Spinal Cross Connector for Multi-Rod Stiffness
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal cross connectors face challenges in ease of application, stability, and compatibility with varying rod sizes, particularly in cases where rods are not parallel or of different diameters, leading to increased rod breakage and instability in spinal fusion constructs.
Innovation Solution
A cross connector system with adjustable tulip heads and bar arms that can accommodate multiple spinal fixation elements, allowing for direct attachment and adjustment to accommodate rods of varying sizes and angles, providing increased stiffness in flexion, extension, lateral bending, and torsion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional clamp assemblies with multiple parts are used to attach cross connectors, then the cross connector can be attached to spinal rods, but the surgical application becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate clamp assembly parts into a single integrated cross connector device. The cross connector is designed as one unified component that directly attaches to spinal rods without requiring separate clamps, fasteners, or assembly steps, thereby maintaining secure attachment while dramatically reducing surgical application time
Solution Approach 2:
The cross connector is designed with modular connection features that can independently engage with multiple spinal rods. Each rod connection point functions as an independent attachment zone, allowing the device to be applied to different rod configurations (parallel, divergent, convergent) without requiring complex overall reconfiguration of the device
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional cross connectors are used with non-parallel or divergent rods, then rod connection is attempted, but the fixation becomes difficult and unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The cross connector incorporates adjustable and flexible connection features that can adapt to dynamic rod configurations. The device allows for angular adjustment and positional flexibility at each rod attachment point, enabling stable fixation whether rods are parallel, divergent, convergent, or in different planes, while maintaining secure engagement through adjustable locking mechanisms
3Strength
If larger metal rods are implanted to minimize rod breakage, then rod strength increases, but device complexity and surgical difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cross connector is designed with universal connection features that can accommodate multiple rod diameters and configurations through a single device design. The connection interfaces are engineered to adapt to various rod sizes without requiring different rod specifications, allowing surgeons to use standard rod sizes while achieving the desired structural strength through optimized cross connector geometry and material properties
4Reliability
If cross connectors with multiple parts are used, then attachment to spinal rods is possible, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple previously separate components (clamps, fasteners, connectors) into a single monolithic cross connector device. This consolidation simplifies manufacturing by reducing the number of parts that need to be produced, assembled, and quality-checked, while maintaining or improving attachment reliability through optimized integrated structural design
Solution Approach 2:
The cross connector utilizes advanced material properties and optimized geometric parameters to achieve the required mechanical strength and attachment reliability in a single component. By carefully selecting material composition, density, and structural dimensions, the device achieves reliable fixation without requiring multiple reinforcing parts, thereby simplifying manufacturing
Data Source
AI summary
A system is utilized, which comprises a cross connector for use in spinal fixation, further comprising multiple connection features configured to accommodate for direct attachment to multiple rods. Teachings are directed to a device that not only provides increased construct stiffness in flexion, extension and lateral bending, but also in torsion. The system adds stiffness in standard constructs. Joining multiple adjacent constructs with varying rod sizes for load distribution are also benefits of the system.