Movable Spacer Element for Versatile Intervertebral Implant Insertion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical instruments for inserting intervertebral implants are limited in their ability to accommodate implants of varying sizes and require specific adaptation for each type, making them less versatile and prone to damage during insertion.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with a movably supported spacer element that can be adjusted in position relative to the abutment-element holding elements, allowing for the insertion of intervertebral implants of different sizes and orientations, and featuring a U-shaped spacer element design to prevent tilting and ensure proper spacing between abutment elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the instrument is designed for specific implant types, then insertion precision is improved, but adaptability to different implant sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer element is made movable relative to the abutment-element holding elements, allowing dynamic adjustment of the spacer's position. This enables the same instrument to accommodate implants of different sizes by adjusting the spacer position, while maintaining precise insertion capability for each specific implant type.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument is designed with universal applicability through the movable spacer element that can be positioned to match different implant dimensions. The U-shaped spacer element can accommodate various implant sizes and orientations, making a single instrument suitable for multiple implant types rather than requiring separate instruments for each size.
2Device complexity
If the spacer element is fixed in position, then structural simplicity is improved, but versatility for different implant sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer element transitions from a fixed to a movable design, allowing it to be repositioned along the shank to accommodate different implant sizes. This dynamic capability adds versatility while maintaining relatively simple structure through the use of a guide opening and detent elements for positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer element is designed as a separate, movable component that can be independently positioned relative to the abutment-element holding elements. This segmentation allows the spacer to be adjusted to different positions without affecting the overall instrument structure, providing versatility while keeping each component relatively simple.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the abutment elements are held rigidly, then stability during insertion is improved, but risk of tilting and damage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The U-shaped spacer element is designed to encompass the articulated element, providing protective support before insertion is complete. This pre-cushioning prevents tilting and damage by maintaining proper alignment and spacing between abutment elements throughout the insertion process, particularly during critical transition phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer element acts as an intermediary component between the abutment elements, maintaining proper spacing and alignment. This intermediary structure prevents direct contact that could cause tilting, while the U-shape allows it to encompass and protect the articulated element during insertion.
Data Source
AI summary
So that a surgical instrument for inserting an intervertebral implant into an intervertebral space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of two vertebrae of a human or animal spinal column, wherein the intervertebral implant comprises a first abutment element for abutment against one of the two adjacent vertebral bodies as well as a second abutment element directly or indirectly supported in an articulated manner on the first abutment element for abutment against the other of the two adjacent vertebral bodies, wherein the instrument comprises an elongate shank, which defines a longitudinal direction and on the distal end of which at least two abutment-element holding elements are provided for detachable connection to the first and the second abutment element, and a spacer element, which projects from the distal end of the shank in extension thereof and which, when the abutment elements are connected to the instrument, engages between the abutment elements and holds them a defined spacing apart from one another, may be improved in such a way that with it a plurality of different implants, in particular of differing sizes, is insertable through different approaches into the intervertebral space, it is proposed that the spacer element is supported movably relative to at least one of the two abutment-element holding elements.