Hollow Pedicle Screw Implantation With Guide Pin Torque Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for implanting pedicle screws in spinal fusion surgery require complicated surgical steps and instrument exchange, and the position of the screw can easily shift from the guide hole, affecting efficiency and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
An automatic screw implantation system with a motor-driven guide pin and power transmission assembly that drills a guide hole at high speed and low torque, then screws a hollow pedicle screw into the hole at low speed and high torque, using a single instrument to simplify the procedure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single instrument is used for both drilling and screwing, then instrument exchange is eliminated and surgical efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for variable speed and torque control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drilling function (guide pin) and screwing function (pedicle screw) into a single screw implantation device. The power transmission assembly transmits power from a single motor to both the guide pin and the hollow pedicle screw, eliminating the need for instrument exchange between drilling and screwing operations. This merging of functions directly improves surgical efficiency by reducing procedure time and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The power transmission assembly incorporates variable speed and torque control mechanisms that dynamically adjust operating parameters during the surgical procedure. During drilling, the system operates at high speed with lower torque, while during screwing, it transitions to low speed with high torque. This dynamic adaptation allows a single instrument to perform multiple functions effectively, addressing the device complexity concern while maintaining high productivity.
2Measurement precision
If the screw is placed along the guide wire, then the initial guide hole position is maintained, but the screw position may easily shift from the guide hole during implantation
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow pedicle screw is designed to be placed over the guide pin (similar to nested dolls), with the guide pin passing through the hollow interior of the screw. This nested configuration ensures that the screw remains precisely aligned with the guide hole throughout the implantation process, preventing position shifts while maintaining the accuracy established during guide hole creation.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide pin serves as an intermediary element that maintains the spatial relationship between the drilling operation and the subsequent screw implantation. By having the screw follow the guide pin's path rather than a separate guide wire, the system ensures continuous positional accuracy and stability from guide hole creation through final screw placement.
3Speed
If high rotational speed is used for drilling, then drilling efficiency is improved, but the torque is insufficient for screwing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The power transmission assembly implements periodic action by alternating between high-speed/low-torque mode during drilling and low-speed/high-torque mode during screwing. The system dynamically switches operational parameters based on the current surgical step, allowing optimal performance for each specific task while using a single motor and instrument.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (rotational speed and torque) based on the surgical phase. During drilling, the motor operates at high rotational speed with lower torque output. During screwing, the same motor transitions to low rotational speed with high torque output. This parameter adaptation enables a single instrument to effectively perform both drilling and screwing functions despite the opposing requirements of speed and torque.
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
The system enhances surgical efficiency and accuracy by precisely creating guide holes and locking screws without instrument exchange, reducing the risk of misplacement and damage to non-surgical areas.
Implementation Method 1
a motor (11), a power transmission assembly (12), and a guide pin (13)
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic screw implantation system includes a screw implantation device. The screw implantation device includes a power transmission assembly, a guide pin, and a motor. The power transmission assembly is used to be connected to a hollow pedicle screw. The guide pin passes through and is arranged coaxially with the hollow pedicle screw. The motor is dynamically coupled to the power transmission assembly and the guide pin. The motor is configured for driving the guide pin to advance and simultaneously spin at a first rotational speed and a first torque. The motor is configured for driving the power transmission assembly to control the hollow pedicle screw to spin at a second rotational speed and a second torque. The second rotational speed is smaller than the first rotational speed, and the second torque is greater than the first torque.