Detachable Handle Instrument Guide for Spinal Fixation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spinal fixation systems are limited in their applicability, particularly for lower lumbar spinal injuries, and require manual stabilization during drilling or insertion procedures, which can be challenging due to limited access and visibility.

Innovation Solution

An instrument guide with a detachable handle and releasable lock assembly that aligns with fastener openings on implantable devices, allowing for precise placement and stabilization without manual holding, facilitating the use of drill guides or fasteners in spinal orthopedic procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional bone fixation system is used, then the system can provide spinal fusion, but manual stabilization is required during drilling or insertion procedures which is challenging due to limited access and visibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual stabilizationVSAvoidinstrument guide system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument guide is divided into separate modular components: a guide body with lumens, a detachable handle assembly, and a device coupler. This segmentation allows the guide to be attached to different implantable devices and enables the handle to be detached when not needed, eliminating the need for manual stabilization while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The instrument guide acts as an intermediary device between the implantable device and the fastening instruments. It provides a stable reference structure with aligned lumens that guide drills and fasteners without requiring manual holding, thereby eliminating the stabilization challenge while adding controlled complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the handle is permanently attached, then the instrument guide provides continuous support, but access to the instrument guide lumens is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to lumensVSAvoidhandle attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The handle attachment transitions from static to dynamic through a releasable lock assembly. The handle can be detached when lumens need access and reattached when support is needed, providing both unobstructed access and structural stability at different operational stages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If the instrument guide is rigidly fixed, then alignment precision is maintained, but adaptability to different implantable devices is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoiddevice compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device coupler is designed with universal engagement features that can attach to multiple types of implantable devices while maintaining precise lumens alignment. This allows the same instrument guide to adapt to different devices without sacrificing alignment precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8764762B2Attachable instrument guide with detachable handle

Publication Date: 2014.07.01 SPINAL ELEMENTS INC

AI summary

An instrument guide with device coupler, a handle and one or more instrument guide lumens is detachably coupled to an orthopedic implant to facilitate drilling of the fastener holes or to facilitate insertion of self-tapping or self-dripping fasteners. The handle is preferably detachable to facilitate access to the instrument guide lumens. The device coupler detachably engages the implantable device and aligns the instrument guide lumens with the fastener openings on the device.