Spinal Screw With Deployable Interlaced Dual Rods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spinal stabilization/fixation devices are highly invasive, causing muscle disruption, blood loss, and loss of muscle function due to their posterior approach, which is time-consuming and difficult to remove.
Innovation Solution
A screw assembly with a base and adjustable arms that can be positioned parallel or perpendicular to the base, allowing for minimally invasive attachment to the spine using a screw assembly with a base head, arms, and interconnection means such as a hinge or setscrew for secure locking, facilitating support structures like anchors and apertures for attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional posterior approach is used to implant spinal fixation devices, then spinal stabilization is achieved, but muscle disruption and blood loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate components: a rod member and a screw member that can be implanted independently. The rod is first positioned through a minimally invasive lateral approach, then the screw is inserted through a separate trajectory to engage the rod, avoiding the need for extensive muscle detachment required by conventional posterior approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod member serves as an intermediary element that is first positioned between the vertebrae through a minimally invasive approach. This rod acts as a mediator that allows subsequent screw insertion without requiring direct posterior exposure of the spinal elements, thereby reducing muscle disruption.
2Reliability
If conventional posterior approach is used, then spinal fixation is achieved, but surgical time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rod member is positioned and secured between the vertebrae before the screw member is inserted. This preliminary positioning of the rod establishes the fixation path and alignment in advance, allowing the screw to be quickly inserted and engaged without requiring time-consuming posterior exposure and assembly steps.
3Reliability
If conventional posterior approach is used, then spinal stabilization is achieved, but device removal becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented design allows the screw member to be independently removed from the rod member. The screw can be extracted through its original insertion trajectory without requiring removal of the entire fixation construct, making device removal significantly easier compared to conventional integrated posterior fixation devices.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive approach is used with lateral rod insertion, then muscle disruption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rod member is designed with universal engagement features that can accommodate different screw configurations and vertebral levels. The rod includes engagement surfaces and apertures that provide multi-functional capability for securing multiple screws at different positions, reducing the need for multiple specialized components.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device and methods of use thereof are provided for supporting a structure (e.g., bone). A screw assembly is provided that is comprised of a base, one or more arms, and an interconnection means for coupling the base to the one or more arms. The interconnection means allows the arm to be positionable in a first position that is parallel to a long axis of the base and positionable in a second position that is perpendicular to the long axis of the base. The base is configured for attachment to a structure and the one or more arms configured for attachment to one or more support structures. A support structure is provided that includes an aperture having locking means, which can be configured as an open-ended saddle for attachment to a medical device (e.g., a screw assembly) after installation in a patient.