Spinal Column En Bloc Derotation With Locking Linkage Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Surgical derotation and stabilization of spinal curvatures, such as scoliosis and kyphosis, are cumbersome and require additional assistance to maintain the derotated position during surgical procedures, leading to increased complexity and risk of inadvertent rotation/derotation and implant damage.

Innovation Solution

A system and method involving clamps and linkages are used to couple and lock vertebrae, allowing en bloc derotation and stabilization, enabling the surgeon to perform additional correction maneuvers without additional user assistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional manual derotation methods are used, then the surgeon can perform derotation maneuvers, but additional assistance is required to maintain the derotated position during surgical procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvederotation maneuver performanceVSAvoidassistance requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The derotation system is designed to maintain the derotated position autonomously without requiring additional assistants. The linkage assembly with locking mechanism allows the system to self-maintain the corrected spinal alignment during surgical procedures, eliminating the need for continuous manual support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

A linkage assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the clamps attached to vertebrae. This linkage includes a locking mechanism that mediates the maintenance of derotation by providing a mechanical connection that holds the clamps in their relative positions without requiring human assistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple clamps are rotated to derotate multiple vertebrae, then en bloc derotation is achieved, but the risk of inadvertent rotation/derotation and implant damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvederotation alignment precisionVSAvoidposition stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The linkage assembly serves as a mechanical intermediary that connects multiple clamps and maintains their relative positions. The locking mechanism within the linkage prevents inadvertent rotation or derotation by providing a secure mechanical constraint that holds the clamps in their derotated positions throughout the surgical procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows the surgeon to achieve the desired derotation alignment first, and then the linkage locking mechanism secures this position before proceeding with additional correction maneuvers. This preliminary establishment and securing of the derotated position prevents subsequent inadvertent changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If additional assistants are used to maintain derotated position, then position stability is improved, but surgical procedure complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition maintenanceVSAvoidsurgical procedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The linkage assembly with locking mechanism provides autonomous position maintenance without requiring additional surgical assistants. The mechanical locking system continuously holds the derotated position throughout the procedure, eliminating the need for human operators to maintain the position and thereby reducing surgical time and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If clamps are locked in fixed position, then derotation stability is maintained, but the ability to perform additional correction maneuvers is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvederotation position stabilityVSAvoidcorrection maneuver flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The linkage assembly provides a dynamic locking system that can be unlocked to allow movement and locked to maintain position. This dynamic capability enables the surgeon to perform additional correction maneuvers by unlocking the linkage, making adjustments, and then re-locking to maintain the new derotated position throughout the remainder of the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12408954B2Systems and methods for en bloc derotation of a spinal column

Publication Date: 2025.09.09 MEDOS INT SARL

AI summary

Systems and methods for en bloc derotating a spinal column are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the method can include manipulating first and second frames coupled respectively to a first set of vertebrae and a second set of vertebrae to derotate the first and second sets of vertebrae relative to one another, and subsequently locking a linkage assembly coupled respectively to the first and second frames to maintain the first and second sets of vertebrae in a derotated position.