Spinal Fixation Device with Adjustable End Plate Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal fixation devices lack effective anterior column support and stability, leading to potential expulsion and inadequate fusion area, which complicates the treatment of spinal misalignment and constriction-related conditions.
Innovation Solution
A spinal fixation device with an outer housing and end plate assembly that includes adjustable elongate members and rotatable members, allowing for modular interchangeability and adjustable angular orientation, providing enhanced stability and fusion support through a mounting assembly with spring pins and threaded rotatable members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional spinal fixation device is used, then the device structure is simple, but the device lacks effective anterior column support and stability, leading to potential expulsion and inadequate fusion area
Solution Approach 1:
The spinal fixation device is divided into multiple functional segments: an outer housing, an end plate assembly, a mounting assembly with rotatable members, and elongate members. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function (support, stabilization, adjustment) while collectively providing comprehensive anterior column support and preventing expulsion, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The end plate assembly is slidably received within the outer housing, and the mounting assembly with rotatable members is nested within the housing structure. This nesting arrangement maximizes the use of internal space, provides multiple functions (support, adjustment, stabilization) within a compact form factor, and enhances overall device stability without proportionally increasing external dimensions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed angular orientation device is used, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot be adjusted to different angular orientations, reducing adaptability to various spinal conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly incorporates rotatable members that enable dynamic adjustment of the end plate assembly's angular orientation relative to the outer housing. This dynamic capability allows the device to adapt to various spinal alignment requirements and surgical preferences, transforming a static structure into an adjustable system that maintains stability while providing versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable members act as intermediary components between the fixed outer housing and the adjustable end plate assembly. These intermediaries transmit and control the angular adjustment, allowing precise orientation changes while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The rotatable members mediate between the need for fixed stability and angular adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an non-modular device is used, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot be interchanged or customized for different patients or conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed as a modular system with distinct, interchangeable components: the outer housing, end plate assembly, and mounting assembly. This segmentation enables customization by selecting different combinations of components for different patients or spinal conditions, while each individual component maintains a relatively simple structure. The modular design allows surgeons to tailor the fixation device to specific surgical needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized interface between modular components (housing, end plate assembly, mounting assembly) creates a universal system that can accommodate various configurations. The rotatable members and slidable connections provide multi-functionality, allowing the same basic components to serve different purposes depending on their arrangement and orientation, thus reducing the need for entirely different device designs for different applications.
Data Source
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AI summary
A spinal fixation device includes an outer housing and an end plate assembly coupled with the outer housing. The outer housing defines an aperture and a longitudinal axis. At least a portion of the end plate assembly is slidably received within the outer housing. The end plate assembly includes a first end plate configured to engage a vertebral body, wherein the end plate assembly is selectively movable between a first position in which the first end plate is spaced apart from the outer housing and a second position in which the first end plate is adjacent the outer housing. Further, the first end plate is selectively adjustable to an angular orientation of a plurality of angular orientations with respect to the longitudinal axis of the outer housing.