Patent Description:
Conventionally, a fixture rod using metal as a fixture for fixing the spine has been known.

Further, as such a fixture rod, for example, Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a spinal pedicle rod comprising an internally reinforced polymer core at least partially encased in a polymer coating.

A fixture rod using metal is generally excellent in fixing force and strength, but has a problem that a magnetic field is affected by magnetization of the metal in the magnetic field at the time of imaging by MRI or the like, image disturbance occurs, and diagnosis based on a captured image is difficult. On the other hand, the rod disclosed in Patent Literature <NUM> does not have such a problem, but has a problem that it is difficult to reliably achieve uniform bonding even if an adhesive is used for bonding between a polymer core material and a covering layer thereof, and it is difficult to obtain stable bonding strength.

An object of the present invention is to provide a fixture rod that is excellent in bonding strength between a core material and a reinforcing fiber layer and has high rigidity and high durability against a deformation load, and a spinal fixture comprising the same. Purposes of the present invention other than this object will be clarified by referring to the overall description disclosed herein.

A fixture rod according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a core member containing a resin; and a reinforcing fiber layer provided on the core member, and is configured such that the resin of the core member and a resin of the reinforcing fiber layer are the same resin, or the resin of the core member and the resin of the reinforcing fiber layer are different resins, and a critical surface tension of each of the resin of the core member and the resin of the reinforcing fiber layer is <NUM> mN/m or more.

In the fixture rod according to one embodiment of the present invention, one recess or a plurality of recesses are formed on an outer surface of the core member.

In the fixture rod according to one embodiment of the present invention, the recess is formed in a circumferential direction of the core member.

In the fixture rod according to one embodiment of the present invention, the recess is formed in an axial direction of the core member.

In the fixture rod according to one embodiment of the present invention, the recess is formed in a direction inclined with respect to a circumferential direction of the core member.

In the fixture rod according to one embodiment of the present invention, the recesses comprise two or more recesses formed in different directions.

In the fixture rod according to one embodiment of the present invention, a depth of the recess is in a range of <NUM> to <NUM>.

In the fixture rod according to one embodiment of the present invention, the core member is formed using the resin containing a fiber.

In the fixture rod according to one embodiment of the present invention, the fiber of the core member is partially exposed from the core member.

In the fixture rod according to one embodiment of the present invention, the fiber of the core member is a long fiber. Further, in the fixture rod according to one embodiment of the present invention, the fiber of the core member is a short fiber.

The fixture rod according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured such that the resin of the core member is any of epoxy, phenol, unsaturated polyester, PA, PC, PPSU, POM, PP, PE, ABS, PS, PAEK, or PEEK.

A spinal fixture according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises any of the fixture rods described above.

According to each of the above embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to provide the fixture rod that is excellent in bonding strength between the core material and the reinforcing fiber layer and has high rigidity and high durability against the deformation load, and the spinal fixture comprising the same.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a fixture rod according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Components common in a plurality of drawings are assigned with the same reference signs throughout the plurality of drawings. It should be noted that each of the drawings is not always illustrated in a precise aspect ratio for the convenience of description.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a spinal fixture <NUM> comprising a fixture rod <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in the drawing, the spinal fixture <NUM> comprises a plurality of screw members <NUM> (two screw members <NUM> in the example illustrated in the drawing) to be fixed to the bone of the spine, a plurality of rod fixing members <NUM> (two rod fixing members <NUM> in the example illustrated in the drawing) attached to the screw members <NUM> and each comprising a recess <NUM> for receiving the fixture rod and a pressing member <NUM>, and the fixture rod <NUM> inserted into the recess <NUM> of the plurality of rod fixing members <NUM> and fixed by the pressing member <NUM>.

Next, the fixture rod <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention used for the spinal fixture <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates the fixture rod <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> as viewed in X-X section illustrated in the same drawing.

As illustrated in the drawing, the fixture rod <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a core member <NUM> containing a resin; and a reinforcing fiber layer <NUM> provided on the core member <NUM>, and is configured such that the resin of the core member <NUM> and a resin of the reinforcing fiber layer <NUM> are the same resin, or the resin of the core member and the resin of the reinforcing fiber layer are different resins, and a critical surface tension of each of the resin of the core member and the resin of the reinforcing fiber layer is <NUM> mN/m or more.

According to the fixture rod <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide the fixture rod that is excellent in bonding strength between a core material and the reinforcing fiber layer and has high rigidity and high durability against a deformation load. More specifically, the affinity between the core material and the reinforcing fiber layer is improved, and the bonding strength between the core material and the reinforcing fiber layer is excellent when the resin of the core member and the resin of the reinforcing fiber layer each having the critical surface tension of <NUM> mN/m or more are adopted whether the same resin or different resins are used, Further, a solid double structure is adopted, and a material having a large average bending elastic modulus is used for an outer layer as will be described later, and thus, it is possible to provide the fixture rod having excellent bending rigidity and crushing strength of the entire rod. Here, the average bending elastic modulus refers to a value calculated by dividing the bending rigidity of the entire corresponding portion by a second moment of the corresponding portion.

Here, even if the resin of the core member and the resin of the reinforcing fiber layer are different resins, it has been confirmed that the critical surface tension of the resin exceeds desired bonding performance in bonding between different types of materials when the critical surface tensions of the resin of the core member and the resin of the reinforcing fiber layer are <NUM> mN/m or more, and it has been found that a special process, such as a chemical solution treatment or a plasma treatment, for bonding is unnecessary. More specifically, for example, critical surface tensions of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyoxymethylene (POM), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and nylon <NUM> are <NUM> to <NUM> mN/m, <NUM> mN/m, <NUM> mN/m, <NUM> to <NUM> mN/m, <NUM> mN/m, and <NUM> mN/m, respectively, and it has been found that favorable bonding performance is exhibited due to the critical surface tensions of the resins even if the resin of the core member and the resin of the reinforcing fiber layer are different resins. On the other hand, a critical surface tension of polytetrafluoroethylene paraffin (PTFE) is <NUM> mN/m, and it has been found that a special process, such as a chemical liquid treatment or a plasma treatment, for bonding is required because the critical surface tension of the resin is lower than the desired bonding performance in bonding between different types of materials. However, this is not applied when the resin of the core member and the resin of the reinforcing fiber layer are the same resin.

In the fixture rod <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention, a thermosetting resin (for example, epoxy, phenol, unsaturated polyester, or the like) or a thermoplastic resin (for example, PA, PC, PPSU, POM, PP, PE, ABS, PS, PAEK, PEEK, or the like) is used as the resin of the core member <NUM>.

In the fixture rod <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention, the core member <NUM> can be formed using a resin containing fibers. In such a case, it is configured such that the fiber is any of carbon, glass, aramid, boron, or SiC, and the resin is a thermosetting resin (for example, epoxy, phenol, unsaturated polyester, or the like) or a thermoplastic resin (for example, PA, PC, PPSU, POM, PP, PE, ABS, PS, PAEK, PEEK, or the like). With this configuration, it is possible to increase the bending rigidity and the strength of the core member.

In the fixture rod <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention, the reinforcing fiber layer <NUM> is a fiber-reinforced resin, carbon, glass, boron, SiC, or aramid is used as a fiber, and a thermosetting resin (for example, epoxy, phenol, unsaturated polyester, or the like) or a thermoplastic resin (for example, PA, PC, PPSU, POM, PP, PE, ABS, PS, PAEK, PEEK, or the like) is used as a resin. With this configuration, it is possible to increase the bending rigidity and the strength of the reinforcing fiber layer.

It is configured such that the fixture rod <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a covering layer provided on the reinforcing fiber layer <NUM>. The covering layer can be formed using, for example, epoxy, phenol, unsaturated polyester, PA, PC, PPSU, POM, PP, PE, ABS, PS, PAEK, or PEEK, but is not limited thereto.

Next, the core member <NUM> of the fixture rod <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention used for the spinal fixture <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>. In the fixture rod <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention, one or a plurality of recesses are formed on an outer surface of the core member <NUM>. As a result, the contact surface area between the core member <NUM> and the reinforcing fiber layer <NUM> increases during molding, so that the bonding strength between the core material and the reinforcing fiber layer can be significantly improved. This will be described more specifically below.

As illustrated in <FIG>, recesses (circumferential recesses) <NUM> are formed in a circumferential direction of the core member <NUM> in the fixture rod <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention. Although seven recesses <NUM> are formed in the example illustrated in the drawing, any desired number of recesses can be provided, and the number is not limited to a specific number. Further, the recess <NUM> can be formed in the whole or a part of the core member <NUM> in the circumferential direction Alternatively, the recess <NUM> may be intermittently formed in the whole or a part of the core member <NUM> in the circumferential direction. When the recess is provided in the circumferential direction of the core member in this manner, the bonding area increases, and axial displacement between the core member <NUM> and the reinforcing fiber layer <NUM> can be suppressed.

Next, as illustrated in <FIG>, recesses (axial recesses) <NUM> are formed in an axial direction of the core member <NUM> in the fixture rod <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention. Although eight recesses <NUM> are formed in the example illustrated in the drawing, any desired number of recesses can be provided, and the number is not limited to a specific number. Further, the recess <NUM> can be formed in the whole or a part of the core member <NUM> in the axial direction Alternatively, the recess <NUM> may be intermittently formed in the whole or a part of the core member <NUM> in the axial direction. When the recess is provided in the axial direction of the core member in this manner, the bonding area increases, and rotational displacement between the core member <NUM> and the reinforcing fiber layer <NUM> can be suppressed.

Next, as illustrated in <FIG>, recesses (inclined-direction recesses) <NUM> are formed so as to be inclined with respect to the circumferential direction of the core member <NUM> in the fixture rod <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention. Although seven recesses <NUM> are formed in the example illustrated in the drawing, any desired number of recesses can be provided, and the number is not limited to a specific number. Further, the recess <NUM> can be formed on the whole or a part of the circumference of the core member <NUM>. Alternatively, the recess <NUM> may be intermittently formed on the whole or a part of the circumference of the core member <NUM>. When the recess is provided in a direction inclined with respect to the circumferential direction of the core member in this manner, the bonding area increases, and the axial displacement and rotational displacement between the core member <NUM> and the reinforcing fiber layer <NUM> can be suppressed.

Next, as illustrated in <FIG>, recesses (different-direction recesses) <NUM> are formed on the surface of the core member <NUM> so as to comprise two or more recesses formed in different directions in the fixture rod <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention. Although many recesses <NUM> are formed in the example illustrated in the drawing, any desired number of recesses can be provided, and the number is not limited to a specific number. Further, in a case where there are three or more recesses <NUM>, two or more recesses <NUM> thereof may be formed in the same direction. Further, the recesses <NUM> can be formed on the whole or a part of the surface of the core member <NUM>. Alternatively, the recess <NUM> may be intermittently formed on the whole or a part of the surface of the core member <NUM>. When the recesses are provided in different directions in this manner, it is possible to suppress displacement in a plurality of different directions.

In the fixture rod according to one embodiment of the present invention, a depth of the recess is in a range of <NUM> to <NUM>. As a result, it is possible to set an appropriate range in which the displacement between the core member <NUM> and the reinforcing fiber layer <NUM> is suppressed while suppressing a change and a variation in the rigidity due to the recess.

In the fixture rod <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention, the core member <NUM> can be formed using a resin containing fibers, and is configured such that the fibers of the core member are short fibers. When the short fibers are used, fiber directions can be randomly oriented, and reinforcement in all directions is possible.

In the fixture rod <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention, the core member <NUM> can be formed using a resin containing fibers, and is configured such that the fibers of the core member are long fibers. As a result, the bending rigidity can be effectively improved.

Next, as described above, the core member <NUM> can be formed using a resin containing fibers in the fixture rod <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention. In such a case, as illustrated in <FIG>, fibers (short fibers) <NUM> of the core member <NUM> are partially exposed from the surface of the core member in the fixture rod <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention. When the short fibers <NUM> are exposed in this manner, minute irregularities are generated on the surface of the core member <NUM>, so that the displacement between the core member <NUM> and the reinforcing fiber layer <NUM> can be suppressed.

Next, as described above, the core member <NUM> can be formed using a resin containing fibers in the fixture rod <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention. In such a case, as illustrated in <FIG>, fibers (long fibers) <NUM> of the core member <NUM> are partially exposed from the surface of the core member <NUM> in the fixture rod <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention. When the long fibers <NUM> are exposed in this manner, minute irregularities are generated on the surface of the core member <NUM>, so that the displacement between the core member <NUM> and the reinforcing fiber layer <NUM> can be suppressed.

The fixture rod <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured such that fibers of the reinforcing fiber layer <NUM> are long fibers. Since the fibers of the reinforcing fiber layer <NUM> are long fibers, it is possible to further increase the bending rigidity and the strength.

Further, the fixture rod <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured such that a fiber content of one or more layers included in the reinforcing fiber layer <NUM> is <NUM>% by weight or more. It is possible to form the fixture rod <NUM> having high rigidity and excellent durability with the fiber layer in which the long fibers are filled at high density in this manner.

Next, a method for manufacturing the fixture rod <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present disclosure (method not claimed) will be described with reference to <FIG>. First, as Step <NUM>, a core member (core material) (including each of modes in <FIG> described above) is prepared (<FIG>). Next, as Step <NUM>, a fiber-reinforced resin material is prepared (<FIG>). Next, as Step <NUM>, the fiber-reinforced resin material is wound around the core material to form a fiber-reinforced resin material integrated member (<FIG>).

Next, in Step <NUM>, a tape is wound around an outer surface of a fiber-reinforced resin material integrated member as an outer die (<FIG>). Next, in Step <NUM>, the fiber-reinforced resin material integrated member around which the tape is wound is fired (molded) (<FIG>). Thereafter, as Step <NUM>, the fiber-reinforced resin material integrated member after firing is taken out, and an unnecessary portion is cut (<FIG>). Finally, as Step <NUM>, the tape of the fiber-reinforced resin material integrated member from which the unnecessary portion has been cut is removed, whereby the fixture rod <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present disclosure (method not claimed) comprising the core member and a fiber-reinforced resin layer can be obtained (<FIG>).

With the fixture rod <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present disclosure (method not claimed) formed in this manner, it is possible to provide the fixture rod that is excellent in bonding strength between the core material and a reinforcing fiber layer and has high rigidity and high durability against a deformation load. More specifically, the affinity between the core material and the reinforcing fiber layer is improved, and the bonding strength between the core material and the reinforcing fiber layer is excellent when the resin of the core member and the resin of the reinforcing fiber layer each having the critical surface tension of <NUM> mN/m or more are adopted whether the same resin or different resins are used. Further, a solid double structure is adopted, and a material having a large average bending elastic modulus is used for an outer layer as will be described later, and thus, it is possible to provide the fixture rod having excellent bending rigidity and crushing strength of the entire rod. Here, the average bending elastic modulus refers to a value calculated by dividing the bending rigidity of the entire corresponding portion by a second moment of the corresponding portion.

The spinal fixture <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises any of the fixture rods <NUM> described above.

Claim 1:
A fixture rod (<NUM>) comprising:
a core member (<NUM>) containing a resin; and a reinforcing fiber layer (<NUM>) provided on the core member (<NUM>),
wherein the resin of the core member (<NUM>) and a resin of the reinforcing fiber layer (<NUM>) are an identical resin, or the resin of the core member (<NUM>) and the resin of the reinforcing fiber layer (<NUM>) are different resins, and characterized in that:
a critical surface tension of each of the resin of the core member (<NUM>) and the resin of the reinforcing fiber (<NUM>) layer is <NUM> mN/m or more; and
the core member (<NUM>) is formed using a resin containing fibers (<NUM>, <NUM>), the fibers (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the core member (<NUM>) comprising fibers partially exposed from the core member (<NUM>), the partially exposed fibers being long fibers (<NUM>) or short fibers (<NUM>).