Spinal Pivoting Connector With Isolated Retainer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal implant technologies lack the ability to provide a flexible and adjustable connection between longitudinal members and vertebral bodies, limiting a surgeon's control over pivot points and pivoting motion during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A pivoting connector system that includes a body with a cavity and channel, allowing for adjustable resistance to pivoting movement by inserting different components or rotating a threaded element, which isolates the retaining force from the anchor, enabling flexible attachment of longitudinal members to vertebral bodies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid clamping devices are used to secure longitudinal members to vertebral bodies, then stability and rigidity are improved, but flexibility and adjustability of pivoting motion are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device incorporates a pivoting mechanism that transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic adjustable connection. The pivotable anchor allows the longitudinal member to rotate relative to the vertebral body, enabling controlled motion while maintaining secure attachment. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt between stable fixation and flexible pivoting based on surgical needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping device is divided into distinct functional segments: a body portion for attachment to the vertebral body, an anchor portion that pivots, and a clamping mechanism. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component - the body provides stable fixation while the anchor provides flexible pivoting motion, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and flexibility.
2Ease of operation
If multi-axial adjustable clamping devices are used, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device is pre-configured with a pivotable anchor and adjustable cavity during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation allows the surgeon to simply adjust the cavity size intraoperatively without assembling complex mechanisms, reducing operational complexity while maintaining multi-axial adjustability capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The device provides adjustability through parameter changes in the cavity size rather than through complex mechanical reconfiguration. By varying the cavity dimensions to accommodate different anchor sizes, the system achieves multi-axial adjustability with a relatively simple structural design, balancing ease of operation with device complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If the retaining force is applied directly to the anchor, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the pivoting mechanism experiences interference from clamping forces
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping forces are extracted and isolated from the pivoting mechanism. The clamping mechanism applies retaining forces to the body portion separately, while the anchor pivots independently within the cavity. This separation eliminates interference between clamping forces and pivoting motion, allowing precise control of the pivoting mechanism without the complicating factor of direct clamping force application to the anchor.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides a flexible and adjustable connection that allows for controlled pivoting resistance, enhancing surgical precision and flexibility in spinal implant procedures by isolating the clamping forces from the pivoting mechanism, thus accommodating various spinal alignment needs.
Implementation Method 1
The compression element may be elastically deformable, plastically deformable, or detachable from the body when displaced into contact with the anchor head by the longitudinal member
Implementation Method 2
The body may include a deformable sidewall that is moveable between a first state in which the fastener is insertable into the cavity and a second state in which the compression element and the fastener are retained in the cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A pivoting connector couples a vertebral member to a longitudinal member. An anchor is pivotally attached to a body by positioning a head of the anchor within a cavity in the body. A longitudinal rod is inserted into a channel also positioned within the body and axially aligned with the cavity. A retainer applies a force to maintain the longitudinal rod within the channel, however the force may be isolated from the anchor. One embodiment may include a compression member that is separate from or integral with the body. The compression member may transmit a rod securing force to the anchor to secure or limit the pivoting movement of the anchor member relative to the body. The compression member may deflect or detach under the influence of the securing force.