Vertebral Osteosynthesis Connecting Bar with Captive Lug

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vertebral osteosynthesis equipment is complex and time-consuming to implant, particularly for short vertebral column segments, with risks of connecting parts escaping and pivoting, leading to imperfect correction and loosening of nuts.

Innovation Solution

The equipment features a connecting bar with a protruding lug and a longitudinal slot in the connecting part, allowing the part to pivot and become 'captive' once engaged, eliminating escape risks and enabling easy assembly with an eyelet and intermediate portion for precise vertebral alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional side loading connecting parts are used with short connecting bars, then the equipment can be used for vertebral osteosynthesis, but the risk of connecting parts escaping from the bar increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverisk of connecting part escapeVSAvoidconnecting bar length
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting part is designed with an engagement duct that receives and captures the connecting bar, creating a nested configuration where the bar is contained within the duct structure. This nesting arrangement prevents the bar from escaping laterally, directly resolving the reliability issue with short bars.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement duct is positioned laterally offset from the assembly duct, creating a three-dimensional arrangement where the bar must traverse through multiple spatial dimensions and angular orientations to be properly engaged. This dimensional complexity prevents accidental escape by requiring precise alignment in multiple directions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If traditional side loading connecting parts are used, then the equipment can connect anchoring members, but pivoting of the connecting bar relative to the anchoring members occurs during tightening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangular positioning stabilityVSAvoidassembly simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting bar is pre-configured with specific angular orientations and engagement geometries that predeterminedly constrain its position relative to the anchoring members. The engagement duct and bar are designed with complementary shapes that automatically maintain correct angular positioning during the tightening operation, preventing pivoting before it can occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If traditional assembly methods are used for short vertebral column segments, then the procedure can be performed, but the implantation time increases due to complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplantation speedVSAvoidequipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The assembly duct and engagement duct are merged into a single integrated connecting part structure, eliminating the need for separate alignment and engagement operations. This consolidation reduces the number of discrete steps required during implantation, directly improving productivity while maintaining the necessary functional complexity through intelligent design integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3206606B1Vertebral osteosynthesis equipment
Publication Date: 2018.12.12 MEDICREA INT SA
  • EP3206606B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3206606B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3206606B1 patent drawingFigure 6~9

AI summary

This equipment (1) comprises at least one connecting bar (3) having an assembly portion (11), at least two anchoring members (2) and at least one connecting part (4, 5) of the so-called "side loading" type. According to the invention, -said assembly portion (11) comprises at least one protruding lug (13) situated on the side of one of its ends, and -said connecting part (4) has a longitudinal slot emerging in said engagement duct, sized to receive said lug (13) in an adjusted manner, but with the lug (13) being able to slide therein, said connecting part (4) being able to be engaged on said assembly portion (11) beyond that lug (13).