Multifunctional Clamping Sleeve for Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical instruments for spinal column stabilization systems face difficulties in minimally invasive procedures due to challenges in placing the multifunctional sleeve on the bone screw, leading to increased surgical trauma and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A set of surgical instruments featuring a clamping sleeve with an outer and inner sleeve structure that allows the multifunctional sleeve to be inserted with the bone screw still coupled to an insertion instrument, enabling indirect holding torque and simplifying the insertion process by eliminating the need for direct engagement with the bone screw head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the multifunctional sleeve is placed on the bone screw head directly, then the sleeve can be securely held, but the surgical access becomes more complex and traumatic in minimally invasive procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary instrument (insertion instrument with holding instrument coupling device) that mediates between the surgeon and the bone screw. Instead of directly engaging the sleeve with the bone screw head, the insertion instrument serves as a mediator to insert the connecting element and provide holding torque indirectly through the connecting element, thereby simplifying surgical access while maintaining secure holding.
2Reliability
If the multifunctional sleeve is inserted after removing the insertion instrument, then the sleeve can be directly engaged with the bone screw, but additional surgical steps and time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by designing the insertion instrument to perform multiple functions in advance: it inserts the connecting element into the bone screw receptacle and simultaneously provides holding torque through the holding instrument coupling device. This preliminary engagement of the multifunctional sleeve with the connecting element eliminates the need for subsequent separate steps to engage the sleeve, thereby reducing surgical time while maintaining reliable engagement.
3Ease of operation
If the bone screw is inserted without direct visualization, then minimally invasive access is achieved, but the risk of errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through the holding instrument coupling device that provides tactile and mechanical feedback to the surgeon during insertion. The coupling device allows the surgeon to feel the resistance and position of the connecting element as it is inserted into the bone screw receptacle, providing real-time feedback that compensates for the lack of direct visualization, thereby maintaining insertion accuracy in minimally invasive procedures.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~3B
AI summary
The apparatus has two bone screws (18) comprising a connecting element receiver, and a connecting element (86) inserted and fixed with the receiver. A multi-function sleeve (106) includes proximal and distal ends and defines a longitudinal axis, where the sleeve comprises a connecting element-coupling device (108), a spreading device-coupling device (110) and a holding instrument-coupling device (112). An internal wall surface of the sleeve is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the axis where no projections protrude from or beyond the internal wall surface in a direction of the axis.