Spinal Alignment System with Real-Time Rod Bending

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current spinal surgery methods lack efficient systems for real-time intraoperative alignment and rod bending, leading to subjective and time-consuming procedures that can result in suboptimal spinal fixation and increased morbidity.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising an imaging device, spatial tracking system, and control unit with software for preoperative and intraoperative measurement input, generating rod bending instructions for precise alignment and correction of spinal parameters, including sagittal and coronal balance, to achieve global spinal alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual measurement and rod bending methods are used, then surgical flexibility is maintained, but procedural time increases and alignment precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespinal alignment precisionVSAvoidprocedural time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preoperative planning and generates rod bending instructions before surgery. The rod bending instructions are based on patient-specific anatomical measurements and surgical goals, allowing the surgeon to execute precise bends during surgery without time-consuming intraoperative calculations or trial-and-error adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement and rod bending with an integrated system that uses imaging devices, spatial tracking, and computer-generated bending instructions. This substitution of mechanical processes with an automated system achieves higher precision while reducing procedural time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If subjective rod bending methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverod bending precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces subjective mechanical rod bending with an automated system that uses imaging, spatial tracking, and computer algorithms to generate objective bending instructions. This eliminates surgeon subjectivity and variability, achieving consistent high-precision results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a digital replica of the patient's spinal anatomy through imaging and spatial tracking. This digital model is used to generate accurate rod bending instructions that precisely match the patient's unique anatomy, eliminating the need for physical trial-and-error fitting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If real-time intraoperative measurement is performed, then alignment precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintraoperative measurement precisionVSAvoidimaging and tracking system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system integrates multiple functions into a unified platform: preoperative planning, intraoperative imaging, spatial tracking, rod bending instruction generation, and assessment. This multi-functional integration allows real-time precise measurement while managing complexity through a single comprehensive system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides real-time feedback during surgery by comparing actual spinal parameters against the preoperative plan. This feedback loop allows the surgeon to make immediate adjustments to achieve the desired alignment, with the system automatically updating rod bending instructions based on measured parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3405104B1Systems for facilitating spine surgery
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 NUVASIVE INC
  • EP3405104B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3405104B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3405104B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Systems and methods for a spinal surgical procedure are described. Specifically systems and methods for calculating global spinal alignment are described.