Modular Spinal Implant with Swivel Drive Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal implant systems for treating spinal disorders lack versatility and adaptability in providing multi-axial, uni-axial, and fixed-angle functionality, which are essential for effectively addressing various spinal pathologies such as scoliosis, degenerative disc disease, and osteoporosis, as they often require rigid fixation and limited motion capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A modular spinal implant system featuring a bone fastener with a swivel drive mechanism, comprising interchangeable crowns and receivers that allow for multi-axial, uni-axial, or fixed-angle screw configurations, enabling adjustable functionality during surgical procedures to accommodate different spinal orientations and movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid fixation system is used to provide stability for spinal disorders, then stability is improved, but adaptability to different spinal pathologies and orientations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bone fastener incorporates a swivel drive mechanism that enables dynamic adjustment between multi-axial, uni-axial, and fixed-angle configurations. This allows the implant to transition from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system that can adapt its degree of freedom based on surgical requirements, resolving the contradiction between providing stable fixation and adapting to various spinal pathologies
Solution Approach 2:
The modular spinal implant system provides multi-functionality through interchangeable components including different crown-receiver combinations that enable multi-axial, uni-axial, or fixed-angle functionality. This universal design allows a single implant system to address diverse spinal disorders including scoliosis, degenerative disc disease, and osteoporosis, thereby improving both stability and adaptability simultaneously
2Adaptability or versatility
If a modular implant system with interchangeable components is used to improve adaptability, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bone fastener is segmented into distinct modular components including a receiver, crown, and shaft that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation enables the complex functionality to be broken down into manageable parts that can be selectively combined, reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability across different spinal applications
3Manufacturing precision
If fixed-angle screw configurations are used to provide precise control, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation during surgical procedures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The swivel drive mechanism allows the bone fastener to dynamically transition between fixed-angle and multi-axial configurations during surgery. This dynamic capability enables surgeons to easily adjust the degree of freedom as needed, improving ease of operation while maintaining the precision benefits of fixed-angle options when required
Data Source
AI summary
A spinal implant includes a first member having an inner surface defining an implant cavity and at least one mating element. A second member includes a head and a shaft configured to penetrate tissue. The head includes at least one mating element engageable with the at least one mating element of the first member and a part. A third member includes an inner surface engageable with the part such that the members comprise a bone fastener having a selected movement. Systems, instruments and methods are disclosed.