Spinal Cage Plate-and-Rod Locking for Bone Screw Backout
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal cages may experience bone screw backout, leading to destabilization and additional complications for patients, especially when fusion has not yet occurred.
Innovation Solution
A spinal cage system with a cage, external plate, and rod, featuring locking screw assemblies and mechanisms to secure the cage to vertebral bodies, preventing screw backout and ensuring proper alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bone screws are used to attach spinal cages to vertebrae, then the cage can be secured to maintain spacing between vertebrae, but the screws may back out causing destabilization and additional complications
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is divided into separate components: a cage body, multiple bone screws, and locking members. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and enables the locking mechanism to prevent screw backout while maintaining cage stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member is designed to prevent screw backout before it can cause cage destabilization. The locking mechanism engages with the bone screw and cage body to counteract any backward movement of the screw, thereby preventing the harmful effect of screw backout.
2Strength
If multiple bone screws are used to secure the spinal cage, then attachment strength increases, but the complexity of assembly and potential for complications increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional elements are merged into a single locking member assembly that works with multiple bone screws. The locking member integrates the functions of securing and locking, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining strong attachment through multiple screws.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member is designed to be activated during the surgical procedure to automatically secure the bone screws in place. This self-activating mechanism reduces the need for complex manual assembly steps and minimizes the risk of complications during surgery.
3Reliability
If bone screws are inserted through the spinal cage, then the cage can be anchored to vertebral bodies, but the screws may interact with surrounding tissue causing further complications
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member acts as an intermediary between the bone screw and the surrounding tissue. It secures the screw in place while preventing direct interaction between the screw and surrounding tissue, thereby reducing the risk of complications from tissue damage or inflammation.
Data Source
AI summary
Spinal cage devices, systems, and methods of assembly and implanting the devices and systems are disclosed. The cage system includes a cage and at least one locking screw assembly configured to couple to the cage. The spinal cage system includes a cage with a body portion, an external plate, and a rod. The body portion includes at least one opening positioned between the first and second ends, a center opening in the first end, and at least one hole adjacent the center opening. The external plate includes an opening and at least two holes on opposite sides of the opening. The rod extends through the center opening in the cage, the first end configured to couple to the external plate, and the second end positioned in the at least one opening. Methods for assembling a spinal cage system and for implanting a cage system are also disclosed.