Automated Spinal Implant Bending Device with Interchangeable Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical methods for treating spinal disorders, such as scoliosis and degenerative disc disease, face challenges in accurately bending and shaping spinal rods to achieve optimal alignment and stability, often requiring manual techniques that can be time-consuming and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
An automated implant bending device that includes a bending module and a cutting module, allowing for precise manipulation and shaping of spinal implants intra-operatively, using a template and surgical navigation to define the desired curvature, and then cutting the implant to the correct length, with features like a displacement module and a bending module with a linear actuator for accurate rod bending.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual bending techniques are used for spinal rods, then the surgical procedure can be performed with simpler equipment, but the surgical time increases and accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical bending techniques with an automated implant bending device that uses a linear actuator to precisely control the bending process. The device includes a mating part that interfaces with the spinal implant and work surfaces that manipulate the implant to a selected configuration, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual bending while achieving high precision (±3 angular degrees and ±3 mm translation).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters from manual control to automated control with specified precision parameters. The linear actuator enables controlled displacement along the longitudinal axis with ±3 mm translation accuracy, and the rotation mechanism achieves ±3 angular degrees precision, transforming the bending process from imprecise manual operation to parameter-controlled automated operation.
2Productivity
If automated bending device is used, then bending precision and speed improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The implant bending device is designed as a multi-functional system that combines bending capabilities with interchangeable modules. The device includes a mating part that can interface with different spinal implants and work surfaces that can manipulate various implant types, allowing a single device to perform multiple functions and reducing the need for multiple specialized tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the bending device into modular components including a mating part, work surfaces, and interchangeable bending modules. This segmentation allows the complex device to be broken down into manageable parts that can be independently controlled and maintained, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high productivity.
3Measurement precision
If precise bending control is implemented, then implant configuration accuracy improves, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The linear actuator automatically controls the displacement of the work surfaces along the longitudinal axis without requiring manual intervention for precise positioning. The system self-regulates the bending process to achieve the selected implant configuration, eliminating the need for complex manual coordination while maintaining high measurement precision of ±3 mm translation and ±3 angular degrees.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument comprising an implant bending device including a mating part such that the implant bending device is interchangeable with a bending module and a cutting module. The bending module having work surfaces engageable with a spinal implant to manipulate the spinal implant to a selected implant configuration. The cutting module is engageable with the spinal implant having the selected implant configuration. Systems, surgical instruments, spinal constructs, implants and methods are disclosed.