Modular Lateral Reducer for Spinal Rod Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
During spinal surgery, aligning a vertebral rod that is medially or laterally offset from the implant site is challenging, especially when the surgical site is crowded with instruments, as existing instruments are not designed to efficiently reduce and derotate rods in situ.
Innovation Solution
A modular surgical instrument system comprising a lateral reducer with a translating reducer arm and pivoting arm interface, which can sequentially reduce a rod laterally and remain installed during implantation and derotation, allowing for alignment with the implant head without removing other instruments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If existing surgical instruments are used to implant rods, then the rod can be implanted, but the rod cannot be efficiently aligned with the implant head when medially or laterally offset, especially in crowded surgical sites
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical instrument is divided into separate functional modules: a rod holder for securing the rod, a lateral reducer for lateral alignment, and a derotator for rotational alignment. This segmentation allows each module to perform its specific function independently, enabling precise rod alignment even in crowded surgical sites where instruments are already installed.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument incorporates movable components including a pivoting arm interface that allows the reducer arm to rotate between open and closed positions, and a derotator that can rotate to adjust rod orientation. These dynamic elements enable the instrument to adapt to different rod positions and achieve precise alignment without requiring removal of other instruments.
2Productivity
If multiple instruments are installed around the rod, then the surgical site is prepared, but the rod alignment becomes more difficult due to spatial constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral reducer and derotator are designed to fit within or alongside existing instruments in the surgical site. The reducer arm can be positioned adjacent to other instruments, and the derotator can rotate within the limited space, allowing alignment operations without requiring removal of surrounding instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument utilizes multi-dimensional movement including lateral reduction along one axis and rotational adjustment along another axis. This dimensional approach allows alignment to be achieved through sequential movements in different directions, overcoming the spatial constraints imposed by surrounding instruments.
3Manufacturing precision
If the rod is reduced laterally to align with the implant, then alignment is achieved, but the instrument structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment function is divided into separate modules: a lateral reducer for lateral alignment and a derotator for rotational alignment. Each module is a distinct, manageable component with a specific function, making the overall complex task of precise alignment achievable through simpler, modular operations rather than a single complicated mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral reducer is designed to perform lateral alignment before the derotator performs rotational alignment. This sequential preliminary action allows the rod to be progressively aligned in stages, with each stage building upon the previous one, making the overall alignment process more manageable and precise.
Data Source
AI summary
A lateral reducer includes a translating reducer arm, an interface and handle bars. The arm includes a first longitudinal axis and laterally drives a rod. The interface has a fulcrum and a first side integrated with the arm. The interface pivots the arm between an open position and a closed position. A first handle bar connects to the fulcrum and has a second longitudinal axis. A second handle bar connects to a second side of the interface. The second handle bar has a first position, intermediate positions and a second position. In the first position, the arm is in the open position. In the second position, the arm is in the closed position so that the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are parallel. In intermediate positions between the first and second positions, the arm moves laterally in a direction toward the first handle bar.