Provisional-Tap Retractor System for Bone Compression and Distraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current retractor systems for minimally invasive surgery require permanent screws for distraction, compression, and retraction, limiting their universality and increasing costs due to the need for disposable pins, and lack a system compatible with nearly any cannulated screw system.
Innovation Solution
A minimally invasive retractor system using provisionally placed taps that create screw threads in bone, allowing for retraction, compression, and distraction without permanent implants, compatible with various screw systems, including cannulated and solid screws.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If permanent screws are used for retraction and compression, then stable anchoring is achieved, but system universality is limited and costs increase due to disposable pins
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor system is designed to be compatible with multiple existing screw systems (cannulated and solid screws) through a universal mounting interface. The base can be attached to various screw types using different attachment mechanisms, allowing one retractor system to serve multiple surgical applications without requiring system-specific custom hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention eliminates the need for expensive disposable pins by using provisionally placed taps that can be removed after thread formation. The taps are temporarily inserted to create threads in the bone, then removed before final screw insertion, replacing the need for permanent anchoring devices during the retraction phase.
2Ease of operation
If disposable pins are used for mounting, then retraction function is achieved, but costs increase and efficiency decreases due to disposal requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The taps are temporarily inserted into the bone to form threads, then removed and recovered for potential reuse. This process eliminates the need to dispose of expensive anchoring devices, as the taps serve their purpose (thread formation and temporary mounting) and are then retrieved rather than discarded.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive disposable pins with cheaper, removable taps that can be inserted temporarily, used for mounting the retractor base, and then removed. This reduces both the cost and waste associated with disposable mounting devices.
3Reliability
If system-specific retractors are used for each screw system, then compatibility is ensured, but market competition is limited and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor system employs a universal base design that can accommodate multiple screw types through interchangeable attachment mechanisms. This allows a single retractor platform to work with different screw systems (cannulated, solid, various manufacturers) without requiring multiple specialized retractor designs, reducing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A minimally invasive system for retraction, compression and distraction includes a tap having a shaft with threads and a head, a blade having a proximal end and a distal end and a base removably mountable to the proximal end. The tap is configured to form screw threads in a bone. The distal end is mountable to the head. The blade is pivotable relative to the head in a mounted configuration. The blade is configured to facilitate soft tissue retraction in the mounted configuration. The base is configured to manipulate the blade to retract and compress segments of the bone. The base is configured to provide distraction and/or compression using the provisional taps either directly or through the use of blades, insertion devices or tubes. The blades may be used to retract tissue and provide a visual field either independent or in conjunction with the provisional taps, insertion devices or tubes.