Temporary Encasement for Percutaneous Bone Screw Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Percutaneous insertion of bone screws can result in tissue injury due to entanglement or trauma from screw threads with connective tissues, leading to potential infection and nerve damage.
Innovation Solution
A bone screw device with a temporary encasement covering the screw shaft, including a biocompatible material that is osteoinductive, hemostatic, and/or bacteriocide, which eases insertion by reducing soft tissue interaction and can crumble away upon penetration, minimizing trauma and providing therapeutic benefits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If percutaneous insertion of bone screws is performed, then minimally invasive surgery is achieved, but tissue trauma and nerve damage occur due to entanglement with connective tissues
Solution Approach 1:
A temporary encasement is applied to the screw shaft before insertion to protect surrounding tissues during the insertion process. The encasement is removed after insertion, allowing the screw to be fully functional. This preliminary protective action prevents tissue entanglement during insertion while maintaining screw functionality afterward.
Solution Approach 2:
The temporary encasement acts as an intermediary between the screw shaft and surrounding soft tissues during insertion. It prevents direct contact between the screw threads and connective tissues, thereby preventing entanglement and trauma. After insertion, the encasement is removed as it has served its protective purpose.
2Reliability
If screw threads are exposed during insertion, then secure bone anchoring is achieved, but entanglement with connective tissues causes trauma and infection risk
Solution Approach 1:
The temporary encasement is applied before insertion to protect the screw shaft during passage through soft tissues. After the screw is properly positioned in bone, the encasement is removed to allow the threads to engage with bone tissue for secure anchoring. This sequential approach ensures both protection during insertion and reliable fixation afterward.
Solution Approach 2:
The encasement material is selected to have properties that allow it to be easily removed after insertion (e.g., biodegradable, water-soluble, or mechanically removable). This parameter change in the encasement's persistence allows it to provide protection during insertion then be eliminated to allow thread engagement with bone.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a temporary encasement is added to the screw device, then tissue trauma is reduced during insertion, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temporary encasement is implemented as a thin-walled tube or coating that can be easily applied to and removed from the screw shaft. This flexible shell approach provides tissue protection during insertion without significantly increasing the overall device complexity or size. The thin film nature allows easy integration with the existing screw structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The temporary encasement is designed as a disposable component that is used only during insertion and then discarded or removed. This approach minimizes the long-term complexity of the implant, as the encasement does not remain with the permanent screw structure. The temporary nature allows use of simpler, less durable materials that would be inappropriate for permanent implants.
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
The temporary encasement reduces tissue trauma during insertion and provides therapeutic benefits at the screw-bone interface, enhancing the safety and efficacy of bone screw placement.
Implementation Method 1
a biocompatible material that is osteoinductive, hemostatic, and/or bacteriocide
Implementation Method 2
a biocompatible material that is osteoinductive, hemostatic, and/or bacteriocide
Implementation Method 3
a biocompatible material that is osteoinductive, hemostatic, and/or bacteriocide
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide a bone screw device including a bone screw with a temporary encasement. In some embodiments, the temporary encasement comprises a biocompatible material that may be an osteoinductive, a hemostatic and or a bacteriocide. Some embodiments include a temporary encasement including a therapeutic. In some embodiments, the temporary encasement comprises a wax. In some embodiments, the screw head is substantially U-shaped. In some embodiments, the screw includes an extension tip extending from the screw shaft. Some embodiments of the invention include a system for percutaneous implantation of a bone screw including a screwdriver shaft rotatably coupled to a screw that includes a temporary encasement. In some embodiments, the screw shaft can be at least partially rotated by the screwdriver shaft. Some further embodiments further include a retractable sleeve at least partially surrounding the screwdriver shaft and the bone screw.