Self-Cutting Rod for Spine Stabilization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current spine stabilization systems face challenges in efficiently aligning and inserting rigid rods between pedicle screws due to anatomical variations and tough surrounding tissue, leading to increased surgical trauma and time.
Innovation Solution
A self-cutting rod system with a sharp cutting edge that can be percutaneously delivered and inserted through tissue, allowing for easy seating within the pedicle screws' head portions, reducing tissue disruption and trauma.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid rod is inserted into tulip heads using conventional methods, then the rod can be secured to the spine, but the surgeon must exert significant force to spread apart native tissue, increasing trauma to the injury site
Solution Approach 1:
The rod is divided into multiple segments that can be inserted separately through the tulip heads, with each segment having a cutting edge to sequentially divide and penetrate the surrounding tissue. This segmentation allows the rod to be installed without requiring the surgeon to exert significant force to spread tissue, as each segment cuts its path independently.
Solution Approach 2:
A cutting edge is introduced as an intermediary element on the rod surface, which serves as a mediator between the rod and the surrounding tissue. This cutting edge divides and penetrates the tissue as the rod is inserted, eliminating the need for the surgeon to manually spread the tissue and thereby reducing the force required during insertion.
2Reliability
If conventional rod insertion methods are used, then the rod can be aligned with pedicle screws, but the process is difficult and time consuming due to anatomical variations and tough surrounding tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The rod is segmented into multiple sections that can be independently inserted and aligned with the pedicle screws. Each segment has a cutting edge that sequentially divides the tissue, allowing the surgeon to work through anatomical variations more easily and reduce overall surgical time compared to inserting a single rigid rod.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod's physical parameters are changed by adding cutting edges at specific locations, which alter the interaction between the rod and surrounding tissue. This modification allows the rod to cut through tissue rather than requiring tissue to be spread, significantly reducing surgical time and improving alignment reliability despite anatomical variations.
3Productivity
If the rod is made sharper to cut through tissue, then insertion becomes easier and faster, but the rod may be more prone to bending or deformation during handling
Solution Approach 1:
The rod is segmented into multiple sections, each with its own cutting edge. This segmentation allows the rod to maintain structural integrity during handling while still providing cutting capability at each segment, as the cutting edges are distributed along the rod length rather than requiring the entire rod to be extremely sharp.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting edges are positioned at specific local locations on the rod rather than the entire rod surface being sharp. This local quality approach provides the necessary cutting capability at insertion points while maintaining structural stability in the bulk of the rod, preventing excessive bending or deformation during handling.
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
The self-cutting rod system significantly reduces surgical time and trauma by cutting through tissue rather than spreading it, resulting in less post-surgical pain and faster healing, while maintaining a low profile and efficient alignment.
Implementation Method 1
A rod having a cutting edge sufficiently sharp to tear through fascia and muscle tissue is also provided
Data Source
AI summary
A spine stabilization system is provided. The system utilizes a self-cutting rod having a sharp cutting edge that can be anchored to a patient's spine with pedicle screws. The system can be percutaneously delivered, low profile, and allow cutting of surrounding tissue rather than simply spreading the tissue apart during rod insertion.