Spinal Implant Tool System for Precise Disc Sizing and Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for implanting prosthetic intervertebral discs face challenges in accurately determining the proper size and position, and securely attaching the disc to vertebral bodies, often leading to inadequate restoration of natural disc function and potential nerve compression due to misalignment or improper fixation.
Innovation Solution
A set of tools including a distractor for spacing vertebral bodies, trials for sizing and positioning, chisels for creating attachment grooves, and an inserter for precise placement of the prosthetic disc, which allows for accurate measurement, alignment, and secure fixation of the disc to the vertebral bodies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current implantation methods are used, then the implantation process can be completed, but accurate determination of proper size and position is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The implantation system is divided into distinct functional components: distractor for spacing, trials for sizing, chisels for groove creation, and inserter for placement. Each component performs a specific measurement or preparation function, enabling precise determination of disc size and position through systematic segmentation of the implantation process.
Solution Approach 2:
Trial discs serve as intermediary objects between the surgeon's measurement and the final prosthetic implant. These trials allow indirect measurement and verification of proper sizing and positioning before actual implantation, acting as mediators that transfer measurement information from the disc space to the surgeon for decision-making.
2Reliability
If proper alignment and fixation are achieved, then natural disc function is restored, but the implantation process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The chisels create attachment grooves in the vertebral bodies before the prosthetic disc is inserted. This preliminary action prepares the fixation interfaces in advance, ensuring proper alignment and secure attachment pathways are established before the actual implantation, thereby improving reliability of function restoration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex manual alignment techniques with mechanical guides and registered positioning systems. The inserter and trial discs provide mechanical constraints that automatically guide the prosthetic disc into the correct position, substituting surgeon skill-based alignment with mechanical precision systems.
3Ease of operation
If distractor is used to space vertebral bodies, then access to disc space is improved, but precise measurement of disc space dimensions becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The distractor device incorporates integrated measurement capabilities that allow it to self-measure the disc space dimensions while simultaneously providing the distraction function. The device uses its own structural elements (such as the distance between forks or registered positions) to directly indicate disc space height and lordotic angle, eliminating the need for separate measurement tools.
4Reliability
If secure attachment grooves are created, then fixation reliability is improved, but the implantation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The groove creation process is segmented into standardized positions and depths using registered chisels that correspond to predetermined attachment locations. This segmentation allows for systematic and efficient groove creation without requiring complex real-time decision-making, improving both fixation reliability and surgical efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Described are tools—including distractor, trial, chisel, and inserter—that may be used as a system for implanting a prosthetic intervertebral disc in a spine. The distractor moves vertebrae and may have angled forks optionally offset for visibility with removable jaws optionally matching desired lordotic angles. The trial tool(s) may fit within the distractor forks, include a lordotic angle, and may include a disc portion, an adjustable stop, and a feature to control movement of the disc portion relative to the adjustable stop. The chisel tool cuts grooves in the vertebral bodies, which grooves affix the disc to the vertebrae. The chisel(s) may fit within openings in the trial, where those openings also serve as a guide during the groove-cutting step. The inserter tool, optionally with a movable pusher, is used for inserting the prosthetic disc into the prepared intervertebral disc space.