Disposable Interspinous Stabilization Instruments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for implanting interspinous / interlaminar stabilization devices require precise sizing and adjustment, which can be challenging and may involve reusable instruments that pose infection risks due to resterilization needs.

Innovation Solution

Disposable surgical instruments with dual-functioning heads for measuring and attaching the devices, allowing for precise sizing and secure implantation without the need for resterilization, including a handle component and head component that can be easily attached and detached for single-patient use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If reusable instruments are used for implanting stabilization devices, then instrument durability and cost-effectiveness are improved, but infection risk increases due to resterilization requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstrument reuse capabilityVSAvoidinfection risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs disposable surgical instruments for implanting stabilization devices, eliminating the need for resterilization and associated infection risks. The instruments are designed as single-use items that are discarded after one patient procedure, ensuring sterility while maintaining cost-effectiveness through efficient design and material selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Manufacturing precision

If precise sizing and adjustment are performed during implantation, then device fit and stability are improved, but procedural complexity and time requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizing accuracyVSAvoidimplantation procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates pre-marked measurement indicators and pre-configured sizing features on the stabilization devices and accompanying instruments. These preliminary markings allow surgeons to quickly determine the correct device size and make necessary adjustments without complex measurement procedures, reducing both procedural complexity and time requirements while maintaining precise sizing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If disposable instruments are used for single-patient procedures, then infection risk from resterilization is reduced, but logistical costs and waste increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinfection risk from resterilizationVSAvoidlogistical waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs disposable instruments using cost-effective materials and streamlined manufacturing processes that minimize production costs. By making the instruments affordable as single-use items, the system eliminates expensive resterilization logistics and associated infection risks, while the low per-unit cost reduces the impact of disposal waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Productivity

If instruments with dual-functioning heads are used for measuring and attaching devices, then instrument versatility and efficiency are improved, but instrument design complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplantation efficiencyVSAvoidinstrument design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs instruments with dual-functioning heads that can perform both measurement and attachment operations. One head configuration is optimized for measuring anatomical landmarks and device positioning, while the other head is designed for securing the stabilization device to bone. This multi-functionality consolidates multiple tools into one instrument, improving implantation efficiency despite the increased design complexity, which is managed through modular construction and standardized components.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3422973B1Instruments for interspinous or interlaminar stabilization devices
Publication Date: 2023.04.19 SURGALIGN SPV INC
  • EP3422973B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3422973B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C
  • EP3422973B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4C

AI summary

Surgical instruments to properly implant interspinous / interlaminar stabilization devices, and instrumentation kits containing these instruments are provided. These surgical instruments may be configured to be disposable, or for single patient use, and therefore do not require resterilization for reuse, thus reducing risk of infection as a result of reuse and logistical costs associated with these resterilization procedures.