Pivoting Spinal Fixation Connector with Offset Aperture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional spinal fixation devices, particularly pedicle screw assemblies, face challenges in rotational adjustment and ease of assembly, especially in anatomical spaces like the sacrum and ilium, due to their monolithic design which restricts rotational freedom and complicates attachment.

Innovation Solution

An orthopedic connector system featuring a linking element with an offset aperture and a rod connection element that can rotate relative to the linking element, combined with a fastener mechanism to securely fix the rod connection element in rotational and longitudinal positions, allowing for additional rotational freedom and improved assembly ease.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional monolithic pedicle screw assemblies are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but rotational freedom and ease of assembly are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational adjustment and ease of assemblyVSAvoidmonolithic design

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is divided into multiple components: a linking element with an offset aperture, a rod connection element with a slot, and a fastener. This segmentation allows the rod connection element to rotate freely within the aperture before final assembly, providing rotational freedom while maintaining structural integrity through the offset configuration that positions the rod away from the linking element's axis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the rod connection element is fixed in position, then structural stability is improved, but rotational adjustment capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational adjustmentVSAvoidfixed rotational position

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static fixed-position design to a dynamic assembly process where the rod connection element can rotate freely within the offset aperture during assembly, then becomes fixed in the desired rotational position once assembled. The offset aperture geometry enables this dynamic adjustment while the final assembled state provides stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If the aperture is positioned at the end of the linking element, then assembly is simplified, but material usage under the rod increases and non-orthogonal orientations are not accommodated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidmaterial usage under the rod

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The aperture is positioned offset from the end of the linking element, creating an asymmetric configuration that reduces material usage under the rod and enables accommodation of non-orthogonal orientations between the rod and linking element while maintaining ease of assembly through the offset geometry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS9510866B2Pivoting spinal fixation devices

Publication Date: 2016.12.06 ORTHOFIX US LLC

AI summary

Disclosed embodiments relate to connector systems comprising a linking element, a rod connection element partially received in the linking element. In an embodiment, the rod connection element is operable to rotate about the first longitudinal axis relative to the linking element. A fastener is operable to be received in the rod connection element, wherein the fastener is operable to actuate a connection mechanism to substantially fix the rod connection element in a rotational orientation relative to the first longitudinal axis and substantially fix the rod in a longitudinal position relative to the rod connection element.