Polyaxial Bone Anchor Assembly Instrument with Position Indicators

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Solution Overview

Problem

In situ assembly of bottom loading polyaxial bone anchors can be challenging due to difficulty in verifying correct mounting of the receiving part onto the bone anchoring element, which affects safety and reliability.

Innovation Solution

An instrument with position indicators, including mechanical, electro-optical, and acoustic means, is provided to confirm correct alignment and locking of the bone anchoring element relative to the receiving part, ensuring accurate assembly and enhanced safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If in situ assembly of bottom loading polyaxial bone anchor is performed, then surgical flexibility is improved, but verification of correct mounting becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical flexibilityVSAvoidverification of correct mounting

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms through position indicators that provide visual, acoustic, or electro-optical signals to confirm correct positioning of the bone anchoring element relative to the receiving part. This allows the surgeon to verify proper assembly during the in situ procedure, resolving the information loss problem while maintaining surgical flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes color changes as a visual feedback mechanism to indicate the relative position between the bone anchoring element and receiving part. Different colors or color transitions provide immediate visual confirmation of correct mounting, enabling verification without compromising the adaptability of in situ assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Reliability

If position indication mechanisms are added to the instrument, then assembly safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly safetyVSAvoidinstrument structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical verification systems with simpler detection mechanisms such as sensors, switches, or electro-optical indicators. This substitution maintains assembly safety and reliability while reducing overall device complexity by using more compact and integrated detection technologies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary detection elements (sensors, switches, position indicators) that mediate between the mechanical components and the surgeon. These intermediaries provide verification information without requiring complex direct mechanical interlocking or verification mechanisms, thus improving safety while managing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9517092B2Instrument for assembling a polyaxial bone anchor

Publication Date: 2016.12.13 BIEDERMANN TECH GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

An instrument for assembling a polyaxial bone anchor is provided, the polyaxial bone anchor including a bone anchoring element and a receiving part that is configured to pivotably receive the bone anchoring element wherein the instrument includes a first member that is configured to engage the receiving part, a second member that is configured to contact the anchoring element when it is received in the receiving part, and a position indicator that is configured to indicate the position of the anchoring element relative to the receiving part based on the position of the second member relative to the first member.