Modular Cervical Disc Instrument for Imaging-Guided Slot Cutting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional TDR surgery requires multiple instruments for trialing and cutting slots in the endplates, obstructing imaging and complicating the procedure, and lacks integrated tools for precise slot cutting and implant placement.

Innovation Solution

A modular cervical disc instrument integrating a handle, trial head, and blade, allowing simultaneous trialing and cutting with features like alignment posts, depth stops, and a single instrument design to ensure precise slot cutting and unobstructed imaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple instruments are used for trialing and cutting slots in TDR surgery, then the procedure can be completed with dedicated tools for each function, but the number of instruments increases and imaging is obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional adequacyVSAvoidnumber of instruments

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the trial head and blade cutting instrument into a single integrated cervical disc instrument. The trial head is removably coupled to the handle, and the blade is disposed in the cavity of the handle, allowing both trialing and slot cutting functions to be performed with one instrument rather than requiring separate instruments for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single cervical disc instrument is designed to perform multiple functions: the trial head portion is used for determining the proper location for the disc implant, and the blade is used for cutting the slots in the superior and inferior endplates. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple specialized instruments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple instruments are used for trialing and cutting slots, then each function can be performed with a specialized tool, but the surgical procedure becomes more complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional adequacyVSAvoidprocedural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the trial head and blade into a single integrated instrument assembly. The trial head is removably coupled to the handle, and the blade is disposed in the cavity of the handle, allowing the surgeon to perform both trialing and slot cutting with one instrument rather than switching between multiple instruments during the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple instruments are used for trialing and cutting, then dedicated tools can be used for each function, but imaging is obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional adequacyVSAvoidimaging obstruction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument is designed with a modular structure where the trial head is removably coupled to the handle. This segmentation allows the trial head to be detached when imaging is required, preventing obstruction of the imaging path while maintaining the ability to perform trialing and cutting functions when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20260033859A1Cervical disc intruments

Publication Date: 2026.02.05 GLOBUS MEDICAL INC

AI summary

A cervical disc instrument that includes a handle that defines a cavity therein, a trial head, and a blade. The trial head is removably coupled to the handle and configured for insertion into a disc space. The blade is disposed in the cavity of the handle and configured to cut a surface that at least partially defines the disc space when the trial head is located in the disc space.