Dynamic Spinal Plate Clip With Biasing Pin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fixed cervical spinal plates resist the natural subsidence of the spinal column post-surgery, leading to potential stress and discomfort due to their unalterable dimensions, while dynamic plates require mechanisms to accommodate subsidence without compressing during insertion.
Innovation Solution
A clip system comprising a body with a pin that includes a head and shaft, configured to couple with dynamic spinal plates, allowing for adjustable positioning and secure attachment to vertebrae, with a spiked end for engagement and a biasing member to maintain the plate in an extended configuration, enabling the dynamic spinal plate to accommodate subsidence without compressing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If fixed cervical plates are used to provide stable fixation, then spinal stability is improved, but the plate cannot accommodate natural subsidence of the spinal column leading to stress and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic cervical plate design that transitions from a static structure to one with movable components. The plate includes a central body with adjustable segments that can change position relative to each other, allowing the overall plate length to decrease naturally as the spine subsides post-surgery. This dynamic adjustment mechanism eliminates stress accumulation while maintaining spinal stability through controlled adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic cervical plates are designed to accommodate subsidence, then adaptability is improved, but the plate may compress during insertion making insertion difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a preliminary locking mechanism that secures the plate segments in an extended, rigid configuration before insertion. This preliminary action ensures the plate maintains its structural integrity and resists compression during the insertion process. After insertion, the locking mechanism can be released to allow natural subsidence accommodation, thus resolving the contradiction between insertability and adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If the plate is made rigid to maintain span during insertion, then ease of insertion is improved, but the plate cannot accommodate subsidence after surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cervical plate into multiple separable segments connected by articulation points or joints. Each segment can be independently positioned and locked during insertion to maintain rigidity and span. After insertion, these segments can move relative to each other to accommodate subsidence. This segmentation allows the plate to exhibit both rigid and flexible characteristics as needed at different stages.
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 clip system effectively maintains the dynamic spinal plate in an extended configuration, accommodating spinal subsidence and reducing stress on the spine by allowing for adjustable positioning and secure attachment to vertebrae, thereby minimizing discomfort and pain.
Implementation Method 1
The pin may include a biasing member disposed about the first portion that urges the head of the pin away from the backspan of the body
Data Source
AI summary
A clip includes a body and a pin. The body includes a first end, a second end, and a backspan extending between the first and second ends. The backspan defines a through hole. Each of the first and second ends of the body are configured to releasably couple to a rail of a dynamic spinal clip between two adjacent segments of a dynamic spinal clip to maintain a span between two adjacent segments. The pin defines a longitudinal axis and includes a head and a shaft. The shaft extends from the head to a tip. The tip is configured to penetrate bone. The shaft is configured and dimensioned to be slidably received through the through hole of the body. The head is sized to prevent the head from passing through the through hole of the body.