Rigid Bone Anchor Interface for Spinal Implant Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal implant systems face issues with bone anchors becoming loose, leading to unwanted movement and ineffective force transfer, which compromises the stability and integrity of the spinal structure during treatment of disorders such as degenerative disc disease and osteoporosis.
Innovation Solution
A bone anchor with a receiver and a connector forming a rigid interface, achieved through methods like laser welding, TIG welding, or crimping, to ensure torque transfer and secure the bone anchor to the receiver, preventing unwanted movement and enhancing stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bone anchor with a receiver is used in spinal implant systems, then the bone anchor can be engaged to vertebrae and connected to rods for stabilization, but the bone anchor and receiver become loose and move in unwanted directions relative to each other, compromising force transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the bone anchor and receiver into a single integrated component, eliminating the interface between them. The receiver is formed as an integral part of the bone anchor structure, with the distal portion defining a receptacle that opens into a passage through the bottom surface, creating a unified structure that prevents relative movement while maintaining force transfer capability
Solution Approach 2:
The bone anchor is segmented into functional portions: a distal bone engaging portion for vertebral engagement, a proximal head portion for receiver connection, and an intermediate transition portion. The receiver is further segmented with a distal portion defining a receptacle and a proximal portion with a bottom surface, allowing precise control of the interface geometry to eliminate unwanted movement
2Reliability
If the bone anchor interface with the receiver is made fixed to prevent movement, then force transfer to vertebrae is improved, but the complexity of the implant assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the bone anchor and receiver into a single integrated component, the patent eliminates the need for separate connection mechanisms, fasteners, or interface elements. The unified structure achieves effective force transfer without adding the complexity of multiple parts and assembly steps
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated bone anchor-receiver structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it engages with vertebrae via the distal bone engaging portion, provides a receptacle for rod insertion, and maintains rigid force transfer pathways. This multi-functionality is achieved within a single component design, reducing overall device complexity
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 rigid interface between the bone anchor and receiver effectively transfers forces, maintaining structural integrity and reducing stress on spinal elements, thereby stabilizing the spine and facilitating effective treatment of spinal disorders.
Implementation Method 1
the fusing could be induced by laser welding
Implementation Method 2
the fusing could be induced by TIG welding
Implementation Method 3
the fusing could be induced by MIG welding
Data Source
AI summary
An implant assembly and a method of assembling the same are provided, the implant assembly including a receiver extending along a central longitudinal axis between a proximal end and an opposite distal end, the receiver including a distal portion defining a receptacle opening at the distal end and a pair of arms extending from the distal portion along the central longitudinal axis on opposite sides of a passage with the passage opening at opposite sides of the receiver, a bone anchor including a distal bone engaging portion and a head at a proximal end of the distal bone engaging portion, the head being positioned in the receptacle with the bone engaging portion in a selected orientation relative to the central longitudinal axis of the receiver and a connector member configured to form a rigid interface between the receiver and the head of the bone anchor thereby providing torque transfer throughout the implant assembly.