Hinged Bone Screw with Reduction Tool for Spinal Stabilization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional spinal surgery techniques, especially those involving dynamic stabilization, face challenges with bulky and invasive tools that can traumatize tissues and require large incisions, leading to unwanted immobilization of spinal joints and potential degeneration of adjacent segments.
Innovation Solution
The development of bone attachment assemblies and tools for minimal or less invasive surgery, including hinged and polyaxial spinal implants, insertion tools, drivers, and reduction tools that allow for precise placement and securement of longitudinal connecting members with minimal tissue trauma and reduced invasiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional open surgery tools are used for spinal implantation, then secure implantation and stabilization can be achieved, but tissue trauma and surgical invasiveness increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical system is divided into separate modular components: a guide wire for precise positioning, a delivery tool for implant transport, and the implant itself. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while minimizing overall tissue disruption compared to traditional bulkier tools.
Solution Approach 2:
A guide wire serves as an intermediary element that first establishes the correct trajectory and position, followed by the delivery tool that transports the implant along this pre-established path. This intermediary approach enables precise implantation through minimal incisions without requiring large open surgical access.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic stabilization connecting members are used instead of rigid rods, then spinal flexibility is improved, but the complexity of insertion and manipulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator arm and fastening member are extracted as separate, removable components from the delivery tool rather than being integrated permanently. This allows the delivery tool to be simplified for insertion while the actuator mechanisms are added only when needed for securing the implant, reducing overall system complexity during the critical insertion phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery tool incorporates an actuator arm that can dynamically extend and retract, and a fastening member that can engage and disengage. This dynamic capability allows the tool to adapt its configuration during different surgical steps, providing the necessary complexity only when required while maintaining simplicity during insertion.
3Reliability
If projecting actuator arms and fastening members are added to tools, then implant securing capability is improved, but clearance space and tissue trauma increase
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator arm is designed to extend only when needed for engaging the fastening member with the implant, and retract to a compact position during insertion and when not in use. This dynamic deployment minimizes the space occupied by these components during most surgical phases, reducing clearance requirements and tissue trauma while maintaining full securing capability when required.
Data Source
AI summary
A hinged bone screw and tool set is used for implanting such bone screws in a human spine, followed by the implantation of a longitudinal connecting member into the bone screws. The hinged bone screw includes a shank with an upper portion and a receiver with integral arms forming a U-shaped channel. A lower curved seat partially defining the U-shaped channel cooperates with an upper portion of the bone screw shank for hinged movement of the shank with respect to the receiver. The tool set includes an insertion tool, a bone screw driver, a reduction tool and a closure starter. The insertion tool includes a bone screw attachment structure and a laterally opening channel. The insertion tool further includes a threaded portion for cooperation with the reduction tool to provide synchronized placement of a closure structure in the bone screw receiver while reducing and capturing a longitudinal connecting member within the receiver. Further alternative bone screws are hinged, polyaxial or fixed and include lordosing or kyphosing lateral surfaces.