Flexible Spinal Insertion Tool Angled Fastener Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional surgical instruments for implanting intervertebral spacers require larger surgical incisions due to their straight shafts, which complicates the minimally invasive implantation process.
Innovation Solution
The development of an intervertebral spacer insertion system that includes a Drill, Tap, and Screw guide (DTS guide) and a flexible tool, allowing for angled fastener channels and a locking mechanism, enabling the use of angled fasteners without additional apertures or recesses in the spacer, and a flexible shaft that can flex to maintain alignment during insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If traditional straight shaft awl tools and driver tools are used, then the implantation process is simple, but larger surgical incisions are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a curved shaft design in the awl tool and driver tool instead of a straight shaft. This curvature allows the tools to navigate through smaller incisions while maintaining the ability to reach and align with the intervertebral spacer's fastener channels, thus reducing incision size without sacrificing alignment precision
Solution Approach 2:
The curved shaft introduces a spatial dimension solution by bending the tool path to match the anatomical geometry. This allows the tool to approach the target from an angled direction through a smaller incision, effectively using spatial repositioning to overcome the limitation of incision size versus alignment precision
2Strength
If angled fastener channels are used in the intervertebral spacer, then fixation strength is improved, but additional apertures or recesses are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a guide member as an intermediary component that bridges the gap between the straight shaft approach and the angled fastener channel. The guide member provides the necessary angular orientation, allowing the fastener to be inserted through the angled channel without requiring additional apertures or recesses in the spacer body
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener insertion system is segmented into multiple functional components: the awl tool for creating the channel, the guide member for angular orientation, and the driver tool for fastener insertion. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, achieving strong angular fixation without complicating the spacer structure
3Manufacturing precision
If a flexible shaft is used in the tool, then alignment during insertion is maintained, but tool complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible shaft constructed from layered materials that can bend and conform to the curved path required for minimally invasive access. This flexibility allows the shaft to maintain alignment with the target fastener channel while navigating through smaller incisions, achieving precise alignment without requiring overly complex rigid mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
An insertion assembly may include a flexible tool and a DTS guide configured to engage an intervertebral spacer having a fastener channel oriented at a first angle. The DTS guide may include a DTS guide channel oriented at the first angle which may be aligned with the fastener channel. The flexible tool may include a flexible shaft and a working member disposed at a distal end of the flexible shaft. The working member may be received through the DTS guide channel at the first angle. At least a portion of the flexible shaft adjacent the DTS guide member may flex while the working member is received through the DTS guide channel, such that a distal portion of the flexible shaft may be at a greater absolute angle relative to a DTS guide shaft than a proximal portion of the flexible shaft.