Pressure Cap with Biasing Members for Spinal Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional spinal fixation systems are cumbersome and risky due to their complexity, requiring multiple components and often necessitating the removal of bone screws for component changes, which is inconvenient and dangerous, especially in pediatric settings where they may be too large for secure fitting.
Innovation Solution
A modular spinal fixation system comprising a bone screw, body, and pressure cap, allowing for easy interchange of components without removing the bone screw, featuring a pressure cap with biasing members to secure the bone screw and a body with a mounting rod receiving channel and threaded recess for secure engagement and disengagement, enabling a more stable and adaptable spinal fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional spinal fixation systems use multiple components for secure fixation, then the stability and security of the fixation is improved, but the device complexity increases and the ease of operation deteriorates due to the need for frequent component removal and reattachment
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure cap integrates multiple functions into a single component: it houses the biasing member for maintaining engagement between the bone screw and mounting rod, provides a compressed state to secure the bone screw head, and eliminates the need for separate locking mechanisms. This merging reduces the number of components while maintaining fixation security.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure cap serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a retention mechanism for the bone screw, provides compression force through the integrated biasing member, and secures the mounting rod engagement. This multi-functionality allows a single component to perform what traditionally required multiple separate parts.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional spinal fixation systems use multiple components for adaptable fixation, then the adaptability for different anatomical locations is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the inconvenience of removing and replacing components
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member provides dynamic engagement between the bone screw and mounting rod, allowing the connection to maintain constant pressure and adapt to variations in positioning while preventing accidental disengagement. This dynamic mechanism enables easy component interchange without requiring complete removal and reattachment procedures.
3Strength
If traditional spinal fixation systems are designed for adult patients, then the fixation strength is improved, but the suitability for pediatric patients deteriorates as the system becomes too large for secure fitting
Solution Approach 1:
The modular design with the pressure cap and biasing member allows the system to maintain its functional strength while being scaled down for pediatric applications. The compressed state provided by the biasing member ensures secure engagement regardless of the absolute size of the components, allowing the same design to serve both adult and pediatric patients with appropriate size selection.
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 system reduces the number of components, allows for secure and stable spinal fixation without the need for frequent bone screw removal, and is suitable for pediatric patients by providing a more adaptable and secure fit with fewer components, enhancing surgical efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
A pressure cap may comprise two side walls disposed apart from each other and at least one biasing member on each side wall
Implementation Method 2
A pressure cap may be operable to exert pressure on a bone screw when a mounting rod is biased against a proximal end of a pressure cap
Data Source
AI summary
A spinal fixation system comprising a bone screw, a body, and a pressure cap. The bone screw may comprise a head at a proximal end and a bone connection element at a distal end. The body may comprise a proximal end, a distal end, a mounting rod receiving channel at the proximal end and a bone screw head receiving channel at the distal end. A proximal end of the pressure cap may comprise two side walls disposed apart from each other and one biasing member on each side wall. A distal end of the pressure cap may comprise a surface operable to contact at least a portion of the head of the bone screw. The pressure cap may be operable to exert pressure on the bone screw when a mounting rod is biased against the proximal end of the pressure cap.