Modular Rod Reduction Tower for Spinal Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bone stabilization systems face challenges in efficiently stabilizing the spinal column, particularly in cases of spinal abnormalities such as degenerative disc disease, where traditional methods often result in prolonged recovery times and limited mobility due to insufficient support and shock absorption.
Innovation Solution
A bone fixation system featuring a polyaxial pedicle screw with a coupling assembly that includes a thread pitch compensator, allowing for alignment and secure fixation of bone fasteners to vertebrae, and a derotation tower with flexible regions to accommodate anatomical variations, facilitating minimally invasive surgery and reducing the risk of construct failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional bone stabilization methods are used, then the spinal column can be stabilized, but recovery time is prolonged and patient mobility is limited due to insufficient support and shock absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilization system is divided into modular components including polyaxial pedicle screws, rod reduction towers, and connecting rods that can be independently selected and assembled. This segmentation allows for optimized configuration tailored to specific patient needs, improving stabilization reliability while enabling faster recovery through minimized surgical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates adjustable parameters including rod diameter reduction (from standard to reduced size), screw pitch variations, and tower height adjustments. These parameter changes enable customization of the stabilization construct to match anatomical variations and injury severity, providing adequate support for faster recovery without compromising stability
2Strength
If traditional rigid stabilization methods are used, then spinal support is provided, but anatomical variations cannot be accommodated and construct failure risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from rigid fixed configurations to dynamic adjustable constructs. The rod reduction tower includes adjustable height and angle capabilities, allowing intraoperative adaptation to anatomical variations. The polyaxial screws provide multi-directional adjustment, enabling the construct to accommodate spinal curvature and patient-specific anatomy while maintaining strength
Solution Approach 2:
The modular components are designed with universal interfaces and standardized connection mechanisms that can accommodate various anatomical configurations. The rod reduction tower serves multiple functions including rod insertion, reduction, and stabilization, while being adaptable to different screw types and spinal levels, thereby providing both strength and versatility
3Reliability
If standard rod size is used, then spinal stabilization is achieved, but surgical complexity and recovery time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the rod from its traditional full-size configuration and reduces it to a smaller, more manageable diameter where applicable. This rod reduction simplifies the insertion process, reduces surgical complexity, and facilitates easier manipulation during surgery while maintaining adequate stabilization through the modular tower structure
4Ease of operation
If minimally invasive techniques are used, then surgical trauma is reduced, but precise alignment and secure fixation become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The rod reduction tower acts as an intermediary device that bridges the gap between minimally invasive access and precise alignment requirements. It provides a stable platform for rod insertion and adjustment while being accessible through smaller incisions, thereby reducing surgical trauma without compromising alignment precision through its adjustable geometry and secure fixation mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A bone fixation system includes a bone fastener and a tower including a modular engagement feature therebetween, the tower having at least one flexible section and at least one rigid section to accommodate and/or mitigate tower interference and/or collision during surgical procedures. The distal section can desirably be separated and/or detached from the tower to function as a head locking unit of the bone fixation assembly, with the detached distal section capable of accommodating set screws, fixation rods and/or other spinal hardware.