Combined Disc Sizing Trial and Vertebral Bone Cutter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical instruments for implanting intervertebral prosthetic discs are time-consuming and complicated, with challenges in precise positioning and cutting techniques, and lack a combined cutting and trial function for efficient disc placement.

Innovation Solution

A surgical cutting instrument designed as a combined trial and cutter, featuring a handle, trial sizer head, and movable cutting blades, allowing for precise cutting and sizing of the disc space with adjustable stops for optimal positioning and alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If separate instruments are used for sizing and cutting, then each function can be optimized independently, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of surgical procedureVSAvoidnumber of instruments required
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the trial sizer and cutting instrument into a single integrated device. The trial sizer head includes built-in cutting blades that can be advanced to cut channels in the vertebral bodies. This eliminates the need for separate sizing and cutting instruments, reducing procedural time and complexity while maintaining both functions in one device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The surgical instrument is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a trial sizer for determining appropriate implant size and a cutting instrument for preparing the vertebral bodies. The same instrument can be used for both sizing/positioning the prosthetic disc and cutting the bone, making it a universal tool for the TDR procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If multiple instruments are used for disc placement, then each instrument can be specialized, but the procedural complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of procedureVSAvoidduration of surgical procedure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the trial sizer and cutter into one instrument, the surgeon performs both sizing and cutting operations with a single device, eliminating the need to switch between instruments during the procedure. This streamlines the workflow and reduces the overall procedural time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If separate trial and cutting instruments are used, then positioning can be optimized, but precise positioning of cuts becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of cuttingVSAvoidcoordination of multiple instruments
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated design ensures that the cutting blades are precisely positioned relative to the trial sizer head. When the trial sizer is positioned in the disc space, the cutting blades are automatically positioned to create channels at the correct locations in the vertebral bodies, ensuring precise positioning without requiring coordination between separate instruments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4034002B1Surgical cutter instrument with trial
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 SIMPLIFY MEDICAL PTY LTD
  • EP4034002B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4034002B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4034002B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Surgical instruments, systems and methods are described for selecting a size and cutting bone for inserting of an intervertebral disc prosthesis. The surgical instrument includes a combined intervertebral disc prosthesis sizing trial and a slot or channel cutter which is movable with respect to the sizing trial.