Angled Spinal Implant Setting Tool with Flexible Joint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implant assemblies face difficulties in positioning and expanding implants within the spine due to the need for large incisions and significant manipulation, particularly when accessing the anterior part of the spine from posterior or lateral approaches, leading to increased trauma and invasion for the patient.
Innovation Solution
An implant assembly with a setting tool featuring an angled tool body and a cassette system that allows for angular manipulation, enabling the implant to be positioned with less angular movement and potentially smaller incisions, using a flexible joint to transfer rotation and facilitate distraction of the implant between vertebrae.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a straight setting tool is used to position the implant from the posterior into the anterior part of the spine, then the implant can be inserted, but a large incision is required and significant manipulation is needed to reach the middle of the anterior part of the vertebral body
Solution Approach 1:
The setting tool transitions from a straight linear configuration to an angled configuration, introducing a new spatial dimension (angle) to the tool design. This angular approach allows the tool to navigate around anatomical structures and reach the anterior part of the spine through a posterior incision, eliminating the need for large midline incisions and reducing patient trauma while maintaining ease of implant positioning.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the incision size is reduced to minimize patient trauma, then patient trauma is reduced, but the surgeon loses leverage and ability to manipulate the implant into proper position
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing an angled configuration to the setting tool, the surgeon gains mechanical advantage and leverage through a different spatial pathway. The angle allows the tool to wrap around the spine and reach the implant position with sufficient leverage, maintaining ease of manipulation even through smaller incisions that reduce patient trauma.
3Device complexity
If a straight approach is used for implant placement, then the surgical approach is simple, but the field of view and access to the anterior spine is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The angled setting tool adds a dimensional aspect to the surgical approach, enabling access to anterior spinal regions that are difficult to reach with straight tools. This angular configuration provides versatility to reach different spinal locations while maintaining relative simplicity in the overall surgical procedure.
4Reliability
If the implant is placed in the middle of the anterior part of the vertebral body, then optimal spinal stability is achieved, but significant manipulation through a large incision is required
Solution Approach 1:
The angled setting tool enables the surgeon to reach the optimal implant position in the middle of the anterior vertebral body through a posterior approach with a smaller incision. The angular configuration provides the necessary reach and leverage to place the implant precisely where it is needed for optimal spinal stability, without requiring large midline incisions that cause patient trauma.
Data Source
AI summary
An implant assembly includes an implant having an upper element and a lower element coaxially aligned with one another. The upper and lower elements are configured to be displaced relative to one another along a longitudinal axis of the implant. The implant assembly also includes a setting tool having a cassette and a tool body. The cassette has a housing, a gear held by the housing, and a drive shaft driving the gear. The cassette holds the implant such that the gear engages the implant to displace the upper and lower elements relative to one another. The tool body has an inner portion and an outer portion being angled relative to one another. The cassette is mounted to the inner portion. The tool body has an outer shaft and an inner shaft rotatable received in the outer shaft. The inner shaft includes a flexible joint at the intersection of the inner and outer portions. The inner shaft drives the drive shaft of the cassette.