Spinal Extension Clamp for Revision Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal implants require removal and replacement due to adjacent segment disease and other conditions, leading to increased surgical time, cost, and patient complications.
Innovation Solution
A spinal implant system featuring a yoke with integrated rod engaging portions and a channel for a bone anchor, allowing for connection to an elongated rod without the need for removal of the original implant, thereby enhancing stability and fusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the original spinal implant is removed and replaced due to adjacent segment disease, then the spine can be re-supported, but surgical time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spinal implant is divided into separate modular components: an elongated rod and multiple bone anchors. This segmentation allows selective replacement of only the bone anchors while retaining the original elongated rod, enabling spinal support without complete implant removal and reducing surgical time.
Solution Approach 2:
The bone anchors are designed to be removable and replaceable while the elongated rod is retained. This allows the surgeon to discard the worn bone anchors and recover/reuse the original elongated rod, maintaining spinal support while reducing the need for complete implant replacement and associated surgical time.
2Reliability
If the original spinal implant is removed and replaced, then new support can be provided, but surgical cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the implant into an elongated rod and bone anchors, the system enables selective replacement of only the consumable bone anchors while retaining the more expensive elongated rod, thereby reducing overall implant material consumption and surgical cost while maintaining spinal support.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows recovery and reuse of the elongated rod while discarding only the bone anchors. This reduces the quantity of expensive implant materials that need to be replaced, lowering surgical cost while providing continued spinal support.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the entire spinal implant is removed, then revisions can be performed, but patient complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented design allows revision surgery to replace only the bone anchors while retaining the elongated rod, reducing the trauma and complexity of the revision procedure. This lowers patient complications while maintaining the ability to perform necessary spinal revisions.
Solution Approach 2:
By allowing retention of the original elongated rod and replacement of only the bone anchors, the system reduces surgical trauma and patient complications during revision while maintaining adaptability for treating adjacent segment disease and other conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
Spinal implants and methods of extending pre-existing spinal implant constructs. An extension clamp may be connected to an original spinal implant including an elongated rod attached to a portion of the spine without removal of the original spinal implant. The extension clamp may include a yoke and an extension rod extending from the yoke. The yoke may include a first end and a second end, the first end having first and second rod engaging portions and a channel between the first and second rod engaging portions for encompassing a fastener, and the second end being spaced apart from the first end. The first and second rod engaging portions may be configured and dimensioned to secure the extension clamp to the elongated rod.