Spinal Cross Connector with Adjustable Sliding and Rotating Clamps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal cross connectors are difficult to install and secure onto spinal fixation rods, especially when the rods are not parallel or in the same plane, due to complex clamp assemblies that increase surgical complexity and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A spinal cross connector design featuring adjustable male and female members that are slidable, rotatable, and pivotable relative to each other, with a fastening element to lock the male member in place, allowing for easy alignment and secure attachment to spinal fixation rods regardless of their orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional clamp assemblies are used to secure cross connectors to spinal rods, then the cross connector can be fixed to the rods, but the surgical application becomes tedious and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cross connector is divided into separate functional modules: rod receiving portions with independent clamp assemblies, a central body, and fastening mechanisms. Each clamp assembly can be independently adjusted and secured to rods, allowing complex fixation functionality while maintaining modular simplicity for surgical application
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp assemblies incorporate movable and adjustable components that allow dynamic positioning and adaptation to non-parallel rods. The clamps can be adjusted to different orientations and positions before being secured in place, enabling the cross connector to accommodate diverging or converging rods while simplifying the surgical process
2Reliability
If traditional clamp assemblies with multiple parts are used, then the cross connector can be securely fastened, but the manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fastening functions are merged into integrated fastening mechanisms within the cross connector body. The fastening elements combine locking, securing, and positioning functions in single components, reducing the total number of parts while maintaining secure fastening capability and lowering manufacturing costs
3Reliability
If the cross connector is applied as the last step in surgery, then all spinal fixation elements are in place, but the ease of application becomes critical and difficult with non-parallel rods
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assemblies are designed with dynamic adjustment capabilities that allow surgeons to easily position and orient the cross connector to accommodate non-parallel rods. The adjustable clamps can be positioned at various angles and distances from the center, enabling simple application even when rods are diverging or converging
Solution Approach 2:
The cross connector allows adjustment of key parameters including the distance between rod receiving portions, the angle of the clamps relative to the center, and the orientation of each clamp independently. These parameter adjustments enable the connector to adapt to various rod configurations while maintaining ease of application as the final surgical step
4Adaptability or versatility
If the cross connector is designed to accommodate non-parallel rods, then it can be used in more surgical scenarios, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rod receiving portions are segmented into independent, identical modules that can each be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows the connector to accommodate non-parallel rods through simple modular adjustment rather than complex integrated mechanisms, maintaining structural simplicity while achieving high adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp assemblies are designed as universal components that can accommodate rods in various orientations and positions. The same basic clamp structure serves multiple functions: securing the rod, allowing angular adjustment, and positioning at variable distances from the center, thereby achieving versatility without increasing overall device complexity
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C~1E
AI summary
Various methods and devices are provided for connecting spinal fixation elements, such as spinal rods, implanted in a patient's spinal column. In particular, various spinal cross connectors are provided for connecting to one or more spinal fixation elements implanted in a patient's spine. The cross connectors can have a variety of configurations, including a fixed or adjustable length, as well as various features that allow certain portions of the cross connectors to be angularly oriented.