Spinal Coupler Assembly Angular Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spinal stabilization systems often require open surgery with long incisions, leading to prolonged recovery times and inefficient sagittal angular correction of the spine, which can be achieved through either patient positioning or invasive methods.
Innovation Solution
A minimally invasive spinal stabilization system featuring a bone anchor coupler assembly with a coupler body and angular adjustment member, allowing for the adjustment of bone screws relative to spine stabilization rods to correct vertebral alignment without the need for extensive incisions, utilizing a pivot member and collet mechanism for precise angular and translational adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional spinal stabilization systems are used, then spinal fusion can be achieved, but open surgery with long incisions is required leading to prolonged recovery times
Solution Approach 1:
The spinal stabilization system is divided into separate modular components including bone anchors, rods, and coupling devices that can be independently inserted and assembled. The coupling device itself is segmented with a first coupling mechanism for the bone anchor and a second coupling mechanism for the rod, allowing staged insertion through separate incisions rather than requiring all components to be installed through one large incision.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device is designed with nested structures where the bone anchor is received within a first coupling portion, and the rod is received within a second coupling portion. The collet mechanism nests within the coupling device body, and locking mechanisms nest within the overall structure, allowing compact packaging and minimally invasive insertion paths.
2Manufacturing precision
If open surgery is performed for sagittal angular correction, then vertebral alignment can be corrected, but long incisions are required
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities allowing angular correction to be performed after the initial minimally invasive insertion. The bone anchor can be angularly adjusted relative to the rod through the coupling device's adjustment mechanisms, enabling precision alignment corrections without requiring the patient to be repositioned or making larger incisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the bone anchor and the rod, providing the capability for angular adjustment and alignment correction. This intermediary structure allows precise control of vertebral alignment while maintaining minimally invasive access paths, as the adjustment functions are mediated through the coupling device rather than requiring direct manipulation through large incisions.
3Ease of operation
If patient positioning is used for sagittal angular correction, then alignment correction can be achieved, but the method is limited in effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic angular adjustment capabilities through the coupling device that allow correction to be performed independently of patient positioning. The bone anchor can be adjusted to multiple angular positions relative to the rod through the coupling device's adjustment mechanisms, providing reliable and effective alignment correction that is not constrained by the limitations of positioning-based methods.
Data Source
AI summary
A bone anchor coupler assembly is configured to couple a bone anchor to a spine stabilization member, and includes a coupler body and an angular adjustment member movably coupled to the coupler body.