Modular Revision Connectors for Extending Spinal Fusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Spinal surgeons face challenges in adding additional fixation to adjacent spinal segments due to interference from existing hardware, necessitating a need for connectors that attach to existing spinal fusion constructs without requiring removal of original hardware.

Innovation Solution

Modular connector systems with clamping and modular portions, allowing for articulation and secure attachment of new fixation constructs to existing ones, including various configurations such as articulating and integrated revision connectors, link connectors, and top loading connectors, enabling direct attachment without removing index surgery hardware.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If existing spinal fusion hardware is removed to add new fixation, then new fixation can be properly placed, but surgical time increases and patient trauma is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to place new fixationVSAvoidsurgical time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

A connector implant serves as an intermediary component that attaches to the existing spinal fusion hardware and provides a new attachment point for additional fixation. This mediator allows the new fixation to be placed without removing the original hardware, thus avoiding extended surgical time and additional patient trauma while still achieving the necessary fixation extension.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector implant is designed to attach to and integrate with the existing spinal fusion construct, essentially nesting the new fixation system within or alongside the existing hardware. This nested configuration allows both the original and new fixation systems to coexist and function together without interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If existing spinal fusion hardware is removed to add new fixation, then proper fixation can be achieved, but patient trauma increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to place new fixationVSAvoidpatient trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connector implant acts as a mediator that enables attachment of new fixation to existing hardware without requiring removal of the original construct. This eliminates the need for additional surgical exposure, tissue dissection, and hardware manipulation that would otherwise increase patient trauma, while still achieving proper fixation extension.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If connector is designed to attach to existing hardware, then minimally invasive surgery is enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveminimally invasive capabilityVSAvoidconnector structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connector implant is divided into distinct functional segments: an attachment portion that interfaces with existing spinal fusion hardware and a extending portion that provides new fixation attachment points. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while keeping the overall design relatively simple and enabling minimally invasive installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12446929B2Revision connectors, systems and methods thereof

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 GLOBUS MEDICAL INC

AI summary

Connector assemblies, systems, and methods thereof. A modular connector has a first end that clamps to a first rod in an existing construct and a second end having a modular connection point configured to connect a second rod in a new construct such that the new construct can be extended from the existing construct.