Screw Tower Drive Assembly for Precise Spinal Rod Seating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal fixation systems face challenges in reliability, ease of use, precision, and quick connection times, which can impact the overall time and cost of spinal surgery.
Innovation Solution
A spinal fixation system comprising a screw tower with flexible tulip retaining clips and a drive shaft assembly that facilitates secure anchoring to spinal structures, allowing for precise manipulation and rapid rod reduction through a tulip, utilizing a drive shaft to apply torque for locking caps and seating spinal fixation rods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional spinal fixation systems are used, then the procedure can be completed, but the surgery time is extended and operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the rod holder and locking cap into a single integrated component that can be applied to the tulip in one motion. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate application steps, directly reducing surgery time while maintaining secure fixation. The integrated design allows the rod to be held and locked simultaneously through a single component rather than requiring multiple separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The tulip component serves multiple functions: it anchors the pedicle screw to the vertebra, provides a connection point for the rod holder/locking cap assembly, and enables both rod attachment and locking mechanisms. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the system, simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive fixation capabilities.
2Reliability
If traditional fixation methods are used, then spinal structures can be anchored, but the precision and reliability of rod seating is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical rod seating methods with a controlled deformation mechanism. The rod holder/locking cap assembly applies localized force to deform the rod elastically into precise engagement with the tulip. This controlled deformation approach ensures accurate rod positioning and secure seating without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms, thereby improving both reliability and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes changes in the rod's physical state through controlled elastic deformation. By applying force that temporarily changes the rod's shape parameters, the system enables precise seating into the tulip. The rod deforms during insertion and returns to its original shape once seated, ensuring accurate positioning and reliable fixation. This parameter change approach provides superior precision compared to traditional rigid insertion methods.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances the reliability and ease of use of spinal fixation procedures by providing secure anchoring and efficient rod seating, thereby reducing surgery time and costs.
Implementation Method 1
The screw tower body may include a pair of opposing, radially flexible, tulip retaining clips secured to the screw tower body. The free ends of the tulip retaining clips may be radially flexible to move outwardly in response to receiving a tulip.
Data Source
AI summary
In an example system, a screw tower includes a rigid screw tower body with flexible tulip retaining clips for releasably securing the screw tower to a tulip. An elongate rod channel receives a spinal fixation rod transversely through the screw tower body. A drive shaft rotatably received in the screw tower body includes opposing first and second threaded members for threadedly engaging an outwardly threaded portion of a drive shaft. Each threaded member rides on a corresponding ramped portion on the driver body to guide the threaded members proximately and radially inwardly to an engaged position with the threaded portion of the drive shaft and distally and radially outwardly to a disengaged position from the threaded portion of the drive shaft.