Bone Screw Universal Driver Interface for Single-Tool Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone screw configurations require separate tools for placement and extraction, which increases surgical time and may inhibit bone growth between secured bone pieces.
Innovation Solution
A bone screw with a tool locking structure and torque-applying mechanism that allows for both placement and extraction using a common tool, promoting bone growth by enabling rotation in both directions with a single tool interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate tools are used for bone screw placement and extraction, then the screw can be securely installed and removed, but surgical time increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bone screw head is designed with a universal interface that accepts the same driver tool for both placement (clockwise rotation) and extraction (counter-clockwise rotation). The driver interface includes a recess with engagement features that work bidirectionally, allowing a single tool to perform both installation and removal functions, thereby reducing surgical time and eliminating the need for multiple specialized tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the placement and extraction functions into a single bone screw design with a unified driver interface. By merging these two previously separate functions into one integrated system, the invention eliminates the need for separate placement and extraction tools, streamlining the surgical workflow and reducing overall procedure time.
2Strength
If traditional bone screw configurations are used, then secure bone fixation is achieved, but bone growth between bone pieces is inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The bone screw shank is designed with a porous or mesh-like surface structure that allows bone material to grow through and around the screw. This porous configuration maintains the mechanical strength needed for secure fixation while simultaneously promoting osteointegration and bone growth between the secured bone pieces, eliminating the harmful effect of growth inhibition.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different surface qualities to different parts of the bone screw: the thread surfaces maintain high friction and engagement for secure fixation, while the central shank region features a porous or open structure that facilitates bone material passage and growth. This local differentiation of surface properties allows the screw to simultaneously provide strong fixation and promote bone regeneration.
3Ease of operation
If multiple specialized tools are used for different screw operations, then precise control is achieved, but device complexity and inventory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bone screw head incorporates a standardized driver recess interface that can be engaged by a single multi-functional driver tool. This universal interface maintains precise rotational control during both placement and extraction operations while eliminating the need for multiple specialized tools, thereby reducing device complexity and surgical instrument inventory requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical fastener manipulation tool in accordance with embodiment of the present invention is useful by a surgeon to place fasteners such as threaded screws. The surgical fastener manipulation tool selectively engages a mating structure of fastener for securing the fastener thereto. Thus, advantageously, the surgical fastener manipulation tool can be used for placing such fasteners and/or can be used for extracting (i.e., removing) such fasteners. The ability to extract a fastener (e.g., a threaded bone screw) with the same tool used for placing it is highly beneficial due to time savings during a surgical procedure and is advantageous with respect to prior art fastener manipulation tool configurations that require placement and extraction tools to be differently configured.