Intervertebral Disc Trial Cutter for Precise Bone Slot Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical instruments for implanting intervertebral prosthetic discs are time-consuming and lack precision in cutting and positioning, complicating the surgical procedure for total disc replacement (TDR).
Innovation Solution
A combined trial and cutting instrument designed to determine the appropriate implant size and cut the bone with precision, featuring a handle, trial sizer head, and movable cutting blades, which can be locked or unlocked for insertion and cutting, and includes adjustable stops for accurate placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate instruments are used for sizing and cutting, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and procedure time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the trial sizer and cutting blade into a single integrated instrument. The trial sizer head includes a longitudinal slot that receives the cutting blade, allowing both sizing and cutting functions to be performed with one instrument. This reduces the number of separate instruments needed and streamlines the surgical procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The trial sizer head is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as a trial implant sizer to determine the appropriate disc size, provides a longitudinal slot for receiving the cutting blade, and enables both sizing and cutting operations to be performed sequentially with the same instrument. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized instruments.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple separate steps are used for disc implantation, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated instrument allows continuous useful action by enabling the surgeon to perform sizing and cutting operations without removing the instrument from the disc space. The cutting blade can be advanced through the trial sizer head slot and used to cut the vertebral body immediately after sizing, eliminating idle time between steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The trial sizer head is inserted first to determine the appropriate implant size and establish the cutting depth guide. The longitudinal slot in the trial sizer head then serves as a guide for advancing the cutting blade to the correct depth, ensuring precise cutting based on the previously determined sizing requirements.
3Ease of operation
If manual cutting techniques are used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision and cutting accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The trial sizer head acts as an intermediary tool that provides a longitudinal slot serving as a guide and depth marker for the cutting blade. This intermediary structure enables precise cutting by providing a physical guide that ensures the cutting blade reaches the correct depth and angle, while still allowing manual operation of the instrument.
Data Source
AI summary
Surgical instruments, systems and methods are described for selecting a size and cutting bone for inserting of an intervertebral disc prosthesis. The surgical instrument includes a combined intervertebral disc prosthesis sizing trial and a slot or channel cutter which is movable with respect to the sizing trial.