Spinal Stabilization Rod Locking via Aperture Misalignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional spinal fixation devices face issues with securing the fixation device to the spine without damaging the spinal cord and provide limited surface area engagement, leading to slippage and inadequate long-term stability and durability.

Innovation Solution

A stabilization system featuring a tulip structure with pivot elements and locking mechanisms that align apertures to receive a stabilization rod, allowing for secure clamping and engagement with a bone anchor, providing enhanced stability and durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional spinal fixation devices are used to secure the fixation device to the spine, then the fixation device can be attached to the spine, but the limited surface area engagement leads to slippage and inadequate long-term stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelong-term stabilityVSAvoidsurface area engagement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a spherical head on the bone anchor that engages with a corresponding spherical recess in the rod. This curved surface contact provides significantly larger surface area engagement compared to conventional flat or point contacts, preventing slippage and enhancing long-term stability through increased friction and distribution of forces across the curved interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from conventional point or line contact engagement to three-dimensional spherical contact. The spherical head and recess create a multi-dimensional engagement surface that increases contact area in multiple directions, providing superior resistance to slippage and enhancing stability through increased degrees of freedom in force distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If conventional spinal fixation devices are used to secure the fixation device to the spine, then the fixation device can be attached to the spine, but there is a risk of damaging the spinal cord

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoidrisk of spinal cord damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rod acts as an intermediary element that connects the bone anchor to the spinal column without requiring direct attachment near the spinal cord. The spherical engagement mechanism between the anchor head and rod recess provides secure attachment while maintaining safe distances from the spinal cord, eliminating the need for precarious positioning that could endanger neural structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid spinal fixation device is used to support the spinal column, then immediate postoperative stability is provided, but the device is cumbersome and overly complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepostoperative stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixation device is divided into distinct functional segments: the bone anchor with spherical head, the rod with spherical recess, and the locking mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while simplifying the overall assembly process. The modular design enables easy implantation and adjustment without requiring complex integrated structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines the attachment and stabilization functions into a single integrated spherical engagement mechanism. The spherical head and recess simultaneously provide secure attachment to the bone and stable support for the spinal column, eliminating the need for separate complex mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining immediate postoperative stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS7594924B2Spinal stabilization using bone anchor seat and cross coupling with improved locking feature

Publication Date: 2009.09.29 ALTUS PARTNERS LLC

AI summary

A stabilization rod engaging apparatus for implantation in a patient includes: a first pivot element including at least one first aperture, a first engagement element, and a first locking element; a second pivot element including at least one second aperture, a second engagement element, and a second locking element, wherein: the first and second apertures are sized, shaped and disposed in substantial axial alignment such that they are operable to receive the stabilization rod therethrough, and displacement of the first and second locking elements relative to one another urges the first and second apertures to misalign and thereby clamp the stabilization rod.