Spinal Rod Bending System Using Infrared Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for bending spinal rods during surgery are subjective, time-consuming, and prone to errors, leading to potential complications and increased morbidity.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a spatial tracking system using an infrared position sensor and reflective arrays to digitize the location of surgical implants, coupled with processing software to generate custom bend instructions for a mechanical rod bender, allowing for precise customization of rod bends to achieve desired spinal corrections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual methods are used for bending spinal rods during surgery, then surgeons have flexibility in adjusting rod bends, but the process becomes subjective, time-consuming, and prone to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary digitization of screw locations and generates custom bend instructions before the actual rod bending process. The mechanical rod bender is pre-configured with patient-specific parameters, allowing the surgeon to execute precise bends without time-consuming manual adjustments during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces subjective manual bending methods with an automated mechanical rod bender that executes computer-generated bend instructions. The mechanical system substitutes human judgment and hand-bending techniques with algorithmic precision and automated control, eliminating subjectivity and reducing errors.
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom rod bending is performed manually, then flexibility in achieving desired spinal correction is maintained, but errors and complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a digital copy of the patient's unique spinal anatomy by digitizing screw locations and spinal parameters. This digital model serves as a precise template for generating custom bend instructions, allowing the mechanical rod bender to replicate the ideal rod geometry without manual approximation errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces manual bending judgment with algorithmic calculations that determine precise bend angles and positions. The mechanical rod bender executes these calculations with consistent precision, eliminating the variability and errors inherent in manual techniques while maintaining full customization capability.
3Ease of operation
If traditional rod bending techniques are used, then surgical flexibility is preserved, but morbidity and complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs all complex calculations and bend instruction generation before surgery. During the actual surgical procedure, the surgeon simply follows the pre-generated instructions using the mechanical rod bender, significantly simplifying the intraoperative process and reducing the skill curve while improving safety.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables surgeons to create custom-fit spinal rods efficiently, reducing surgical time, minimizing morbidity, and enhancing the accuracy of spinal correction procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a spatial tracking system using an infrared position sensor and reflective arrays to digitize the location of surgical implants
Implementation Method 2
infrared position sensor and reflective arrays
Data Source
AI summary
A system for use during a surgical procedure includes a control unit configured to obtain a first anatomical characteristic of a patient; measure a second anatomical characteristic of a patient; create a targeted second anatomical characteristic; and convert at least one of the measured second anatomical characteristic and the targeted second anatomical characteristics to a patient position.