Spinal Implant Connection Assembly with Cold Weld Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal implant connection assemblies face challenges in securely connecting elongated rods to bone anchors due to variations in angle and position, leading to instability and potential damage during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A connection assembly comprising a housing member with a channel for the spinal implant and an opening for the anchor, featuring clamping elements to secure both components, allowing for adjustable positioning and increased locking strength through a 'cold weld' mechanism, enabling secure attachment despite angular and positional variance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If bone anchors are positioned at various angles from the elongated rod to accommodate anatomical structure and surgical preference, then adaptability to different anatomical configurations is improved, but connection security and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The connection assembly incorporates a dynamic clamping mechanism with clamping elements that can adjust to different angular and positional configurations of bone anchors relative to the elongated rod. The clamping elements are designed to securely engage with the rod while accommodating variable anchor orientations, providing both adaptability and secure connection through adjustable mechanical constraint
Solution Approach 2:
The connection assembly acts as an intermediary component between the elongated rod and bone anchors, featuring a housing member with a channel for the rod and an opening for the anchor. This intermediary structure includes clamping elements that mediate the connection, allowing secure attachment despite angular and positional variance by providing a flexible interface that adapts to different configurations
2Adaptability or versatility
If the anchor is placed a distance away from the spinal implant to accommodate anatomical location, then adaptability to different anatomical positions is improved, but connection stability and locking strength deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping elements provide dynamic adjustment capability that maintains secure engagement between the rod and anchor even when positioned at varying distances. The mechanism allows for adjustable positioning that compensates for distance variations while maintaining adequate locking strength through mechanical constraint
Solution Approach 2:
The connection assembly allows for parameter changes in positioning and orientation through its adjustable clamping mechanism. The housing member and clamping elements are designed to accommodate variations in anchor distance from the implant while maintaining connection integrity through adjustable mechanical parameters
3Reliability
If a secure connection is attempted between the elongated rod and bone anchors with angular and positional variance, then connection security is improved, but device complexity and surgical procedure complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection assembly merges multiple functions into a single integrated component: the housing member contains both the channel for the rod and the opening for the anchor, while clamping elements provide both securing functions. This consolidation achieves secure connection despite angular and positional variance while reducing overall system complexity compared to multiple separate components
Solution Approach 2:
The connection assembly is designed as a universal component that can accommodate various anchor positions and angles through its multi-functional design. The housing member with its channel and opening, combined with adjustable clamping elements, provides a single versatile solution that handles multiple configuration scenarios without requiring specialized components for each case
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a connection assembly that can be used to securely connect a spinal implant to a bone anchor. In particular, the present invention preferably provides a spinal implant connection assembly that is able to securely connect the spinal implant to the anchors even when there is a variance in the angle and position of the anchors with respect to the spinal implant. Furthermore, the present invention provides a connection assembly with structure to increase the locking strength of the connection assembly.