Expandable Spinal Rack Gear Jack for Vertebral Orientation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal jack designs lack the ability to adjust and secure positioning between vertebrae effectively, particularly in a minimally invasive manner, to compensate for future vertebral complications post-implantation.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable spinal jack with a three-dimensional, arcuate ergonomic design featuring displaceable upper and lower body portions, a geared mechanism, and textured gripping surfaces, allowing for expansion and retraction to correct vertebral orientation, using medical-grade materials and a tool bit-driven gear system for precise adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing spinal jack designs are used, then the device can provide basic inter-vertebral support, but the ability to adjust and secure positioning between vertebrae effectively is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The spinal jack incorporates a geared mechanism with drive and driven gears that enable dynamic adjustment of the jack halves relative to each other. The gears engage with linearly teethed ends of stems to displace the upper body between retracted and expanded positions, allowing the device to adapt to different vertebral spacing requirements while maintaining secure positioning through the interlocking gear system.
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows for parameter changes in the spacing and orientation between vertebrae through the geared expansion mechanism. The jack can be adjusted from a retracted state to an expanded state, changing the distance between the jack halves to correct vertebral misalignments. The textured gripping surfaces also provide variable friction to maintain different positioning parameters.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the spinal jack is designed for secure engagement with vertebral processes, then stability is improved, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spinal jack is divided into two separate jack halves (first and second subset body portions) that can be independently positioned and secured to different vertebrae. This segmentation allows each half to be optimized for stable engagement with its respective vertebral process while the overall device maintains adjustability through the geared mechanism connecting the halves.
Solution Approach 2:
The geared mechanism acts as an intermediary between the two jack halves, providing a controlled connection that allows for adjustment while maintaining stability. The drive gear and driven gear system mediates the relationship between the halves, enabling precise positional control without requiring direct rigid connection, thus balancing stability with adjustability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the spinal jack allows for post-implantation re-adjustment, then adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex multi-component adjustment mechanisms with a streamlined geared system. The drive gear and driven gear provide mechanical advantage for easy adjustment while maintaining structural integrity. The tool bit engagement with the drive gear allows for simple post-implantation re-adjustment without requiring complex tools or procedures, substituting a simple mechanical interface for what would otherwise be a complex adjustment system.
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
Enables secure and adjustable inter-vertebral support, allowing for minimally invasive re-adjustment post-implantation to correct vertebral misalignments and alleviate patient discomfort, while providing additional gripping resistance and stability.
Implementation Method 1
The pockets each further include textured surfaces for providing additional gripping of the vertebral processes
Implementation Method 2
The geared mechanism further includes a tool bit engageable drive gear and inter-engaging driven gear, the gears each engaging linearly teethed ends of the stems for displacing the stems and the upper body relative to the main body
Data Source
AI summary
A spinal jack adapted for installation between first and second vertebral processes, including a three dimensional and arcuate ergonomic main body constructed from first and second subset body portions, from which is displaceable an upper body between retracted and expanded positions. Each of the jack halves further includes gripping portions adapted for engaging the vertebral processes. A geared mechanism is provided for expanding or retracting the jack halves in order to establish a corrected adjusted orientation between the processes.