Intervertebral Graft Insertion Instrument with Integrated Distractor

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge lies in positioning and inserting implants between adjacent bony portions, which can be difficult due to close spacing or tissue interference, requiring invasive procedures and additional instruments for maintaining distraction during insertion.

Innovation Solution

An instrument with a housing and opposing guide members, a spreader, and a drive member facilitates implant placement by pivoting guide members to position the implant and then withdrawing support members, allowing for controlled distraction and implant insertion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional instruments are used to maintain distraction during implant insertion, then implant placement stability is improved, but device complexity and invasiveness increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant placement stabilityVSAvoidnumber of instruments

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The distractor and implant inserter are merged into a single integrated instrument. The distractor body forms part of the inserter assembly, allowing distraction force application and implant insertion to be performed simultaneously with one device rather than requiring separate instruments to maintain distraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated instrument performs multiple functions: it maintains distraction of the bony portions, positions the implant, and facilitates insertion all through a single device. The distractor body serves both as a distraction mechanism and as part of the implant delivery system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If additional instruments are used to maintain distraction during implant insertion, then implant placement stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to impeded access and visibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant placement stabilityVSAvoidaccess and visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If bony portions are spaced close together, then anatomical constraints are respected, but ease of operation deteriorates making insertion difficult or time consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanatomical spacingVSAvoidinsertion difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The distractor is used to pre-separate the adjacent bony portions before implant insertion. By applying distraction force in advance, sufficient space is created to accommodate the implant and allow easy insertion, while the distractor remains in place to maintain this created space throughout the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7625379B2Methods and instrumentation for inserting intervertebral grafts and devices

Publication Date: 2009.12.01 WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC

AI summary

Instruments for inserting an implant in a space between adjacent bony portions include upper and lower guide members separated by a spreader with the implant positioned forwardly of the spreader. The spreader is movable forwardly between the guide members with a drive member to position the implant in a space between the bony portions. The spreader contacts the adjacent bony portions to facilitate withdrawal of the inserter instrument when the implant is positioned in the space.