Modular Spinal Implant Assembly for Angled Fixation Trajectories
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal constructs and bone fasteners lack flexibility and versatility in accommodating various spinal fixation trajectories and angles, leading to inefficiencies in surgical treatments for spinal disorders.
Innovation Solution
A modular spinal implant system featuring a biased angle spinal implant with a closed receiver and top loading capabilities, allowing for a rotational range of motion from -11 degrees to +41 degrees, and interchangeable components for customizable fixation, including a bone fastener with a biased configuration and multi-axial screw design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional spinal constructs and bone fasteners are used, then surgical treatment can be performed, but the system lacks flexibility and versatility in accommodating various spinal fixation trajectories and angles
Solution Approach 1:
The bone fastener is divided into distinct modular components: a receiver portion with a defined axis, a shaft portion with its own axis, and a head portion. These segments can be independently selected and assembled to achieve specific fixation trajectories and angles, providing versatility without requiring a completely different implant for each scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The bone fastener incorporates dynamic angular relationships between its components. The shaft portion is angled relative to the receiver axis (e.g., 15 degrees), and the head portion can be positioned at various angles relative to the shaft axis, allowing the implant to adapt to different spinal anatomies and fixation requirements while maintaining structural integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specialized spinal implants are used to cover various fixation scenarios, then all surgical options are available, but inventory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bone fastener design serves multiple functions within a single implant structure. It can accommodate different fixation trajectories, angles, and vertebral configurations through its modular components and angular relationships, allowing a limited inventory of this universal implant to replace the need for multiple specialized implants.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows for parameter changes in the angular relationships between components. By varying the orientation of the shaft relative to the receiver and the head relative to the shaft, the same basic implant can be configured for different surgical scenarios, reducing the need to stock multiple implants with fixed geometries.
3Productivity
If conventional bone fasteners are used, then fixation can be achieved, but surgical complexity and time are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The bone fastener is designed with pre-established angular relationships between its components during manufacturing. The shaft is pre-angled relative to the receiver axis, and the head is pre-configured to receive the spinal rod at the appropriate angle, eliminating the need for complex intraoperative adjustments and reducing surgical time.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver portion acts as an intermediary that simplifies the connection between the spinal rod and the vertebral bone. It provides a standardized interface with a defined axis that receives the rod, while the shaft and head portions handle the angular transformations needed to match different spinal trajectories, reducing the complexity of the overall fixation procedure.
Data Source
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AI summary
A spinal construct includes a first member. The first member includes a proximal portion defining a first cavity and a distal portion defining a second cavity disposed at an angle relative to the first cavity. The distal portion is configured for connecting with a second member. The second member is configured for fixation with vertebral tissue. A crown defines a first opening aligned with the first cavity and a second opening aligned with the second cavity. Implants, systems, instruments and methods are disclosed.