Bi-Planar Rod Persuader With Guided Spinal Implant Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgeons face significant difficulty in aligning and inserting spinal rods into the receiving channels of spinal implants due to misalignment and variability in vertebrae shapes, which complicates spinal fixation procedures.
Innovation Solution
A medical device comprising an implant holder with a holding sleeve and handle assembly, featuring a securing foot, threaded stem, and pivotally attached arms, allows for maneuvering the spinal rod in multiple directions to align and secure it into the screw head, facilitated by a reduction knob and guide mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional spinal rod insertion instruments are used, then the procedure can be performed with standard equipment, but the alignment of spinal rods into receiving channels becomes considerably difficult due to misalignment and vertebrae variability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary alignment tool that mediates between the spinal rod and the receiving channel. This tool includes alignment features that interface with both the rod and the implant, providing a bridging mechanism that facilitates precise alignment while maintaining ease of operation. The intermediary device compensates for misalignment issues without requiring perfect precision from the surgeon's manual alignment attempts.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment tool performs preliminary alignment actions before the final rod insertion. By pre-positioning and pre-aligning the rod relative to the receiving channel using the alignment features, the tool prepares the configuration in advance, making the actual insertion easier and more precise. This preliminary alignment step addresses the misalignment problem before the critical insertion moment.
2Reliability
If spinal fixation procedures are performed to correct spinal disorders, then pain relief and stabilization can be achieved, but the surgical complexity increases due to the need for precise alignment and manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the alignment complexity from the surgical procedure by providing a dedicated alignment tool that handles the precise positioning requirements. This separates the alignment function from the overall surgical complexity, allowing the surgeon to focus on the stabilization aspects while the tool manages the alignment precision. The extraction of this specific function reduces the perceived surgical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment tool provides self-aligning features that automatically guide the rod into the correct position without requiring complex manual manipulation by the surgeon. The alignment features on the tool and implant work together to self-correct misalignments, reducing the skill burden and procedural complexity while maintaining high reliability of the final stabilization.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple alignment adjustments are made during rod insertion, then precise positioning can be achieved, but the surgical time and tissue exposure duration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment tool performs all necessary alignment adjustments in a single preliminary setup phase before the actual rod insertion. By pre-configuring the alignment features and performing the positioning action in advance, the tool eliminates the need for multiple iterative adjustments during surgery. This single-action approach maintains high positioning precision while significantly reducing surgical time and tissue exposure duration.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates generally to surgical instruments for spinal surgery. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a bi-planar rod persuader for urging a spinal rod into a screw, and methods regarding the same. The bi-planar rod persuader may include an implant holder, which may also include a holding sleeve. A securing foot may be attached to the distal end of the holding sleeve, and the holding sleeve may also include a threaded opening at the proximal end for receiving a stem that drives the securing foot between a first position and second position. The implant holder may also include a threaded part to engage a reduction knob. A handle assembly may also be provided, which may include two pivotally attached arms. A rod hook may be connected to one of the arms and a guide attached to the other of the arms.