Rotatable Spinal Connector for Side-by-Side Member Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors for elongated members in spinal surgery are ineffective in connecting members in a side-by-side arrangement, particularly when members extend at different angular orientations or have varying shapes, often causing unwanted stress due to non-adjustability.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a fixed first receptacle and a rotatable second receptacle with a perimeter wall, allowing for adjustable positioning and secure attachment of elongated members without applying excessive stress, using a body with opposing lateral sides and an annular section to accommodate different orientations and shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed connector design is used to connect elongated members, then the connector structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate members with different angular orientations or shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The connector incorporates a rotatable receptacle that can be adjusted to different angular orientations relative to the body. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the connector to accommodate elongated members with varying angular orientations without requiring multiple fixed connector designs, thus improving adaptability while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is divided into distinct functional components: a body with a first receptacle and a rotatable second receptacle with perimeter wall. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, enabling the overall structure to accommodate different member shapes and orientations through the rotational adjustment of the second receptacle.
2Reliability
If members are forced into a non-adjustable connector, then the connector provides stable connection, but unwanted stress is applied to the members
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable second receptacle allows the connector to adapt dynamically to the natural orientation of elongated members. By adjusting the receptacle angle before insertion, members can be placed into the connector without forcing or bending, thereby eliminating unwanted stress while maintaining connection stability through proper alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector allows preliminary adjustment of the second receptacle to the appropriate angular orientation before inserting the elongated members. This preliminary positioning ensures that members are inserted in their natural state without requiring subsequent manipulation or stress application, thus preventing damage while achieving stable connection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a rotatable second receptacle with perimeter wall is added to the connector, then adaptability to different member orientations is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second receptacle is designed with rotational capability relative to the body, allowing it to be adjusted to different angular orientations. This single dynamic component provides adaptability for members with various orientations and shapes without requiring multiple separate connector units, thus achieving versatility with controlled complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The second receptacle includes a perimeter wall that fully surrounds the receptacle space, creating an asymmetric structural feature that provides secure containment for elongated members. This asymmetric design with the perimeter wall distinguishes the second receptacle from the first receptacle and enables specialized functionality while maintaining overall connector simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector for connecting together elongated members in a side-by-side arrangement. The connector includes a first receptacle for connecting to the first elongated member, and a second receptacle for connecting to the second elongated member. The angular position of the second receptacle may be adjustable relative to the first receptacle to accommodate the elongated members. Further, the connector may be configured to extend between the elongated members and the patient when the connector is implanted in a patient.