Spinous Process Implant With Movable Clamping Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal implants for stabilizing spinous processes are difficult to handle due to fixed clamping elements, making it challenging to preposition and position them accurately on the spinous processes without causing significant stress to the patient.
Innovation Solution
The implant features a first contact element that is movable relative to the clamping element, allowing for variable spacing and prepositioning, with a clamping element that can be loaded with a pulling force to secure the second contact element, and includes an articulation device for better adaptation to the spinous processes' geometry, enabling easier handling and positioning with minimal muscle detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the clamping element is fixed to the first contact element, then the implant provides stable fixation, but the implant becomes difficult to handle and position accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping element is designed to be movable relative to the first contact element along its longitudinal axis, transitioning from a fixed state during insertion to a clamped state during fixation. This dynamic design allows the implant to be easily positioned initially, then securely fixed once in place, resolving the contradiction between handling ease and fixation stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant allows for preliminary positioning of the contact elements on the spinous processes before the clamping element is engaged. The first contact element can be positioned and adjusted freely before the clamping action is applied, enabling accurate prepositioning without the constraint of a pre-fixed clamping mechanism.
2Reliability
If the second contact element is clamped firmly to the first contact element, then the spinous processes are stabilized, but the implant cannot be adjusted or repositioned
Solution Approach 1:
The movable clamping element enables the implant to transition between an adjustable state during positioning and a fixed state during stabilization. The first contact element can slide along the clamping element for adjustment, then be securely clamped when the final position is achieved, providing both adaptability and stabilization reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant is divided into separable components - the first contact element, second contact element, and clamping element - that can be independently positioned and adjusted. The first contact element can be positioned relative to the clamping element before final assembly, allowing for adaptive positioning while maintaining eventual stabilization.
3Ease of operation
If the implant structure is made complex to enable easy handling and positioning, then the positioning accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic movable clamping mechanism provides positioning adaptability through a simple longitudinal sliding motion rather than complex articulation devices. The first contact element can move freely along the clamping element's longitudinal axis, enabling easy adjustment without requiring complex hinges, joints, or multiple degrees of freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping element serves multiple functions: it acts as a guide for positioning the first contact element, provides the clamping force for fixation, and enables both adjustable and fixed states. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate positioning and fixation mechanisms, simplifying the overall device structure.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to an implant for stabilising spinous processes (12, 14) relative to one another, comprising a first contact element (16) and a second contact element (18), and wherein the implant (10; 90) comprises at least one clamping element (28, 29), which couples to the first contact element (16), can be moved relative to the second contact element (18) and extends through the intervertebral space (30) between the spinous processes (12, 14) and the second contact element (18), and at least one fixing element (43), which is arranged on the second contact element (18) and which can be brought into engagement with the at least one clamping element (28, 29) to clamp the second contact element (18) in the direction of the first contact element (16) along the at least one clamping element (28, 29). The first contact element (16) is movable relative to the at least one clamping element (28, 29) in the longitudinal direction thereof and the at least one clamping element (28, 29) comprises at least one support member (33) for support directly or indirectly on the first contact element (16) against a movement in the direction of the second contact element (18).