Segmental Spinal Stabilization Apparatus for Lordosis Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal stabilization devices are overly complex and fail to effectively allow for the necessary motion and positioning adjustments during spinal fusion procedures, particularly in achieving lordosis and correcting deformities like scoliosis, due to their rigid design that restricts rotation and anterolisthesis during compression.
Innovation Solution
A novel spinal stabilization apparatus comprising multiple levels of transverse members secured by anchoring devices, with a single longitudinal member extending between them, allowing for adjustable connections and rotation, enabling easier positional correction and deformity correction by distributing force across multiple anchor points, thereby facilitating lordosis and kyphosis correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid longitudinal members are used to connect vertebrae, then spinal stability is improved, but the ability to allow necessary motion and positioning adjustments is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The longitudinal member is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to be compressed and bent during the surgical procedure. This enables the member to accommodate motion and positioning adjustments while maintaining spinal stability once positioned and secured
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameters of the longitudinal member (shape, length, curvature) can be changed during compression to achieve desired spinal alignment and lordosis correction, allowing adaptation to different surgical needs while maintaining stability
2Reliability
If complex multi-level connectors are used to connect longitudinal members, then spinal stabilization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple longitudinal members are merged into a single continuous member that spans multiple vertebral levels, eliminating the need for complex multi-level connectors while maintaining effective spinal stabilization through direct bone-to-bone compression
Solution Approach 2:
The complex connector components are extracted and removed from the system, replacing them with a simplified direct connection approach where the longitudinal member is secured directly to bone anchors at each level
3Device complexity
If a single longitudinal member is used instead of two parallel members, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to correct deformities may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The single longitudinal member is segmented into multiple sections or levels, with each segment capable of independent positioning and compression, enabling precise deformity correction while maintaining overall system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the single longitudinal member can have different properties (curvature, length, rigidity) tailored to specific surgical needs at different vertebral levels, allowing precise correction of localized deformities
Data Source
AI summary
A stabilizing apparatus for a spine comprising, a plurality of transverse rods, each of the transverse rods attached to a respective vertebra and a single link having an elongated through-hole, the single link enjoining a plurality of the transverse rods, wherein the single link enables longitudinal translation between enjoined transverse rods and substantially prevents lateral translation between enjoined transverse rods.