Magnetic Core Bone Screw for Scoliosis Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical methods for correcting scoliosis, such as spinal fusion, are invasive, lead to scarring, and can result in complications like infection and permanent spinal stiffness, while implanted magnetic screws often face rejection and require additional materials like brackets.
Innovation Solution
Development of magnetic core bone screws with a fully encased magnet that can be minimally invasively implanted without additional apparatuses, allowing for orthopedic movement and alignment of bones using a magnetic field, either alone or with external correction devices like a magnetic girdle or abacus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional spinal fusion surgery is used to correct scoliosis, then the spine can be stabilized and corrected, but the procedure is invasive, leads to scarring, and causes permanent spinal stiffness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical spinal fusion systems (screws, rods, and plates that permanently fuse vertebrae) with a magnetic field-based system. Magnets are implanted in selected vertebrae to create magnetic attraction forces that gradually pull the spine into alignment, eliminating the need for invasive fusion surgery and permanent mechanical hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of spinal correction from permanent mechanical fusion to dynamic magnetic alignment. By using magnetic field strength and gradient as the correction mechanism, the system achieves spine stabilization without the harmful effects of traditional surgery, allowing for gradual adjustment and maintaining natural spine flexibility.
2Ease of operation
If magnets are implanted in bones for correcting bone problems, then bone alignment can be achieved, but the magnets may be rejected by the body and require additional materials like brackets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite material construction for the magnetic implants, combining biocompatible materials (such as titanium or medical-grade polymers) with magnetic materials (such as ferromagnetic alloys). This composite approach ensures the magnets are both magnetically active and biocompatible, eliminating rejection risks and removing the need for additional bracket materials.
3Force
If ferrous magnetic screws with neodymium magnets are used for procedures, then strong magnetic force is achieved, but the screws are subject to rejection when implanted in the body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction for the magnetic implants, combining biocompatible materials (such as titanium or medical-grade polymers) with magnetic materials (such as ferromagnetic alloys). This composite approach ensures the magnets are both magnetically active and biocompatible, eliminating rejection risks and removing the need for additional bracket materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using different materials in different regions of the implant. The outer shell is made of biocompatible material to interface with body tissue, while the inner core contains the magnetic material to provide the necessary magnetic force. This regional differentiation resolves the contradiction between magnetic strength and biocompatibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables minimally invasive correction of bone alignment with reduced risk of material rejection and scarring, maintaining orthopedic movement and flexibility, and eliminates the need for additional surgical steps or apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
allowing for orthopedic movement and alignment of bones using a magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
Magnetic core bone screw
Data Source
AI summary
A screw cap removably associated with a bone screw, the bone screw comprising: a head having a set of interior threads, one of the set of interior threads having a circular slot; a magnet; and an interior cavity located within the bone screw and configured to house the magnet; the screw cap comprising: a top end configured to receive a driving means for inserting the screw cap into, and removing the screw cap from, the head; a body having a set of cap threads, one of the set of cap threads comprising a locking bead; and an annular recess concentrically lining a portion of the body, the annular recess comprising a leakage ring for establishing a seal between the screw cap and the head; wherein an association of the set of cap threads with the set of interior threads causes the locking bead to be engaged with the circular slot.