Spinal Alignment Cable System Gradual Tensioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical methods for correcting spinal alignment in scoliosis often require multiple vertebral anchors and sudden force application, leading to incomplete correction and risks of bone fracture and nerve damage.
Innovation Solution
A spinal alignment assembly comprising a hollow bone screw, toggle bolt, stabilizing rod, and cable system that allows for gradual lateral alignment by applying reduced corrective forces over a longer period, minimizing vertebral drilling sites and potential neurological damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple vertebral anchors and sudden force application are used, then spinal alignment correction is attempted, but the risk of bone fracture and nerve damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static rigid rod systems to a dynamic cable-tension system that allows gradual adjustment. The cable can be incrementally tensioned over time to gradually correct spinal curvature, reducing sudden force impacts that cause bone fracture and nerve damage while maintaining alignment correction effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the force application parameter from sudden high-magnitude force to gradual low-magnitude force over extended time. This parameter change allows the spine to adapt progressively to correction forces, eliminating the harmful effects of sudden force application while achieving the desired alignment correction.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid rod systems with multiple anchors are used, then spinal stability is improved, but the complexity of the surgical procedure and device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of spinal stabilization from the complex multi-anchor rigid rod system and implements it through a simplified cable-tension mechanism. By removing unnecessary components and focusing on the core tensioning function, the device achieves spinal stability with fewer anchors and less complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable system serves multiple functions: it provides tensioning force for alignment correction, maintains spinal stability, and allows gradual adjustment. This multi-functionality replaces the need for multiple specialized components in traditional rigid rod systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining stability.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional surgical methods with multiple anchors are used, then alignment correction is attempted, but the number of surgical sites and potential neurological damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple anchor points and drilling sites into fewer strategic locations. The cable system distributes tension forces efficiently across the spine using minimal anchor points, reducing the number of vertebral drilling sites while maintaining alignment precision through optimized force distribution.
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
Enables gradual and effective spinal alignment with fewer parts, reducing the risk of complications such as bone fracture and nerve damage by applying forces over weeks to months, thereby achieving significant reduction or elimination of lateral curves.
Implementation Method 1
A cable having a first end and a second end, the first end attached to the proximal end of the toggle bolt and extending through second orifice
Implementation Method 2
a hollow bone screw having internal threads and an open proximal end and an open distal end, a second screw threadably inserted into the hollow bone screw
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~2A
Figure 3~4A
AI summary
The present invention broadly comprises an assembly for performing a gradual lateral spinal alignment of a spine. The assembly includes a toggle bolt that includes a shaft and a toggle wing, a rigid stabilizing rod with an orifice, a cable attached to the toggle bolt and a tube enclosing the cable and extending out of the patient's back. The toggle bolt extends through the stabilizing rod and is positioned against the misaligned spine. The toggle bolt is placed in a bore through the body of a vertebra and deployed, The attached cable is pulled using the stabilizing rod as a brace to pull the spine into alignment. The device allows the spine to be gradually placed into alignment helping to avoid trauma on the spine and surrounding tissue.