ID: 2015-004 A compliant mechanism clamp latches onto a spinal vertebra.
Principal Investigator: Anton Bowden
This can be fastened to vertebra without damaging bone. It can be used to attach fusion or other needed materials or instrumentation for both medical and research applications.
When a patient suffers from spinal problems, it is often necessary to attach an instrument to the patient’s spine to counteract the issues, usually to control the spine motion. Current approaches stabilize the spine but eliminate the necessary motion. The spinal implant developed at BYU provides stability to the spine and restores the healthy motion which will likely relieve pain and aid in the recovery process. Traditional methods to attach the medical device to the spine involve bone screws which have many flaws including failure at high rates. This novel spinal clamp is designed to securely and mechanically attach to vertebrae of different size and shape. It is less destructive during insertion and it provides a much easier and significantly less destructive removal process in the case of revision or re-use of the device.
About the Market:
The compliant vertebral attachment can be used to attach spinal tratment hardware (for example, fusion rods, dynamic stabilization devices, mechanical testing hardware) to the spine. This could be for clinical treatment (e.g., spinal surgery), or for ex vivo mechanical testing (e.g., biomechanical testing).
For more information, contact 801-422-6266
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