bone screws from the opposite direction, the system proactively prevents the harmful back-out motion before it occurs, thereby maintaining reliable spinal fixation
3Strength
If a large-profile plate is used for spinal stabilization, then structural strength is improved, but the invasiveness of the procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plate is designed with varying thickness and material distribution to provide maximum strength only where structurally necessary, while maintaining a low overall profile. This localized quality optimization allows the device to achieve required structural strength without increasing overall size, thereby reducing surgical invasiveness
Data Source
AI summary
The present application generally relates to orthopedic systems, and in particular, to systems including independent plates and spacers. A plating system can include a spacer and a plate that is independent from the spacer. A number of locking mechanisms can be provided to secure the plate to the spacer. In some cases, the spacer includes a pair of notches that extend on an outer surface of the spacer. The plate can include a pair of lateral extensions that can engage the notches to secure the plate to the spacer. In other cases, the spacer includes an opening including a pair of inlets. The plate can include an enclosed posterior extension that can be received in the pair of inlets to secure the plate to the spacer.