Spinal Fixation Enclosure with Fracture Guide Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal fixation devices face challenges in the efficient insertion and manipulation of connecting elements during minimally invasive procedures, which can complicate the implantation process and increase trauma due to the complexity of aligning and securing elongated fixation members.
Innovation Solution
An enclosure device with a rotatable and resilient enclosure member and an elongated guide member, featuring a fracture region, is designed to facilitate the alignment and securement of a pedicle fixation device with a spinal fixation member, allowing for minimally invasive techniques by enabling easy insertion and orientation of the fixation member within a receiver portion and subsequent locking mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional spinal fixation devices are used with complex alignment mechanisms, then the fixation member can be securely locked, but the procedural complexity and trauma increase during minimally invasive insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member acts as an intermediary tool that simplifies the insertion process. It provides a simple alignment path for the fixation member through the receiver portion, eliminating the need for complex alignment mechanisms. The guide member is temporarily attached to the enclosure device, facilitates precise alignment, and then removed, leaving the simple enclosure device structure intact.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into separate functional components: the enclosure device with rotatable enclosure member for securing the fixation member, and a separate guide member for alignment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the enclosure device maintains structural simplicity while the guide member provides the necessary alignment function temporarily.
2Ease of operation
If the enclosure member is made resilient for easy insertion, then minimally invasive techniques are enabled, but the precision of alignment may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member serves as a precision intermediary that compensates for the flexibility of the enclosure member. While the resilient enclosure member provides ease of insertion through soft tissue, the rigid guide member establishes the precise alignment path, ensuring that the fixation member is positioned accurately despite the flexibility of the enclosure device.
3Manufacturing precision
If the guide member is permanently attached to the enclosure device, then alignment is maintained throughout the procedure, but the guide member must be removed adding procedural steps
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is designed as a temporary, disposable component that is attached to the enclosure device only during the alignment and insertion phase. After the fixation member is securely positioned, the guide member is removed and discarded, leaving the permanent fixation structure in place. This eliminates the need for complex permanent attachment mechanisms while maintaining alignment precision during the critical insertion phase.
Data Source
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AI summary
An enclosure device connecting a pedicle fixation device with an elongated spinal fixation member. The enclosure device can include an enclosure member and an elongated guide member affixed to the enclosure member and defining a fracture region for breaking off the guide member from the enclosure member. The enclosure member can have a spherical outer surface rotatably received within a receiver portion of the pedicle fixation device. The enclosure member can include an internal bore capable of slidably receiving the fixation member.