Posterior Stabilization System With Angled Fastener Bore
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal stabilization techniques, particularly for the cervical and thoracic spine, face challenges in safely securing fixation devices on small cervical bones and achieving solid fixation with minimal disruption to surrounding tissue, leading to potential further spinal damage due to limited motion and increased stress on adjacent levels.
Innovation Solution
A modular posterior stabilization system that includes jigs and modules with pre-drilled holes for precise orientation and secure attachment using titanium screws, featuring a rod and securing members, as well as an implantable body with a lateral bone outrigger and angled fastener bore for stable fixation, allowing for secure attachment from the skull to the thoracic spine with minimal tissue disruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fusion techniques are used to stabilize the spine, then pain relief is achieved, but motion between vertebrae is prevented and stress on adjacent levels increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilization system incorporates dynamic elements that allow controlled motion between vertebrae while maintaining stability. The device permits physiological movement within safe ranges, preventing the complete motion restriction of traditional fusion while still providing pain relief and spinal stabilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the mechanical parameters of spinal stabilization by introducing devices with specific stiffness, flexibility, and damping characteristics. These parameter adjustments allow the spine to maintain stability while accommodating natural motion, thereby reducing stress transmission to adjacent spinal levels.
2Reliability
If fixation devices are placed on small cervical bones, then spinal stabilization is achieved, but the risk of tissue disruption and further spinal damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation devices are designed with locally optimized characteristics for cervical spine anatomy, including specialized screw geometries, bone engagement features, and tissue-displacing elements that minimize damage to surrounding soft tissues while ensuring secure fixation on small cervical vertebrae.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces intermediary components such as connectors, rods, and coupling mechanisms that distribute fixation forces across multiple attachment points, reducing the concentration of stress and tissue disruption at any single cervical bone site.
3Measurement precision
If pre-drilled holes with predetermined orientation are used in modules, then screw placement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The modular components are pre-configured with pre-drilled holes and predetermined orientations during manufacturing, eliminating the need for complex intraoperative alignment procedures. This preliminary preparation ensures precise screw placement while actually simplifying the surgical process despite the increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into modular segments, each with standardized pre-drilled orientations. This segmentation allows for systematic assembly and reduces the overall complexity by breaking down the complex alignment task into manageable, pre-solved modular units that can be combined in various configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable body for a posterior stabilization system includes a lateral end, a medial end, an inwardly facing surface configured to abut against a lamina when the body is implanted along a vertebra. A lateral bone outrigger extends from the inwardly facing surface and may include a bone-abutting surface along a medial portion disposed to abut against a lateral mass of the vertebra when the body is implanted along a vertebra. The lateral bone outrigger may have a first height. A penetrating feature extends from the inwardly facing surface between the bone-engaging portion of the inwardly facing surface and the lateral bone outrigger. The penetrating feature may have a second height less than the first height. A fastener bore extends through the body at an angle toward the lateral bone outrigger.