Spinal Implant Coupling Assembly Force Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal implant coupling assemblies are cumbersome due to multiple components and provide limited surface area contact, leading to suboptimal securement and potential stress concentration on implants.
Innovation Solution
A coupling assembly with an anchor member, receiver member, and securing member that distributes forces along the implant, featuring a seat member and securing member with axially extending side channels and fingers to align and secure the implant, maximizing surface contact and reducing stress concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional coupling assemblies with multiple components are used to secure implants, then the implant can be stabilized, but the device complexity increases and manipulation during surgery becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple coupling components into a single integrated coupling device that includes a body with a recess, an implant receiving surface, and a securing mechanism with axially extending fingers. This merging of components simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining the ability to securely stabilize the implant, directly resolving the contradiction between implant stabilization and device complexity.
2Reliability
If traditional coupling assemblies are used to secure implants, then the implant can be fixed, but the surface area contact between implant and coupling assembly is limited, resulting in suboptimal securement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces axially extending fingers with implant engaging surfaces that contact the implant along its length, transitioning from point or line contact to surface contact across multiple dimensions. This dimensional expansion of the contact interface significantly increases the surface area between the coupling assembly and implant, improving securement strength while distributing forces more effectively.
3Device complexity
If limited surface area contact is provided between implant and coupling assembly, then the device structure can be simpler, but stress concentration occurs on the implant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing implant engaging surfaces on the axially extending fingers that create distributed contact points along the implant. This localized surface contact distribution prevents stress concentration at any single point while maintaining overall structural simplicity, as the stress is dispersed across multiple localized contact zones rather than concentrated in one area.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
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AI summary
The forces exerted on a spinal implant (60) by one or more coupling assemblies (10, 110) are controlled to facilitate the use of the implant in spinal stabilization and other procedures. The coupling assemblies are structured to distribute the forces exerted on the implant while engaging the implant to the coupling assembly and providing at least one of a rigid, semi-rigid or variable engagement of the coupling assembly with one or more anatomical structures of the spinal column. The coupling assembly comprises an anchor member (12, 112) , a receiver member (20) receiving the implant, a seat member (30, 130) positioned between the implant and the anchor member and having an implant support surface (34) , and a securing member (40) with an implant engaging surface (54). The implant engaging surface is maintained in aligned relationship with the implant support surface.