Spinal Stabilization Rod with Rollers for Growth Accommodation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal stabilization systems face challenges such as undesired effects from spinal growth, constrained geometric and dimensional features, and limited ability to maintain segmental motion and corrective forces, particularly in growing patients and during spinal movements like flexion and extension.
Innovation Solution
A spinal stabilization system comprising a rod with attachment mechanisms that include rollers allowing linear and transverse movement, enabling secure fixation while accommodating growth and maintaining segmental motion, using biocompatible materials like metals and polymers for the rod, anchors, and coupling members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid stabilization systems are used to secure spinal motion segments, then stability and fixation are improved, but adaptability to spinal growth and motion is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates rollers within the attachment mechanisms that enable dynamic adjustment between the rod and vertebrae. These rollers allow the system to adapt to spinal growth and motion while maintaining stability, resolving the contradiction between rigid fixation and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanisms include features that change geometric and dimensional parameters to accommodate spinal growth. The rollers and associated structures allow for variable positioning and movement, enabling the system to adapt to changing spinal dimensions while maintaining stabilizing function.
2Manufacturing precision
If geometric and dimensional features are constrained to ensure precise fit, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation and placement during surgery is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilization system is divided into modular components including attachment mechanisms with rollers, rods, and vertebrae engaging members. This segmentation allows each component to be independently manufactured with high precision while maintaining overall ease of assembly and placement during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The rollers serve as intermediary elements between the rod and the vertebrae, facilitating easy placement and adjustment during surgery while maintaining precise geometric relationships. These intermediaries simplify the surgical process without compromising manufacturing precision.
3Force
If attachment mechanisms are designed to maintain corrective forces, then stability of spinal motion segment is improved, but ability to allow segmental motion is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The roller-based attachment mechanisms provide dynamic functionality that allows the system to maintain corrective forces while permitting controlled segmental motion. The rollers enable the rod to move linearly and transversely relative to the vertebrae, accommodating motion while preserving stabilizing forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanisms utilize changes in geometric parameters through the roller system to maintain corrective forces during motion. The design allows for variable positioning and movement parameters while preserving the necessary stabilizing forces on the spinal motion segment.
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
The system effectively stabilizes spinal motion segments, allowing for growth and maintaining desired corrective forces while enabling limited spinal motion, thus improving surgical outcomes and patient anatomy compatibility.
Implementation Method 1
At least one of the attachment mechanisms includes a first roller for allowing the rod to move in a linear direction
Implementation Method 2
The first seat includes a first roller for allowing the rod to move in a transverse direction relative to the first vertebrae engaging member
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, methods and systems for stabilizing at least a portion of the spinal column are provided. Devices include seats and coupling members for engaging an elongate member. Systems include an elongate member sized to span a distance between at least two vertebral bodies and being at least partially formed of a flexible material. One or more seats can include rollers to allow relative movement of the rod and the seat.