Offset Striking Arm Spinal Implant Inserter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional spinal implant insertion methods, particularly the lateral approach, face challenges due to interference with bony prominences around the posterior rims of vertebral bodies and lack of control over the implant's axis, leading to potential misalignment and complications during insertion.

Innovation Solution

A spinal implant insertion apparatus featuring an elongated inserter with a movable and non-movable portion, a clamping device, a striking arm with a spherical ball and stem, and a slap hammer, which allows for precise alignment and translation of the implant into the desired position without interfering with bony prominences by applying a force to move the striking arm and inserter, thereby correcting the implant's axis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional lateral approach techniques are used to insert spinal implants, then the surgery is relatively less invasive, but interference occurs between the implant or tool and bony prominences adjacent the posterior rims of the vertebral bodies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference with bony prominencesVSAvoiddifficulty of implant insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The offset striking arm acts as an intermediary mechanism between the slap hammer and the implant holder. It translates the impact force from a lateral approach into a controlled anterior-posterior motion that guides the implant along the correct trajectory, preventing interference with bony prominences while maintaining the benefits of the lateral surgical approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If traditional insertion tools are used, then the implant can be positioned proximate the disc space, but the axis through the implant is offset from the desired insertion path

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precision of implant axisVSAvoidcomplexity of insertion tool

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The striking arm is designed with movable connection points including a spherical ball and stem mechanism, allowing dynamic adjustment of the force application angle. This enables the tool to adapt to the offset implant position and correct the axis alignment through controlled motion rather than requiring precise static positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The insertion tool is divided into distinct functional segments: the inserter body, the movable striking arm with spherical connection, and the slap hammer. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, with the striking arm specifically designed to correct axis alignment while the other components handle implant holding and force application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the implant axis is offset from the desired path, then the implant can be initially positioned, but interference with bony prominences occurs during final insertion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference with bony prominencesVSAvoidprecision of implant placement

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The spherical ball and stem mechanism is pre-configured to accommodate offset implant positioning. This preliminary design feature allows the system to accept implants that are not perfectly aligned and then correct the trajectory during the insertion process, preventing interference with bony prominences while achieving precise final placement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables precise and controlled insertion of spinal implants into the disc space between vertebral bodies without interference with bony prominences, ensuring accurate alignment and minimizing recovery time and discomfort for the patient.

Implementation Method 1

slapping the slap hammer defines a force, the force moving the slap hammer shaft and the attachment portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact Force: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentUS10219917B2Spinal implant inserter utilizing offset striking arms

Publication Date: 2019.03.05 WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC

AI summary

A device for inserting a spinal implant into a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae. An elongated inserter defines a first axis and has an implant securing or clamping device at a distal end, holding the implant. An arcuate striking arm is pivotally connected at one end to the inserter. A slap hammer has a shaft. The second end of the striking arm is connected to the slap hammer. A force applied to the slap hammer defines an axis of force, moving the slap hammer shaft along the axis of force. The striking arm moves and pivots with respect to the inserter. The motion of the striking arm translates motion to the inserter and to the implant clamping device. An otherwise offset axis of the implant aligns with a desired direction of travel into the disc space.