Orthopedic Tether Clamp for Flexible Bone Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional orthopedic implants, such as screws and rods, are rigid and introduce risks and complexities in surgical procedures, particularly in spine and other orthopedic surgeries, due to their inflexibility and potential for additional damage to bones.
Innovation Solution
The development of a tether clamp assembly with a clamp housing, securement assembly, and flexible band, which provides compressive force to retain the band within the housing, allowing for provisional and fixed locking engagements, enabling flexible and adjustable stabilization of bones without the need for additional hardware like screws.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional rigid mechanical implants (screws and rods) are used for spinal stabilization, then structural support and fixation are achieved, but the risk of additional bone damage and surgical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible tether band instead of rigid rods and screws. The band is passed through the spine and secured with a clamp assembly, providing stabilization through flexible compression rather than rigid mechanical fixation. This approach distributes forces more evenly and reduces the risk of damaging brittle bone structures during insertion and fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the rigid screw and rod components from the stabilization system, replacing them with a flexible band and clamp assembly. This removal of harmful rigid elements eliminates the need for drilling, threading, and rigid fixation that can cause bone damage, while maintaining the essential function of spinal stabilization.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid screws and rods are used for spinal fixation, then vertebrae are held in fixed position, but flexibility and adjustability during surgery are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static rigid rod system to a dynamic flexible band system. The band can be adjusted in length and tension during surgery, allowing surgeons to optimize stabilization parameters intraoperatively. The flexible nature enables adaptation to varying spinal geometries and patient-specific requirements while maintaining stable fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention allows for parameter changes in the stabilization system by adjusting the band tension, length, and clamp positioning during surgery. This provides versatility in achieving optimal fixation for different spinal conditions and patient anatomies, unlike fixed rigid systems that require precise preoperative planning and offer no intraoperative adjustment.
3Strength
If additional hardware components (screws, rods, clamps) are used for spinal stabilization, then fixation capability is enhanced, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple traditional components (rod, screws, clamps) into a simplified system consisting of a single flexible band and a clamp assembly. The band itself provides the fixation function traditionally requiring multiple rigid components, reducing the total number of parts and simplifying the overall device architecture while maintaining fixation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible band serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, distributes mechanical loads, and can be adjusted to fit various spinal configurations. This multi-functionality replaces the need for specialized rigid components with distinct functions, reducing device complexity.
4Reliability
If conventional spinal osteosynthesis procedures are performed, then fracture reduction and immobilization are achieved, but surgical time and procedural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the traditional multi-step osteosynthesis procedure into simpler steps: passing the flexible band through the spine, positioning the clamp assembly, and securing the band. This segmentation eliminates time-consuming steps such as drilling pilot holes, threading screws, and rigid rod fixation, while maintaining reliable fracture stabilization.
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
This solution reduces the risk of further bone damage and complexity in surgeries by providing a flexible and adjustable method for stabilizing bones, facilitating precise alignment and stabilization of vertebrae or other bones, thereby aiding in bone repair and fusion.
Implementation Method 1
The securement assembly provides at least the compressive force for retaining and fixing the tether band to the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A clamp assembly for orthopedic use having a housing that includes a top surface, a recess, a distal base and a bottom surface, the recess defining a longitudinal axis and extending through the housing from the top surface through the distal base and toward the bottom surface, and at least two through slots, each one of being disposed at a bottom or a side a surface of the housing. The assembly including a securement assembly positionable within the recess in a co-axial relationship to a mating surface on the recess, and a band sized for travel along a predetermined path defined in part by the through slots in the housing, wherein at least one of the through slots is a starting point for travel of the band along the predetermined path.