Spinal Fusion Plate Guide Assembly for Precise Screw Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal fusion techniques, particularly posterior lumbar spinal fusion with pedicle screws, are cumbersome, risky, time-consuming, and costly due to the large number of parts and pieces involved, and do not adequately address spinal destabilization issues such as spondylolisthesis.
Innovation Solution
The use of an insertion guide assembly with a plate and fixation elements, including a body with guide trajectories and a plate holder, to secure a plate to the anatomical structure, allowing for precise placement of fixation elements like screws to maintain spinal alignment and fusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional pedicle screw fusion techniques are used, then spinal stabilization can be achieved, but the number of parts and pieces increases, leading to increased surgical complexity, risk, time, and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (plate, screws, rods, and their respective placement tools) into an integrated insertion guide assembly that pre-positions and guides all fixation elements simultaneously. The guide assembly incorporates multiple guide bores, a plate holder, and alignment features in a single unified structure, reducing the number of separate parts while maintaining reliable spinal stabilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The insertion guide assembly serves multiple functions: it holds the plate in correct position, guides multiple screws simultaneously, provides alignment references, and integrates with the rod placement system. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate tools for each function, reducing overall system complexity while ensuring reliable fixation.
2Reliability
If traditional pedicle screw fusion techniques are used, then spinal stabilization can be achieved, but surgical time increases due to the large number of parts and pieces involved
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion guide assembly is pre-assembled with the plate and includes pre-configured guide bores and alignment features before surgery. This preliminary preparation allows the surgeon to quickly position and insert multiple fixation elements simultaneously without time-consuming adjustments or multiple tool changes during the procedure, thereby reducing surgical time while maintaining stabilization reliability.
3Reliability
If traditional pedicle screw fusion techniques are used, then spinal stabilization can be achieved, but the risk increases due to the large number of parts and pieces involved
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion guide assembly acts as an intermediary tool that ensures precise and accurate placement of all fixation elements. By providing pre-configured guide bores and alignment features, it eliminates the risk of malpositioning that can occur with multiple separate tools, thereby reducing surgical complications while maintaining effective spinal stabilization.
4Reliability
If traditional pedicle screw fusion techniques are used, then spinal stabilization can be achieved, but cost increases due to the large number of parts and pieces involved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate fixation components and their placement tools into a single integrated insertion guide assembly. This consolidation reduces the total number of parts required, decreases inventory needs, and lowers overall surgical cost while maintaining the same level of spinal stabilization reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Implant systems in some embodiments such as midline incision implant systems (2000, 4000, 5000) may generally include an insertion guide assembly (2003, 4003, 5003) and a plate 2300, which define fixation trajectories (T1, T2). In other embodiments such as a percutaneous implant system (10) may generally include a first a plate (300), an insertion guide (100), and a separate second insertion guide (200), which define fixation trajectories. Surgical methods include use of the implant systems with the plates, and use of plates alone, for installing bone fusion systems.