Expandable Vertebral Fixation Plate With Translating Lock

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spinal fixation systems face challenges in achieving adequate insertion and stability during minimally-invasive lateral surgeries due to the length requirements of plates, which can complicate the surgical procedure and hinder the benefits of reduced morbidity and operative time.

Innovation Solution

A surgical fixation system featuring a base plate with expandable anchors and a translating locking element that allows in situ length adjustment, facilitating insertion and secure fixation across vertebral bodies, including the use of bone screws and staples for stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If longer base plates are used to fix vertebral bodies, then fixation stability is improved, but insertion difficulty increases and minimally-invasive benefits are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation stabilityVSAvoidinsertion difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The base plate is divided into multiple segments that can be collapsed into each other, allowing the plate to be inserted in a compact state and then expanded to the full length required for stable fixation of vertebral bodies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base plate transitions from a static long structure to a dynamic collapsible structure, enabling it to change size between insertion (collapsed) and fixation (expanded) states, thereby resolving the contradiction between length requirements and insertion ease

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If longer base plates are used to achieve adequate fixation length, then fixation coverage is improved, but operative time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation coverageVSAvoidoperative time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The base plate is pre-assembled in a collapsed configuration that allows rapid insertion through the surgical site, eliminating the need to assemble or maneuver a long plate during the procedure, thereby reducing operative time while maintaining full fixation coverage capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If longer base plates are used for adequate vertebral body fixation, then fixation effectiveness is improved, but surgical morbidity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation effectivenessVSAvoidsurgical morbidity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The collapsible segmented design allows the plate to pass through a small surgical corridor in a compact state, minimizing tissue disruption and surgical access requirements, while still providing adequate fixation length when expanded to secure multiple vertebral bodies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12471967B2Surgical fixation system and related methods

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 NUVASIVE INC

AI summary

A surgical fixation system including a base plate, a plurality of anchors and a locking element. The base plate has at least a pair of fixation apertures configured to receive at least a portion of the anchors therethrough. The fixation apertures are located within the base plate such that upon proper placement of the base plate within a surgical target site, one of the fixation apertures is positioned over a first bone segment (e.g., a first vertebral body), and the other fixation aperture is positioned over a second bone segment (e.g., a second vertebral body).