Bone Screw with Integrated Starter and Pilot Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bone screws require multiple preparatory steps, such as creating starter and pilot holes, and tapping, which increases the risk of complications and fatigue for both patients and surgeons during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A bone screw design that integrates a distal tip segment for creating a starter hole, an intermediate pilot segment for forming a pilot hole, and a threaded segment for self-tapping and securing, eliminating the need for separate instruments and steps, with optional combinations and variations for different surgical applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple preparatory steps (starter hole creation, pilot hole formation, tapping) are used to insert bone screws, then secure fixation is achieved, but surgical procedure time increases and risk of complications increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate surgical instruments and steps into a single integrated bone screw device. The bone screw integrates the starter hole creation function, pilot hole formation function, and thread engagement function into one unified device, eliminating the need for separate drills, probes, and taps, thereby reducing surgical time while maintaining secure fixation
Solution Approach 2:
The bone screw is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a cutting instrument and a fixation device. The single device performs multiple functions: creating the starter hole, forming the pilot hole, and providing threaded engagement for secure fixation, replacing multiple specialized instruments with one universal tool
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple preparatory steps are used to insert bone screws, then proper hole formation and thread engagement are achieved, but the number of surgical steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple discrete surgical steps into a single insertion action. The bone screw device combines the starter hole creation mechanism, pilot hole formation mechanism, and thread engagement mechanism into one integrated system that completes all functions in a single surgical step, reducing procedural complexity while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The bone screw is segmented into distinct functional zones along its length: a distal tip segment for starter hole creation, an intermediate pilot segment for pilot hole formation, and a proximal threaded segment for secure engagement. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally while being part of a unified device
3Reliability
If multiple instruments and steps are used for bone screw insertion, then proper bone preparation is achieved, but surgeon fatigue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple manual operations into a single insertion motion. The integrated bone screw device eliminates the need for the surgeon to sequentially operate multiple instruments (drill, probe, tap), reducing repetitive motions and manual dexterity requirements, thereby decreasing surgeon fatigue while ensuring proper bone preparation through the device's built-in functional segments
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
This design reduces the number of steps required for insertion, shortening surgical procedures, minimizing complications, and reducing surgeon fatigue by enabling direct insertion and secure fixation without additional preparatory steps.
Implementation Method 1
The tip segment is used to create a small starter hole or to enlarge an existing starter hole in the bone
Implementation Method 2
The intermediate pilot segment is used to create a pilot hole in the bone
Implementation Method 3
The threaded segment is used to fixedly secure the bone screw into the bone
Data Source
AI summary
A bone screw and method of inserting a bone screw into a bone is disclosed. In one example, the bone screw includes a tip segment for creating a starter hole in the bone. A pilot segment is located proximally of the tip segment for creating a pilot hole in the bone after creation of the starter hole. A threaded segment is located proximally of the pilot segment for fixedly securing the bone screw in the bone. A head is located proximally of the threaded segment for allowing a surgical rod to be fixedly secured to the bone screw.