Modular Cervical Plate Segmentation for Soft Tissue Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional anterior cervical fusion plating systems face challenges in multi-level surgeries due to the need for large, rigid plates that can cause excessive soft tissue damage and trauma, particularly in the cervical spine, where space is limited, leading to risks such as esophageal injury and swallowing dysfunction.
Innovation Solution
A modular orthopedic plate system comprising two or more discrete plate segments that inter-engage via keyed interfitting parts, hinges, or tongue-in-groove fittings, allowing for sequential deployment and minimization of soft tissue trauma, enabling extended length plating without forcing a large plate into a smaller space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a large, rigid plate is used for multi-level cervical fusion, then stability and reinforcement across multiple levels is improved, but soft tissue damage and trauma worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The plate is divided into multiple discrete segments that can be sequentially inserted through a small incision and then assembled together to form the complete multi-level fixation structure, reducing soft tissue trauma while maintaining stability
2Length of moving object
If a long plate is forced into a small surgical space, then extended length plating is achieved, but the risk of esophageal injury and swallowing dysfunction worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The long plate is segmented into multiple shorter sections that can be individually inserted through a limited surgical exposure and then connected together, achieving the required length without forcing a single long plate through the small cervical space
Solution Approach 2:
The plate segments are designed to nest within each other during insertion, allowing the complete extended-length plate to be delivered through a small incision by telescoping the segments into one another before final assembly
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a modular plate system is used for sequential deployment, then soft tissue trauma is minimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plate system is segmented into multiple standardized modules that can be sequentially inserted and assembled, reducing soft tissue trauma while the standardization of connection mechanisms keeps the overall system complexity manageable
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable modular plate system for stabilizing adjacent vertebral bodies in a cervical spine includes at least two plate segments aligned or connected together so as to form a connection at and along adjacent ends. At least one of the plate segments includes a flange at an engagement end and at least one of the plate segments including a flange recess at an engagement end, the flange being configured for overlay engagement with the flange recess when the at least two plate segments are engaged. The plate segments are pivotable out of plane with one another at a common axis of rotation traversing overlapping portions of the adjacent ends and are constrained from rotation by the flanges such that the rotation of each plate segment is limited to up to 90 degrees of rotation away from the contact surfaces of the flange and flange recess.