Segmented Spinal Tethering System for Growth Accommodation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tethering systems for spinal deformities often fail to accommodate the growth of patients, leading to potential damage to the system and the patient, especially in prepubescent children and adolescents with continued growth potential.

Innovation Solution

A tethering system comprising an elongated member with displaceable sections that increase in length, allowing for the attachment of tethers to vertebral members, which apply a corrective force as the patient grows, using movable sections and biasing members to prevent detachment and accommodate spinal growth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed-length tethering system is used, then the system structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate patient growth leading to potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of patient growthVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elongated member is divided into multiple displaceable sections that can move relative to each other, allowing the overall length to increase as the patient grows. This segmentation enables the system to adapt to growth while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tethering system transitions from a fixed-length structure to a dynamic, adjustable-length structure where sections can displace relative to each other. This dynamic capability allows the system to accommodate ongoing patient growth without requiring complete system replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the elongated member length is increased to accommodate growth, then patient growth is accommodated, but the corrective force may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of patient growthVSAvoidcorrective force

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the elongated member into multiple sections, the system can increase overall length while maintaining adequate corrective force through the distributed arrangement of sections and their interaction with adjacent vertebral members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system is pre-configured with displaceable sections that are designed to progressively engage and provide corrective force as the patient grows, ensuring that corrective action is maintained throughout the growth period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple displaceable sections are used, then the system accommodates growth, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of patient growthVSAvoidnumber of sections

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 effectively applies a corrective force to misaligned vertebral members, addressing spinal deformities like scoliosis and kyphosis by accommodating patient growth, thereby preventing further deformity progression and promoting alignment correction.

Implementation Method 1

movable sections and biasing members to prevent detachment and accommodate spinal growth

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS8292930B2Tethering devices and methods to treat a spinal deformity

Publication Date: 2012.10.23 WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC

AI summary

The present application is directed to tethering systems that provide a corrective force to one or more vertebral members. The tethering systems may include an elongated member with first and second sections. The sections are displaceable relative to each other to increase a length of the elongated member. The first section may be attached to a first vertebral member, and a second section may be attached to a second vertebral member. At least one tether may be attached to the elongated member. The tether may include a length to be attached to the first and second sections, and to a third vertebral member that is positioned between and laterally offset from the first and second vertebral members. The length of the elongated member may increase thus causing the tether to apply a corrective force to the third vertebral member.