Spinal Plate Positioning Guide Member for Interbody Cage Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal fusion surgical techniques face challenges in accurately aligning and positioning interbody plates and cages due to obscured surgical landmarks, lack of assurance in trial cage positioning, and uncontrolled alignment relative to pilot holes, leading to potential misalignment and instability during spinal fusion procedures.
Innovation Solution
A spinal plate selection and positioning system that includes a guide member removably attached to an interbody cage, allowing for precise alignment and positioning of an interbody plate over the disc space, with a drill guide to ensure accurate pilot hole drilling and secure fastening, using a holding rod to stabilize the interbody cage and prevent plate rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional spinal fusion techniques are used without a guide member, then the surgical procedure is simpler, but accurate alignment and positioning of interbody plates and cages cannot be ensured due to obscured surgical landmarks
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member serves as an intermediary device that connects the interbody cage to the interbody plate, providing a reference structure for accurate alignment. The guide member includes alignment features that engage with corresponding features on the cage and plate, ensuring precise positioning without requiring direct visualization of obscured surgical landmarks.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member is attached to the interbody cage before implantation, establishing the alignment reference in advance. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the interbody plate is subsequently positioned, it can be accurately aligned with the cage through the guide member's pre-established reference structure.
2Reliability
If a trial cage connected to a drill guide is used, then some alignment assistance is provided, but there is no assurance that the trial cage and actual interbody cage are located in the same position
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member acts as a permanent intermediary that remains attached to the actual interbody cage during the entire procedure. Unlike temporary trial cages, the guide member provides continuous reference, ensuring that the final interbody plate positioning is directly referenced to the actual cage location without requiring assumptions about positional consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member includes engagement features that provide tactile and visual feedback to confirm proper positioning. The alignment features on the guide member engage with corresponding features on the interbody plate, providing immediate feedback that confirms accurate positioning before final securing.
3Ease of operation
If the interbody plate is positioned without a guide member, then the procedure is faster, but the interbody plate may move prior to being secured without the surgeon being aware
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member serves as a stabilizing intermediary between the interbody cage and the interbody plate during the positioning process. The guide member's structure physically prevents the interbody plate from moving or rotating, maintaining stable positioning until the plate is permanently secured to the vertebrae.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member's alignment features are designed to prevent unwanted movement of the interbody plate before securing. The engagement between the guide member's alignment features and the interbody plate's corresponding features creates mechanical constraints that counteract any potential movement or rotation.
4Measurement precision
If drill guides are used to drill pilot holes, then hole positioning is improved, but the drill guide further obscures surgical landmarks
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member combines multiple functions into a single integrated structure: it provides alignment reference for the interbody plate, serves as a mounting structure for the drill guide, and maintains spatial relationships between all components. This merging reduces the number of separate instruments needed and consolidates the complexity into one device.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A spinal plate selection and positioning system is provided for use in a spinal fusion procedure. The system may comprise an elongated guide member that is removably securable to an interbody cage by a holding rod. An interbody plate may be aligned and positioned above the interbody cage installed in a disc space. A drill guide may also be aligned and positioned above the interbody plate. The drill guide may be utilized to drill pilot holes in the vertebrae defining the disc space. Fasteners to secure the interbody plate may also by installed using the drill guide. The use of the guide member ensures that the interbody plate is properly aligned and positioned with respect to the interbody cage.