Pedicle Screw Radiographic Marker for Insertion Angle
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current pedicle screw insertion systems face challenges in accurately determining the optimal insertion angle without expensive and complex robotic machinery or guide wires, leading to increased procedure complexity and duration.
Innovation Solution
A pedicle screw with a radiographically visible element located at a predefined distance from the distal tip, allowing for accurate placement using a radiographic imaging device to match this distance with vertebral landmarks, thereby indicating the optimal insertion angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional methods use guide wires or guide pins to determine correct placement, then placement accuracy is improved, but procedure duration and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the radiographically visible element from the guide wire/guide pin system and integrates it directly into the pedicle screw itself. This eliminates the need for separate guide wires or pins, reducing procedural steps while maintaining placement accuracy through the visible element that allows angle verification against vertebral landmarks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the function of the guide wire/guide pin with the pedicle screw by integrating a radiographically visible element directly onto the screw body. This merging allows the screw to serve both as the fastening device and as the measurement reference, eliminating additional components and simplifying the overall procedure.
2Measurement precision
If expensive robotic machinery or computers are used to determine optimal insertion angle, then placement accuracy is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a simple, inexpensive radiographically visible element (such as a radiopaque marker or coating) on the pedicle screw that can be visualized using standard fluoroscopy equipment. This eliminates the need for expensive robotic systems or specialized computers, achieving accurate angle determination through affordable, widely available imaging technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical robotic systems with a simpler optical/radiographic measurement approach. By using a visible element on the screw that can be measured against vertebral landmarks on fluoroscopy images, the system substitutes expensive mechanical automation with affordable radiographic imaging and visual measurement.
3Measurement precision
If guide wires or guide pins are inserted prior to pedicle screw insertion, then placement accuracy is improved, but procedure duration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radiographically visible element is pre-integrated onto the pedicle screw during manufacturing, eliminating the need for preliminary insertion of separate guide wires or pins. The visible element is already in position on the screw, allowing direct angle verification and immediate insertion without additional preparatory steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the preliminary guide wire/guide pin step from the procedure by integrating the measurement function directly into the pedicle screw. This extraction of the measurement function from a separate preliminary tool to the final implant itself eliminates the time-consuming intermediate step while maintaining accuracy.
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
This method enables more precise and cost-effective pedicle screw placement without the need for guide wires or complex equipment, reducing procedure complexity and duration.
Implementation Method 1
a radiographic imaging device configured to image the radiographically visible element with respect to the distal tip
Data Source
AI summary
A pedicle screw for insertion into a vertebra, the pedicle screw including: a head; a distal tip; a threaded portion extending at least partially between the head and the distal tip; and a radiographically visible element located at a predefined location on the threaded portion, where the head, the distal tip, and the threaded portion are formed of a metal or a metal alloy. Also disclosed is a corresponding system for insertion of a pedicle screw into a vertebra and a corresponding method for inserting a pedicle screw into a vertebra.