Tether Clamp System for Spinal Fixation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional orthopedic implants, such as screws and rods, are rigid and introduce risks and complexity in surgical procedures, particularly in spine and other orthopedic surgeries, due to their inflexibility and potential for additional bone damage, and existing spinal clamps offer inadequate size options and additional parts, increasing installation complexity.
Innovation Solution
A tether clamp assembly with a unitary clamp housing, securement assembly, and flexible band, which provides compressive force for retention and fixation, allowing for provisional and fixed locking engagements, and includes a tensioning instrument for adjusting band tension, enabling securement, alignment, and stabilization without the need for additional hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional rigid mechanical implants (screws and rods) are used for spinal fixation, then structural stability is achieved, but flexibility and adjustability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic rod system that can transition between fixed and movable states. The rod includes a fixed portion attached to the first vertebra and a movable portion that can shift relative to the second vertebra, allowing the implant to adapt to spinal motion while maintaining stability. This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing both structural support and physiological flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod is divided into distinct segments: a fixed portion, a movable portion, and a transition zone. This segmentation allows different parts of the implant to perform different functions - the fixed portion provides stable anchorage while the movable portion accommodates spinal motion, thereby achieving both stability and adaptability simultaneously.
2Reliability
If conventional spinal clamps with multiple parts are used, then securement is achieved, but device complexity and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the clamp and rod into a unified structure where the rod serves dual functions as both the securing element and the structural component. The movable portion of the rod directly engages with the vertebrae without requiring separate clamp assemblies, thereby reducing the number of parts while maintaining securement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides structural support, secures the vertebrae together, and accommodates physiological motion. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized components, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective securement.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid implants are used to hold fractured bones in fixed position, then bone stabilization is achieved, but risk of additional bone damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic rod system allows controlled motion between vertebrae through the movable portion, accommodating physiological spinal movement and reducing stress concentration on the bone. This dynamic capability provides stabilization while minimizing the risk of additional bone damage compared to completely rigid implants.
4Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for spinal fixation, then fixation capability is achieved, but surgical procedure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into fewer components. The rod with its integrated movable portion and fixed portions eliminates the need for separate clamp assemblies and complex adjustment mechanisms, thereby simplifying the surgical procedure while maintaining reliable fixation capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A clamp assembly for orthopedic use having a housing that includes a top surface, a recess, a distal base and a bottom surface, the recess defining a longitudinal axis and extending through the housing from the top surface through the distal base and toward the bottom surface, and at least two through slots, each one of being disposed at a bottom or a side a surface of the housing. The assembly including a securement assembly positionable within the recess in a co-axial relationship to a mating surface on the recess, and a band sized for travel along a predetermined path defined in part by the through slots in the housing, wherein at least one of the through slots is a starting point for travel of the band along the predetermined path.