Spinal Stabilizer Wedge Action for Bone Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal fusion technologies lack optimal multi-dimensional stability and are prone to loosening, failing to effectively prevent spinal extension and maintain the position of interbody spacers during bone ingrowth fusion, leading to potential pain and disruption of the fusion process.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a stabilizer with a body having spaced walls and a web, where the stabilizer is moved to change from a pre-assembly to an operative relationship with the spacer and bone portions, using a sharp leading edge to cut through the bone and a tapered nose to wedge the bone portion towards the spacer, ensuring compressive maintenance and locking to prevent movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If screws are used to secure the interbody spacer to adjacent bone portions, then the spacer can be rigidly joined to the bone portions, but the system lacks stability in all dimensions and screws are prone to loosening over time
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer is divided into multiple functional segments: a cutting portion for initial bone engagement, a body portion for structural support, and a locking portion for final securement. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally, preventing loosening that would occur with a single-screw design.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting portion performs preliminary action by cutting into the bone portion before the locking portion engages. This preliminary bone engagement creates initial stability and prepares the bone for the subsequent locking action, ensuring the spacer is secured before final tightening.
2Ease of operation
If existing spinal fusion systems are used, then the procedure can be performed, but they lack optimal multi-dimensional stability and do not effectively prevent spinal extension during patient movement
Solution Approach 1:
The locking portion extends beyond the plane of the spacer-bone junction into a third dimension, providing stability not just in the flexion-extension plane but also in lateral bending and rotational dimensions. This multi-dimensional engagement prevents spinal extension and maintains spacer position during patient movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizer is self-contained with all necessary functions (cutting, stabilizing, locking) integrated into a single component that is directed into the bone in one motion. This eliminates the need for separate screw insertion and tightening steps, maintaining procedural simplicity while achieving superior stability.
3Reliability
If a stabilizer with cutting and locking portions is used, then enhanced multi-dimensional stability is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions (cutting, stabilizing, locking) that would traditionally require separate components are merged into a single stabilizer structure. The cutting portion, body portion, and locking portion are integrated, reducing the number of parts to be handled and implanted while maintaining the complexity benefits for long-term stability.
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 solution provides enhanced stability and secure fixation of interbody spacers in all critical dimensions, preventing loosening and ensuring successful bone ingrowth fusion by maintaining the spacer's position and withstanding stress during patient movement.
Implementation Method 1
the stabilizer is moved to change from a pre-assembly to an operative relationship with the spacer and bone portions, using a sharp leading edge to cut through the bone
Implementation Method 2
a tapered nose to wedge the bone portion towards the spacer, ensuring compressive maintenance
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for stabilizing first and second adjacent bone portions. The method includes the steps of: providing a spacer; providing a stabilizer, with the spacer and stabilizer configured to be movable guidingly, one relative to the other, between a pre-assembly relationship and an operative relationship; and placing the spacer and stabilizer into an operative relationship with the first and second adjacent bone portions. As an incident of the spacer and stabilizer being changed from their pre-assembly relationship into the operative relationship with each other and the first and second bone portions, the spacer, stabilizer and first bone portion cooperate to cause the first bone portion and spacer to be urged towards each other. The method may be carried out by moving the stabilizer and spacer, and all auxiliary parts and handling and assembling instruments, substantially in a single plane along one line or parallel lines.