Vertebral Frame for Spinal Alignment and Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal surgery techniques face challenges in achieving precise vertebral alignment and fixation due to imprecise distraction methods, which can lead to variable outcomes, increased surgical time, and risks of nerve damage or post-surgical pain, as well as requiring temporary implants and multiple entries into the surgical field.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a distraction device, an implantable vertebral frame, and a retention member that allows for temporary distraction and subsequent permanent fixation of vertebrae, enabling precise control and maintenance of spatial relationships between vertebrae, reducing the need for temporary implants and minimizing surgical complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional distraction methods using temporary distractor pins or ratcheting spreaders are used, then vertebral distraction can be achieved, but the precision of vertebral alignment is poor and surgical outcomes vary significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The vertebral frame is installed and vertebral alignment is established before the actual fusion procedure begins. This preliminary alignment step ensures that the desired spatial relationship between vertebrae is achieved and maintained throughout the surgery, eliminating the need for repeated adjustments and ensuring consistent surgical outcomes.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertebral frame acts as an intermediary device that maintains the desired spatial relationship between vertebrae during the fusion procedure. It serves as a stable reference structure that allows surgeons to work around it without compromising alignment, thereby improving both precision and outcome consistency.
2Stability of the object's composition
If temporary distractor devices are inserted and maintained during the procedure, then vertebral distraction can be maintained, but the surgical field becomes obstructed and procedure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vertebral frame is installed once at the beginning of the procedure to establish and maintain vertebral alignment. Unlike temporary distractor devices that require repeated insertion and adjustment, the frame remains in place throughout the entire procedure, eliminating the need for repeated surgical field access and significantly reducing procedure time while maintaining stable vertebral distraction.
3Shape
If excessive distraction is applied to restore lordotic curvature, then angular alignment may be improved, but nerve damage or post-surgical pain may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The vertebral frame provides a stable reference structure that allows for precise control and monitoring of distraction forces. Surgeons can gradually adjust the frame to achieve the desired lordotic curvature while continuously monitoring for signs of excessive distraction, thereby restoring angular alignment without causing nerve damage or post-surgical pain.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple temporary implants and devices are used during the procedure, then various surgical functions can be performed, but device complexity and surgical difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vertebral frame serves multiple functions: it maintains vertebral alignment, provides a stable reference structure for surgical procedures, and allows access to the surgical field through its aperture. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple separate temporary implants and devices, thereby reducing device complexity and surgical difficulty while maintaining full surgical capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for performing surgical repair of the spine includes a distractor and a permanently implanted bone plate system. A surgical repair methodology is also disclosed that employs an implanted bone plate system with a substantially void internal volume which is attached to adjacent vertebrae subsequent to the distraction and adjustment of curvature of the vertebrae and prior to the excision of disc and/or end plate tissue through the bone plate. The device further facilitates the subsequent delivery of an interbody repair device for the purpose of either fusion or dynamic stabilization, such as by disc arthroplasty. The plate may be permanently implanted, such as when a fusion between the attached vertebral bodies is desired, but it need not be permanently implanted.