Posterior Vertebral Plating System with Variable-Angle Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal implantation technologies face challenges in securely stabilizing vertebrae without causing screw pull-out and risk to adjacent sensitive structures, particularly in the cervical spine, due to high compression and torsional loads, and the need for skilled placement of polyaxial screws to avoid neurological complications.
Innovation Solution
A posterior vertebral plating system with a contoured bone plate featuring variable-angle locking screws and a design that minimizes the risk of screw pull-out and tissue irritation, allowing for secure fixation with reduced exposure to radiation and improved anatomical compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If screws are implanted perpendicular to the plate, then the surgical procedure is simpler, but the risk of screw pull-out increases due to insufficient bone engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The plate design allows screws to be inserted at variable angles (dynamic adjustment) rather than fixed perpendicular orientation, enabling optimization of screw trajectory for each anatomical location while maintaining simple plate application. The plate itself remains simple to apply, but the screw insertion angle becomes adaptable to achieve both ease of operation and reliable fixation.
2Reliability
If screws are inserted at an angle with respect to the plate, then the pull-out resistance increases due to greater bone engagement, but the surgical technique becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The plate is pre-configured with predetermined hole orientations that are optimized for angled screw insertion. This preliminary preparation of the plate allows surgeons to achieve reliable angled screw fixation without performing complex intraoperative calculations or adjustments, thereby reducing surgical time while maintaining high fixation stability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If posterior plates are used for cervical spine stabilization, then immobilization is achieved, but the risk of damaging adjacent sensitive structures such as vertebral arteries and facet joints increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plate design incorporates locally optimized features including contoured surfaces that conform to specific cervical vertebrae anatomy, strategically positioned holes that avoid projection over sensitive structures, and varying hole orientations tailored to each vertebral level. This local customization reduces the risk of damaging adjacent structures while maintaining effective immobilization.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a narrow elongated plate is used to minimize soft tissue irritation, then tissue compatibility improves, but the number of screws that can be securely anchored decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The plate utilizes the third dimension (angular orientation) to maximize screw anchorage capacity. By incorporating holes at multiple angles and orientations within the narrow plate profile, the design achieves high screw anchorage capacity without increasing plate width, thereby maintaining minimal soft tissue irritation while providing reliable multi-point fixation.
Data Source
AI summary
A posterior vertebral plating system comprising a plate and a plurality of attachment members. The plate has a plurality of holes extending through the plate from an upper surface to a lower surface, and the plate is configured to extend along the posterior side of at least two vertebrae adjacent at least one boney structure of each of the vertebrae. The holes are spaced in such a way that a first plurality of holes is positionable over a boney structure of a first vertebra to define a plurality of fixation points to the first vertebra and a second plurality of holes is positionable over boney structure of a second vertebra to define a plurality of fixation points to the second vertebra. The attachment members are insertable through the holes of the plate and into the boney structure of a corresponding vertebra to fix the plate to the vertebra.