Expandable Pedicle Screw Remover for Poly-Axial Implants
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Solution Overview
Problem
The removal of pedicle screws, especially when the custom driver head is not available, poses significant challenges due to the poly-axial design and spherical screw head, making it difficult to engage and remove the screw and socket effectively.
Innovation Solution
A pedicle screw remover device comprising a body, a driver head, forward and rear driver rods, and a handle, where the driver head is outwardly expandable to engage the pedicle screw and socket, and the entire device is rotatable to withdraw the screw and socket, allowing for effective removal even without the custom driver head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a custom driver head is used to engage the screw head, then the screw can be effectively engaged and removed, but the removal becomes impossible or extremely difficult when the custom driver head is not available
Solution Approach 1:
The driver head is designed with a universal engagement mechanism that can accommodate both custom driver head interfaces and alternative engagement methods. The driver head includes a receiving chamber with engagement features that can interface with the spherical screw head directly or through alternative drivers, making the device versatile for different removal scenarios without requiring the original custom driver head
Solution Approach 2:
The driver head acts as an intermediary component between the removal device and the screw. It includes a receiving chamber with engagement features that can adapt to different screw head configurations. When the custom driver head is unavailable, the driver head's internal engagement features directly interface with the spherical screw head, mediating the connection and enabling removal through alternative mechanisms
2Adaptability or versatility
If the screw head is spherical and poly-axial to allow multi-directional insertion, then the screw can be inserted flexibly, but the spherical design makes it difficult to engage and remove the screw without the custom driver head
Solution Approach 1:
The driver head incorporates a dynamic engagement mechanism with movable engagement features that can adapt to the spherical screw head's orientation. The engagement features can move or adjust position to accommodate the poly-axial nature of the screw head during insertion, while the same dynamic mechanism provides secure gripping force during removal, solving both the insertion flexibility and removal difficulty
Solution Approach 2:
The driver head is segmented into multiple engagement features that can independently interact with different portions of the spherical screw head. This segmentation allows the engagement features to work together to provide both the flexibility needed for poly-axial insertion and the secure grip required for effective removal, addressing the contradiction between insertion adaptability and removal ease
Data Source
AI summary
A pedicle screw remover includes a body, a driver head, forward and rear driver rods and a handle. The driver head is outwardly expandable via advancement of the driver rods to engage a pedicle screw and socket. Once engaged, the entire device is rotatable via the handle to withdraw the engaged screw and socket. The driver head is removable from the body and replaceable with other driver heads.