Expandable Paddle Distractor for Intervertebral Space Sizing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the size of intervertebral spaces in spinal surgeries require the use of multiple differently-sized surgical distractors, which is inefficient and involves frequent removal and replacement of devices.
Innovation Solution
A single expandable surgical distractor with a distal movement assembly and proximal drive assembly, featuring paddles that move in opposing directions via engagement members and slots, allowing for size determination without removing the device from the space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple differently-sized surgical distractors are used to determine intervertebral space size, then accurate size determination is achieved, but surgical efficiency deteriorates due to frequent device removal and replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical distractor incorporates an expandable mechanism with paddles that can be adjusted to different configurations. The pusher plate can be moved along the longitudinal axis to expand or contract the paddles, allowing a single device to assume multiple sizes. This dynamic adjustability eliminates the need to exchange between multiple fixed-size distractors while maintaining precise measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single surgical distractor is designed to perform multiple functions: it can measure different intervertebral space sizes, maintain distraction at various levels, and provide stable engagement with vertebral structures. The expandable paddle mechanism enables one device to replace multiple differently-sized distractors, improving surgical workflow while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If multiple differently-sized surgical distractors are used, then appropriate size selection is achieved, but surgical time increases due to frequent device substitution
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable paddle mechanism allows real-time adjustment of distractor size without removal. The surgeon can expand or contract the paddles by moving the pusher plate along the longitudinal axis, enabling rapid size changes that eliminate the time-consuming process of device exchange while maintaining precise implant size determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical distractor is pre-configured with an expandable mechanism that allows size adjustment during the procedure. The engagement members and slots are designed to facilitate smooth paddle movement, enabling the surgeon to quickly adapt the device size to match the measured intervertebral space without delaying the surgical workflow.
3Productivity
If a single expandable surgical distractor is used, then surgical efficiency is improved by eliminating device removal and replacement, but device complexity increases due to the expandable mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The distractor is divided into functional segments: the proximal drive assembly, the pusher plate, and multiple paddles with engagement members. This segmentation allows the expandable mechanism to be constructed from modular components that work together through simple mechanical interactions (engagement members moving in slots), reducing overall system complexity despite the expandable capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement members act as intermediaries between the pusher plate and paddles, translating linear movement of the pusher plate into radial expansion or contraction of the paddles. The slots in the pusher plate serve as guiding intermediaries that constrain engagement member movement to precise paths, simplifying the control of the expandable mechanism while maintaining surgical efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations described herein include surgical distraction devices having a distal movement assembly having a pusher plate comprising a first slot extending along a first axis disposed in a first side and a second slot extending along a second axis disposed in a second side thereof. The first axis is oriented at an angle of from about 60 to about 160 degrees from the second axis. The device further includes a first and second paddles, each paddle having a corresponding engagement mechanism for movably coupling the respective first or second paddle to the pusher plate when engaged in the respective slot. Rotational actuation of the proximal drive assembly causes proximal or distal movement of the pusher plate, causing the first and second engagement members to move relative to their respective slots, thereby moving the first paddle and the second paddle in opposing directions. Methods of using such surgical distraction devices to determine size of an intervertebral space are also described.