Vertebral Staple with Rotatable Spike for Bone Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vertebral staples lack adjustability once implanted and are difficult to manipulate and position correctly due to uneven surfaces, requiring removal and repositioning if not properly aligned, and existing tools struggle to effectively grasp and implant staples.
Innovation Solution
The design includes vertebral staples with a central spike for rotation and perimeter spikes for secure positioning, along with an inserter tool featuring grasping arms and a drill guide for precise placement and stabilization, allowing for adjustable positioning and secure implantation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If current vertebral staples are implanted using existing tools, then the staple can be secured to the vertebra, but the staple cannot be adjusted once implanted and is difficult to manipulate
Solution Approach 1:
The staple is designed with a dynamic insertion process where it transitions from a rotatable state during partial insertion to a fixed state after full insertion. The long spike allows rotation during insertion for positioning adjustment, then prevents rotation when fully inserted to secure the staple in the final position.
Solution Approach 2:
The staple allows preliminary positioning and adjustment during the insertion process before final fixation. The long spike can be partially inserted and rotated to the correct position, and only then is the staple fully inserted and locked into place, enabling adjustment before commitment.
2Shape
If the staple body has an uneven surface to match vertebral contour, then it can conform to the vertebra, but it becomes difficult to grasp and manipulate with insertion tools
Solution Approach 1:
The staple is divided into distinct functional regions: a curved body portion for contour conformity, a long spike for insertion and rotation, and perimeter spikes for final positioning. This segmentation allows the curved body to conform to the vertebra while the straight spikes provide reliable engagement points for insertion tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The long spike acts as an intermediary element that bridges the curved body and the insertion tool. It provides a straight, accessible surface for tool engagement while the curved body conforms to the vertebral contour, solving the conflict between shape conformity and tool accessibility.
3Productivity
If the staple is impacted fully into the vertebra in one step, then implantation is faster, but misalignment cannot be corrected and requires removal and repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion process is divided into preliminary positioning (partial insertion with rotation for alignment) followed by final fixation (full insertion to secure). This allows correction of alignment issues during the preliminary phase before the staple is fully locked in place.
Solution Approach 2:
The staple transitions from a dynamic, rotatable state during partial insertion to a static, fixed state after full insertion. This dynamic behavior enables alignment adjustment during insertion while maintaining stability once positioned, balancing speed and precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Implantable vertebral staples and tools for use with the same are provided. In general, an exemplary vertebral staple according to the present invention includes a staple body having at least one long spike formed thereon for allowing rotation of the body when the long spike is partially inserted in bone. The staple body can also include one or more short spikes formed thereon and adapted to prevent rotation of the body when the long and short spikes are fully inserted into bone. The present invention also provides an inserter tool that can be used to implant the vertebral staple, and also a drill guide that can be used, preferably in combination with the inserter tool, to drill holes through the bone in alignment with one or more holes formed in the vertebral staple.