Rod Reducer Instrument for Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
In orthopedic spinal surgery, surgeons face difficulties in accessing and aligning rods with fasteners, especially in minimally invasive procedures, due to limited access and awkward angles, which complicates the process of reducing rods into channels within fasteners.
Innovation Solution
A rod reducer device featuring a sleeve with tabs and an engagement member, allowing for precise alignment and translation, along with a collar for deflecting tabs and facilitating rotation to secure the rod within the fastener, enabling easier and more precise rod placement and release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the surgeon uses hands or rigid tools to perform rod reduction, then the rod can be placed into the fastener channel, but the surgeon requires direct access to the rod and fastener which is difficult in minimally invasive surgery and with awkward anatomical angles
Solution Approach 1:
The rod reducer instrument serves as an intermediary device between the surgeon and the rod-fastener system. It includes a first engagement member that couples to the rod and a second engagement member that couples to the fastener, allowing the surgeon to manipulate these components remotely through a long engagement member that extends into the patient's body through a minimally invasive port, thereby providing mechanical advantage and direct access without requiring large incisions or awkward positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The rod reducer is divided into distinct functional segments: a first engagement member for the rod, a second engagement member for the fastener, and a long engagement member connecting them. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function and enables the instrument to navigate complex anatomical pathways while maintaining control over both the rod and fastener independently
2Adaptability or versatility
If monoaxial fasteners are used, then the screw can be placed at a specific angle, but the surgeon faces difficulty accessing and exerting force in the necessary orientation on the rod and fastener
Solution Approach 1:
The rod reducer incorporates a rotatable collar that can rotate about the longitudinal axis of the long engagement member, allowing the first engagement member to be oriented at different angles relative to the second engagement member. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the surgeon to align the rod and fastener at the optimal angle for monoaxial fasteners while maintaining easy access and force application through the instrument
3Adaptability or versatility
If polyaxial fasteners are used, then the orientation of the rod-receiving part can be varied, but the surgeon is frequently faced with the task of reducing a rod from an awkward angle
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable collar mechanism allows the surgeon to dynamically adjust the orientation of the first engagement member relative to the second engagement member, enabling rod reduction from any angle including awkward angles. The collar can be rotated to align the rod approach vector with the fastener channel axis, transforming difficult angled reductions into straightforward linear movements that are easy to perform
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a rod reducer and methods of using a rod reducer are provided. In some embodiments, the rod reducer includes a sleeve comprising a lumen and one or more tabs; an engagement member comprising a distal portion and a proximal portion, wherein the proximal portion is configured to be rotated relative to the distal portion; and a collar coupled to the sleeve, wherein the collar is configured to deflect the tabs inward into the lumen. In some embodiments, the rod reducer has a first configuration wherein the tabs engage the proximal portion and the proximal portion can be rotated to translate the engagement member and the rod reducer has a second configuration wherein the proximal portion can be pushed or pulled to translate the engagement member.