Spinal Rod Reduction Instrument Nested Cannulated Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spinal rod reduction instruments in minimally invasive surgery have a large footprint, limiting access and requiring separate instruments for rod insertion and setscrew tightening, which complicates the surgical procedure and increases the size of the surgical opening.
Innovation Solution
A multi-cannulated instrument system with a first, second, and third cannulated body, along with an inserter shaft, that allows for the reduction and securement of fixation rods within screw extenders, featuring a quick connect sleeve and driver features for efficient rod placement and setscrew attachment, reducing the overall footprint and simplifying the insertion process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional spinal rod reduction instruments are used, then rod reduction and setscrew tightening can be performed, but the instrument has a large footprint requiring a larger surgical opening and separate instruments are needed for different functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (rod reduction, setscrew insertion, and setscrew tightening) into a single integrated instrument. The instrument includes a rod pusher for reduction, a setscrew inserter, and a setscrew driver all in one device, eliminating the need for multiple separate instruments and reducing the surgical opening size required.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform rod reduction, setscrew insertion, and setscrew tightening operations. The universal design allows a single instrument to replace multiple specialized tools, improving ease of operation while minimizing the surgical opening requirement.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate instruments are used for rod insertion and setscrew tightening, then each function can be performed with specialized tools, but the surgical procedure becomes more complex and requires more instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges rod reduction, setscrew insertion, and setscrew tightening functions into one integrated instrument. This reduces the number of instruments from multiple separate tools to a single multi-functional device, simplifying the surgical procedure while maintaining specialized capabilities for each function through integrated mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If conventional instruments with large footprint are used, then adequate access for instrument manipulation is provided, but the surgical opening size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument employs a nested structure where the setscrew inserter is positioned within the rod pusher assembly, and the setscrew driver is integrated within the inserter mechanism. This nested configuration minimizes the overall footprint and cross-sectional area of the instrument, allowing adequate manipulation space through a smaller surgical opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument utilizes a longitudinal arrangement of functional components along the axis of the instrument rather than spreading them out radially. This dimensional reorganization allows sufficient manipulation space along the length of the instrument while keeping the cross-sectional footprint small, thereby reducing the required surgical opening size.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for reducing a fixation rod is provided. The method minimizes the surgical corridor by performing fixation within the surgical corridor defined by the screw extender. The screw extender is attached to the spinal implant. The method includes the steps of coupling the proximal end of a first cannulated body with the screw extender and rotating a second cannulated body within the first cannulated body. The method proceeds to the step of actuating a rod pusher with a first driving feature so as to engage the rod pusher with the fixation rod. The rod pusher includes a bore. The method proceeds to the step of rotating an inserter shaft within first cannulated body, second cannulated body and bore of the rod pusher, the inserter shaft including a proximal end with a second driving feature and a distal end with a setscrew attachment feature.