Spinal Clamp Implant System with Pre-Assembled Rod
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal implant systems for treating musculoskeletal disorders, such as scoliosis and degenerative disc disease, face challenges in providing efficient and stable support to vertebral members during surgical correction and fusion procedures, often requiring complex installation processes and materials that may not adequately address the biomechanical needs of the patient.
Innovation Solution
A spinal implant system featuring pre-assembled side-loading constructs with two implant receivers and a rod, connected to bone screws, which allows for rapid and easy installation by securing the rod via a nut and crown mechanism, providing stability and alignment while accommodating patient-specific anatomy through pre-contoured options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional spinal implant systems are used, then spinal stabilization can be achieved, but the installation process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The implant receiver integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides structural support, houses the rod passageway, accommodates the crown and nut mechanism, and connects to bone screws. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall installation process while maintaining spinal stabilization effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod is pre-positioned within the rod passageway during the design and manufacturing phase, allowing for pre-contouring and pre-assembly. This preliminary action enables the rod to be ready for rapid installation without requiring complex intraoperative shaping or positioning, thereby reducing surgical time and complexity.
2Productivity
If traditional spinal implant systems are used, then spinal support can be provided, but the installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rod is pre-positioned within the rod passageway during manufacturing, allowing for pre-contouring and pre-assembly. This preliminary action enables the rod to be ready for rapid installation without requiring complex intraoperative shaping or positioning, thereby reducing surgical time.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant system is divided into modular components (implant receiver, rod, crown, nut, bone screws) that can be independently prepared and then rapidly assembled. This segmentation allows for efficient preparation of individual components and simplifies the assembly process during surgery, improving installation speed.
3Reliability
If complex spinal implant systems are used, then comprehensive spinal support can be achieved, but the ease of installation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The implant receiver integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides structural support, houses the rod passageway, accommodates the crown and nut mechanism, and connects to bone screws. This merging reduces component count and simplifies installation while maintaining reliable spinal stabilization through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The crown and nut mechanism provides self-contained rod securing functionality within the implant receiver. The nut threads onto the crown to directly constrain the rod within the rod passageway, creating a self-sufficient assembly that requires minimal additional components or complex installation procedures while ensuring reliable rod fixation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed implants may include a first implant receiver and a second implant receiver each having an upper portion and a lower portion connected together by an arm portion, for example. In various embodiments, the upper and lower portions may define a longitudinal passageway extending through the upper and lower portions in a longitudinal direction of each implant receiver, and the arm portions may each define a rod passageway extending in a lateral direction, for example. In various embodiments, each receiver may include a crown having an outside thread pattern threadably engaged within the longitudinal passageway and for mating with a corresponding nut having a similar interior thread pattern. In various embodiments, a rod may extend in the lateral direction through the rod passageways. In various embodiments, in a non-tightened position, the rod may freely move and in a tightened position, the arms constrain the rod from moving.