Multilevel Spinal Compression Instrument with Pivoting Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical methods for spinal fixation lack efficiency and options for applying compression and distraction forces, particularly in procedures involving multiple vertebrae levels, where skipping levels during procedures is challenging.
Innovation Solution
An instrument comprising a first, second, and third arm with a linking member and coupler, allowing for multilevel compression and distraction by pivotally linking screw extenders attached to vertebrae, enabling adjustable force application through a rotating coupler mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If pedicle screws and spinal rods are used to rigidly fix vertebrae, then spinal stability is improved, but surgical complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument divides the spinal fixation system into separate functional components: a compressor/distractor for applying forces, screw extenders for force transmission, and pedicle screws for vertebral anchoring. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the surgical process by enabling modular assembly and disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
Screw extenders are pre-loaded with compression or distraction forces before surgery. The forces are stored in the extenders during preparation and then applied to the vertebrae during the procedure, eliminating the need for complex real-time force application mechanisms during surgery.
2Reliability
If compression and distraction forces are applied to multiple vertebrae levels, then spinal correction is improved, but procedure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compressor/distractor instrument is designed with multiple arms that can simultaneously engage with different vertebrae levels. The same device can apply compression to one level and distraction to another level concurrently, enabling multilevel spinal correction in a single procedure without requiring multiple separate operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument maintains continuous force application across multiple vertebrae levels through its linked arm structure. When one arm applies force to a vertebra, the linkage system simultaneously or sequentially applies force to adjacent vertebrae, ensuring uninterrupted correction action throughout the spinal segment.
3Measurement precision
If screw extenders are used to transmit forces, then force application precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Screw extenders serve as intermediary components between the compressor/distractor and the pedicle screws. These extenders precisely transmit and amplify the applied forces to the vertebral bone, providing accurate force delivery while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure based on conventional screw and rod components.
Data Source
AI summary
An instrument for multilevel compression and distraction of vertebrae in a spinal column includes a first arm, a second arm, a third arm, a linking member, and a coupler. The first arm includes a distal end with a first aperture for receiving a first screw extender that attaches to a first vertebra. The second arm includes a distal end with a second aperture for receiving a second screw extender that attaches to a second vertebra. The third arm includes a distal end with a third aperture for receiving a third screw extender that attaches to a third vertebra. The linking member pivotally links proximal ends of the first, second, and third arms. The coupler positions the distal ends of the first arm and the second arm relative to the third arm to compress and distract the first vertebra and the second vertebra relative to the third vertebra.