Spinal Fixation Locking Mechanism for Angular Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal fixation systems are cumbersome and imprecise, requiring extensive contouring of rods during surgery, which increases procedure time and risk of complications, and often limit adaptability to patient anatomy, leading to postoperative pain and injury.
Innovation Solution
A spinal fixation system featuring adjustable elongated members with complementary surfaces and a locking mechanism that allows angular movement in three planes, facilitating precise alignment and secure fixation without the need for extensive contouring, using a locking mechanism with a body and securing member that adjusts from an unlocked to a locked position to connect the members directly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hand contouring of the rod is performed during surgery, then the rod can be adapted to patient anatomy, but the operating time significantly increases and precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rod is pre-contoured during manufacturing to match the patient's anatomy before surgery. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming intraoperative contouring while maintaining adaptability to patient-specific anatomical variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod's shape parameters are predetermined and manufactured with specific contours that match anatomical requirements. By changing from intraoperative manual shaping to pre-manufactured parametric contours, both time and precision are improved while maintaining adaptability.
2Strength
If multiple fasteners and locking mechanisms are used to couple rods, then the rods can be securely fixed, but the system becomes more complicated and adaptability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fasteners and locking mechanisms are merged into a single integrated locking mechanism that couples the rods. This consolidation maintains secure fixation strength while significantly reducing system complexity and improving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single locking mechanism performs multiple functions: coupling rods, providing secure fixation, and allowing angular adjustment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components, reducing complexity while maintaining strength and adaptability.
3Strength
If a locking mechanism with multiple fasteners is used, then secure coupling is achieved, but the joint becomes bulky and causes additional postoperative injury and pain
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fasteners are merged into a single compact locking mechanism that provides equivalent or superior coupling strength. This consolidation dramatically reduces the bulk of the joint, minimizing soft tissue disruption and reducing postoperative injury and pain.
4Shape
If extensive contouring is performed during surgery, then the rod fits patient anatomy, but the risk of postoperative complications increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rod contouring is performed as a preliminary action during manufacturing using precise computational methods and automated machinery. This eliminates intraoperative manipulation that could compromise rod integrity or introduce contaminants, thereby maintaining anatomical fit while reducing complication risks.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, provided is an apparatus including a first elongated member, the first elongated member including a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of the first elongated member is coupled to a first bone portion during use. The apparatus further includes a second elongated member including a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of the second elongated member is coupled to a second bone portion during use. The proximal end of the second elongated member comprises a surface that is shaped complementary to a surface of the proximal end of the first elongated member. The apparatus still further includes a locking mechanism coupling the proximal end of the first elongated member to the proximal end of the second elongated member. The locking mechanism is adjustable from an unlocked position to a locked position such that, when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked position, the first elongated member is angularly movable relative to the second elongated member, and when the locking mechanism is in the locked position, the complementary shaped surfaces of the first elongated member and the second elongated member are directly connected and the relative angular position of the first elongated member and the second elongated member is substantially fixed.