Facet Screw Washer Flex Visual Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Facet screw fixation in spinal surgery lacks a reliable method to visually determine when the screw is adequately set in the bone, making it challenging for surgeons to confirm proper installation during the procedure.
Innovation Solution
A facet screw system comprising a screw and a washer, where the washer's arms flex when the screw is set, providing a visual indication of proper seating through a groove between the arms and the central ring, facilitating the determination of screw placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a traditional facet screw system is used, then the screw can be implanted into the bone, but it is difficult to determine when the screw is desirably set in the bone
Solution Approach 1:
The washer includes arms with grooves that flex to different positions, creating visible changes in the configuration that can be observed during screw implantation. This allows the surgeon to visually detect when the screw has been properly set in the bone without requiring additional measurement tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The washer acts as an intermediary component between the screw and the bone, providing a visual indication system through its flexible arms. The arms flex in response to screw insertion, serving as a mediator that translates the internal screw positioning state into an externally observable signal.
2Reliability
If the screw is implanted without visual indication, then the implantation process is simpler, but the surgeon cannot confirm proper installation
Solution Approach 1:
The visual indication is achieved through configuration changes of the washer arms rather than adding complex mechanical or electronic components. The grooves in the arms provide visible references that change position as the arms flex, enabling reliable confirmation of proper installation with minimal added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The washer system provides its own visual indication capability without requiring external measurement devices or additional components. The flexible arms with grooves self-indicate the screw seating status through their natural flexing motion during implantation, eliminating the need for separate confirmation tools.
3Measurement precision
If the washer arms are rigid, then the structure is stronger, but they cannot flex to provide visual indication of screw seating
Solution Approach 1:
The washer arms are designed with dynamic flexibility, allowing them to bend and flex as the screw is implanted. This dynamic behavior enables the arms to respond to insertion forces and provide visual feedback through groove position changes, while maintaining sufficient strength to perform their load-bearing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The arms are designed with specific material and geometric parameters that allow controlled flexing within a certain range. The grooves are positioned and dimensioned to provide visible indication at the appropriate flex point, balancing the need for visual feedback with the requirement for structural integrity during and after implantation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system allows for a clear visual cue during implantation, ensuring accurate screw placement and reducing the complexity of determining when the screw is desirably set in the bone, thereby enhancing the surgical precision and confidence.
Implementation Method 1
A groove is defined on the washer between the arms and an exterior of the central ring. The groove is configured to enable the arms to flex when the screw system becomes desirably set into the bone.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical screw system configured to facilitate determination of when the screw system is desirably set in a bone during implantation of the screw at a surgical site. The screw system includes a screw and a washer having a central ring surrounding a head receiving pocket configured for receiving the head of the screw, a plurality of arms spaced around and extending outwardly from the ring, the arms each having a bone contacting surface that engages the bone when the screw is implanted into the bone, and a groove defined between the arms and an exterior of the central ring. The groove is configured to enable the arms to flex when the screw system becomes desirably set into the bone to provide a visual indication that the screw is desirably set in the bone.