Spinal Fixation Bearing Element for Stable Rod Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fixation systems for spinal fractures face issues with unstable fixation due to varying distances and line or point contact between stabilizing and anchoring elements, leading to loosening and corrosion, especially when high fixing forces are applied.
Innovation Solution
A fixation system with a deformation area, such as a material recess, allows the stabilizing element to be fixed via a clamping force, enabling better adaptation to different stabilizing elements with varying materials and geometries, ensuring a uniform distribution of forces and a flat contact area for reliable fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a U-shaped contact element is used to adapt to different bar diameters, then adaptability to different stabilizing elements is improved, but the distance between the bar element and anchoring element varies leading to unstable fixation
Solution Approach 1:
The contact element is designed with a deformation area having different material properties (lower elasticity modulus) than the rest of the structure. This localized softening allows the contact element to adapt to different rod diameters while maintaining a stable, defined distance to the anchoring element, as the deformation is confined to the localized area rather than affecting the entire structure.
2Device complexity
If line or point contact is used between the fixing element and stabilizing element, then device complexity is reduced, but loosening and corrosion occur due to high fixing forces
Solution Approach 1:
The contact element incorporates a deformation area with localized softened material properties that allows controlled deformation under fixing forces. This transforms the contact from line or point contact to a broader contact area, distributing the high fixing forces more evenly and preventing loosening and corrosion while maintaining relatively simple device geometry.
3Adaptability or versatility
If bent rod elements are fixed in the receiving section, then adaptability to different fracture configurations is improved, but unfavorable alignment occurs leading to stress, loosening, breakage, and corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The contact element features a deformation area with localized material softening that allows the element to adapt to bent rod configurations through controlled deformation. This enables the system to accommodate various fracture configurations while maintaining proper alignment and distributing forces evenly, preventing the stress concentrations that lead to loosening, breakage, and corrosion.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides a versatile and reliable fixation by adapting to different stabilizing elements, maintaining consistent distances, preventing loosening and corrosion, and ensuring a stable fit through a more uniform force distribution.
Implementation Method 1
the contact element can be deformed at least at one deformation area as a result of the fixing force
Implementation Method 2
The system element is designed to be elastically deformable at least in at least one deformation area
Implementation Method 3
The system element is designed to be plastically deformable at least in at least one deformation area
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~10
AI summary
The invention relates to a surgical fixation system comprising at least one anchoring element (12) with an anchoring portion (24) for anchoring to a bone (20) and with a receiving portion (26) for a stabilizing element (16) for connection to a further anchoring element (12), wherein the stabilizing element (16) can be arranged in the receiving portion (26) and can be fixed therein by means of a fixing element (44), wherein the fixation system (10) comprises a bearing element (22) which is arranged on the receiving portion (26) and bears on the anchoring portion (24) and on which the stabilizing element (16) bears, wherein the bearing element (22) has at least one deformation region (58) for deforming in a manner dependent on a fixing force applied to the stabilizing element (16) by the fixing element (44).