S-Shaped Spinal Fixation Plates Preserving Bone Strength

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Solution Overview

Problem

Spinal fixation procedures often compromise vertebral strength by requiring bone shaving to create a flat surface for device placement, which can lead to pain and potential damage due to reduced bone integrity.

Innovation Solution

A spinal fixation device featuring S-shaped plates that can be joined at various orientations using a bolt with a rounded or beveled base, allowing for customization to fit the patient's existing bone topography without the need for shaving, thereby preserving bone strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If bone shaving is performed to create a flat surface for fixation plate placement, then the fixation device can be securely attached to the vertebrae, but the vertebral strength is compromised and bone loss occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation device attachment securityVSAvoidvertebral strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The fixation plate is designed with a curved surface that conforms to the natural curvature of the spinous process, eliminating the need for bone shaving. The curved plate wraps around the bone surface, providing secure attachment while preserving the intact bone structure and maintaining vertebral strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of operation

If bone shaving is performed to prepare the surface, then the fixation device can be properly positioned, but surgical time is increased and complexity is added

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice positioning accuracyVSAvoidsurgical time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fixation plate is pre-formed with the appropriate curvature and surface characteristics that match the natural bone topography. This preliminary preparation of the device eliminates the need for intraoperative bone shaving and surface preparation, reducing surgical time and complexity while ensuring accurate positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If traditional flat plates are used, then the device structure is simple, but the plate cannot accommodate natural bone topography without shaving

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplate structure simplicityVSAvoidcompatibility with bone topography

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The plate transitions from a simple flat structure to a curved form that adapts to the natural bone surface. The curvature is designed to match the spinous process geometry, enabling the plate to conform to the bone topography without requiring additional surgical intervention or complex adaptive mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS11812923B2Spinal fixation device

Publication Date: 2023.11.14 VILLAVICENCIO ALAN

AI summary

A spinal fixation device includes a pair of substantially s-shaped plates, each plate having an outer surface and a bone contact surface and at least one aperture therethrough. A bolt joins the plates at a desired orientation, through the aperture. The bolt includes a head with a rounded or beveled base for facilitating fixation of the plates with a spinous processes while the plates are tilted or rotated with respect to one another and the spinal column.