Adjustable Vertebral Rod Receiver with Rotating Segmented Arms

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vertebral rod attachment mechanisms fail to securely connect rods to vertebral members at various orientations, limiting their ability to conform to the spine's curvature and maintain stable positioning.

Innovation Solution

A connection device featuring a receiver mounted to an anchor with adjustable arms that can rotate and change size to accommodate rods at different angular positions, utilizing a locking mechanism to secure the rod in place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed-size receiving section is used in the attachment mechanism, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate rods at various orientations and positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to accommodate rod at various orientationsVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustable receiving section

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving section is designed with movable members that can change position relative to each other, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one. This allows the receiving section to adjust its size and shape to accommodate rods at various orientations and positions while maintaining structural integrity through controlled movement mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving section is divided into multiple movable members instead of being a single rigid structure. These segmented components can move independently or in coordination, enabling the receiving section to adapt its configuration to match different rod positions and orientations without requiring a completely different attachment mechanism for each case.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the receiver is made adjustable to accommodate various rod positions, then adaptability improves, but the stability and security of rod connection may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability to different angular positionsVSAvoidsecurity of rod connection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The movable members are designed to move into predetermined positions that provide optimal engagement with the rod. Before final securing, the members can be preliminarily positioned to accommodate the rod's orientation, then locked into place to ensure secure connection. This preliminary positioning action allows adaptability while maintaining reliability through controlled engagement sequences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment mechanism incorporates self-adjusting features where the movable members automatically position themselves based on the rod's insertion orientation. The design allows the system to self-correct and self-secure without requiring external adjustment mechanisms, thereby maintaining both adaptability to various positions and reliability of connection through inherent self-locking or self-engaging features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS7803175B2Devices and methods for attaching a rod to a vertebral member

Publication Date: 2010.09.28 WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC

AI summary

Connection devices and methods for connecting a rod to a vertebral member. The device may include a receiver mounted to a proximal end of an anchor. The receiver includes a receiving section size to accommodate the rod and adjustable between open and closed orientations. One or more members are mounted to the receiver to adjust the size of the receiving section. In some embodiments, the movable members may be rotated and/or are rotatable to accommodate a rod at different angular positions relative to the anchor.