Cannulated Bone Rod for Localized Spinal Fusion Fluid Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal fixation devices lack the ability to easily deliver treatment agents and fluids to the surgical site post-operatively, leading to increased post-operative complications such as infections and delayed recovery due to anatomical variations and the need for manual adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A customizable bone rod system with fenestrations and a removable treatment device that allows for selective delivery and drainage of substances to the surgical site, enabling controlled delivery of treatment agents and fluid removal through customizable fenestrations and cannulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional spinal fixation devices are used, then spinal stability and fusion are achieved, but the ability to deliver treatment agents and fluids to the surgical site is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The bone rod is designed to perform multiple functions: providing spinal fixation stability while simultaneously serving as a delivery conduit for treatment agents and fluids. The rod includes fenestrations and an interior hollow space that enable it to function as both a structural implant and a treatment delivery system, eliminating the need for separate delivery devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment delivery components are nested within the bone rod structure itself. The interior hollow space and fenestrations are integrated into the rod's anatomy, allowing treatment agents to be delivered through the structural elements of the fixation device without requiring additional external components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment is performed for anatomical variations, then treatment delivery can be customized, but post-operative recovery is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The bone rod is pre-configured with fenestrations and an interior hollow space during manufacturing, allowing treatment delivery pathways to be established before surgery. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for manual adjustment or additional surgical interventions post-operatively, enabling immediate customization for anatomical variations without delaying recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic adjustment of treatment delivery by enabling selective cannulation of different fenestrations based on patient-specific anatomical variations. The removable treatment device can be positioned to access different fenestrations, providing flexibility without requiring permanent modification of the bone rod structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate devices are used for fixation and treatment delivery, then both functions can be achieved, but device complexity and recovery difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation function and treatment delivery capability are merged into a single bone rod component. The rod combines structural elements for spinal stabilization with integrated fenestrations and interior hollow spaces that serve as conduits for treatment agent delivery, eliminating the need for separate fixation devices and treatment delivery systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The bone rod is designed as a multi-functional implant that simultaneously provides mechanical fixation and serves as a delivery platform for treatments. This universal design reduces the total number of components needed in the surgical system while maintaining both fixation reliability and treatment delivery effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlled delivery of fluids to the exterior of bone and surrounding tissue of a patient includes providing a cannulated bone rod. The method further includes creating an aperture in the skin of a patient and fixating the rod along bones or bone fragments using a spinal fixation system through the aperture. A spinal fixation system includes a bone screw having a longitudinal access and a bone rod configured to connect the bone screw to at least one additional bone screw. The bone rod is lateral to the longitudinal axis. The method further includes the steps of providing a fluid source, coupling the fluid source to the bone rod, and delivering a fluid from the fluid source into the bone rod. An additional method includes using the fixation system as a point of drainage for the posterolateral fusion site.