Pivoting Handle Assembly for Angled Spinal Implant Insertion

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spinal implant instrumentation lacks the ability to efficiently transition between straight and angled configurations, limiting its versatility and adaptability to various surgical approaches, particularly in angled procedures like ATP, which require specialized instruments for precise implant placement.

Innovation Solution

A modular surgical instrument with a handle assembly that can pivot and rotate around the instrument's body, allowing the handle to adjust to multiple positions and angles, including a mechanism for engaging and disengaging the handle to facilitate angled or straight insertions, and a sleeve with slots for secure positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a specialized angled instrument is used for ATP procedures, then implant placement precision is improved, but device complexity and the need for multiple instruments increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant placement precisionVSAvoidinstrument specialization

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle assembly incorporates a pivot mechanism that allows the handle to rotate between a first position (aligned with the longitudinal axis for straight approaches) and a second position (angled relative to the longitudinal axis for angled approaches). This dynamic adjustment capability enables a single instrument to adapt to different surgical approaches, eliminating the need for separate specialized instruments while maintaining precise implant placement capability for both ATP and DLIF procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The instrument is designed with a universal handle assembly that can be configured for multiple surgical approaches through pivoting. The same instrument body and shaft can serve both straight approaches (DLIF) and angled approaches (ATP) by simply repositioning the handle, making the instrument multi-functional and reducing the total number of specialized instruments needed in the surgical suite

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If a fixed-configuration instrument is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to various surgical approaches deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstrument structureVSAvoidsurgical approach adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The handle assembly incorporates a pivot mechanism that allows the handle to rotate between a first position (aligned with the longitudinal axis for straight approaches) and a second position (angled relative to the longitudinal axis for angled approaches). This dynamic adjustment capability enables a single instrument to adapt to different surgical approaches, eliminating the need for separate specialized instruments while maintaining precise implant placement capability for both ATP and DLIF procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The instrument is divided into distinct modular components: a handle assembly, a shaft, and an implant engagement mechanism. The handle assembly is further segmented into the handle itself and the pivot connection point. This segmentation allows the handle to be independently positioned while the rest of the instrument remains fixed, providing adaptability without requiring complex reconfiguration of the entire instrument

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If multiple specialized instruments are used for different approaches, then surgical precision is improved, but loss of time for instrument changes increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant placement precisionVSAvoidinstrument change time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The handle assembly incorporates a pivot mechanism that allows the handle to rotate between a first position (aligned with the longitudinal axis for straight approaches) and a second position (angled relative to the longitudinal axis for angled approaches). This dynamic adjustment capability enables a single instrument to adapt to different surgical approaches, eliminating the need for separate specialized instruments while maintaining precise implant placement capability for both ATP and DLIF procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The instrument is designed with a universal handle assembly that can be configured for multiple surgical approaches through pivoting. The same instrument body and shaft can serve both straight approaches (DLIF) and angled approaches (ATP) by simply repositioning the handle, making the instrument multi-functional and reducing the total number of specialized instruments needed in the surgical suite

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12551356B2Universal lateral pivoting handle

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 STRYKER CORP

AI summary

A surgical instrument to implant spinal implants including a shaft, a sleeve, and a handle assembly. The shaft defining a longitudinal axis and having a slotted portion with first slots and second slots. The sleeve rotatably disposed around the slotted portion. The handle assembly pivotably attached to the sleeve by a pivot pin, the handle assembly having a positioning tip sized to be received in the first and second slots of the slotted portion. The handle assembly can pivot about the pivot pin between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the positioning tip engages one of the first slots, while in the second position, the positioning tip engages one of the second slots.