Articulating Inserter Guide and Driver for Cervical Spinal Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal fixation procedures, particularly around the cervical spine, face challenges due to limited surgical access and the need for two-handed operation for screw hole preparation and driving, which complicates visibility and tool manipulation.
Innovation Solution
A driver system with a rotatable driver shaft, pivotable joint, and a control element that allows single-handed operation, providing improved visibility and access through a minimally invasive approach, along with an inserter guide system that includes a detachable guide for enhanced surgical visibility and access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a traditional driver device with straight-line approach is used, then screw hole preparation and driving can be performed, but visibility of the surgical tools and treatment area is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The driver device incorporates an articulating driver head with pivotable and rotatable components that allow dynamic adjustment of the driver shaft orientation. This enables the surgeon to position the driver at optimal angles for visibility and access while maintaining a minimally invasive approach, directly resolving the contradiction between visibility and device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If two-handed operation is used for screw hole preparation and driving, then precise control can be achieved, but the surgical approach becomes more complex and visibility is further limited
Solution Approach 1:
The driver device integrates multiple functions including hole preparation and screw driving into a single articulated tool that can be operated with one hand. The articulating head combines drilling, tapping, and driving capabilities in one device, eliminating the need for separate tools and two-handed operation, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining functional precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulating driver head is designed as a universal tool that can perform multiple surgical functions (hole preparation, screw driving, angle adjustment) through a single device. This multi-functionality allows one-handed operation while maintaining the precision previously requiring two hands, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and functional capability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a minimally invasive approach with small soft tissue opening is used, then tissue trauma is reduced, but surgical access and visibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The articulating driver head allows dynamic positioning and angle adjustment through pivotable joints, enabling the surgeon to access difficult spinal locations through small incisions. The ability to articulate the driver shaft at multiple angles provides excellent surgical access and visibility while maintaining a minimally invasive approach with reduced tissue trauma.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables single-handed screw hole preparation and driving with improved visibility, reducing tissue trauma and incision size while maintaining stability during spinal fixation procedures.
Implementation Method 1
actuation of the control element engages the proximal end of the rod, causing a distal end of the rod to frictionally engage the rotatable joint
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a guide device and a driver, which allows for the preparation of an anatomic cavity for screw fixation of an implant or spacer, including the guidance for hole preparation, and guidance for insertion of screws, and or anchors, while selecting the amount of rigidity, and selecting the amount of visibility.