Spinal Construct Tether Multi-Planar Adjustment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical treatments for spinal disorders, such as scoliosis and degenerative disc disease, often require invasive procedures and may not adequately address the complex alignment and stabilization needs of the spine, leading to suboptimal patient outcomes.

Innovation Solution

A spinal construct system comprising a bone fastener with a tether that allows for multi-planar adjustment and attachment to a spinal rod, enabling flexible positioning and stabilization of the spine through various surgical approaches, including posterior and anterior methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional spinal fixation implants are used, then spinal stabilization is achieved, but the alignment and positioning flexibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment and positioning flexibilityVSAvoidspinal stabilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spinal implant system incorporates adjustable and movable components that allow dynamic positioning and alignment adjustments during surgery. The connector assembly enables multi-planar adjustment of the rod relative to the bone fastener, providing flexibility while maintaining stabilization reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spinal construct is divided into separate modular components including bone fasteners, connectors, and rods that can be independently positioned and assembled. This segmentation allows for flexible alignment adjustments while ensuring reliable stabilization through precise component integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If invasive surgical procedures are used, then spinal stabilization is achieved, but patient trauma and recovery time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespinal stabilizationVSAvoidpatient trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The implant components are designed with localized features that concentrate stabilization forces at specific anatomical points while minimizing disruption to surrounding tissues. The bone fasteners and connectors are configured to engage precise skeletal structures, reducing unnecessary tissue trauma.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If fixed-position spinal implants are used, then surgical procedure simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different anatomical regions is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different anatomical regionsVSAvoidimplant system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spinal implant system employs universal connector and fastener designs that can accommodate multiple anatomical regions and surgical approaches. The multi-planar adjustment capabilities allow the same implant components to be adapted to various spinal curvatures and patient anatomies without requiring completely different implant systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9848919B2Spinal construct and methods of use

Publication Date: 2017.12.26 WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC

AI summary

A spinal construct comprising a first portion. A second portion defines a longitudinal axis and is configured to penetrate tissue. A tether is fastened with the first portion such that a spinal implant connected with the tether is movable to a plurality of orientations relative to the longitudinal axis. Systems and methods are disclosed.