Spinal Implant Nested Sleeve Extender Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal implant systems for treating musculoskeletal disorders, such as scoliosis and degenerative disc disease, face challenges in providing stable and effective fixation of vertebral rods, often leading to inadequate stress redistribution and alignment restoration during surgical treatments.
Innovation Solution
A spinal implant system comprising a bone fastener with a proximal portion and a distal tissue-penetrating portion, along with a sleeve and extender, featuring angled surfaces and transverse grooves/protrusions for secure axial translation and locking mechanisms, allowing for precise engagement and retention of vertebral constructs, facilitating stable fixation and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional spinal implant systems are used for vertebral rod fixation, then the surgical procedure can be performed, but the fixation stability and stress redistribution are inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The extender is inserted through the sleeve to engage the bone fastener, creating a nested configuration where the extender (outer component) passes through the sleeve (inner component) to secure the bone fastener. This nested arrangement provides stable fixation while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant system is divided into distinct functional components: bone fastener (for vertebral engagement), sleeve (for positioning and guidance), and extender (for securing and tensioning). This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, improving fixation stability without requiring excessive complexity in any single component.
2Manufacturing precision
If simple locking mechanisms are used, then device complexity is reduced, but alignment precision and engagement security are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve features localized angled surfaces at its distal end that precisely engage corresponding surfaces on the bone fastener. This localized geometric feature provides precise alignment control without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms, achieving high manufacturing precision through clever local geometry rather than overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If multiple engagement features are added to improve fixation security, then reliability increases, but device complexity and difficulty of assembly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The extender is pre-configured with engagement features that automatically engage with the bone fastener and sleeve during the insertion process. The sequential engagement of features (extender through sleeve, then with bone fastener) occurs automatically as the components are assembled, providing secure engagement without requiring complex manual adjustment or multiple assembly steps.
Data Source
AI summary
A spinal implant system includes a first member including at least one wall, which includes a first axial end surface, a second axial end surface and an outer surface including a locking cavity. A second member includes a first extension defining an inner surface and a second extension defining an inner surface, the inner surfaces defining a first cavity therebetween. At least one of the inner surfaces includes a first angled portion and a second angled portion. A third member is disposed in the first cavity, and includes a first arm and a second arm, at least one of the arms includes a protrusion. The third member is configured for axial translation relative between a first orientation and a second orientation. Methods of use are disclosed.