Preassembled Spinal Implant Construct for Rapid Vertebral Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal implant systems for treating musculoskeletal disorders, such as scoliosis and degenerative disc disease, often require complex surgical procedures and multiple components, which can complicate the alignment and stabilization of vertebral rods, leading to increased surgical time and potential instability during the healing process.
Innovation Solution
A preassembled spinal implant system comprising a rod and two implant receivers connected to bone screws via set screws, allowing for rapid and secure installation by constraining the rod within the implant receivers, providing compressive force and stability while minimizing lateral movement, and enabling direct contact with curved support surfaces for enhanced fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used for spinal implant assembly, then the implant can be customized and adjusted, but the surgical procedure becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (rod, receivers, set screws, and bone screws) into a single preassembled spinal construct. This integration maintains the customizable benefits of multiple components while eliminating the surgical complexity of assembling them separately, as the entire construct is delivered as one unit to the surgical site.
Solution Approach 2:
The spinal construct is preassembled before surgery with all components properly positioned and configured. The rod is pre-positioned within receivers, set screws are pre-installed to secure the rod, and bone screws are pre-attached to the receivers. This preliminary assembly eliminates the need for complex intraoperative assembly procedures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used for spinal implant assembly, then the implant can be customized and adjusted, but the surgical time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple components into a single preassembled construct, the surgical procedure transitions from a multi-step assembly process to a single installation step. The surgeon simply attaches the complete construct to the vertebral bones, significantly reducing surgical time while preserving customization capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
All assembly actions are performed in advance during manufacturing rather than during surgery. The rod, receivers, set screws, and bone screws are pre-assembled and positioned correctly before delivery to the surgical site, eliminating time-consuming intraoperative assembly steps.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional spinal constructs are used, then alignment can be achieved, but stability during healing may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of multiple retention mechanisms into a single preassembled construct ensures that the rod is securely fixed to the bone screws through properly positioned set screws and receivers. This unified design maintains precise alignment while enhancing stability during healing through consistent mechanical support.
Solution Approach 2:
The construct is preassembled with set screws already positioned to engage the rod and bone screws pre-attached to the receivers, ensuring proper alignment and secure fixation before implantation. This preliminary configuration guarantees stable alignment and reduces the risk of displacement during the healing process.
4Manufacturing precision
If complex assembly procedures are used, then precise alignment can be achieved, but the risk of intraoperative instability increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining all alignment and fixation components into a single preassembled construct, the design eliminates the risks associated with multi-step assembly during surgery. The rod, receivers, set screws, and bone screws are pre-positioned to achieve precise alignment and stable fixation in a single installation procedure, preventing intraoperative instability.
Solution Approach 2:
All alignment and fixation actions are completed during manufacturing with the rod, receivers, set screws, and bone screws pre-assembled in their final positions. This preliminary action ensures precise alignment and eliminates the risk of instability that could arise from complex intraoperative assembly procedures.
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
The preassembled spinal implant system facilitates quicker and more stable vertebral rod alignment, reducing surgical complexity and improving post-operative stability by allowing for direct contact between the rod and support surfaces, thus enhancing the healing process and patient mobility.
Implementation Method 1
the first and second set screws are configured to be rotated within the first and the second threaded passageways, respectively, such that they move downward in the vertical direction and provide a compressive force against the rod
Implementation Method 2
the underside of the rod is in direct contact with the curved support surfaces of the first and second crowns and the rod is constrained from moving in the vertical direction by the first and second set screws
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A spinal implants (100) including a rod (40) extending in a horizontal direction and a first implant receiver (20) having a first passageway (22) extending in the horizontal direction and a first threaded passageway (24) extending in a vertical direction, a second implant receiver (20) having a second passageway (22) extending in the horizontal direction and a second threaded passageway (24) extending in the vertical direction, and further including a first set screw (50) having a size and shape corresponding to a size and shape of the first threaded passageway and a second set screw (50) having a size and shape corresponding to a size and shape of the second threaded passageway. The rod extends in the horizontal direction through the first and second passageways and is constrained from moving in the vertical direction by the first and second passageways.