Spinal Alignment Force Control via Pedicle Screw Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for aligning and stabilizing bone elements, such as vertebrae, often result in excessive forces that can lead to unsatisfactory outcomes due to significant stresses and strains, particularly in severe spinal deformities, where the forces become too great, hindering the alignment procedure.
Innovation Solution
A method that measures and balances the forces applied during the alignment process using bone fasteners like pedicle screws and aligning devices like fixation rods, ensuring the force remains below a selected magnitude by incremental compressive force application and adjustments, such as using coupling members to secure the bone fasteners to the aligning devices without increasing the force beyond a threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If significant forces are applied to align and stabilize severe spinal deformities, then alignment and stabilization are achieved, but excessive stresses and strains are created that can lead to unsatisfactory outcomes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring and monitoring the forces during the alignment process before completing the stabilization. The system continuously tracks the magnitude of forces applied during pedicle screw insertion and rod attachment, allowing the surgeon to adjust the procedure in real-time to prevent excessive stresses and strains from causing unsatisfactory outcomes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through force measurement devices that provide real-time data on the forces applied during alignment. This feedback allows the surgical team to monitor the alignment process and adjust their actions to maintain forces within safe thresholds, preventing harmful stresses and strains while achieving the desired alignment precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If the magnitude of force is increased to ensure alignment, then alignment is improved, but the risk of unsatisfactory outcomes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback from force measurement devices to monitor the alignment process continuously. The real-time force data provides information about the magnitude of forces being applied, allowing the surgical team to adjust their actions to maintain forces within safe thresholds, thereby improving both alignment precision and procedure reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the force magnitude based on real-time measurements. The system monitors force parameters during pedicle screw insertion and rod attachment, allowing the surgical team to modify the force applied to achieve optimal alignment while preventing forces from reaching levels that would compromise procedure reliability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If force measurement and control are implemented, then harmful forces are reduced, but the procedure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary devices that measure and monitor forces during the alignment process. These intermediary measurement devices act as mediators between the surgical tools and the spinal structures, providing real-time force data without requiring complex modifications to the surgical procedure itself. The intermediaries simplify the complexity by providing clear, actionable feedback on force magnitudes.
Data Source
AI summary
The magnitude of the force that can be created when each of a plurality of bone elements, such as the vertebrae of the human spine, is brought into alignment and stabilized by a corrective appliance comprising bone fasteners, such as pedicle screws attached to the bone elements, and one or more aligning devices, such as fixation rods, is measured and constrained. The force required to bring the bone element into alignment with the aligning device is maintained below a selected magnitude. In some instances, in order to maintain the magnitude of the force below the selected magnitude, it may be necessary to make an adjustment so that the bone fastener can be secured to a respective aligning device without increasing the force to or beyond the selected magnitude.