Two-Part Pedicle Screwdriver Sleeve for Visibility and Multifunction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pedicle screwdriver systems are cumbersome and time-consuming due to their bulky design, limiting the operator's view and causing artefact formation during X-ray inspections, requiring multiple tool changes for tasks like cement augmentation and distraction/compression, and lacking a continuous shaft for precise screwing.
Innovation Solution
A two-part intermediate sleeve screwdriver system with a clamping sleeve that can be dismantled for improved visibility and reduced artefact formation, allowing for permanent coupling with the pedicle screw, enabling multifunctionality as both a screwdriver and force transmission element, and serving as a cement injection cannula without needing additional instruments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bulky two-sleeve screwdriver system is used, then the connection between screwdriver and pedicle screw is secure, but the operator's view is limited and artefact formation during X-ray increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate sleeve is divided into two separate sections: a first sleeve section that remains coupled to the pedicle screw and a second sleeve section that can be removed. This segmentation allows the bulky handling portion to be separated from the surgical site, maintaining connection security while improving visibility and reducing X-ray artefacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The second sleeve section containing the gripping and handling elements is extracted and removed after the pedicle screw is secured. This removes the source of visibility obstruction and X-ray artefact formation while the first sleeve section maintains the secure connection between the screwdriver and pedicle screw.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the screwdriver system is dismantled for tool changes (e.g., for cement augmentation), then additional instruments can be used, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The first sleeve section that remains coupled to the pedicle screw is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate different instruments including cement applicators, distractors, and compressors. This eliminates the need to dismantle the connection for tool changes, maintaining versatility while reducing procedure time.
Solution Approach 2:
The first sleeve section acts as an intermediary component that remains permanently coupled to the pedicle screw, providing a stable interface for multiple different instruments. This mediator allows various tools to be applied without requiring dismantling and reassembly of the basic connection.
3Device complexity
If a continuous shaft is not provided, then the screwdriver can be simpler in design, but screwing precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is divided into a first shaft section that is continuous and integrated with the first sleeve section, providing precision screwing, and a second shaft section that connects to the removable second sleeve section. This segmentation maintains precision where needed while allowing simplification and removal where not needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous shaft structure is provided locally at the first shaft section where precision screwing is required, while the second shaft section is designed for removable connection. This local application of continuity provides precision where necessary without requiring it throughout the entire instrument.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate instruments are used for different tasks (screwing, cement augmentation, distraction), then each task can be optimized, but the overall procedure requires multiple tool changes and assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The first sleeve section is designed as a universal base that can accommodate multiple different instrument types including cement applicators, distractors, and compressors. This reduces the number of separate tools needed while maintaining task-specific optimization through interchangeable instrument heads.
Solution Approach 2:
The screwdriver system is merged with the cement applicator and distraction devices through the common first sleeve section interface. This combining of multiple functions into a single base system reduces the number of separate assembly steps while maintaining optimized performance for each specific task.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A medical screwdriver (1) for inserting mono- or polyaxial pedicle screws (30) into a vertebral body is disclosed, comprising a shaft (2) which, in the region of its proximal end section, has a coupling section (4) for a removable handling part for applying torque to the shaft (2) and, at its distal end section, a screwdriver section (6) is provided which can be inserted into a corresponding receptacle on the screw head of the pedicle screw (30) and can transmit a torque applied to the shaft (2) to the screw head; and a sleeve rotatable about the shaft (2), the distal end section of which has a coupling section, in particular an external thread section (12), for coupling with a coupling section, in particular an internal thread section (38), correspondingly designed on a tulip (36) of the pedicle screw (30).The sleeve is multi-part, in particular two-part, and has a first distally arranged sleeve section (10) with a first engagement section (14) and a second sleeve section (16) arranged proximally to it with a complementary second engagement section (18).