Spinal Stabilization Device Collet Locking Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal stabilization systems require significant instrumentation during surgery, posing risks to patient health and complicating the surgical process, while also not providing adequate long-term support and a low profile post-implantation.
Innovation Solution
A spinal stabilization device comprising a rod receiving member, a collet, a plug, and a bone screw, which transitions between locked and unlocked configurations to securely fix a spinal rod, allowing for easy implantation and minimizing tissue irritation, featuring a low profile design and smooth edges to reduce post-operative pain and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional spinal stabilization systems are used, then spinal support is provided, but significant instrumentation is required during surgery which poses risks to patient health and complicates the surgical process
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilization system is divided into separate functional components: a rod receiving member with a collet mechanism, a separate plug for locking, and bone screws. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while reducing the overall complexity of the instrumentation required during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function is extracted as a separate plug component that can be inserted into the rod receiving member to secure the rod. This separation allows the rod to be positioned and adjusted before final locking, simplifying the surgical procedure and reducing the need for complex integrated instrumentation.
2Reliability
If traditional spinal stabilization systems are used, then spinal support is provided, but the profile is not low following implantation which causes tissue irritation and post-operative pain
Solution Approach 1:
The rod receiving member and collet are designed with smooth curved surfaces and rounded edges that conform to the natural contours of the spinal rod and surrounding tissues. This curved design eliminates sharp edges that could irritate tissues, reducing post-operative pain while maintaining structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The collet mechanism uses a thin-walled cylindrical structure that can flex slightly to accommodate the rod while maintaining a low profile. This thin-film approach reduces the overall height of the implanted device, minimizing tissue irritation and allowing for easier surgical site closure.
3Strength
If the collet transitions between diameters to secure the rod, then the rod is firmly fixed, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The collet is designed to automatically transition between its first and second diameters in response to the insertion and removal of the plug. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex external actuation systems, achieving strong rod fixation through a relatively simple internal mechanism that operates autonomously based on plug presence.
Data Source
AI summary
A spinal stabilization device includes a rod receiving member, a collet, a plug, and a first bone screw. The rod receiving member defines a first throughhole, a collet recess aligned with the first throughhole, and a rod receiving slot offset from the first throughhole. The collet is insertable into the collet recess and defines an aperture, a plug recess aligned with the aperture, and a wall portion defining a rod securing slot configured to fix the spinal rod therein. The collet is transitionable between a first diameter, where the rod securement region defines a first diameter, and a second diameter, where the rod securement region defines a second diameter. The plug is insertable within the plug recess, and transitions the collet between the first and second diameters. The first bone screw includes a head portion and a threaded portion, and is insertable through the rod receiving member and the collet.