Spinal Implant Retention Surface for Secure Instrument Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal implant technologies face challenges in providing stable and efficient attachment to vertebral members during surgical procedures for musculoskeletal disorders, often resulting in incomplete stabilization and potential disengagement of instruments during torque application.
Innovation Solution
A spinal implant system featuring a surgical instrument with a drive surface and a retention surface, where the retention surface is tapered and engageable to define a retention interface, allowing for rotational engagement independent of the drive geometry, facilitating secure attachment and preventing unexpected disengagement of the surgical instrument from the bone screw.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional spinal implants with drive surfaces are used, then the implant can be attached to vertebral members, but the surgical instrument may disengage unexpectedly during torque application
Solution Approach 1:
The interface between the surgical instrument and spinal implant is segmented into two distinct functional surfaces: a drive surface for torque transmission and a retention surface for instrumental engagement. This segmentation allows each surface to be optimized for its specific function, preventing disengagement during torque application while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention surface acts as an intermediary mechanism between the surgical instrument and the implant's drive surface. By introducing this intermediate engagement surface with tapered geometry, the system ensures secure instrument retention during torque application without directly compromising the drive interface.
2Reliability
If the retention surface is tapered to prevent disengagement, then instrument stability improves, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered retention surface is implemented only at the specific location where instrument engagement occurs, rather than modifying the entire implant structure. This localized application of tapered geometry provides the necessary retention stability while minimizing overall structural complexity and maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A spinal implant includes a distal portion configured for penetrating tissue. A proximal portion includes a drive surface, a guide surface and a retention surface. The surfaces being disposed in a serial configuration. The retention surface is engageable with a surface of a surgical instrument to define a retention interface. Instruments, systems, constructs and methods are disclosed.