Robot-Assisted Bone Screw Placement Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current bone screw placement techniques in orthopedic surgery face challenges such as inaccurate pedicle screw placement, nerve damage, and difficulty in measuring hole depth due to cumbersome equipment and reliance on anatomical knowledge, leading to potential neurologic or vascular complications.

Innovation Solution

A handheld device equipped with an awl-tap member and depth sleeve for forming holes in bones, providing real-time neuromonitoring and neurostimulation feedback, and digital depth measurement, which can be used manually or with robotic assistance to ensure accurate screw placement and length selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a drill bit or piercing instrument is used to create a hole in bone, then the screw can be inserted, but the bone cortex may be pierced or broken and adjacent nerves may be impinged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehole formation capabilityVSAvoidbone cortex damage and nerve impingement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates real-time feedback mechanisms including fluoroscopic imaging and intraoperative neuromonitoring that provide immediate information about the drill bit's position relative to bone cortex and nerves. This allows the surgeon to adjust or stop drilling when approaching critical structures, preventing damage while maintaining hole formation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an intermediary substance or structure (such as a protective covering or advanced imaging modality) to detect and prevent harmful interactions between the drill bit and critical structures. The intermediary system provides early warning signals before actual damage occurs, enabling preventive action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If conventional depth measurement equipment is used, then hole depth can be measured, but the equipment is cumbersome and reading requires precise alignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehole depth measurement accuracyVSAvoidequipment complexity and alignment requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical depth measurement equipment with electronic or optical measurement systems. Digital depth gauges with electronic sensors or optical measurement systems provide automated depth readings without requiring manual alignment or complex mechanical structures, reducing device complexity while maintaining or improving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement system is designed to automatically perform the measurement function without requiring the surgeon to manually align or operate complex mechanisms. The system self-adjusts and provides readings automatically, reducing the skill level and time required for accurate measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If the surgeon relies solely on anatomical knowledge and experience, then equipment can be simplified, but the accuracy of pedicle screw placement remains critical and may lead to neurologic or vascular complications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment simplicityVSAvoidpedicle screw placement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates real-time feedback systems including fluoroscopic imaging and intraoperative neuromonitoring that provide immediate information about the drill bit's position relative to bone cortex and nerves. This allows the surgeon to adjust or stop drilling when approaching critical structures, preventing damage while maintaining hole formation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent integrates multiple functions into a single system, combining imaging, measurement, and navigation capabilities in one platform. This multi-functional approach provides comprehensive guidance for screw placement without requiring multiple separate devices, improving reliability while managing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Strength

If a screw is made too long to ensure adequate fixation, then fixation strength is improved, but the distal end may pass through the bone and damage surrounding tissue or protrude through the skin

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescrew fixation strengthVSAvoiddamage to surrounding tissue and skin penetration

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20240206994A1Devices for use in robot-assisted medical procedures

Publication Date: 2024.06.27 EDGE SURGICAL INC

AI summary

A device used in a robot-assisted procedure can be a medical device designed to be manually manipulated by a medical professional but is at least partially manipulated by one or more arms of a surgical robot during a procedure performed on a patient. The arm(s) of the robot comprise attachments that allow an otherwise manually manipulatable medical device to be operated at least partially by the robot. The one or more robot arm attachments act as at least one hand of a medical professional that otherwise would be manually manipulating the device if the surgical robot was not available. Alternatively, a device used in a robot-assisted procedure can be a medical device that is designed specifically to be used as an attachment to the arm(s) of the surgical robot, and that is not designed to be used manually by a medical professional to perform the procedure on the patient.