Spinal Implant Pivoting Head With Adjustable Friction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current spinal implant technologies lack the ability to provide surgeons with adjustable flexibility in securing longitudinal members, limiting their control over pivot points and pivoting motion during spinal surgery.

Innovation Solution

A pivoting head mechanism that includes a wear member and an anchor head, where the wear member and anchor head are inserted into a cavity through an inlet in a body, allowing for deformation to capture and compress the wear member against the anchor head, increasing interference and providing adjustable resistance to motion, enabling flexible attachment of longitudinal members to vertebral bodies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If rigid clamping devices are used to secure longitudinal members to vertebral bodies, then the longitudinal members are firmly secured, but the surgeon loses control over pivot points and pivoting motion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgeon control over pivot points and pivoting motionVSAvoidcomplexity of clamping device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping device transitions from a static locked position to a dynamic adjustable position through a pivot mechanism. The head of the anchor can rotate relative to the body within a controlled range, allowing the surgeon to adjust pivot points and pivoting motion while maintaining secure attachment. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by enabling both firm securing and surgical control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device allows changing of operational parameters (pivot points, pivoting motion range) after implantation. The adjustable head mechanism enables modification of the attachment geometry and orientation, giving the surgeon control over critical parameters without requiring complex multi-component systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional rigid clamping devices are used, then the attachment is stable, but the flexibility and adjustability of the spinal implant system is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility and adjustability of spinal implant systemVSAvoidstability of attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor head can rotate relative to the body, providing dynamic adaptability for different surgical configurations while maintaining reliable attachment through friction engagement and geometric constraints. This resolves the contradiction by enabling both flexibility and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping device is divided into separable components (body, head, wear member) that can move relative to each other. The head segment can rotate independently, providing flexibility, while the connection between segments maintains overall attachment stability through controlled interference and friction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the wear member and anchor head are tightly fitted in the cavity, then the attachment is secure, but the ability to adjust pivot points is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability of pivot pointsVSAvoidstrength of attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The head can rotate within the cavity while maintaining secure engagement through friction and geometric constraints. The wear member provides a controlled interface that allows rotational movement while preserving attachment strength, resolving the contradiction between adjustability and strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The wear member acts as an intermediary between the head and the cavity, enabling rotational adjustment while maintaining secure attachment. It provides a controlled friction interface that allows pivot point adjustment without compromising the strength of the overall attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 allows for adjustable flexibility in securing longitudinal members, enabling surgeons to control pivot points and pivoting motion more effectively, enhancing the precision and effectiveness of spinal implant procedures.

Implementation Method 1

compressing the wear member against the head of the anchor and increasing an amount of interference between the wear member and the head

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS8298270B2Pivoting joints for spinal implants including designed resistance to motion and methods of use

Publication Date: 2012.10.30 WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC

AI summary

Methods of assembling a vertebral anchor to a body shaped to receive a longitudinal member. The methods may include inserting a wear member and a head of an anchor into a cavity through an inlet in a first end of a body. The body may further include a second end with a channel to receive the longitudinal member. The method may include deforming the first end of the body and reducing a width of the inlet measured perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body and capturing the wear member and the head in the cavity. The method may also include compressing the wear member against the head of the anchor and increasing an amount of interference between the wear member and the head.