Self-Distracting Spinal Construct with Biasing Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical treatments for spinal disorders, such as scoliosis and kyphosis, often require frequent surgeries to adjust spinal constructs, which can be invasive and costly, and may not adequately accommodate natural spinal growth or prevent progression of curvature.
Innovation Solution
A spinal construct system featuring self-distracting rods with biasing members and locking mechanisms that allow for controlled expansion and growth, maintaining constant pressure on the spine without the need for repeated surgeries, using materials like titanium alloys and ceramics for durability and biocompatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional spinal constructs are used for correction, then initial stabilization is achieved, but frequent surgeries are required to adjust for growth and prevent curvature progression
Solution Approach 1:
The spinal construct incorporates biasing members (springs) that provide dynamic, self-adjusting distraction forces to accommodate spinal growth. The construct transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic system that automatically adapts to growth changes, eliminating the need for repeated surgical adjustments while maintaining stabilization effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing members are configured to automatically generate and apply distraction forces as the spine grows. The system serves itself by using the growth force to compress the springs, which in turn maintain constant distraction pressure on the spinal segments, preventing curvature progression without requiring external surgical intervention.
2Reliability
If traditional spinal constructs are used, then initial correction is achieved, but the constructs do not adequately accommodate natural spinal growth
Solution Approach 1:
The construct uses spring-based biasing members that dynamically adjust to spinal growth. As the spine grows, the springs compress and maintain constant distraction force, allowing the construct to adapt to changing spinal dimensions while preserving the corrective alignment achieved during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state of the biasing members from an extended to a compressed state as the spine grows. This parameter change in the spring compression directly translates to maintained distraction force, enabling the construct to accommodate growth while preserving correction effectiveness.
3Reliability
If traditional spinal constructs are used, then stabilization is achieved, but repeated surgeries increase invasiveness and cost
Solution Approach 1:
By incorporating dynamic biasing members that automatically adjust to growth, the construct eliminates the need for repeated surgical interventions. The single initial surgery installs the self-adjusting system, which then maintains stabilization throughout growth without requiring additional invasive procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing members perform the function of repeated surgical adjustments automatically through their elastic properties. As the spine grows and compresses the springs, the system self-regulates to maintain distraction forces, replacing multiple surgical interventions with a single self-adjusting mechanism.
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 distracts the spine to prevent curvature progression, allows for natural growth, and reduces the frequency of surgical interventions, providing a stable and adjustable solution for spinal correction that accommodates spinal development without repeated surgeries.
Implementation Method 1
a first biasing member engageable with a longitudinal element for translation thereof relative to the body in a first direction
Implementation Method 2
The lock is connected with the longitudinal element to resist and/or prevent translation of the longitudinal element relative to the body in a second direction
Data Source
AI summary
A method for treating a spinal disorder includes the steps of: disposing an expandable spinal construct in a selected configuration; fixing the spinal construct in the selected configuration with a member; attaching a first end of the spinal construct with tissue; attaching a second end of the spinal construct with tissue; and disengaging the member from the spinal construct to release the spinal construct from the selected configuration. Implants, surgical instruments, systems and methods are disclosed.